Brisbane needs light rail to avoid becoming ‘obese’, says expert

A light rail network linking Brisbane suburbs should be considered to prevent it becoming an “obese” city where major roads remain congested and affordable housing is difficult to find. VOTE IN POLL

A light rail network linking Brisbane suburbs should be considered to prevent it becoming an “obese” city where major roads remain congested and affordable housing is difficult to find.

Former Queensland state planner Gary White has called for a rethink of the future blueprint of South East Queensland, which is expected to become home to an extra 2.2m residents by 2046.

An updated regional plan – which guides planning for state and local governments – is expected to be released within weeks.

Mr White, who was also New South Wales’ chief planner, has called for more investment in major public transport connections to allow higher density development – apartments – to flourish in the outer suburbs of Brisbane.

He also praised the success of the expanding Gold Coast light rail, saying it was a model that could be considered in the capital.

“Currently we’re nowhere near we need to be – the transportation infrastructure is the most critical thing when it comes to shaping southeast Queensland,” he said.

“Light rail is a success story.

“We need that to start happening across the whole region.”

A past concept of light rail in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley

Advocates argue apartment developments were part of the solution to easing the housing shortage, however Mr White said transport connections were essential for people to “warm to high-density products”.

He argued southeast Queensland had a catch-up attitude where critical infrastructure was planned only after the population had arrived.

That major trunk infrastructure, Mr White said, was usually road expansions or upgraded vehicle infrastructure.

“We’re only talking about building bigger so we’re in danger of creating an obese ‘business as usual’,” he said.

Mr White said South East Queensland had one of the most competent regional planning frameworks anywhere in Australia which had delivered the renowned Brisbane lifestyle, but he warned against complacency.

“We want to build on that success and feel comfortable that we have a plan for the next 20 years,” he said.

“One of the big challenges is we have to know the shape we’re planning towards.”

Mr White also raised fears of the lack of co-operation between the state and councils, which was a hallmark of previous successful planning.

“I have never seen such a poor relationship between local government and the state on a planning review,” he said.