‘Gobsmacked’ business owners slam MP for failing to show at Northern Transitway meeting

Hundreds of carparks will be lost to the new $53 million Northern Transitway, with business owners claiming many will be forced to close. But attempts to voice their concerns to their local MP ended in a frustrating no-show.

INCENSED business owners have accused Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham of going into “hiding” after he failed to attend a meeting over a proposed ‘busway’ that threatens their livelihoods.

Business leaders Yvette Cottrill and Peter Lincoln were “gobsmacked’ to find local MP Dr Lynham was a no-show last Friday when they arrived at his Stafford electoral office to express their concerns over the $53 million Northern Transitway (NT).

Business owner Yvette Cottrill said it appeared Mines Ministers Dr Anthony Lynham had gone into hiding over the Northern Transitway proposal which is likely to force businesses to close. Pic: Darren Cartwright

Instead of getting an audience with their local member, Ms Cottrill and Mr Lincoln were greeted by Department of Transport and Main Roads personnel they had already spoken to about the project.

Ms Cottrill said she had tried for weeks to meet with Mr Lynham and his absence did not fill her with any confidence that businesses would receive a fair hearing.

“We were gobsmacked to walk in and find out that he wouldn’t be attending,” Ms Cottrill said.

“It was the same people we had seen before and he was the person we wanted to speak to tell him how we feel.

“Again our concerns just falls on deaf ears.

“It feels as he is hiding from the project completely.”

An artist's impression of the Northern Transitway (in green) which will wipe out all on-road parking along Gympie Rd from Kedron to Chermside. Picture: The Courier-Mail

Mr Lincoln said Dr Lynham’s staff said he was unable to attend because his ‘ministerial calendar’ had changed on Thursday.

“Why didn’t he tell us beforehand or at least reschedule. It was just a waste of time,” Mr Lincoln said.

Dr Lynham told The Courier-Mail that “a last minute diary change to fulfil a Ministerial duty” resulted in diary appointments be rearranged.

“This is not unusual,” Dr Lynham said.

“However, to ensure that concerns were noted, the meeting was not cancelled and I requested that four senior officers from the Department of Transport and Main Roads be present to address concerns.

“My electorate office staff also took detailed notes of the issues raised.”

Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said he was trying to arrange another meeting with local business leaders after having to miss last week's scheduled meeting because of a diary change. Picture: AAP/Darren England

Dr Lynham said he was in the process of arranging another appointment although Ms Cottrill and Mr Lincoln both said had yet to hear from him.

The NT is, in effect, a priority bus lane, that can be used by taxis, bicycles and limousines.

It will replace the parking shoulder along each side of Gympie Rd, from Sadlier St, Kedron to Hamilton Rd, Chermside.

It includes the removal of two bus stops and hundreds of on-street car parks along the 2.3km route.

Ms Cottrill said the NT could be the death knell for dozens of businesses with customers having nowhere to park, even on weekends, along Gympie Rd.

“Everybody feels the same way, I have yet to find anyone who is positive and wants it to go ahead,” Ms Cottrill said.

Signs placed along Gympie Rd, Kedron protesting against the Northern Transitway proposal. Picture: Darren Cartwright

Transport and Main Roads has held two information meetings on the Northern Transitway with another two set down at Kedron State School on October 10 and 12.

Ms Cottrill said she attended the sessions and even handed out flyers, highlighting anomalies of the project which included the Brisbane City Council opposing the project and weekly speed cameras being set up outside her business which contradict congestion concerns.

“They kept trying to hide them, but at least some people did take them and look at them,” Ms Cottrill said.

“Why have speed cameras if it’s so congested?”

Mr Lincoln said the pain the Northern Transitway would cause businesses, including during the construction phase, was disproportionate to getting a bus to Chermside two minutes quicker.

“It’s doesn’t add up,” he said.

An artist impression of the Northern Transitway which will run along the parking shoulder of Gympie Rd from Kedron to Chermside. It includes banning right-hand turns out of five side streets and the removal of Strathmore St and Castle St bus stops. Picture: The Courier-Mail

The project has also pitted the Brisbane City Council against the State Government.

Bus stops, on either side of the Gympie Rd, at the Castle St and Strathmore St intersections will create some logistical problems for commuters.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has previously called the project a stop gap measure that used existing roads instead of delivering on a promise made more than a quarter of a century ago.

“The State Government has only built 27km of the 75km busway proposed in 1992 and building of the final 48 kilometres of the Northern and Eastern Busways needs to be the State Government’s focus,” Mr Schrinner said.

Marchant Ward councillor Fiona Hammond said businesses would suffer if carparking was removed and urged locals to attend information sessions.

Dr Lynham contacted Ms Cottrill and Mr Lincoln on Tuesday afternoon, after the story appeared on The Courier-Mail online, to arrange a meeting for Thursday.