SEQ plan ignores fast growing areas

A 20-YEAR plan for south-east Queensland's transport has ignored some of the state's fastest growing areas, according to Lockyer Valley Mayor Steve Jones.

A 20-YEAR plan for south-east Queensland's transport has ignored some of the state's fastest growing areas, according to Lockyer Valley Mayor Steve Jones.

The Connecting SEQ 2031 transport plan outlines a "20-year transport vision" for Ipswich, Brisbane, Moreton, Logan, Redland, the Gold and Sunshine Coasts and regional areas.

However, despite in-depth plans for other regions, the Scenic Rim, Lockyer Valley and Somerset regions are lumped into one category with little detail in the plans.

Cr Jones said with the areas having some of the state's fastest growing towns, they deserved a more thorough plan.

"This latest plan largely overlooks the rural areas of SEQ such as the Lockyer Valley, Somerset and Scenic Rim areas," he said.

"The Lockyer Valley and Somerset council areas are the fastest growing regions in the state, with population growth of more than 4%."

One of the key points of contention for Cr Jones was the lack of plans for the proposed Gowrie to Grandchester electric rail line.

"It wasn't all that long ago that this government was telling people through its South-East Queensland Infrastructure Plan that the Gowrie to Grandchester electric rail line would be delivered by 2026 at the latest.

"Now they've basically left the rail line completely out of a plan which is supposed to be a vision for public transport for the next 20 years up until 2031 - the plan says the corridor will be preserved but it gives no timeframe for construction at all.

"We need that rail line to be built soon to accommodate projects our region is seeing, such as the expansion of the UQ Gatton campus, the Spring Creek Correctional Centre, Grantham's historic development and major residential developments in places like Laidley and Withcott.

"Just because people live in a regional or rural area doesn't mean they should miss out on public transport opportunities that the Gowrie to Grandchester electric rail line would provide."

Cr Jones said he would continue to lobby state and federal governments for the rail line to be installed.

The transport plan's current objectives for the Somerset, Scenic Rim and Lockyer Valley include preserving the Gowrie to Grandchester rail line, upgrading the Warrego Highway and Brisbane Valley Highway interchanges, and constructing a Toowoomba bypass to Withcott.

The transport plan can be viewed at www.connectingseq.qld.gov.au.

Originally published as SEQ plan ignores fast growing areas