Here’s how to fix squabbles over the mega cruise ship terminal transport

Political squabbles continue over the cost of transport around Brisbane’s mega cruise ship terminal. But a local insider has what he says is a brilliant idea to fix it. What do you think?

RECONNECTING the train line from Doomben to Pinkenba — so it could carry passengers using the new cruise ship terminal — would deliver a welcome boost to the area, a long-time resident believes.

FIRST LOOK: Brisbane’s mega cruise ship terminal

Ratepayers will pay millions to upgrade the corridor to Brisbane’s incoming $158 million cruise ship terminal in a move that’s angered two maverick councillors.

Pinkenba railway station ca 1935 Picture: State Library of Queensland

Brisbane City Council and Port of Brisbane will split the $10 million price tag to upgrade the road network between Kingsford Smith Drive and Luggage Point.

Alf Cavallaro, who has lived in Ascot for 74 years and co-owns two local pharmacy businesses, says improving the area’s public transport would capitalise on development and supercharge local business.

Alf Cavallaro. (AAP/Image Sarah Marshall)

“I can see it having an enormous impact — imagine what it could do for Ascot and Hamilton,” he said. “Cruise passengers could hop onto a train and then it’s a short ride to the city. Or they could walk down Racecourse Rd and take a CityCat straight to town.”

Remnants of a train line can still be seen running past the Doomben station, through a now-closed Eagle Farm station, and on to Pinkenba and the river.

Tourist steam train rides were staged on the track as late as last August.

However, a TransLink spokesman said there were “no plans to reopen Pinkenba Station or extend rail services beyond Doomben”.

“The rail line from Doomben to Pinkenba is no longer in use,” he said.

Mr Cavallaro said the area’s trade had been impacted by Brisbane Racing Club’s Eagle Farm track closure and drawn-out roadworks along Kingsford Smith Drive, but he had high hopes of a strong recovery when the riverside upgrade was completed and the racetrack reopened. Improved train services between developing suburbs would be icing on the cake, he said.

An artist’s impression of the Port of Brisbane cruise ship terminal surrounds. Picture: Arup

“It’s going to be a very liveable area,” he said. “It’s going to be superb, no doubt about it.”

Mr Cavallaro said he was so optimistic that he and his business partners had just completed a major upgrade of their Racecourse Rd building, revamping the pharmacy section and expanding the medical practice suites of the two-level complex. A new medical centre — Racecourse Road Health Centre — had also moved in, he said.

Mr Cavallaro said it would also be a good idea to establish an express bus to carry the rapidly growing number of residents moving into the Northshore Hamilton precinct to the Doomben train station.

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RACECOURSE RD PHARMACY PARTY

Reopening Party,

Friday, November 30, from 12.30pm.

Barbecue, refreshments, lucky-door prizes, Gold coin donation benefiting charity Red Kite.

119 Racecourse Rd, Ascot