Olympics train bid: New push to re-open southside rail line

The Transport Minister has dismissed calls to reopen a rail line in his own southside seat ahead of the 2032 Games, saying it would create delays across the southeast’s train network.

A new push to reopen the Corinda to Tennyson line to passenger trains before the Brisbane Olympics has fallen on deaf ears, with Transport Minister Mark Bailey insisting Cross River Rail will meet demand.

In 2010 the Beattie Labor Government cut passenger services to three in the morning and three in the afternoon, and then completely cut passenger services in 2011.

Since then the line has been used for freight only, despite a flood of medium to high density residential development in the past decade.

Councillor Nicole Johnston (Tennyson) and Greens MP Michael Berkman, whose state seat of Maiwar is just north of the area, said CRR was no substitute.

But Mr Bailey, whose state seat of Miller takes in Tennyson, said the area had too few people to justify reopening the line and it would also lead to “cascading’’ delays throughout the southeast Queensland rail network.

Michael Berkman's post on re-opening the Corinda line.

Mr Berkman said it was nonsensical that Council was meanwhile investigating the feasibility of a costly duplication of the Walter Taylor Bridge, which he said would quickly become congested.

“I think the time is right to kick off a conversation about reopening it (Tennyson),’’ Mr Berkman said.

“In the 10 years since 2011, development has taken off across the westside and the southside. “That means more people trying to squeeze onto congested roads and use our patchy public transport.

“Reopening this line would create more cross-suburban links for all those residents.’’

He said the 105 and 104 bus services which were meant to replace the now-closed line were slow, unreliable and infrequent.

“The Tennyson Tennis Centre will host the Olympic tennis events in 2032.

Corinda Station. Picture: Tim Marsden

“It’s right next to the old Tennyson Station, so it would be great to open up access from the westside via the Tennyson line,’’ he said.

“Importantly it would also mean longer trips are easier on public transport, including Ipswich to the Gold Coast, or Logan to Springfield.

“There are huge new developments proposed at Corinda, Yeerongpilly, Salisbury and Moorooka which would all benefit from linking together the Ipswich line with the Beenleigh line.’’

Cr Johnston said it was wrong to suggest CRR was a viable alternative as many commuters would have to catch a train into the CBD and then another back out to the Mater Hospital or Dutton Park Ecosciences Precinct. It also would not help schoolchildren.

She said urban renewal developments such as Yeerongpilly Green would place increasing transport pressure on that part of the city.

Mark Bailey speaking at a visit to the Cross River Rail construction site in Woolloongabba. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dan Peled

Mr Bailey said Walter Taylor Bridge needed to be duplicated, as having one lane across the river was not viable.

But he said reopening the Tennyson spur would not help local congestion.

“It sounds like a good idea and worthy of discussion and debate, but the practicalities of it make it a bit difficult,’’ he said.

“It’s not a simple matter, it would have cascading effects on the system.

“It would impact on the whole network, particularly high frequency services such as the Ipswich, Gold Coast and Beenleigh lines.’’

That was because whenever rail lines crossed minimum separation between trains had to be factored in, slowing speeds elsewhere.

Mr Bailey also said the section of Tennyson where the old train station was built would service just six streets, as the area was flood plain and low density.

And he said Yeerongpilly Green residents could use Yeerongpilly Station, 500-600m away, which would allow them to take CRR into the city.

Cr Johnston said those claims were specious because the spur line would take passengers from suburbs further to the southwest, and also connected students and hospital workers.

“The Tennyson spur line is a critical service linking the southwestern suburbs with the inner south knowledge precinct (Dutton Park),’’ she said.

“It gives students heading to schools and university and medical staff heading to the hospitals direct rail access to their destinations.

Cr Nicole Johnston. Picture: AAP/Sarah Marshall

“The loss of the spur line a decade ago made those journeys longer for thousands of residents.’’

She said students who would benefit from the line reopening included those attending Somerville House, St Laurence’s College, the Inner South State Secondary College, Brisbane State High School, St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School and Corinda State High School.

It would also benefit countless residents in new estates springing up around Springfield, Yarrabilba and Flagstone.

“It seems shortsighted, to me, to close a rail line that can move people around the city and prioritise freight,’’ she said.

Cr Johnston conceded the Tennyson station was so small passengers had to be in the last three carriages to get on or off, but it was adequate for school students and local usage.