Coopers Plains crossing funding pledge from Federal Labor
Federal Labor has promised to fix one of southeast Queensland’s most dangerous level railway crossings if it wins the next election.
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Federal Labor has promised to fix one of southeast Queensland’s most dangerous level railway crossings if it wins the next election.
Today, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development Anthony Albanese MP and Federal ALP Member for Moreton Graham Perrett MP made the $73 million commitment to fix the Coopers Plains level railway crossing.
Estimated to cost $200 million for an overpass, the State Government and Brisbane City Council will need to come to the party with the additional funds.
For decades the Boundary Rd crossing at Coopers Plains has been a source of frustration for motorists, residents and businesses in the area with politicians passing the buck continually.
Mr Perrett said an overpass would significantly boost productivity by reducing traffic congestion, while also improving road safety for road-users and residents.
The crossing is in a Labor Party stronghold.
Federal Labor’s $73 million investment would be contingent on matching funding from both the State Government and the Brisbane City Council.
“The Coopers Plains level crossing traverses three separate rail tracks on the Beenleigh and Gold Coast lines,” Mr Perrett said.
“The boom gates are lowered 138 times each day, causing frustration for motorists who must wait for the trains to pass.
“With as many as 1000 cars and trucks passing the level crossing each hour, there have been numerous incidents, including 28 cases of cars hitting the boom gates over the past seven years. That’s too many close calls.”
Mr Albanese said the number of passenger and freight trains using these lines would increase in coming years.
“Inaction will lead to more congestion, a reduction in productivity and even more frustration for motorists,” he said.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government is preparing the business case for this important project.
“To this point the Brisbane City Council has committed to contribute 15 per cent of the cost — well short of the 50 per cent contribution it has made to similar projects on Brisbane’s north side.
“It is time for the three levels of government to join forces and fix this black spot once and for all.”
WHAT STATE GOVT SAYS
State ALP Member for Toohey Peter Russo welcomed the funding announcement from his federal counterparts.
State Member for Toohey Peter Russo MP said: “Now that the State Government has advanced the fixing of the Coopers Plains crossing to ensure safety is a priority by fully funding and undertaking the business case study, it is now time for (Brisbane City Council) Mayor Graham Quirk to provide adequate funding”.
WHAT COUNCIL SAYS
“Brisbane City Council stands ready to support an upgrade at Coopers Plains with a 15 per cent contribution and there are no plans to increase this funding,” a council spokeswoman said.
“Traditionally rail replacements have always been a 15 per cent contribution from Council and
there are no plans to increase this funding for a State Government infrastructure project.
“The only exceptions to this agreement were due to existing Council road projects that linked in with existing crossing projects.”
Brisbane City Council’s ALP opposition has “committed to meet a 50:50 council: state match with funding”.
“ … As per the two crossings that received approval for Robinson Rd and Telegraph Rd on the northside (by the LNP council and LNP state administrations),” ALP councillor Steve Griffiths (Moorooka ward) said.
“I welcome the commitment by Graham Perrett MP and the federal Labor Party to provide one third of the funding for this project.
“The ALP in council will absolutely support and commit to a project where each level of Government contribute a third funding and I call on the Lord Mayor to match this funding and stop treating the residents of the southside so poorly.”
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