Coopers Plains railway crossing debate reignites
Hopes of fixing a dangerous railway crossing on Brisbane’s southside remain in limbo with the Federal Government accused of ignoring the issue because it is in a Labor Party stronghold.
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HOPES of fixing a dangerous railway crossing on Brisbane’s southside remain in limbo with the Federal Government accused of ignoring the issue because it is in a Labor Party stronghold.
For decades the Boundary Rd level crossing at Coopers Plains has been a source of frustration for motorists, residents and businesses in the area with politicians passing the buck continually.
The level crossing is closed for more than one third of the morning and evening peak periods, with boom gates down for up to seven minutes at a time, causing lengthy delays.
However, the potentially enormous cost of fixing the crossing looms as a huge stumbling block.
The Queensland Government has invested $800,000 for a feasibility study to determine if an overpass is the best solution for the crossing.
The findings of the study are expected to be delivered by late 2019 but initial estimations suggest such a fix could cost in excess of $200 million.
During Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s recent visit to Brisbane locals had anticipated a funding announcement could be made with regards to fixing the Boundary Rd crossing.
However no Federal funds were forthcoming, creating further frustration for residents on the southside.
ALP Federal Member for Moreton Graham Perrett said he was disappointed that the Coalition Government had not come to the party to reduce the gridlock and alleviate long held safety concerns at the Coopers Plains rail crossing.
“The Coopers Plains crossing needs fixing and it needs fixing now,” he said.
“The three levels of Labor representation around Coopers Plains area is the problem for both the LNP Mayor (Graham Quirk) and Prime Minister.
“I believe all three levels of government should work together and share the costs to remove this dangerous level crossing.
“I call on both Lord Mayor Quirk and Prime Minister Morrison to agree to pay their fair share of this crucial upgrade for the southside.
“Southsiders are crying out for investment in this vital project — consistently rated as a top priority by industry groups like the RACQ.”
A Federal Government spokesman said: “We note that the Queensland Government are conducting a feasibility study and are welcome to seek Commonwealth funding through the Infrastructure Investment Program”.
A Brisbane City Council spokeswoman said council “stands ready to support an upgrade at Coopers Plains with a 15 per cent contribution”.
“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,” she said.
“The only exceptions to this agreement were due to existing council road projects that linked in with existing crossing projects.”
But opposition ALP councillor Steve Griffiths (Moorooka ward) disagrees with the LNP administration’s 15 per cent funding pledge.
“It is a real cop out because the LNP administration has put up 50 per cent to fix two on the northside but they were in LNP electorates.
“Businesses and residents have had their say (during the feasibility study’s consultation period) and overwhelmingly they are saying that action needs to be taking in the short and long term to deal with the congestion and safety of this level railway crossing.”
Mr Perrett agreed with Mr Griffiths by saying council had “continually refused” to fund this project fairly.
“They contributed 50 per cent to level crossing upgrades on the northside in Geebung and Bracken Ridge, but continue to refuse to give the southside our fair share — only offering a miserly 15 per cent in Coopers Plains,” he said.
“Locals are sick of the buck-passing. It’s only fair that the cost should be shared equally
between the three levels of government: federal, state and council.”
“Labor knows that the solution to southeast Queensland’s congestion issues is more roads and more rail — that’s why a Shorten Labor Government will build both to help
reduce gridlock.”
What TMR says
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Palaszczuk Government was committed to working with other levels of government to fix the Coopers Plains level crossing.
“The feedback from residents recently collected during community drop-in sessions will help us plan the best option for that fix,” he said.
“The planning we’re doing this year will deliver a preferred option and estimated cost for the upgrade.
“Figures of $200 million have been suggested for fixing Coopers Plains the crossing in the past, so that gives you an indication of the scale of what’s required.”
Mr Bailey said State Member for Toohey Peter Russo constantly raised this issue when they talked and they agreed the project was long overdue.
“ … But it’s one that needs appropriate support from all three levels of government,” he said.
“Brisbane’s LNP representatives talk about how important it is to fix the city’s level crossings, without making a genuine commitment to do anything about them.
“The LNP city council went 50/50 with the State Government on the cost for fixing two level crossings on the northside when Campbell Newman was premier but now, they say they will only contribute 15 per cent, despite spending $650 million on Kingsford Smith Dr to save motorists one minute in traffic.
“Meanwhile, Labor councillors have been campaigning to fix Coopers Plains for years.”
Mr Bailey commended Labor’s Federal Member for Moreton Graham Perrett for seeking a commitment from his federal colleagues for this project because he knew how important it was for the southside.
“Once we have a cost and a preferred option for Coopers Plains crossing, we will be ready to negotiate with other levels of government to get the funding we need to fix it,” Mr Bailey said.
During the morning and evening peak of a normal week, the level crossing is passed by 498 trains, of which 206 are express, according to DTMR.
During peak periods, a traffic demand of up to 1000 vehicles per hour travel over the crossing, with a significant number of these being heavy vehicles.
What MP Peter Russo says
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.
“Offering 15 per cent doesn’t cut it when two similar projects on the northside saw the (Quirk administration) providing 50 per cent funding for those projects.”
What locals say
Former LNP Member for Algester and self-proclaimed “community advocate” Anthony Shorten said he attended one of the public consultation meetings to have his say but also to “see what $800,000 buys”
“As I have said before I believe that the release of the report must be accompanied by locked in funding by the state, but I know what will happen,” he said.
“They will use the funding as a political football and argue that it is only fair that BCC comes up with 50 per cent of the funding just like they did for the northside projects.
“Residents and southsiders are sick and tied of Labor taking them for granted, using funding fights to delay projects.”
Business owner and southsider Annamarie Newton said: “Coopers Plains crossing has never been a quick fix, all sides should agree that the community must be consulted, alternatives such as overpasses or other ideas must be considered.”
“The reality and practicality must be part of the solution and to do this a professional and proper assessment must be undertaken,” she said.
“The community deserves a workable long-term solution which will try and keep pace with the ever-increasing population on the southside.”
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