Labor candidate says funding for Lindum crossing fix may take a decade

A federal Labor candidate has fired back at a funding announcement to fix a dangerous Brisbane rail crossing, saying it may take up to a decade for it to come to fruition.

ALP candidate for the federal seat of Bonner Jo Briskey. Picture: NewsCorp

FEDERAL Labor candidate for Bonner Jo Briskey has fired back at current member Ross Vasta’s recent funding announcement for the Lindum level crossing, saying it may not be all good news for local commuters.

Mr Vasta announced $85 million has been committed to a fix for the dangerous intersection as part of the Federal Budget on Tuesday night, with the Brisbane City Council also committing $40 million to a solution.

“This is a huge win for the bayside community,” Mr Vasta said.

But his opponent in the upcoming federal election said it may be a long time before the funding is used for the intersection.

A train passes through the notorious Lindum rail crossing. Picture: Supplied

“I know this is a significant safety concern and that it deserves greater urgency than what is being proposed,” Ms Briskey said.

“Under Mr Vasta’s proposal the community will have to wait two years before the first dollar comes through and then another four years or more before the full funding for the fix is actually realised.

“I think it’s wrong that the LNP Federal Member ask the community to wait, it was only a few weeks ago that someone tragically lost their life at Lindum Station.

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“Mr Vasta has had close to 10 years as the local member and has done nothing and now he’s telling baysiders that they will need to wait another 10 years before he can actually deliver on his current promise.”

Ms Briskey said the ALP would announce their plans for the intersection soon.

“I understand the urgency that’s why I have been working to ensure a future Labor Government make a commitment to getting Lindum fixed,” she said.

State Member for Lytton Joan Pease. Picture: Tim Marsden

But Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said the project was already in the early planning phase.

“As is standard practice, when projects move from the planning phase to the construction phase, payment schedules are updated so that funding can flow as soon as it is required. This is how budgets work, this is how funding for infrastructure projects work,” he said.

“The Coalition’s funding for major projects like the Lindum Crossing is locked in.”

Mr Vasta and incoming Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner both called on the State Government and Member for Lytton Joan Pease to come to the party to complete the funding.

But Ms Pease said a case study was needed first.

“I have been listening to baysiders and have been pushing to fix Lindum Crossing since I was elected and unfortunately this cannot be said for my federal colleague, who has only shown interest in this matter in recent times,” she said.

“This funding will give our residents hope that a solution may finally be on the way. Under Graham Quirk, the Brisbane City Council refused to contribute any more than 15 per cent … So Council’s $40 million contribution is a positive step in the right direction.

“However, the focus now is to do the business case and planning for a preferred option at Lindum.

“Once we’ve done that, we’ll have an indication on the final cost and it will be up to all three levels of government to negotiate how the project is delivered.”