Politicians go head-to head over ”disastrous” rail crossing

Politicians tell us what they have done and will do to fix a “disastrous” rail crossing on Brisbane’s bayside.

Ross Vasta and Joan Pease clash over the Lindum Rail Crossing.

THE Lindum Rail Crossing is in desperate need of an upgrade.

But there is yet to be any funding committed to the project despite the State Government committing $800,000 to a study on whether an overpass is the best solution for a similar crossing at Coopers Plains.

Brisbane City Council has said it will commit 15 per cent of funding, with the State and Federal Governments needing to come to the party with the other 85 per cent.

Statistics provided by Queensland Rail showed there were 13 near misses between trains and vehicles at the crossing between 2013 and 2017 and 18 near misses between trains and pedestrians in the same period.

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

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta is adamant funding will be committed to the project if the State Government contributes funds, but has been at odds with State Member for Lytton Joan Pease on working together to make it happen.

Today, Mr Vasta and Ms Pease tell the Wynnum Herald what they have done and will do for the Lindum rail crossing.

State Member for Lytton Joan Pease (ALP). Picture: Chris McCormack

JOAN PEASE:

When I was elected in 2015, one of the first letters I wrote was to the minister regarding the Lindum Level Crossing. That letter included a request to discuss the road hatching, which was causing significant issues for motorists.

As a result of my intervention, the hatching was removed allowing motorists the opportunity to cross the intersection to turn tight from North Rd into Lindum Rd when the boom gates were down.

I have met with department officers from TMR and Queensland Rail outlining my concerns and the concerns of the community.

I have also written to Brisbane City Council seeking advice regarding traffic intervention similar to the Geebung level crossing (Telegraph Rd).

BCC manages the roads surrounding the level crossing so I sought advice about the potential for new traffic lights and other traffic interventions such as yellow lines, stopping parking and widening turning lanes and roads there.

BCC said Lindum Level Crossing was not on its level crossing upgrades and they did not think traffic lights or other interventions would work.

I will continue to work with the minister to get the best outcome and call on the BCC to provide appropriate funding for this project.

Federal LNP MP for Bonner Ross Vasta at Lindum Train Station. Picture: NewsCorp

ROSS VASTA:

It’s been almost 18 months since I started fighting to fix the dangerous Lindum intersection. I’ve spoken to many locals about this issue on the bayside streets, at the Manly markets, while phone canvassing and during small business walks and I also collected thousands of signatures on my Fix Lindum Petition.

Just last week I was doorknocking local businesses in Lindum and locals are imploring me to fix this issue, they told me they’re sick of putting themselves at risk every time drive through the crossing, locals know a tragedy is inevitable if it is not fixed now!

I have made many speeches in parliament about this issue and I’ve taken the Deputy Prime Minister the Hon. Michael McCormack, Minister for Infrastructure the Hon. Alan Tudge and other ministers to see the disastrous Lindum crossing and speak with them about my campaign.

I have spoken to Brisbane City Council and I have their support, however, I have reached a roadblock with the Labor State Government.

I can guarantee that I’ll keep fighting to get this issue fixed for local families. Recently the Palaszczuk Government committed to a 50-50 funding split to fix the Coopers Plains crossing, this is just a kick in the guts for locals. If this can happen in Coopers Plains we need the State Member to step up and lobby for the same thing here, don’t the people of Bonner deserve to have their state member fighting for them?

Enough is enough, this is our chance to step up and deliver and at the end of the day I know I’m working as hard as I can to fix Lindum.