Residents wait 15 years for solution as level crossing fix still in study phase

Politicians have pledged more than $125 million to fix this deadly level crossing, but plans are still six months away – before any work even starts – as the State Government continues to study the project.

Residents are fed up and politicians continue to be at loggerheads as a solution to one of Brisbane’s deadliest level crossings is still at least six months away.

The State Government says the case study for an upgrade to Lindum level crossing on Brisbane’s bayside could take until the end of the year to be finished.

The timeline comes after the Federal Government committed $85 million to a solution, and Brisbane City Council designated $40 million the project more than a year ago – when an elderly woman died after being hit by a train at the crossing.

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The State Government committed just $600,000 of funding – which it has spent on the study. Community consultation was completed in February.

The dangerous Lindum Level Crossing. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker.

But if residents – who have waited 15 years for the dangerous intersection to be fixed – thought a solution was close, they’re wrong.

State Member for Lytton Joan Pease said the study was expected to be completed towards the end of the year, after almost 300 people responded to surveys on the issue.

But local resident Bronwyn Brown, who also works in the area, said it was time all the talk was over.

Lytton workers Chris Chandler and Bronwyn Brown at Lindum station. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker

“It’s time to cut through the red tape and just get something done,” she said.

“It’s a bit frustrating that it seems to just get dragged along.

“The crossing is a serious issue and has been for a long time, I have colleagues who have had accidents there, it’s very dangerous, especially during peak hour.

“All the residents know how serious an issue it is.”

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta and Federal Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge at the notorious Lindum rail crossing.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said he did not think the Lindum upgrade was high enough on the State Government’s priority list.

“I can’t emphasis enough how urgent this project is for the safety of our community,” he said.

“The Palaszczuk government needs to commit their share of funding to get this vital upgrade under way for the safety of motorists and the local community.”

Ms Pease said issues brought up during the community consultation process included safety, driver behaviour, congestion and parking.

State Member for Lytton Joan Pease says the State Government study on the Lindum level crossing will be finished by the end of the year. Picture: Tim Marsden.

“In their responses, our community suggested things like changes to the road network around the station, more carparking and better facilities for pedestrians in the area,” she said.

“That community feedback is now being used to inform the development of TMR’s (Department of Transport and Main Roads) technical study, with a contractor to be appointed shortly.

“Some of the options that the study will consider include road network reconfiguration, grade separation, station upgrades and park ‘n’ ride upgrades.”

Rail Back On Track administrator Robert Dow says all level crossings in Queensland should be removed. Picture: AAP/Josh Woning.

Robert Dow, from rail advocacy group Rail Back on Track, believes all level crossing removals – including Lindum – should be expedited, following similar moves made by the Victorian Government in recent years.

For more information on Lindum level crossing and the State Government’s study, visit tmr.qld.gov.au/lindumstudy.