West End calls for a second City Cat stop to combat traffic woes

FINDING it hard to get in or out of West End? One Brisbane councillor thinks she has the solution, but will it ease woes on the roads?

13/02/2011 NEWS: News BCM 13.2.11 City Cats. The City Cats make their way down the Brisbane River. Pic Peter Wallis

CALLS for a second West End City CityCat stop are growing as the population of the inner-city village grows.

Councillor Helen Abrahams (Gabba ward) has implored Lord Mayor Graham Quirk to set aside a portion of the next Brisbane City Council budget to establish the ferry stop in a bid to ease congestion along West End’s major roads.

“Every land plan put out ... including the South Brisbane Riverside Neighbourhood Plan ... always shaped a city cat terminal at the end of Victoria St,” she said.

Cr Abrahams said council called for tenders on the project about four years ago, but did not proceed.

“I certainly know that all the residents that have bought between Montague Rd and the river in West End have been told by the real estate agents that there are plans,” she said. “I think it’s absolutely vital ... I believe (Lord) Mayor Quirk should bring it forward into the 2015/2016 budget because Montague Rd is a disaster ... it cannot cope with the existing density.”

However Public and Active Transport chairman, Councillor Peter Matic said that council had invested in public transport significantly in West End to address future growth.

“Council previously proposed a new terminal at Kurilpa as part of the joint State Government and council planning work completed last year,” he said. “The State Government has now indicated that it does not intend to proceed with the plan in its current form, so it would be premature to suggest a new CityCat terminal at this location at this time ... council delivered the CityGlider along much of Montague Rd ... which has been has been highly successful and popular.”

But Dr Erin Evans, of the West End Community Association, said more public transport was still needed.

Present West End public transport options:

■ CityCat stop on Orleigh St

■ City Glider bus service

■ Various other bus services run to and from the suburb

■ The closest train station is South Brisbane

■ CityCycle

Do you think West End needs a new ferry terminal and service? Email editorial @citysouthnews.com.au