Boom gates ‘unnecessary’: Minister Mark Bailey announces $1.4m study for Cairns Station upgrades
Minister for Transport Mark Bailey who visited Cairns has announced the state government’s plan for rail upgrades and boom gates at street level crossings in the region. FIND OUT MORE
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BOOM gates won’t be installed at railway crash hot spots around Cairns any time soon, transport minister Mark Bailey has confirmed.
Mr Bailey visited the city on Monday to announce a $1.4m study into necessary upgrades for the city’s main train station, but indicated there were no plans to introduce boom gates at rail street crossings as the investigation continues into a car and train collision in Cairns North earlier this month.
The announcement follows public calls for boom gates to be installed, with a recent Cairns Post poll revealing 70 per cent of readers are in favour of the safety precaution at rail crossings.
Mr Bailey said the state government is making sure the region’s railway system was looked after but boom gates at street level crossings were not a priority.
“We want the long distance rail services to have best experience possible for customers,” he said.
“We’re talking about street crossings where there are four trains a day, it’s not like Southeast Queensland where there are trains going every 10 minutes.”
Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said he remained “unconvinced” on the necessity of boom gates at street and rail intersections such as that of Arthur Street and McLeod Street.
“There are four trains a day and as locals we know when those trains operate,” he said.
“They’re some of the slowest moving trains in the state, I’m not convinced boom gates are necessarily the answer here.”
The $1.4m feasibility study is expected to be completed by 2023 with the state’s main concern being to upgrade the facility’s accessibility, improved seating, device charging stations, signage, and airconditioning.
Mr Crawford said his aim was to make Cairns Station an “iconic location”.
“For thousands of tourists arriving and departing, this railway station will be the first glimpse of our station,” he said.
“Let’s dig deep, let’s see what we can come up with to make this a real iconic location where people want to visit and take some pictures.”
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Originally published as Boom gates ‘unnecessary’: Minister Mark Bailey announces $1.4m study for Cairns Station upgrades
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