MAYOR Karen Williams says the gridlock on Old Cleveland Road will worsen unless the federal and state governments boost spending on transport to accommodate growth in the Redlands.
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Cr Williams said a regional blueprint for transport in south-east Queensland released by the Council of Mayors (SEQ) on Thursday showed that Old Cleveland Road was already beyond capacity.
“...As yet there is not even a business case let alone a commitment to remedy this and unless something is done soon the gridlock will worsen,” she said.
“We had a previous commitment to deliver the Eastern Busway but that has now dropped off the state government’s agenda and despite consistent lobbying there are no plans to deliver it.”
The Council of Mayors (SEQ) People Mass Movement Study listed the Eastern Busway and Cleveland rail duplication among 47 priority projects in south-east Queensland.
Cr Williams said that while transport was an important issue for the Redlands, there had been no commitment to deliver either project.
“Transport is about much more than convenience,” she said.
“It drives economic growth and regional opportunities and is critical for our community.”
The study covers 10 south-east Queensland councils and brings together plans of federal, state and local governments, proposing an integrated transport solution.
The priority projects were needed for commuters to travel between cities in south-east Queensland within 45 minutes, while urban trips would be completed within 30 minutes.
Cr Williams said the study showed this could be achieved in the Redlands and would encourage public transport use, taking private vehicles off the road.
“Last year I joined with Member for Capalaba Don Brown to petition Transport Minister Mark Bailey to deliver a business case for the Eastern Busway,” she said.
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“Hopefully this report will show why this project is so important to the Redlands Coast.
“This People Mass Movement Study also identifies the duplication of the Cleveland Rail Line as critical, and with it now dubbed the ‘Misery Line’ I’m sure all residents would agree this project is vital.”
Cr Williams said growth in the Redlands was expected to be modest compared to neighbouring councils but already 60 per cent of residents left the city each day to work or study, showing there was a clear need for transport investment.
“This is a regional plan and there needs to be a regional solution that will help Redlanders get to Brisbane and beyond and help our neighbours get out to enjoy the Redlands Coast,” she said.
The study states that high levels of road congestion are forecast in the 2031 network and a decade later all roads across the region showed significant congestion.
“Over-capacity congested roads mean unstable traffic flow conditions which will likely result in increased queues and delays,” the report said.
“There is evidence that increased congestion can also increase the likelihood of traffic crashes, with studies consistently showing that rear-end crashes are more likely to occur during unstable traffic flow or stop-start operating conditions.
“These outcomes are expected to have negative impacts on the quality of life, economic growth and global competitiveness currently experience in south-east Queensland.”
