Disability Access At Train Stations - Nambour

[Metatron]

I have been wanting to do a petition for the Nambour Train Station Upgrade so that it would meet the Disability Discrimination Act.  Yet I didn't know what to say.  That was until I heard Kurt Fearnley speak.  I was inspired by Kurt Fearnley's Australia Day address.  He is the man that took on the Kokoda Trail using his arms.  His wheel chair  is very much apart of his being he said.

  The Nambour Train Station has a staircase that takes you from the concourse to the subway and out to the car park.  Yes Kurt did travel the Kokoda Trail but I don't expect him or others like him to do that at Nambour Train Station or other places for that matter. 

   Recently I read an article about the Dakabin Station, so I have included that in my petition as well.  Can you please sign the petition 2063-13 Disability access at the Nambour Train Station at http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/petitions/e-petitions

"What matters is that we as a community own the fact that we haven't done enough and that when we turn that fact around, we as a community will all be better off".  Kurt Fearnley(Young Australian of the Year) 

Thanks

[ozbob]

Good work!

[Old Northern Road]

First of all Nambour already has full wheelchair access on its eastern side. It does not need wheelchair access to the car park as obviously most people in wheelchairs aren't going to be driving.

Secondly Nambour is one of the least busiest stations on the network. Even if it didn't already have wheelchair access it would still be one of lowest priorities for an upgrade. Stations like Alderley and Taringa get higher patronage than every station on the Sunshine Coast line combined and they have no wheelchair access whatsoever. Then you have stations with extremely dangerous pedestrian crossings like Strathpine, Geebung and Sunshine where there have been many fatalities.

[ozbob]

Many people people with mobility issues are forced use the stairs.  Nambour was slotted for an upgrade but was put back.  Hopefully this petition will be successful.  A more accessible station will also drive patronage increases.  Signed the petition.  Good luck with it.

[Arnz]

Stations like Alderley and Taringa get higher patronage than every station on the Sunshine Coast line combined and they have no wheelchair access whatsoever.

Taringa Q1 2012 Boardings - 831
Auchenflower Q1 2012 Boardings - 681
Elimbah to Nambour Q1 2012 Boardings - 959

Taringa Q1 2012 Alightings - 631
Auchenflower Q1 2012 Alightings - 553
Elimbah to Nambour Q1 2012 Alightings - 1070

Edit: Last I've checked Auchenflower had 'assisted' Wheelchair access via a ramp

Sources:

Station Access Guide - September 2011 - http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/AllStations/Documents/queensland-rail-station-access-guide_0811.pdf
2012 Q1 Passenger Load Survey: http://translink.com.au/resources/about-translink/reporting-and-publications/2012-q1-passenger-load-survey.pdf

[Old Northern Road]

I said Alderley not Auchenflower although Auchenflower is another station which needs to be upgraded due to it being next to a hospital. Those figures only show peak hour patronage and obviously Taringa is going to be far busier during off peak and have a higher patronage overall than the entire Sunshine Coast line. Regardless it's still around 8 times as busy as Nambour during peak hour and has no wheelchair access while Nambour has wheelchair access from one side.

If you guys think that Nambour needs to be upgraded ahead of around 30-40 far busier stations in Brisbane then it does appear that you are not interested in improving public transport usage in Brisbane.

[ozbob]

All stations need to be upgraded, pure and simple.  Nambour is a key regional station and transit hub for the Sunshine Coast.  Good to see some local action.

[Arnz]

I said Alderley not Auchenflower although Auchenflower is another station which needs to be upgraded due to it being next to a hospital. Those figures only show peak hour patronage and obviously Taringa is going to be far busier during off peak and have a higher patronage overall than the entire Sunshine Coast line. Regardless it's still around 8 times as busy as Nambour during peak hour and has no wheelchair access while Nambour has wheelchair access from one side.

Fair point on me mistaking Alderley for Auchenflower.

If you guys think that Nambour needs to be upgraded ahead of around 30-40 far busier stations in Brisbane then it does appear that you are not interested in improving public transport usage in Brisbane.

No one hasn't said anything of the sort in this thread.  It was a simple petition, much like the Dakabin petition.

[Arnz]

All stations need to be upgraded, pure and simple.  Nambour is a key regional station and transit hub for the Sunshine Coast.  Good to see some local action.

Exactly. 

Nambour are lucky to get fare gates whilst Landsborough as the main Park & Ride/hub station doesn't have them.  But that's another story for a different thread.

[somebody]

I said Alderley not Auchenflower although Auchenflower is another station which needs to be upgraded due to it being next to a hospital. Those figures only show peak hour patronage and obviously Taringa is going to be far busier during off peak and have a higher patronage overall than the entire Sunshine Coast line. Regardless it's still around 8 times as busy as Nambour during peak hour and has no wheelchair access while Nambour has wheelchair access from one side.

If you guys think that Nambour needs to be upgraded ahead of around 30-40 far busier stations in Brisbane then it does appear that you are not interested in improving public transport usage in Brisbane.

Taringa and Auchenflower have perfectly reasonable alternatives with low floor buses.  Nambour has nothing unless you count the weekday only 649.

[mufreight]

Taringa and Auchenflower have perfectly reasonable alternatives with low floor buses.  Nambour has nothing unless you count the weekday only 649.

That would depend on the originating point of your journey and your destination in which case bus might well not be a viable or practical option.

[Arnz]

Depends on where some passengers are going.  Some of the carparks in and the surrounding areas around Nambour station are taken up by Hospital workers, as well as a handful that park there to catch the Route 610 half-hourly bus to Maroochydore/Mooloolaba.

[Stillwater]

If people are going to argue the Nambour DDA compliance issue purely on the basis of RAIL passenger numbers ONLY at this station, this is missing the point.  Adjacent to the station is a bus interchange, with people, including those with a disability, transferring from one bus to another daily.

Public transport parking is provided on the opposite side of the railway station to where the bus interchange is located.  Parking is also on the same side of the station as the current tertiary hospital for the Sunshine Coast – the Nambour General Hospital.  Thousands of people visit this hospital daily.  For those getting off a bus or a train at Nambour, access is via the steps, underpass and the car park.

The railway line divides Nambour.  The most direct access from the Nambour CBD to the other side of town is via the railway station stairs and underpass.  Again, DO NOT look at this issue merely from the point of view of train patronage.  The cross-town pedestrians include young mothers pushing prams (who have no intention of catching a train) and the elderly with walking canes.  If the state government puts an obstacle in the way of good cross-town pedestrian flow (ie, a railway line) it must make provision for all pedestrians (again, not just those accessing the station or a train) to pass over or under that obstacle.

Nambour has grown considerably since the underpass and stairs were installed 50 years ago. 

What is the logic of arguing that the facilities of 50 years ago are sufficient for a town that has become the hinterland commercial hub?

Soon, a major Coles shopping complex will open adjacent to the Nambour railway station.  It will attract considerable custom, including from people travelling by rail and bus to Nambour to do their shopping and returning home again.  A few commuter trains from north of Nambour might prove feasible in the medium term.

But the most important factor in the DDA upgrade at Nambour is that it was planned and promised, with work about to start when the LNP government (Mr Emerson) pulled the plug.  The project eventually will cost much more, because it will start again and will require all the contract and pre-construction work to be gone through again.

Embarrassingly for Translink, it says the Nambour Railway Station upgrade will be 'operational by late 2012' about the same time as duplication was going to be completed to Beerburrum.  http://translink.com.au/about-translink/what-we-do/infrastructure-projects/nambour-station-upgrade

Go here for the original promise:
From the Hansard
Thursday, May 12, 2011.

http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/legislativeAssembly/Hansard/documents/2011.pdf/2011_05_12_DAILY.pdf


Media report of 18 May 2011:
http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/nambour-railway-station-upgrade/851801/

It's the story of the Sunshine Coast Line -- promises, planning, photo opportunity, nothing.  Concept drawings, plywood and scaffold reality.

The LNP hate Peter Wellington, the MP whose electorate covers Nambour.  He is an independent who backed Peter Beattie into government.  They have long memories and are determined that he has nothing to show for his legacy as the local MP, not even a much-needed, planned, and promised DDA upgrade for the Nambour railway station.

[ozbob]

[somebody]

Taringa and Auchenflower have perfectly reasonable alternatives with low floor buses.  Nambour has nothing unless you count the weekday only 649.

That would depend on the originating point of your journey and your destination in which case bus might well not be a viable or practical option.

There is always the option of interchanging at Toowong.  Not always convenient, but it's there.  It's not like people can't get around at all.  Free taxis could also be provided between Indooroopilly and Taringa to people trying to commute from Ipswich to Taringa in the AM peak for less than the interest cost of the upgrade, for example.

EDIT: clarity

[Fares_Fair]

I have been wanting to do a petition for the Nambour Train Station Upgrade so that it would meet the Disability Discrimination Act.  Yet I didn't know what to say.  That was until I heard Kurt Fearnley speak.  I was inspired by Kurt Fearnley's Australia Day address.  He is the man that took on the Kokoda Trail using his arms.  His wheel chair  is very much apart of his being he said.

  The Nambour Train Station has a staircase that takes you from the concourse to the subway and out to the car park.  Yes Kurt did travel the Kokoda Trail but I don't expect him or others like him to do that at Nambour Train Station or other places for that matter. 

   Recently I read an article about the Dakabin Station, so I have included that in my petition as well.  Can you please sign the petition 2063-13 Disability access at the Nambour Train Station at http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/petitions/e-petitions

"What matters is that we as a community own the fact that we haven't done enough and that when we turn that fact around, we as a community will all be better off".  Kurt Fearnley(Young Australian of the Year) 

Thanks

Signed.
Good work Metatron.
I recommend this petition to all. 

[Gazza]

There is always the option of interchanging at Toowong

Toowong has a nasty pedestrian environment though, look at the step up:
http://goo.gl/maps/b6yuS

[somebody]

There is always the option of interchanging at Toowong

Toowong has a nasty pedestrian environment though, look at the step up:
http://goo.gl/maps/b6yuS

That's a fair point.  You'd think the council should fix that one.

You can still get across on a bit more of a circuitous route.

[Stillwater]

Is there some way we can get copy of vision from Channel 7 Local News (Sunshine Coast) tonight.  Scott Emerson is featured saying that the DDA upgrade of the Nambour railway station 'should have been done years ago' (his words).  The Minister also said that he was looking to ways the money could be found.  (About $4 million.)   It seems the penny has finally dropped and people realise that the access arrangements at Nambour are an impediment to many people (disabled, elderly, mothers with prams, those in mobility scooters, the inform heading to the hospital) and should not be considered only in the context in the number of people in wheelchairs or scooters using trains.  The proof of the pudding will be the Queensland state budget, of course.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard Questions without Notice 6th June 2013

http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2013/2013_06_06_DAILY.pdf

Nambour Railway Station

Mr WELLINGTON: My question is to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads. I refer the minister to the Nambour railway station former goods yard and the former Sunstrip print shop building which is now scheduled for demolition. Both sites are beside the current railway station car park. Will the minister support my request for parts of these two sites to be used for car parking until the railway line duplication occurs?

Mr EMERSON: I thank the honourable for the question. I do acknowledge that the Nambour station does have some challenges in terms of general car parking space and also disabled car parking space. I am aware of the two sites that the member mentioned. One of those sites is being purchased as part of a potential future corridor for the duplication of that rail line. I know that many members on the Sunshine Coast will be very keen to see that duplication occur.

It is important to acknowledge that we put that duplication forward to the federal government as part of the Nation Building Program. We were the first state government to put that project to the federal government. Unfortunately, so far we have had no response from the federal government about whether they are willing to support that project. We have put it to the government, to Minister Albanese, and to Wayne Swan—that so-called Queenslander—but he has not come forward to support that project, as he has not come forward on so many things.
That area of land is now being purchased by Queensland Rail potentially for that duplication line, and I am quite happy for Queensland Rail to investigate the possibility of using both of those sites as possible temporary car parking spaces to deal with the challenges at that station. There are also other issues raised in relation to disabled parking in terms of that station. Queensland Rail is talking to the local council about possible ways to deal with this. Disability compliance is one of the biggest challenges that we face in stations across the network.

Unfortunately, we have a legacy from the previous government which will not surprise colleagues: they failed to deal with the issue of disabled access in a timely manner. We are awaiting the conclusion of a report about how we can move forward in terms of improving disability access to our stations—indeed, universal access to our stations. It is not just about people who are disabled, but also people who have to push prams and other things. We want our public transport to be as accessible as possible. I am sure my colleagues realise that it is not cheap to make stations DDA compliant. It will take time and considerable amounts of money.

But just coming back to the member's question again: yes, I have asked Queensland Rail to look at the possibility of using those sites as a temporary measure to deal with car parking problems at Nambour station.

[Stillwater]

Mr Emerson is trying to re-write history again while trying to score cheap points off his political opponents.  The facts are that Labor had scheduled the DDA upgrade at Nambour station and work was about to start, just as Mr Emerson' and his government came into power, and pulled the plug.  Mr Emerson and the LNP government stopped the disability access upgrade at Nambour Railway Station, pure and simple.

What Labor said:

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/nambour-railway-station-upgrade/851801/

What Mr Emerson said:
http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2012/231-2012.pdf

[SurfRail]

That's still a surprising answer in that is actually does appear to address the question, notwithstanding the fluff and the revisionism.

[Fares_Fair]

Queensland Parliament Hansard Questions without Notice 6th June 2013

http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2013/2013_06_06_DAILY.pdf

Nambour Railway Station

Mr WELLINGTON: My question is to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads. I refer the minister to the Nambour railway station former goods yard and the former Sunstrip print shop building which is now scheduled for demolition. Both sites are beside the current railway station car park. Will the minister support my request for parts of these two sites to be used for car parking until the railway line duplication occurs?

Mr EMERSON: I thank the honourable for the question. I do acknowledge that the Nambour station does have some challenges in terms of general car parking space and also disabled car parking space. I am aware of the two sites that the member mentioned. One of those sites is being purchased as part of a potential future corridor for the duplication of that rail line. I know that many members on the Sunshine Coast will be very keen to see that duplication occur.

It is important to acknowledge that we put that duplication forward to the federal government as part of the Nation Building Program. We were the first state government to put that project to the federal government. Unfortunately, so far we have had no response from the federal government about whether they are willing to support that project. We have put it to the government, to Minister Albanese, and to Wayne Swan—that so-called Queenslander—but he has not come forward to support that project, as he has not come forward on so many things.
That area of land is now being purchased by Queensland Rail potentially for that duplication line, and I am quite happy for Queensland Rail to investigate the possibility of using both of those sites as possible temporary car parking spaces to deal with the challenges at that station. There are also other issues raised in relation to disabled parking in terms of that station. Queensland Rail is talking to the local council about possible ways to deal with this. Disability compliance is one of the biggest challenges that we face in stations across the network.

Unfortunately, we have a legacy from the previous government which will not surprise colleagues: they failed to deal with the issue of disabled access in a timely manner. We are awaiting the conclusion of a report about how we can move forward in terms of improving disability access to our stations—indeed, universal access to our stations. It is not just about people who are disabled, but also people who have to push prams and other things. We want our public transport to be as accessible as possible. I am sure my colleagues realise that it is not cheap to make stations DDA compliant. It will take time and considerable amounts of money.

But just coming back to the member's question again: yes, I have asked Queensland Rail to look at the possibility of using those sites as a temporary measure to deal with car parking problems at Nambour station.

The Hon Warren Truss told me that if the State Government made the rail duplication (to Nambour) a priority in the talks being held at the moment then the Federal coalition government would 'consider it' unquote.
I am in the process of writing to all 74 current LNP members asking for them to make it a priority in those talks.
It's going to be a busy long weekend.

[Stillwater]

The issue is just what priority the Queensland Government gives to the Nambour duplication over other projects submitted for federal funding.  I think you will find that while Mr Emerson refers to the 'duplication project' he means only that bit between Beerburrum and Landsborough.  Even duplicating to Landsborough would be a vast improvement, especially when coupled with track augmentation between Lawnton and Petrie.  (Need to watch latter project carefully.)

[ozbob]

Response to petition re Disability access at Nambour train station

--> www.parliament.qld.gov.au/apps/EPetitions_qld/Responses/2063-13.pdf

[Old Northern Road]

Sanity prevails. You only need to look at the Translink network map to see why Nambour doesn't need to be upgraded. Every single station between Caboolture and Nambour has either full wheelchair access or assisted wheelchair access while the line with the highest percentage of stations without wheelchair access is the Ipswich line which is the busiest line. Priorities are certainly screwed up.

Meanwhile it seems like the Alderley upgrade has been scrapped.

[Gazza]

What gives you that impression?

[ozbob]

http://www.tendersonline.com.au/TenderDetails.aspx?uid=cctol241889

Anyone know what is going on with Alderley?

[SurfRail]

I haven't been paying attention recently.  Just had a quick squizz and could not find any mention of it.

[Golliwog]

http://www.tendersonline.com.au/TenderDetails.aspx?uid=cctol241889

Anyone know what is going on with Alderley?

Last i heard I think it was tying in with a ped overpass over the railway and the road into the Alderley Square development on the current Coles site. But the Alderley Square thing died a while ago and I haven't heard boo since. For a while they kept putting it at the bottom of the things they were doing during rail closures but nothing ever seemed to  actually happen.

[Fares_Fair]

What can I say, I'm a history buff...


Question on Notice

No. 231

Asked on Wednesday, 6 June 2012



MR WELLINGTON asked the Minister for Transport and Main Roads (MR EMERSON)—

QUESTION:

With reference to the Minister's answer to my question yesterday in relation to the disability access improvements scheduled for the Nambour railway station—
When is the work scheduled to commence and how long will the site be identified as a construction site?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Nicklin for the question.

The detailed design for the construction works, including the new lift for Nambour, has been completed. 

However, as part of the State Government savings directive currently underway, it was determined by the Queensland Rail Limited (Ltd) Executive Leadership Team (ELT) that the Nambour DDA Upgrade project was not to proceed as part of the 2012/2013 Capital Plan.  This means that Queensland Rail will not progress with the tender process and construction activities as previously planned and designed.  This project will be revisited once appropriate funding is identified and made available in the future. 

[Stillwater]

We might have to sell of a power station before Nambour gets DDA access.

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2014/6/24/improved-disability-access-for-nambour

Media Statements
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Improved disability access for Nambour

Passengers with mobility issues will find it easier to access public transport following the Queensland Government's recent installation of new disabled parking bays at Nambour train station.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said better access for passengers with a disability delivered on the Government's election promise to revitalise frontline services.

"We have listened to feedback from the community and have changed the four existing car parks on Mill Street into two disabled car parking bays," Mr Emerson said.

"This will make rail travel and access to Nambour station much easier for drivers with a disability, separated by a shared zone with no time limit.

"It's part of the Queensland Government's strong plan to improve public transport, creating a brighter future for passengers.

"Improved disability access at Nambour station is just another example of how the Queensland Government is delivering on its promise to deliver better infrastructure and revitalise front line services.

"Labor's only plan for public transport was to increase fares by 15 per cent a year, but we are improving affordability, reliability, frequency and now access where it is needed."

Mr Emerson said the additional disability parking followed an announcement last year to boost parking at this station.

"Initial work on the car spaces is already underway and is scheduled to be finished later this year," he said.

"The extra car spaces, additional disability parking, signage and line marking will be a massive boost for passengers and residents accessing this station."

Two current long-term parking bays in the Price Street car park will be converted to short term parking as a result of changes to improve access to passengers with a disability.

[ENDS] 24 June 2014