RAIL - Back On Track Forum

^ so Albion is now the confirmed choice for the ' Northern Interchange ' post CRR then?

[I have asked the Minister this question on his Facebook post]

Some images from https://www.facebook.com/Mellish4Aspley

This link was posted by Minster Mellish on his Facebook post:

ALBION EXCHANGE
A New Era For Albion.

https://geonproperty.com.au/project/albion-exchange/

QuotePROJECT OVERVIEW

Our ambitious $1 billion development project is poised to rejuvenate Albion, transforming the site into a vibrant community hub. The project encompasses modern residential accommodations, cutting-edge office spaces, a diverse dining and café scene, and an array of shopping facilities. At the core of the project will be substantial investments in upgraded rail infrastructure, amenities, and public access enhancements to the Albion train station. These additions align with Queensland Rail's ongoing accessibility improvement initiatives, which include new communal pedestrian plaza and platform access with lifts, raised platform segments for improved accessibility, and additional features like hearing aid loops, signage, and tactile flooring surfaces.

Geon has secured Development Approval for Stage One and preliminary approval over Stages Two, Three and Four. The project design has been thoughtfully crafted to complement Albion's unique surroundings while supporting the State Government's vision for a transit-oriented development. It also addresses the key project objectives that comprise improved train station accessibility, a balanced blend of residential, retail, commercial, and community spaces.

There is no real integration with the TOD other than they both face Albion Rd.  It is not like Sydney where the station is actually part of or under the development.  No doubt Albion Road will not be pedestrianised either and the entrance to the station will be as uninspiring as Buranda Station from Gillingham Street (aka the back door)



Edit:.  The main entry to the TOD car parking is off Albion Street next to the train entrance. OMG!!!  BCC and QLD Govt just don't get safe cycling and pedestrian planning.   It is just not in their DNA to give a flying rats $#&%

Albion confirmed.

https://www.facebook.com/Mellish4Aspley/posts/pfbid0Y3R6RtFCDhY5V75bFfYZvL7yqoSHdv6Xw97nTg6xCwcPhkmnmdMdkuqYQ9QwsKHcl?comment_id=3914994925398099

Quote from: JonnoThere is no real integration with the TOD other than they both face Albion Rd.  It is not like Sydney where the station is actually part of or under the development.  No doubt Albion Road will not be pedestrianised either and the entrance to the station will be as uninspiring as Buranda Station from Gillingham Street (aka the back door)

I think members can review the site/site plans see how bus might better fit in. The station car park should be tested for TOD development potential.

Quote from: #Metro on August 26, 2024, 12:07:08 PM

Quote from: JonnoThere is no real integration with the TOD other than they both face Albion Rd.  It is not like Sydney where the station is actually part of or under the development.  No doubt Albion Road will not be pedestrianised either and the entrance to the station will be as uninspiring as Buranda Station from Gillingham Street (aka the back door)

I think members can review the site/site plans see how bus might better fit in. The station car park should be tested for TOD development potential.

As per plans car parking is being removed and shifted underground on the western side. In return the state hands over the space for residential towers. Similar to Roma street where there is residential and general parking.

Quote from: ozbob on August 26, 2024, 12:00:10 PMAlbion confirmed.

https://www.facebook.com/Mellish4Aspley/posts/pfbid0Y3R6RtFCDhY5V75bFfYZvL7yqoSHdv6Xw97nTg6xCwcPhkmnmdMdkuqYQ9QwsKHcl?comment_id=3914994925398099

Seems to go against what QR has wanted for a while now.

Quote from: #Metro on August 26, 2024, 12:07:08 PM

Quote from: JonnoThere is no real integration with the TOD other than they both face Albion Rd.  It is not like Sydney where the station is actually part of or under the development.  No doubt Albion Road will not be pedestrianised either and the entrance to the station will be as uninspiring as Buranda Station from Gillingham Street (aka the back door)

I think members can review the site/site plans see how bus might better fit in. The station car park should be tested for TOD development potential.

Car park site development approved in 2020.  478 car parks all up (thus automatically does not qualify as a TOD) 97 retail,46 commercial, 316 resident, 16 visitor and 4 car share.    Traffic report notes "In addition to the above traffic generated directly by the proposed development, the removal / relocation of the QR park-and-ride facility to a site further north on Hudson Road". GAWD help us. 

Albion Exchange has 758 spaces, 649 residential,97 visitor (yep 100 spaces fro visitors right next to a train station), 12 centre activities (whatever that is).

Nothing TOD about these development whatso ever. Simply car-oriented higher density or a Brent Toderian calls it "a Complete Failure"

There is some research (that I can't locate at the moment) that showed that the car parking availability has an equal if not bigger role to play than the transit for reducing car usage in TOD's.  Think this might be the reference to the reserach.

https://trid.trb.org/view/1243004

QuoteSmart growth planning often focuses on building new housing near rail stations, on the assumption that transit-oriented development can reduce driving and therefore mitigate climate change, pollution and congestion. But research has rarely investigated how transit-oriented development affects auto use—or asked whether new development should be oriented away from autos, rather than toward rail. This study addresses two questions. First, do households choosing new housing near rail stations have different patterns of auto ownership and use? Second, are those differences a result of rail access, or other factors associated with rail access? Previous studies have not used comparable data to compare nearby and farther away housing units; have lacked data on parking supply; have not controlled for characteristics of the housing itself, particularly the age of the housing; and have generally failed to account for how residential choices may affect TOD housing outcomes. I surveyed over 1,100 households within two miles of ten rail stations, and conducted a field count of over 6,200 on-street parking spaces on 818 block faces near the stations. The household survey collected information on housing characteristics, parking, travel, and household demographics as well as stated residential choice criteria to control for heterogeneity in preferences. The survey data were geocoded and joined to on-street parking supply data and other spatial data from secondary sources. I used regression analysis to examine how housing, parking, neighborhood and subregional spatial characteristics are correlated with automobile ownership, commuting, and grocery trips. Auto ownership and use is much lower among households living in new housing near rail stations, but these differences are not explained by rail access. Off- and on-street parking availability, housing type and tenure, local and subregional density, and bus service are much more highly correlated with residential choices and subsequent auto ownership and travel. Rail access is associated with lower auto use when combined with factors like parking supply and housing type, but rail by itself has little explanatory power. I conclude that the details of TOD matter, and some of the things that "work" about TOD have little or nothing to do with rail access by itself. Planners should broaden efforts to develop dense, mixed-use housing beyond rail station areas. Denser housing development coupled with good management of automobile parking and improved bus service could be more effective, and less expensive, than a development policy oriented around rail stations.

Government Statement

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/101167

Community gets first look at proposed new Albion station hub

Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services
The Honourable Bart Mellish

. Albion train station will be rebuilt and upgraded to support future interchange demand in Brisbane's inner north.

. The Queensland Government has developed the preliminary design for the New Albion Station Project, featuring improved accessibility with four new raised, straighter and wider platforms to accommodate increased passenger movements.

. The project opens the door for the planned 'Albion Exchange' transit-oriented development, delivering housing, retail and commercial development in Albion focused around an integrated and accessible new rail-to-rail interchange station.

. The Department of Transport and Main Roads will conduct a series of information sessions throughout September where community members will have the opportunity to find out more about the New Albion Station Project, provide feedback and register to receive the latest project news.

The Miles Government will deliver a new Albion interchange, and alongside this project is a significant Transit Orientated Development, the 'Albion Exchange' being delivered by Geon Property.

The Albion precinct is set for a significant urban renewal with the new interchange and transit-oriented development, delivering up to 1200 new residences.

The precinct will also feature commercial, retail, lifestyle, and entertainment spaces as part of the new Albion station, and the new exchange development.

The concept designs for the New Albion interchange have today been unveiled, providing another exciting glimpse into South East Queensland's future train network.

The Albion interchange will create a single rail transfer point for passengers travelling to and from the Northern suburbs following the start of trains running through the Cross River Rail tunnels.

Albion station was identified as the preferred location for a new interchange station in Brisbane's inner north to support the future network.

Cross River Rail will change the way train services operate and how customers travel. Providing a second Brisbane River crossing will create increased capacity for train services across the SEQ network.

This introduces the need for a key interchange station in Brisbane's inner north to provide a single and efficient point of transfer for passengers between services.

The new interchange will provide a modern station including lifts, stairs, a ticket office, accessible toilets, wayfinding and signage, lighting and CCTV, delivering a safer and more comfortable experience for passengers.

The station facilities will also link both sides of the rail corridor, enabling easy access to and from the surrounding Albion precinct.

The station will be connected by a main entry located on an elevated southern concourse (over the tracks near Albion Road) and a northern overbridge.

Information about the preliminary design is now available on the TMR website including the opportunity to provide feedback.

The public will have the opportunity to attend a series of information sessions from September 4-16. Community members will have the opportunity to find out more about the New Albion Station Project.

This will help inform further project design development, market engagement and a procurement process for the rebuild of the station, which will be undertaken later this year.

Community members and public transport customers can view information on the preliminary reference design by attending community information sessions, visiting the online survey, emailing albionstation@translink.com.au or by calling 1800 300 710.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport and Main Roads Bart Mellish:

"Our Big Transport Build is in full swing, and our rail revolution is key to that."

"With an expected increase in rail-to-rail interchanges for this section of the network once Cross River Rail comes online, a new inner northern interchange is vital to ensuring better connectivity for passengers.

"Albion station has been identified as the best location for this interchange due to its proximity to the city as well as the land available for use around the precinct.

"The New Albion Station Project is an integration with the Albion TOD project, which will unlock future housing, retail and commercial opportunities.

"This station upgrade itself will improve accessibility at the station, provide better connections across the rail corridor for the community, improve pedestrian experience and provide new bicycle storage facilities.

"The New Albion Station is another project that is going to make it easier to travel around our region as we deliver a world-class train network."

Quotes attributable to GEON Executive Director and CEO, Ben Griffin:

"GEON is delighted with the announcement of the new Albion station upgrade. This will be the key piece of infrastructure for the creation of a genuine Transit Oriented Development, providing for up to 1200 new residences, commercial, retail, lifestyle, and entertainment uses.

"It will advance the suburb's renewal by providing a high level of convenience for residents and workers in the community."

Key project features of the New Albion Station include:

Four straighter, wider and raised platforms, with shade cover;

An elevated concourse at the southern end of the platforms, providing opportunities for a high-quality public domain and accessibility across the rail corridor;

A new station building with customer facilities including lifts, stairs, ticket office, accessible toilets, wayfinding and signage, lighting and CCTV;

A new pedestrian overbridge at the northern end of the platforms and cross corridor connection to Hudson Road and Mawarra Street;

Reconfiguration of the rail corridor, infrastructure and systems;

A kiss 'n' ride; and

Bicycle storage facilities.
 
ENDS

That much parking in a residential tower over a railway station in Albion is ridiculous. I'm surprised the state approved that. BCC has been demanding massive carparks for residential buildings for a while now (although recently they are starting to relax a bit on the parking minimums)

However as I understand it this development is all state government and council has nothing to do with it. Goes at odds with similar large developments in the Valley where parking is pretty minimal. Stupid to have 700 spaces that close to the city, on a railway line

Facebook ....

TMR: New Albion Station Project - Have your say

Find out more about the New Albion station and the preliminary reference design

https://www.yoursay-projects.tmr.qld.gov.au/new-albion-station

^ you can give feedback via the TMR link above.  Suggest you do as desired.

It doesn't particularly look like it's designed with future 9 car trains in mind.

https://x.com/railbotforum/status/1827932725812031867

It needs it, but when will it be done? They have been talking about that TOD for a very long time as well.

One good thing is that it will eventually fit into future plans of a new line splitting from there to Bald Hills via Chermside.

I also think for a major interchange like that it should include escalators and two lifts per platform as well.

Quote from: RowBro on August 26, 2024, 14:49:31 PMIt doesn't particularly look like it's designed with future 9 car trains in mind.

They could be planning  underground platforms with screen doors for the new Northern line via Chermside which would allow for 9 car sets at Albion.

I don't think they are going to covert short distance subrban lines. However they are likely to increase the frequency of those lines to meet demand and expected growth in patronage.

The way things are looking the coast to coast line from Ool to Mcy will likely be 9 car sets in the future.

Quote from: verbatim9 on August 26, 2024, 16:28:08 PMThey could be planning  underground platforms with screen doors for the new Northern line via Chermside which would allow for 9 car sets at Albion.

Do you know something I don't, or is this based on / parallel to my foaming?

Quote from: aldonius on August 26, 2024, 16:51:11 PM

Quote from: verbatim9 on August 26, 2024, 16:28:08 PMThey could be planning  underground platforms with screen doors for the new Northern line via Chermside which would allow for 9 car sets at Albion.

Do you know something I don't, or is this based on / parallel to my foaming?

Not foam but just going from plans that they have drawn up in the past.

Foam.

Quote from: verbatim9 on August 26, 2024, 17:03:05 PM

Quote from: aldonius on August 26, 2024, 16:51:11 PM

Quote from: verbatim9 on August 26, 2024, 16:28:08 PMThey could be planning  underground platforms with screen doors for the new Northern line via Chermside which would allow for 9 car sets at Albion.

Do you know something I don't, or is this based on / parallel to my foaming?

Not foam but just going from plans that they have drawn up in the past.

You can also raise this with the consult team on how this will integrate with future plans.

There are no "plans" for a line from Albion to Chermside aside from a dotted line that Brisbane City Council drew on a map once to try and argue against NWTC rail

Plus the gradient is too steep. Half the train would be underground with the other half sticking out. Foam.

Are there, or will there be any decent bus connections/transfers at Albion station?

Highly unlikely due to the road layout and network. Even if future proofed the road limitations play a part. You could have some type of interchange over the station but that escalates costs dramatically. Can't use the car park building as that's being converted to residential apartments.

Ideally Light Rail style stop and route on Sandgate Road (L4) with the pedestrianisation of Albion Road (not the overpass) linking to the Station would create bus rail connection...but I am sure BCC will have none of that. 

Edit: A real L4

https://x.com/trashyhonky/status/1828339561065537672?s=46&t=EDszjTErsxTIqAna7yuP-w

It is seriously depressing that this "TOD", right next to the main railway north of Brisbane that all trains will stop at, at an inner city station almost close enough to be called part of the City area, will have that many carparks.

Attention:

TMR/Translink have offered Fares Fair & I, a short notice briefing on the ' Albion Interchange ' at 10:00am this morning (28th).  I will attempt to express our concerns with the excess parking (for a TOD on a high frequency railway?),  no real bus connectivity, and nine car platform concerns.

Albion Exchange

https://albionexchange.com.au

Nothing says walkable like a 3 lane carpark and loading zone entrance -  we are so far off even Goodish in Brisbane


Albion Exchanage Carpark

Quote from: ozbob on August 28, 2024, 07:34:25 AMAttention:

TMR/Translink have offered Fares Fair & I, a short notice briefing on the ' Albion Interchange ' at 10:00am this morning (28th).  I will attempt to express our concerns with the excess parking (for a TOD on a high frequency railway?),  no real bus connectivity, and nine car platform concerns.

The existing park 'n' ride is going for the TOD development.  Parking arrangements are still being sorted.  I expressed our view that too much parking is going backwards, we need a new paradigm!

Nine car platform capability is under consideration.  The short response is that Albion is probably not suitable without significant track re alignment.  But has been noted.

There are discussions about providing pedestrian access to Sandgate Road hence bus.  Their modelling shows around 15k passengers per day at Albion but 11k will be rail/rail transfers.  Bit of good news there will be multiple lifts per platform.  This will help to give some redundancy with lift outages.  They are planning between 8-10 lifts for the station. There will be stairs and some ramps on platform 1 and 4 as well.

If you have concerns please provide feedback direct to:

TMR: New Albion Station Project - Have your say

Find out more about the New Albion station and the preliminary reference design

>> https://www.yoursay-projects.tmr.qld.gov.au/new-albion-station

Quote from: ozbob on August 28, 2024, 10:45:06 AMNine car platform capability is under consideration.  The short response is that Albion is probably not suitable without significant track re alignment.  But has been noted.

Those were my thoughts, but it will be nigh impossible to realign the track once a TOD goes in. They either plan for it now, or they have to move the interchange point again when 9 car operations eventually come in.

And 9 car ops will be sooner rather than later especially when they start pushing ahead with Sunshine Coast services tagging onto Caboolture services. Even if they only have a handful of them for peak only services. IIRC CRR-Beerburrum (on Nambour running pattern) can already be configured for 9 car ops (either temp platforms or permanent). Northgate and Eagle Junction are the only hurdles but there is room for extension to the north of Northgate and delete EJ from the service pattern. This is also why QR has favoured Wooloowin as the interchange station for over 15 years now as you can extend all 4 platforms for 9 car ops ie track works, network issues etc and remove EJ from the stopping patterns.

Quote from: HappyTrainGuy on August 28, 2024, 14:20:32 PMThis is also why QR has favoured Wooloowin as the interchange station for over 15 years now as you can extend all 4 platforms for 9 car ops ie track works, network issues etc and remove EJ from the stopping patterns.

So why is Albion being named the preferred interchange? 🤔

Quote from: RowBro on August 28, 2024, 14:37:30 PM

Quote from: HappyTrainGuy on August 28, 2024, 14:20:32 PMThis is also why QR has favoured Wooloowin as the interchange station for over 15 years now as you can extend all 4 platforms for 9 car ops ie track works, network issues etc and remove EJ from the stopping patterns.

So why is Albion being named the preferred interchange? 🤔

That's a good question.
Worthwhile asking them.

Quote from: HappyTrainGuy on August 28, 2024, 14:20:32 PMAnd 9 car ops will be sooner rather than later especially when they start pushing ahead with Sunshine Coast services tagging onto Caboolture services. Even if they only have a handful of them for peak only services. IIRC CRR-Beerburrum (on Nambour running pattern) can already be configured for 9 car ops (either temp platforms or permanent). Northgate and Eagle Junction are the only hurdles but there is room for extension to the north of Northgate and delete EJ from the service pattern. This is also why QR has favoured Wooloowin as the interchange station for over 15 years now as you can extend all 4 platforms for 9 car ops ie track works, network issues etc and remove EJ from the stopping patterns.

Thank you HTG.

I have contacted them and asked for a rationale as to why Wooloowin was not selected.
They offered to get me more information which I will share.
I will get an emailed reply.

Albion suits the network and pattern of development far, far better than either Eagle Junction or Wooloowin.  This state is far too reticent to accept suboptimal outcomes because of where things were built over a century ago, instead of just fixing the problem.  We need to build the network to deliver the timetable we need, not just put up with physical constraints that can be fixed by some modest resumptions and realignment.

Quote from: RowBro on August 28, 2024, 14:37:30 PM

Quote from: HappyTrainGuy on August 28, 2024, 14:20:32 PMThis is also why QR has favoured Wooloowin as the interchange station for over 15 years now as you can extend all 4 platforms for 9 car ops ie track works, network issues etc and remove EJ from the stopping patterns.

So why is Albion being named the preferred interchange? 🤔

I assume State and development potential vs what's on offer from a network perspective. State doesn't want to properly realign the corridor so QR favours Wooloowin.

Assuming this plan is also supported by the LNP and therefore goes ahead regardless of election result. Wha will this project mean for eagle junction station? Will CRR no longer stop there as was previously laid out in the new network design?

I realise government owning land beside the Albion station gives them financial incentive to upgrade Albion. I also recognise the councils zoning around Albion would make this the preferred spot for developers.

On the other hand Eagle Junction is geographically easier to develop with large commercial blocks around it and Wooloowin is straighter for 9 car trains.

So if this goes ahead what other network changes go with it?

State also owns land around wooloowin but lacks zoning.