Planning for the future?

[jgabris]

I believe that South East Queensland faces future pressures that must be addressed now.  As our population steadily increases, and our urban sprawl continues between the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast and beyond Ipswich on its way to Toowoomba, plus the increasing price of fuel, we need to be securing at least the land to provide for a greater reliance on rail.  Is it happening?

[ozbob]

I agree jgabris!  Some progress with Darra Springfield, Gold Coast line.  Some info here http://www.qr.com.au/SEQIP/projects/alliance/default.asp
Now is the time to actually roll out railway lines BEFORE the land is used for housing etc.  There is a corridor reserved for a line to Redcliffe I understand but there have been moves to flog it off.  Myopia of the highest order!

Samford used to have a railway line once!  Another possible extension.

[DVR]

Bob,

Mention of Samford reminds us that the Ferny Grove branch used to extend all the way into the "sticks" to Dayboro. How clear is the formation?

I suppose there is probably no point in going all the way back to Dayboro, as there still doesn't seem to be much out that way, unless someone opens a mine in the area - and then it would probably be better to cut across to Petrie, following the north shore of Lake Samsonvale? (if I am interpreting my map correctly?).

So considering Brisbane's population growth, would Samford be the limit of viably re-opening the Dayboro Line for now? How much has Samford Village developed?

Cheers,

[Rookwood Central]

Samford would be as far as any reopening would need to go, beyond here it is still sparcely populated.
However the local population seem to be anti rail, recent letter to the Local Paper, states a railway would open the gates to Samford becoming another Woodridge!  (A lower socio/economic neighbourhood, south of Brisbane.) :?:

[ozbob]

Hi Danny,

Welcome    Yes, it is a fact that in some communities there  may be some a little reluctant to move forwards.  The fact is though, when they are staring at $5 or litre or more for petrol they will be pleading for decent public transport. A not often mentioned fact about the Darra - Springfield line is that the route being followed was not the initial preferred route.  The intial proposal was for the line to come off the main Ipswich line after Oxley, go under Ipswich Highway and track around through the back of Inala, Forest Lake and then onto Springfield.  NIMBYs were successful in altering the line away from Forest Lake.  This is rather a myopic view in the longer term.   They will regret this as the petrol/oil crises really start to bite.

Regards
Bob