2 Dec 2021: SEQ - Missed Opportunity to Address Housing Affordability ...

[ozbob]

Missed Opportunity to Address Housing Affordability and the Cost of Living

2nd December 2021

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers say the Queensland Government is missing the opportunity to address housing affordability and cost of living around SEQ Rail and Bus Stations.

The Queensland Government continues to build car parking around urban railway and bus stations rather than use this highly valuable land for affordable housing and mixed-use developments.  Whilst Park 'n' Rides are needed it is only on the fringes of the city not on prime urban land.   New analysis from QCOSS shows there are now 50,301 people on Queensland's social housing register. Since 2017, the social housing register has increased by 78 per cent.  Further easy access to frequent and reliable public transport plays a significant role in improving access to jobs and lowering the cost of living.  The Queensland branch of the Planning Institute of Australia has also called for "greater diversity of housing", a state settlement policy, and community-based planning for a larger population to avoid the growing pains that have priced many people out of the market.     

Park 'n' Rides only cater for a small % of passengers using any station with the majority of passengers arriving by foot, bike and public transport or dropped off at Kiss 'n' Ride.  Urban Park 'n' Rides could easily and quickly be converted to affordable, transit-oriented, mixed-use developments whilst creating safe vibrant and active public places for the rest of the community.  Combined with safe, separated bike lanes and improved bike parking facilities the redevelopments could increase public transport usage usage, lower the cost of living and improve accessibility to services, shopping and jobs.

There is a fantastic opportunity to use this valuable Government owned land around our stations as the heart of 15min Neighbourhoods where people can access all of their most basic, day-to-day needs within a 15-minute walk of their home. Neighbourhoods that also reduce traffic congestion, noise and pollution, have higher retail turn-over and healthier communities, all the while minimising the burden on the Queensland Government Budget.

RAIL Back On Track call for the Queensland Government's Park 'n' Ride Program, Railway Station Upgrade and Accessibility Projects plus Cross River Rail Station Works Program to urgently:

1. convert existing and future urban park 'n' rides into transit-oriented, mixed-use developments including affordable/social housing;

2. invest in additional bike parking and the creation of active, vibrant, safe public spaces around our stations including converting adjacent streets to 'shared pedestrian streets;

3. work with SEQ Councils to build safe, separated bike-lanes on roads around stations; and

4. initiate Planning Schemes amendments to deliver "greater diversity of housing" within 15min Neighbourhoods around all urban SEQ stations.

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

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