Acacia Ridge - Bromelton - Dual Gauge the Standard Gauge ?

[ozbob]

The standard gauge line south from Acacia Ridge could be dual gauged and used for commuter transport along the rapidly expanding population corridor through Greenbank and Beaudesert.  It would be possible to run standard gauge trains as well. Despite the loss of the previous run around loop at Roma St Station for the standard gauge platform, it would be easy to adapt one of the other platforms as well eg. 2.  It would not involve any major land resumptions, the line is already in place.  

A no-brainer?

What do you think?

Regards
Ozbob

[ozbob]

Platforms 2 and 3 Roma St are now dual gauge.
See --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=103.0


Interesting Joint Statement.  Essential that a commuter capability be introduced on this rail corridor to allow workers etc. rapid mass transit.

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Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Paul Lucas
24/09/2007

BROMELTON STATE DEVELOPMENT AREA PROPOSED: BLIGH

Premier Anna Bligh and Deputy Premier Paul Lucas today announced that Bromelton in Beaudesert Shire has been proposed by the Coordinator-General as a State Development Area.

"The move allows the State Government to acquire a 50-year land bank for industrial purposes, and provide for the orderly development of industry," said the Premier.

"The potential with this is thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars of investment.

"One potential investor believes one 700 hectare-site could be; worth $780 million, deliver 5500 direct jobs, with as many an additional 12,000 flow-on jobs to the region.

"If it were to proceed they believe they have four tenants ready to move now."

The proposed State Development Area 'boundary' covers a significant geographic area; from Kagaru in the north and almost to Laravale in the south. The 'boundary' also runs almost as far east as Beaudesert and out to Allanvale in the west.

Mr Lucas said: "Bromelton's strategic industrial location values has undoubtedly played a key role in today's announcement.

"Just this week, the local mayor and several of the councillors indicated to me that they supported Bromelton becoming a State Development Area.

"Bromelton could potentially become a location for a future road and rail freight terminal.

"It is the only future strategic industrial land available on the current national standard gauge rail line.

"This would alleviate pressure on the reduced capacity of the Acacia Ridge terminal, and would generate employment for surrounding residential communities.

"Large-scale industries requiring access to the national rail system, as well as some high impact industries requiring separation from residential areas, could also be located within this proposed State Development Area, subject to further investigations."

Declaring Bromelton as a proposed State Development Area would ensure a higher level of planning can take place for industry location, to maximise the strategic advantage of the land and ensure industry is well-located.

A three-week public consultation and exhibition process will start in October, to allow the government to consult with the community within the proposed State Development Area.

Mr Lucas added: "I would invite all members of the community, and other interested stakeholders, to give the Government their feedback and comments, all of which will be considered before the final decision is taken."

[rmwbris]

more relevant than ever....the Beaudesert rd nightmare can only get worse....how about new dual gauge with double track sections Algester Acacia R. then 2 lines Moorooka to a new Park rd underground....then underground to gabba, kang. pt., new farm., cathederal square/all hallows, then eagle st, QUT terminus with future options for city circle underground to roma st - central....use WA prospector type diesel rolling stock, already made in QLD....these trains can then go anywhere on Qrail......not forgetting my previous recommendations for double deck cars for immediate use...

[albiwan]

This would fill a great hole in the network but I am a believer using existing capacity without high costs. What about a Beaudesert line via Corinda via Tennyson even with an overpass at Corinda?This would overcome eventual capacity constraints at South Brisbane to Roma St and provide an almost abandonded station at Tennyson with new life and perhaps additonal medium density development opportunities. In addition have a Yeerongpilly "south" platform connecting to Y'pilly and a third refuge platform at Y'pilly for terminating Shorncliffle trains (instead of what I will always call Vulture street). Then have alternate "Browns Plains"/ Ipswich trains terminate at the airport and have a genuine increase in inner city capacity.

[ozbob]

Welcome Albiwan!   

Great idea! There was talk a while back re when third line is pushed through to Redbank to dual gauge it as well, so that std gauge locos could be serviced etc. at Redbank.   Your idea would work in well with that.

It is something we can raise as a suggestion in due course.

Regards
Ozbob

[albiwan]

Thanks, I got the whole from the fact that there is a disused siding facing Wilkie Street at Yeerongpilly which would make three platforms an easy fit at Y'pilly. It is our station and whilst we cannot use public transport for our jobs, because the Station has an offpeak frequency of 15 mins, we have ease of use if we are going to the city. Would we use rail if it was thirty minutes frequency as our favored means of transport. Probably less so. What really bugs me is that I fly often, and no train after 7:30 at the airport. Geeez I hate that 50 to 60 dolars taxi fare..

[mufreight]

To use the Standard gauge line corridor for a commuter line makes sense but to dual gauge and electrify the line would preclude the future operation of double stacked container trains into Acacia Ridge from both the south and the proposed inland railway.
Any commuter operation over a dual gauge line would be limited in operating frequency for commuter operations and effectively place constraints on the operation of freight into and out of Acacia Ridge causing delays to freight service and as a consequence higher operating costs that would eventually be paid by Mr average citizen,
A parallel line most definately a yes.  An electrified dual gauge line while it may hold some short term advantages would definately cause some long term pain.

[ozbob]

Feedback received, thanks!

I have been a resident of Forestdale since 1982. The developers who sold us the land told us then that the govt was looking at turning the interstate line into a suburban line. The Beaudesert rd and Johnson Rd links are at capacity but still no passenger rail link. There is now many suburbs all the way to Mclean and behond...and if the line which runs just west of Beaudesert it could pick up a lot of the population. Approx 10 stations. If they the govt had any sense they would do spur line and run it into Beaudesert and the line as loop back to the Gold Coast line at Bethania. Karen Struthers said the Transport commitee was looking at it. But stil no progressive answer.