BCC Elections 2020

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Couriermail --> $400m Labor pitch to fix Brisbane's 5 worst level crossings

Amid revelations that Brisbane's worst level crossings can add half an hour to the daily commute, Labor's lord mayoral hopeful has pitched a $400 million plan to start fixing them.

CONGESTION-busting projects around some of Brisbane's worst level crossings would be given major funding boosts under a $410 million pledge from Patrick Condren to tackle traffic in the suburbs.

The Labor lord mayoral candidate will today promise to complete three road projects around level crossings in his first term in office, and to kickstart construction on another two by mid-2024, if he wins the city's top job next month.

The LNP administration has already committed about $120 million to busting congestion and fixing three of the level crossings to be targeted by Labor, along with extra funding from the Federal Government.

Mr Condren will today announce that a Labor council administration would more than double the council's current funding commitment for the three projects.

This would include major roads projects at Beams Rd, Carseldine; Boundary Rd, Coopers Plains; and ­Lindum rail crossing, Hemmant.

Under Labor's pledge, construction would also begin on projects at Warrigal Rd, Runcorn, and Cavendish Rd, Coorparoo, by 2024.

"I want to kickstart and complete construction on Brisbane's congestion hot spots so that commuters in Brisbane's suburbs get home to their families in a safe and timely manner," Mr Condren said.

"Traffic data shows that these level crossings can add up to half an hour to your daily commute, and that's just not good enough."

Mr Condren will await the results of planning studies, including several that are already under way.

It is a start ... 

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Sent to all outlets:

Commitment by Labor Brisbane Lord Mayoral Candidate Patrick Condren to level crossing removals welcome

25th February 2020

Good Morning,

RAIL Back On Track welcomes the commitment by Labor Brisbane Lord Mayoral Candidate Patrick Condren to some level crossing removals.

Couriermail: $400m Labor pitch to fix Brisbane's 5 worst level crossings
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/400m-labor-pitch-to-fix-brisbanes-5-worst-level-crossings/news-story/75e954df9fcc568e38eeade550eb8084

Since 2015 no level crossings have been removed in Brisbane or SEQ for that matter.  Victoria has now removed 34 level crossings around Melbourne since 2015 and is well on the way to the first target of 50.

With the completion of Cross River Rail in 2024, unless level crossing removal is stepped up, the increased train frequencies will cause great disruption to the road networks at peak.

As we suggested on the 30th December 2019, " In 2020 we will be looking for a real committment by Government and the Opposition to accelerating the removal of level crossings. There is strong community support ... "

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

30th December 2019

Level crossing removals must be accelerated

Greetings,

The Couriermail has today highlighted the safety issues with level crossings.  ' Near-misses at level crossings increase despite campaign urging motorist care ' https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/nearmisses-at-level-crossings-increase-despite-campaign-urging-motorist-care/news-story/56fc9e23abd48d919a6725d618424b65

The removal of level crossings has stagnated in SEQ.  The last level crossings removed were done in 2014.  Since then there has been none.  Contrast this to Victoria, which in that time has removed 31 level crossings and is working towards removing a total of 75 by 2025 ( Level Crossing Removal Project https://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/ )

There are a lot of benefits when level crossings are removed. It is not only motorists that benefit. Daniel Bowen (PTUA Victoria) has done an informative blog on this. ' Benefits to non-motorists from level crossing removals ' https://www.danielbowen.com/2015/12/15/grade-separation-benefits/

There are around 52 level crossings on the Queensland Rail Citytrain Network south of Caboolture.  Unless there is a commitment from both sides of the political fence to step up the rate of level crossing elimination (grade separation) there will be increasing impacts on the road transport network and the reliability and safety of rail itself.

We suggest that from this point on, there needs to be a firm commitment to eliminate at least two open level crossings per financial year in SEQ.  The Victorian Government has progressed the removal of level crossings at a rate not seen before.  They have removed 31 level crossings in the last few years and plan to remove a total of 75 by 2025!  Contrast this to Queensland which has not removed any.  We suggest the Queensland Government set up an authority similar to the Level Crossing Removal Project in Victoria.  They should also liaise with Victoria on the lessons they have gained from their recent experiences with level crossing elimination.

It is proposed that there will be increased train service frequencies post Cross River Rail.  For example, 5 minute services on the Gold Coast line during peaks.  The impact of this frequency on level crossings will be profound. When one considers that the 4 most dangerous level crossings reported by the Couriermail are: Warrigal Rd in Fruitgrove, Old Beaudesert Rd in Salisbury, Trinder Crossing at Trinder Park, and Stones Rd in Sunnybank, are on the Gold Coast / Beenleigh line, a potential catastrophic situation awaits as frustrated motor vehicle drivers are tempted to race boom gates. When you take into account the Gold Coast services, the Beenleigh all station trains,  and the counter-peak services, it is likely that the boom gates would be down for around 40 minutes at a minimum in the hour during peaks. Clearly unmanageable.

In 2020 we will be looking for a real committment by Government and the Opposition to accelerating the removal of level crossings. There is strong community support (1).

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

Reference:

1. 28th April 2019: Which level crossings would you like to see removed in SEQ?
https://www.facebook.com/RAILBackOnTrack/posts/2585140008166837

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https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1232016190672797696

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https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1232222113940955137

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Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 26th February 2020 page 15

Level crossing idea welcomed

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Couriermail Quest --> Labor declares funding war over deadly crossing in lead up to elections

LABOR has declared a funding war over one of Brisbane's most dangerous intersections in the lead up to the Brisbane City Council elections in March.

The level crossing at Lindum Rail Station has been an issue for commuters and residents for more than a decade and a solution is closer than ever after a feasibility study was conducted by the State Government, where public consultation concluded earlier this month.

A study for a fix at the crossing where an elderly lady died in February, 2019 was done following an $85 million commitment from the LNP-led Federal Government and $40 million from the Brisbane City Council.

But with just under a month until the Council elections, Councillor for Wynnum Manly (ALP) Peter Cumming and ALP candidate for Doboy Jo Culshaw announced Labor would commit double what Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner designated to Lindum.

Ms Culshaw said a Pat Condren administration would fund major roadworks to fix the notorious level crossing by 2024.

She said the congestion-busting initiative was part of Labor's $410 million package for major upgrades to five of Brisbane's worst level crossings, including Lindum, identified by the RACQ.

"Only a Condren administration will take the long-overdue action needed to end the traffic chaos at the Lindum level crossing," Ms Culshaw said.

"The LNP have had 16 years to fix this problem but Adrian Schrinner has forgotten the outer suburbs.

"He's wasted $650 million to save a minute's travelling time on Kingsford Smith Drive. Traffic data shows level crossings like Lindum can add up to half an hour to our daily commute."

Cr Schrinner said the funding was just "another Condren con".

"Why should Brisbane ratepayers be paying double for a State Government owned asset?" he said.

"We already have money on the table, the Federal Government has money on the table – the only ones not contributing a cent is the State Labor Government – the level of government that actually owns the railway lines.

"The reason they can't deliver any money for these projects is because Labor can't balance a budget.

"Labor candidates have promised to fix these level crossings at election after election but they never ever do it."

Cr Cumming said the LNP has neglected the outer suburbs.

The Queensland Government contributed $600,000 towards the feasibility study for the Lindum level crossing.

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Brisbanetimes --> Labor's mayoral candidate plans to make Brisbane carbon neutral by 2050

Brisbane would become a net zero emissions city by 2050 through improved public transport, building efficiency and green space, under a proposal by Labor's lord mayoral candidate, Pat Condren.

The plan would see Brisbane City Council become "truly" carbon neutral, with projects to do so singled out for the first 100 days of an elected Labor administration, and $27.5 million earmarked for its first four years to begin carrying them out.

A total of $5 million to green King George Square and an extra $1.8 million for tree planting across the city would also "kick off" the plan, to be announced on Friday ahead of the March 19 election.

"Brisbane City Council as an organisation needs to lead the way for our city to become truly carbon neutral," Mr Condren said.

"This is not just about making Brisbane City Council carbon neutral.

"I want to see our entire city net-zero by 2050."

Council's net emissions have decreased 8 per cent since 2016-17, when it was first declared carbon neutral, its 2018-19 disclosure summary showed. However, a 24 per cent drop in direct emissions and electricity use was partially offset by a 10 per cent jump in so-called "scope 3" emissions, driven largely by major road infrastructure projects.

Mr Condren said while councils including Adelaide, Newcastle, Sydney and Melbourne had set emission reduction targets, Brisbane – the country's largest – was yet to do so.

"For every $1 spent on making the Brisbane City Council carbon neutral, the LNP has spent four times that on promoting themselves," he said.

The council has a long-term goal to help residents reduce the average annual carbon emissions from households to six tonnes by 2031.

In 2013, the average household produced about 10.5 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

Labor's plan to decarbonise the council would see potential emissions reduction projects reviewed within 100 days of it taking office, with a least-cost pathway and timeframe to be set within its first term.

This review would consider increased and improved public transport, electric vehicle infrastructure, and the alignment of land use and transport planning.

Improvements to building efficiency and a boost to public green spaces and tree planting would also be considered.

Further focus would be turned to weaning the city off purchasing offsets used to balance out its carbon footprint – set to rise from 589,615 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent to 609,320 tonnes across 2019-20.

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Couriermail.com.au---> Greens propose moving site for second West End ferry stop

DECADE-OLD plans for a second ferry terminal in a rapidly densifying inner-city suburb could be revived in a $10 million election commitment by Greens councillor Jonathan Sri.

The proposal for a second ferry terminal in West End was first mooted in city planning documents during the Newman administration.

"A new ferry terminal will be located at Victoria Street," the South Brisbane Riverside Neighbourhood Plan from 2011 stated.

The new stop was intended to promote the redevelopment of tired industrial sheds into residential high-rises up to 12-storeys tall, with streets modified to encourage cycling and walking.

However Cr Sri, whose ward includes West End, said the proposal needs to be revisited.

"We are calling for public feedback as to whether it should be closer to Davies Park near Beesley St," he told The Courier-Mail.

He said the new terminal would ease congestion along Montague Rd and Vulture St, particularly on Saturday mornings.

Both locations would put the stop along the suburb's northwestern edge, directly across the river from the Wesley Hospital.

Cr Sri said the new terminal would also promote trips between West End and northside suburbs of Milton, Auchenflower and Toowong.

"Cross-river connectivity and direct travel between suburbs are major problems in Brisbane," he said.

"This CityCat terminal would provide more direct connections into West End and other riverside suburbs ... helping move thousands of West End residents to destinations like UQ, Saint Lucia, the CBD and QUT Gardens Point."

He said successive councils have forgotten about the proposal, despite its merits in connecting the river.

"The LNP promised this terminal under Campbell Newman almost a decade ago but never delivered."

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Brisbanetimes----> Greens bank on free off-peak buses and power to the people in election push

Greens lord mayoral candidate Kath Angus is ready to "shake things up" in City Hall, vowing to push for Brisbane residents to have more power.

Her party's election campaign launch on Friday focused on improving public transport and giving residents more say over development and local planning decisions.

Ms Angus, who is an early childhood educator, midwife and community volunteer, will go up against LNP lord mayor Adrian Schrinner and Labor's Pat Condren in the March 2020 election.

"People don't seem to be happy with the major parties," she said, adding that support for the Greens was growing.

"People don't seem to be happy with developers having control of this city rather than the people."

The Greens are hoping to build on their success in the previous Brisbane City Council election, in which Jonathan Sri became the party's first Brisbane councillor.

The Gabba Ward councillor said the party was on track for a primary vote exceeding 30 per cent in multiple wards across the city.

"We've seen big swings to the Greens over recent years, particularly in The Gabba, Paddington, Central and Coorparoo ward, and we're aiming to win multiple wards on 28 March, with a chance of holding balance of power post-election," he said.

Ms Angus said summer, in which Queensland and Australia as a whole was buffeted by heatwaves and bushfires, had shown residents evidence of climate change in their state.

"People want real action and this is the first election we've seen since that and I think we've seen an enormous amount of support and that's got something to do with it," she said.

The Greens candidate vowed to introduce free off-peak buses and ferries for all residents, binding height limits and community voting on neighbourhood plans, describing current community input opportunities as "tokenistic at best".

She hopes to create a vacancy levy to support small businesses, 1000 new safe pedestrian crossings and double infrastructure charges for property developers.

Ms Angus said council decisions were leaving communities behind, especially those who were homeless, new migrants, jobseekers or people with disabilities.

"Buses need to be accessible because not all of them are. Double-decker city buses are really hard to get a wheelchair onto and I don't know how we missed that in the design.

"It should be the easiest way for wheelchair users.

"We've seen neighbourhood plans written with very little consultation with the people they affect and people are mad.

"[I want to make sure] developers pay their fair share so we have services and facilities that suit the needs of everybody so that infrastructure is growing at the same rate the city is."

Ms Angus said she was pleased to be among a diverse team, mainly comprising female candidates this year.

"The Greens are going to win multiple seats this election, so this is our chance to build a Brisbane that's safer, fairer, more vibrant and more accessible for everyone," she said.

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Couriermail.com.au---> All the candidates for Brisbane City Council in the 2020

THE final list of Brisbane City Council candidates will be lodged with the Electoral Commission of Queensland today ahead of the March 28 poll.

Here is a list of everyone who has nominated so far in each ward, as well as the six candidates vying to take out the lord mayoralty.

LNP Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner is hoping to win his first lord mayoral election after he was installed into the city's top job in April when Graham Quirk quit.

His opponent is Labor's lord mayoral candidate Patrick Condren – a former television journalist who replaced former candidate Rod Harding in September.

The ECQ will tomorrow determine which order each candidate will appear on the ballot paper on election day.

Brisbane City Council is the largest local Council in Australia. It covers 1338.1 sq/km kilometres, spanning the Brisbane River in a radius of up to 25km from the Central Business District.

Current Lord Mayor: Adrian Schrinner

CANDIDATES

Kath Angus (Greens)

Patrick Condren (ALP)

John Dobinson

Benjamin Gorringe

Frank Jordan

Adrian Schrinner (LNP)

BRACKEN RIDGE WARD
The Bracken Ridge Ward comprises the suburbs of Bracken Ridge, Bald Hills, Carseldine, Fitzgibbon, and parts of Aspley and Zillmere.

Current councillor: Sandy Landers

CANDIDATES

Kathryn Fry (Greens)

Sandy Landers (LNP)

Cath Palmer (ALP)

CALAMVALE WARD
The Calamvale Ward comprises the suburbs of Algester, Calamvale, Drewvale, Heathwood, Parkinson, Stretton, Larapinta and part of Forest Lake.

Current councillor: Angela Owen (formerly Cr Angela Owen-Taylor)

CANDIDATES

James Martin (ALP)

Josie Mira (Greens)

Angela Owen (LNP)​​​​​​

CENTRAL WARD
Central Ward comprises the Central Business District, Fortitude Valley, New Farm, Spring Hill, Herston, Bowen Hills, Newstead and Teneriffe.

Current councillor: Vicki Howard

CANDIDATES

Vicki Howard (LNP)

Judi Jabour (ALP)

Trina Massey (Greens)

CHANDLER WARD
The Chandler Ward comprises the suburbs of Burbank, Carindale, Chandler, Gumdale, Mackenzie, Mansfield, Ransome and Rochedale. It also includes parts of Belmont and Wakerley.

Current councillor: Ryan Murphy

CANDIDATES

Stephanie Moss

Ryan Murphy (LNP)

Penny O'Neill

COORPAROO WARD
The Coorparoo Ward comprises the suburbs of Coorparoo, Greenslopes, Stones Corner, Carina Heights, and parts of Camp Hill and Annerley.

Current councillor: Fiona Cunningham

CANDIDATES

Matthew Campbell (ALP)

Fiona Cunningham (LNP)

Sally Dillon (Greens)

DEAGON WARD
The Deagon Ward comprises the suburbs of Boondall, Brighton, Deagon, Sandgate, Shorncliffe, Taigum, parts of Geebung and Virginia and most of Zillmere. It also includes Moreton Island (including the townships of Bulwer, Cowan Cowan and Kooringal).

Current councillor: Jared Cassidy

CANDIDATES

Jared Cassidy (ALP)

Anthony Walsh (Greens)

Kimberley Washington (LNP)

DOBOY WARD
The Doboy Ward comprises the suburbs of Carina, Hemmant, Murarrie, Tingalpa and large parts of Wakerley, Belmont, Cannon Hill and Manly West.

Current councillor: Lisa Atwood

CANDIDATES

Lisa Atwood (LNP)

Jo Culshaw (ALP)

ENOGGERA WARD
The Enoggera Ward comprises the suburbs of Enoggera, Gaythorne, Mitchelton, Newmarket, Wilston and parts of Alderley, Ashgrove, Grange, Keperra and Windsor.

Current councillor: Andrew Wines

CANDIDATES

Ell-Leigh Ackerman (Greens)

Jonty Bush (ALP)

Kirsten Perissinotto

Craig Whiteman

Andrew Wines (LNP)

FOREST LAKE WARD
The Forest Lake Ward comprises of the suburbs of Inala, Doolandella, Richlands, Forest Lake west of Old Blunder Road, Ellen Grove east of Centenary Highway and Durack west of Blunder Road.

Current councillor: Charles Strunk

CANDIDATES

Roger Hooper (LNP)

Jenny Mulkearns (Greens)

Charles Strunk (ALP)

HAMILTON WARD
The Hamilton Ward comprises the Brisbane northside suburbs of Albion, Ascot, Clayfield, Eagle Farm, Hamilton, Hendra, Pinkenba, Kalinga, Wooloowin and parts of Nundah and Windsor. It also includes Brisbane Airport and the northern shore of the Brisbane Port.

Current councillor: David McLachlan

CANDIDATES

Miranda Bertram (Greens)

Leah Malzard (ALP)

David McLachlan (LNP)

HOLLAND PARK WARD
The Holland Park Ward comprises the suburbs of Holland Park, Holland Park West, Mt Gravatt, Mt Gravatt East and Tarragindi.

Current councillor: Krista Adams

CANDIDATES

Krista Adams (LNP)

Karleigh Auguston (ALP)

Jenny Gamble (Greens)

JAMBOREE WARD
The Jamboree Ward comprises the suburbs of Jamboree Heights, Jindalee, Middle Park, Mt Ommaney, Riverhills, Sinnamon Park, Seventeen Mile Rocks, Darra, Wacol, Sumner, Westlake and parts of Oxley and Ellen Grove.

Current councillor: Matthew Bourke

CANDIDATES

Rachel Hoppe (ALP)

Sarah Hutton (LNP)

Thomas McKie (Greens)

MACGREGOR WARD
The MacGregor Ward comprises the suburbs of MacGregor, Robertson, Eight Mile Plains, Wishart and Upper Mt Gravatt.

Current councillor: Steven Huang

CANDIDATES

Steven Huang (LNP)

Trent McTieran (ALP)

Sean Womersley

MARCHANT WARD
The Marchant Ward comprises the suburbs of parts of Alderley, Aspley, Chermside, Chermside West, Geebung, Gordon Park, Grange, Kedron, Lutwyche, Stafford, Stafford Heights and Windsor.

Current councillor: Fiona Hammond (formerly Cr Fiona King)

CANDIDATES

Fiona Hammond (LNP)

Susan Lynch (ALP)

John Meyer (Greens)

MCDOWALL WARD
The McDowall Ward comprises the suburbs of McDowall, Everton Park and parts of Aspley, Bridgeman Downs, Chermside West, Stafford and Stafford Heights.

Current councillor: Tracy Davis

CANDIDATES

Liam Culverhouse (ALP)

Tracy Davis (LNP)

Joshua Sanderson (Greens)

MOOROOKA WARD
The Moorooka Ward includes the southern suburbs of Acacia Ridge, Archerfield, Coopers Plains, Moorooka, Nathan, Pallara, Rocklea, Salisbury, Willawong and parts of Durack and Oxley.

Current councillor: Steve Griffiths

CANDIDATES

Warren Craze (LNP)

Claire Garton (Greens)

Steve Griffiths (ALP)

MORNINGSIDE WARD
The Morningside Ward includes the suburbs of Balmoral, Bulimba, Hawthorne, Morningside, Norman Park, Seven Hills and parts of Camp Hill and Cannon Hill.

Current councillor: Kara Cook

CANDIDATES

Kara Cook (ALP)

Rolf Kuelsen (Greens)

Tobias Moore (LNP)

NORTHGATE WARD
The Northgate Ward comprises the suburbs of Nudgee Beach, Nudgee, Banyo, Northgate, Virginia, Nundah, Wavell Heights, and the parts of Kedron and Chermside to the east of Gympie Road.

Current councillor: Adam Allan

CANDIDATES

Adam Allan (LNP)

James Davies (Greens)

Reg Neil (ALP)

PADDINGTON WARD
The Paddington Ward comprises the suburbs of Paddington, Auchenflower, Milton, Kelvin Grove, Red Hill, Petrie Terrace, and parts of Bardon and Toowong.

Current councillor: Peter Matic

CANDIDATES

Donna Burns (The Greens)

Jeffrey Eelkema (ALP)

Peter Matic (LNP)

PULLENVALE WARD
The Pullenvale Ward comprises the suburbs of Anstead, Bellbowrie, Brookfield, Karana Downs, Kenmore, Kenmore Hills, Kholo, Lake Manchester, Moggill, Mt Crosby, Pinjarra Hills, Pullenvale, Upper Brookfield and parts of Chuwar and Chapel Hill.

Current councillor: Kate Richards

CANDIDATES

Greg Adermann (LNP)

Charles Druckmann (Greens)

Jordan Mark (ALP)

Kate Richards (IND)

RUNCORN WARD
The Runcorn Ward comprises the suburbs of Sunnybank Hills, Sunnybank, Runcorn and Kuraby.

Current councillor: Kim Marx

CANDIDATES

Nicola Gordon (Greens)

Kim Marx (LNP)

John Prescott (ALP)

TENNYSON WARD
The Tennyson Ward comprises the suburbs of Chelmer, Graceville, Sherwood, Corinda, Tennyson, Yeronga, Fairfield, and Yeerongpilly and parts of Annerley and Oxley.

Current councillor: Nicole Johnston

CANDIDATES

Nicole Johnston

Maurice Lane (LNP)

Patricia O'Brien (Greens)

Darryl Prout

Jacqueline Schneider (ALP)

THE GABBA WARD
The Gabba Ward comprises the suburbs of East Brisbane, Woolloongabba, Kangaroo Point, Dutton Park, West End, Highgate Hill and South Brisbane.

Current councillor: Jonathan Sri

CANDIDATES

Rachel Gallagher (ALP)

Nathanial Jones (LNP)

Jonathan Sri (The Greens)

THE GAP WARD
The Gap Ward comprises the suburbs of The Gap, Ferny Grove, Upper Kedron and parts of Ashgrove, Bardon and Keperra.

Current councillor: Steve Toomey

CANDIDATES

Daniel Bevis (ALP)

Rebecca Haley (Greens)

Steven Toomey (LNP)

WALTER TAYLOR WARD
The Walter Taylor Ward includes the suburbs of Fig Tree Pocket, Indooroopilly, St Lucia, and parts of Chapel Hill, Taringa and Toowong.

Current councillor: James Mackay

CANDIDATES

Matthew Antoniolli (Independent)

James Mackay (LNP)

Karthika Raghwan (ALP)

Michaela Sargent (Greens)

WYNNUM MANLY WARD
The Wynnum Manly Ward comprises the suburbs of Wynnum, Wynnum West, Manly, Lota, Port of Brisbane, Lytton and 60 per cent of Manly West.

Current councillor: Peter Cumming

CANDIDATES

Kenneth Austin (Greens)

Peter Cumming (ALP)

Megan Piccardi (LNP)

* All candidates listed in alphabetical order by surname. As today was the final day of nominations, this list may change.

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The Lord Mayor has drawn ahead of his Labor rival for the ballot paper order, but both have missed out on the favourable number one spot. They've also agreed to a series of debates after their first one on radio this morning. https://t.co/VZ3A1cpmr5 @MarlinaWhop #7NEWS https://t.co/Hz2HwfmgT3

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1235116761554378753

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https://twitter.com/AntonyGreenABC/status/1235664030636728320

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Couriermail Quest --> How Brisbane City Council should fix the city's congestion

VOTERS will go to the polls in just over two weeks to choose who will represent them and shape how residents will commute and move around Brisbane for the next four years.

Quest Community News asked key public and active transport and road infrastructure stakeholders and advocates what Brisbane City Council should deliver in the next term.

RACQ head of public policy Rebecca Michael said that apart from delivering the Brisbane Metro, an incoming council needed to commit to another four-year congestion busting program.

Improvements needed to include dedicated intersection and corridor upgrades along key roads including Stanley St, Moggill Rd, Ipswich Rd, Enoggera Rd, Old Cleveland Rd, Coonan St and Oxley St, Bowen Bridge Rd, Milton Rd and Coronation Drive.

"We'd also be looking for council to commit to another four-year, $100 million Better Bikeways for Brisbane program ... and the last priority is the level crossing upgrades," she said.

Rail Back on Track's Robert Dow, a public transport advocate, agreed whoever won needed to push ahead with the Brisbane Metro and overall improvement of the bus network.

"The other thing they need to do is support improved active transport options to railway stations, bus stations and transit hubs and other community centres," he said.

"In some cases it's quite difficult to access these things by foot and by bicycle and they need to support improved active transport options to allow people to use public transport."

He said all parties needed to stop singling out certain demographics, routes or time periods for "inequitable" discounts and to instead lobby strongly for true fare reform for the region.

"It's far better to have the overall system improved for everyone than have these small pockets of free travel, which are counter-productive to improving the network overall."

He also supported the removal of level crossings.

Space for Cycling Brisbane spokeswoman Belinda Ward said the group had lobbied for a CBD minimum grid of protected bike lanes for more than four years.

"For a lot of people who ride to work or businesses in the CBD, they tell us the last part of the trip is really hostile," she said.

"In the CBD ... if we can get the bikes and scooters into a protected lane on the road, that would make things better for pedestrians."

Other priorities were bikeways on Sylvan Rd, Toowong, to connect the Centenary Bikeway to the Bicentennial Bikeway, and on Vulture St to connect into the Woolloongabba Bikeway, which she said should be extended further east.

Ms Ward said neighbourhood streets should be speed limited to 30km/h to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety.

TOP ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE PRIORITIES – RACQ

Deliver Brisbane Metro
A four-year congestion busting program focusing on intersection and corridor upgrades along Stanley St, Moggill Rd, Enoggera Rd, Old Cleveland Rd, Coonan St, Oxley St, Bowen Bridge Rd, Milton Rd and Coronation Drive
Another four-year, $100 million Better Bikeways for Brisbane program
Upgrade level crossings, with Coopers Plains, Coorparoo, Alderley, Carseldine, Lindum, Runcorn and Wacol the priorities

TOP PUBLIC TRANSPORT PRIORITIES – RAIL BACK ON TRACK

To deliver the Brisbane Metro and overall bus network improvement
Improve accessibility and walkability to transit hubs and other community activity centres
Support the integrated fare system – no more select groups catching freebies
Support the removal of level-crossings

TOP CYCLING PRIORITIES – SPACE FOR CYCLING BRISBANE

CBD Minimum Grid to allow cyclists to ride in protected bike lanes to within 300m of your final destination — suggested streets for the grid include George St and Edward St, Herschel St definitely and then Ann St and Margaret St
Protected bikeway at Sylvan Rd, Toowong, to connect the Centenary Bikeway to the Bicentennial Bikeway
Protected bikeway at Vulture St, West End and South Brisbane
Neighbourhood streets should have a speed limit of 30km per hour to improve cyclist and pedestrian safety

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https://twitter.com/abcnews/status/1241137235753177088

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https://twitter.com/Schrinner/status/1241904022727954432

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Couriermail --> Brisbane green bridges: Two of five planned crossings to be funded solely by council

ADRIAN Schrinner has promised his administration will solely fund two of their five planned green bridges, if necessary, in a bid to create local jobs as soon as possible.

The Lord Mayor will today commit to delivering the $190 million Kangaroo Point Bridge as well as the Breakfast Creek Bridge in the next term of council.

He will also rule out allowing buses onto two of the bridges that would link Toowong to West End and St Lucia to West End.

Cr Schrinner said while he still wanted funding from other levels of government, he was not prepared to wait for delayed State of Federal Budgets before kicking off his green bridge plan.

He confirmed his administration would solely fund the Kangaroo Point and Breakfast Creek bridges if it becomes necessary.

"In these challenging times, it's more important than ever for us to invest in job creating infrastructure projects to help boost the local economy and create long term community assets," he said.

"The Story Bridge was originally built to stimulate jobs following the Great Depression and it remains a vital and iconic asset for our city to this day.

"The new green bridges may not rival the Story Bridge for its size or grandeur, but they will certainly create local jobs and help transform the way people move around Brisbane going forward."

Cr Schrinner said at the peak of delivering the five bridges, it is estimated that more than 500 full time jobs will be created.

The council has previously committed $550 million towards the construction of all five bridges.

"We have completed the Kangaroo Point business case and construction can start next year, with the bridge at Breakfast Creek to follow," Cr Schrinner said.

[verbatim9]

^^That's a bummer re buses not.allowed to use the Green Bridges in the Toowong St Lucia area. Greens campaigned heavily to scrap PT on these two bridges. Now another will have to be built in the future for a dedicated  mass transit corridor from West End via St Lucia UQ to Indooroopilly Chapel Hill and Kenmore.

[Gazza]

Greens campaigned heavily to scrap PT on these two bridges.

Source?

[verbatim9]

Greens campaigned heavily to scrap PT on these two bridges.

Source?

Jonathan Sri Facebook and Web Page as well as Michael Berckman's Webpage and Facebook. I also attended a street meeting at the proposed landing point at Westend with Sri and 20 residents where he confirmed the Greens stance.
At the info day at Toowong Library Michael Berkman was there with staffer. I mentioned I Ipreferred a PT crossing at Toowong. They were against it. They want bus lanes reinstalled on Coronation Drive.

[James]

Jonathan Sri Facebook and Web Page as well as Michael Berckman's Webpage and Facebook. I also attended a street meeting at the proposed landing point at Westend with Sri and 20 residents where he confirmed the Greens stance.
At the info day at Toowong Library Michael Berkman was there with staffer. I mentioned I Ipreferred a PT crossing at Toowong. They were against it. They want bus lanes reinstalled on Coronation Drive.

Likewise, I've also seen anti-Green Bridge commentary on Michaela Sargent's Facebook, the Greens candidate for Walter Taylor.

It is a great shame. A bus straight down Boundary Street from Fortitude Valley / New Farm through the CBD would be great for both West End and St Lucia, providing a convenient link to UQ and taking the pressure off St Lucia / Toowong even more to shoulder the bulk of the housing. It would not be faster than the 66 due to stop spacing & general traffic through West End, but it would be a great link and take more cars off Coro Drive.

A pedestrian and cyclist-only bridge will limit connectivity to West End locals only - even St Lucia locals may find it difficult to justify without a decent bus connection on the other end. At least Guyatt Park - West End Ferry has the CityGlider + 199 on the other end.
NIMBYs ruining things again.

[verbatim9]

^^The good thing it's just a pledge from the current Mayor. Lets hope he breaks that pledge and rethinks PT on those two bridges. We need that PT expert from Griffith to contribute with traffic modelling etc... Not just Pollies calling the shots without thinking about the consequences. We all know that Coronation Drive is far too congested and not wide enough for full time transit lanes, let alone part time transit lanes. Alternative bypass routes need to be investigated and implemented. If Transit lanes were reinstalled on Coronation Drive? Traffic will be banking up from Taringa every second day. Likewise from the other direction. Motorists will not be happy hence an alternative route is the likely outcome via Green Bridges.

[verbatim9]

Voted yesterday at City Hall. It was a quick 5 min process with minimal interaction. Self scan of voting card, verbal confirmation of address, Booths were every second, pencils cleaned after each person. All very hygienic. Definitely recommend early voting than voting on the official election day.

[aldonius]

So I'm not sure if this is generally known (it wasn't to me), but in his Reddit AMA yesterday, Condren committed to continuing with Brisbane Metro.

Halle-bloody-lujah.

[ozbob]

So I'm not sure if this is generally known (it wasn't to me), but in his Reddit AMA yesterday, Condren committed to continuing with Brisbane Metro.

Halle-bloody-lujah.

It was pointed out to Mr Condren early in the campaign that the Brisbane Metro was supported by IA, the Federal and State Governments. 
He quietly shifted at that point.

[verbatim9]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1243811628233052160

[ozbob]

Lord Mayor

https://prodresults.elections.qld.gov.au/lga2020/008/mayor

Schrinner will most likely win it.  Will need some preferences though.

ANGUS, Kath
Queensland Greens
49899   15.76%

SCHRINNER, Adrian
Liberal National Party of Queensland
144575   45.65%


CONDREN, Pat
Australian Labor Party (State of Queensland)
100620   31.77%

[verbatim9]

How about the Greens surge in Central and Paddington? Be an interesting mix of Councillors in the chamber if Greens gain those wards? At least Central Bne will get a segregated bike grid if that happens?

[verbatim9]

^^Looks like LNP have edged ahead in Central and Paddington once again.

[ozbob]

ABC - BCC Results > https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/bcc/2020/results

[Gazza]

We all know that Coronation Drive is far too congested and not wide enough for full time transit lanes, let alone part time transit lanes. Alternative bypass routes need to be investigated and implemented

Fact check, there used to be bus lanes that were removed by newman. Legacy way was built to take traffic of Milton Rd and Coro Drive.

[verbatim9]

We all know that Coronation Drive is far too congested and not wide enough for full time transit lanes, let alone part time transit lanes. Alternative bypass routes need to be investigated and implemented

Fact check, there used to be bus lanes that were removed by newman. Legacy way was built to take traffic of Milton Rd and Coro Drive.

I know there was. The Riverside expressway becomes congested on a daily basis inbound. This will create traffic banking up past Taringa if a lane was taken out on each side for buses.

[SurfRail]

Good.  Maybe people will see sense and start taking the bus and/or train instead.  The public transport system is not there to fix congestion.

[#Metro]

There would be less need for the transit lane if the interchange at Indooroopilly was built and the bus network was reorganised.

On the other hand, with all the money thrown out by the government, I really wonder if any infrastructure will get funded for the next 10 years.

[red dragin]

With all the work from home at the moment, we may see a more permanent shift to this style of working.

My boss is considering it for at least one day a week, per staff member, on a roster system. Probably cause he hates going into the office as much as any of us 

[Cazza]

Hopefully this whole working from home concept is something that will stick with a lot of businesses coming out the other end. I'd like to say for a fair chunk of the working population, most of this can be done from home rather than offices, and as you said RD, they can have some days from home and the others in the office to try and reduce the number of people commuting in and around the city each day.

[verbatim9]

^^All those cafes, small businesses and retail outlets rely on office workers to survive.

Getting back to the election looks like no change to BCC.

Ipswich and Logan Councils seem to have the major changes and shift in power.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/brisbanetimes/status/1244876077526368257

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1246696320976347136

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/AntonyGreenABC/status/1251771378597949441

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/team_schrinner/status/1252789166984671232