Tennyson Railway Station - Perspective from a Local

[Xsophos]

Hi All,
I'm a local resident of Tennyson, and as an 18-year-old with out a car, i'm often using public transport in the area. I've needed to use the railway station to get to work if my shift starts in the morning, but apart from that i'll be catching buses if it's in the middle of the day.
Last week i was standing at the corinda-bound platform, and i happened to look up at the roof of the shelter (it was on the monday that all the flooding occurred). I was surprised to find TWENTY holes through the asbestos roof! This got me thinking about the general dilapidated state of Tennyson station... I've taken a couple of photos of the deterioration of the station, and i'm intending to write an article and endeavour to get it published in a couple of papers (Courier-Mail, The local south-west news, possibly mX) about it. I'm going to also try and get in touch with some of the local MPs (Ronan Lee, the old Greens MP; Scott Emerson, the new LNP one; and Cr Nicole Johnston) As such, i've got a couple of questions that I have that you guys might be able to answer...

EDIT: *I haven't listed them yet as I need to swap computers*

[ozbob]

G'day Xsophos, welcome!

Tennyson is topic near and dear to many.  Good news is that there are future plans.  Possibly extending the present platform or another special events platform too.  This won't happen in the immediate term but I am hopeful in a few years.
Also more regular rail services.

Cheers
Bob

[O_128]

I cant see writing to MX helping there was an article about Roma street a while back nothing has been done. Dont count on any upgrades until the disgusting city stations [Central,Roma street,south Brisbane,south bank and Bowen hills] get upgraded. Id love to see a new Central stations with 2 new platforms and a more modern design. Fortitude valley should have also been upgraded to 6 platforms in its upgrade.

[stephenk]

I cant see writing to MX helping there was an article about Roma street a while back nothing has been done. Dont count on any upgrades until the disgusting city stations [Central,Roma street,south Brisbane,south bank and Bowen hills] get upgraded. Id love to see a new Central stations with 2 new platforms and a more modern design. Fortitude valley should have also been upgraded to 6 platforms in its upgrade.

The CBD stations are in a pretty good shape. Yes, they could look a bit less 70s and 80s, but they are in reasonably good condition.

There was no need for Fortitude Valley to require 6 platforms. The dwell times are short enough to not require extra platforms. The cost and impact of adding extra platforms would have been very high. The bottlenecks of the core section are at Roma Street (signalling and conflicting train movements), and Bowen Hills (signalling, and excessive dwell times).

Extra capacity through the CBD must come through building a whole new line, not adding extra tracks and and platforms to the present core section.

[Xsophos]

Good news is that there are future plans.  Possibly extending the present platform or another special events platform too.  This won't happen in the immediate term but I am hopeful in a few years.

Ok, that's what I was wanting to confirm... also, like I said, i've got a few questions, and now I've got the time to list them down... (I don't have unlimited access to a computer unfortunately)

1. Is tennyson the closest 3 Car platform into the city?
2. Where are the other 3 car platforms? Are they in the same state of disrepair as tennyson? Do they have the same types of facilities as tennyson (unstaffed station, no P.A. System etc) or do they have more than that?
3. How much do you guys reckon it would cost to upgrade tennyson station? (I don't expect anyone here to be accountants/quantity surveyors, just a ballpark figure would be fine )
4. What has been the governments(state and local)/QR's point of view on the station?
5. Just how dangerous could holes in an asbestos roof be? In a worst case scenario... The ones i spotted in the roof of the shelter were between 1cm and about 3 inches, at a guess...
6. I remember reading on the flyer that the Greens/Ronan Lee sent me during the state elections mentioned something about the city loop that you guys have talked about on the forum. Has there been any more word from anyone about that?
7. With the new Riverside apartments being built, by how much do you think that'll affect public transport in tennyson?

I know that some of these questions may be hard to answer without the appropriate background information, but maybe i should be asking them to the MPs i'm going to interview... also if you guys have any questions that you want me to ask them that could be good too...
Of course, that's if I get an interview with them

Thanks guys!

[Arnz]

Good news is that there are future plans.  Possibly extending the present platform or another special events platform too.  This won't happen in the immediate term but I am hopeful in a few years.

Ok, that's what I was wanting to confirm... also, like I said, i've got a few questions, and now I've got the time to list them down... (I don't have unlimited access to a computer unfortunately)

1. Is tennyson the closest 3 Car platform into the city?
2. Where are the other 3 car platforms? Are they in the same state of disrepair as tennyson? Do they have the same types of facilities as tennyson (unstaffed station, no P.A. System etc) or do they have more than that?
3. How much do you guys reckon it would cost to upgrade tennyson station? (I don't expect anyone here to be accountants/quantity surveyors, just a ballpark figure would be fine )
4. What has been the governments(state and local)/QR's point of view on the station?
5. Just how dangerous could holes in an asbestos roof be? In a worst case scenario... The ones i spotted in the roof of the shelter were between 1cm and about 3 inches, at a guess...
6. I remember reading on the flyer that the Greens/Ronan Lee sent me during the state elections mentioned something about the city loop that you guys have talked about on the forum. Has there been any more word from anyone about that?
7. With the new Riverside apartments being built, by how much do you think that'll affect public transport in tennyson?

I know that some of these questions may be hard to answer without the appropriate background information, but maybe i should be asking them to the MPs i'm going to interview... also if you guys have any questions that you want me to ask them that could be good too...
Of course, that's if I get an interview with them

Thanks guys!

Can only answer the first four questions at this stage.

1. yes
2. 3-car length platforms are at stations between Ipswich and Rosewood, and 3-car length platforms at stations inbetween Landsborough and Nambour, and one-car length platforms north of Yandina (except Cooroy - which is 6 car).  Stations inbetween Ipswich and Rosewood are unattended.  North of Landsborough, some stations are attended (Palmwoods, Woombye, Nambour, Cooroy).  The rest are not attended.
3.  A few million if they're going to put up "temporary" extensions to the platform (ala scaffolding at the old Beerburrum Station).
4.  Not a priority, but a important route for diversions/freight/ and so forth.  Passenger-wise, there are hourly bus services inbetween Corinda and Yeerongpilly during the day.

[O_128]

I cant see why to improve services corinda trains cant just cant continue via Tennyson back to the city?

And honestly for a few tones of cement and some shelter id estimate about 1million once you factor in QRs inflated figures [varsity extension] something like 10miilion.

[Sunbus610]

Hi All,
I'm a local resident of Tennyson, and as an 18-year-old with out a car, i'm often using public transport in the area. I've needed to use the railway station to get to work if my shift starts in the morning, but apart from that i'll be catching buses if it's in the middle of the day.
Last week i was standing at the corinda-bound platform, and i happened to look up at the roof of the shelter (it was on the monday that all the flooding occurred). I was surprised to find TWENTY holes through the asbestos roof! This got me thinking about the general dilapidated state of Tennyson station... I've taken a couple of photos of the deterioration of the station, and i'm intending to write an article and endeavour to get it published in a couple of papers (Courier-Mail, The local south-west news, possibly mX) about it. I'm going to also try and get in touch with some of the local MPs (Ronan Lee, the old Greens MP; Scott Emerson, the new LNP one; and Cr Nicole Johnston) As such, i've got a couple of questions that I have that you guys might be able to answer...

EDIT: *I haven't listed them yet as I need to swap computers*

I have to agree, we have an (almost) perfectly good railway station basically going to waste, a station that could be utilised in either a few loop or via rail services along part of the Ipswich or Beenleigh lines. BTW, please feel free to post some of your recent photos of Tennyson station here if you feel like it, I wouldn't mind seeing the condition of this station.

[ButFli]

I cant see why to improve services corinda trains cant just cant continue via Tennyson back to the city?

Um... because they turn around and head back to the city on the Ipswich line?

[Markus]

I find it dissapointing to learn that Tennyson isn't on QRs' short list.
It's in a fantastic location close to the Tennis Centre.

While Im at it, I pray QR doesnt simply jazz Tennyson station up where it is. I'd give consideration to platforms East of King Arthur Terr., or walkway under the road toward the Tennis Centre. i.e. To the East.
Ive been to many International events in my time and really wouldn't bother attending at all if I needed to get off at Yeerongpilly and walking to the tennis site.

Even a new station located adjacent to the Electricity sub station looks a suitable open site.

[ButFli]

Ive been to many International events in my time and really wouldn't bother attending at all if I needed to get off at Yeerongpilly and walking to the tennis site.

I guess you won't be going to any events at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre or Suncorp stadium then. The distance between them and thier train stations is the same as between the State Tennis Centre and Yeerongpilly.

It never was about the distance though, was it?

[Markus]

To Butfli - Im simply after a world class service rather than 1950's style amenities we are currently given. Time & time again I see transport improvements made wherever the infrastructure currently lies rather than using fresh eyes and checking whether current locations are still worthy.
I, and my friends deserve better. No offence, but I would rather have a you beaut solution now, than expensively retro fit stations later. Also, remember we have an ageing population.

As for the stadium. No, I find sports to be a big distraction, but my mum sure wishes transport was more convenient so she could have gone.
BTW, I dont swallow marketing - I call it Lang Park.  lol  (says Markus jokingly)

[ButFli]

BTW, I dont swallow marketing - I call it Lang Park.  lol  (says Markus jokingly)

What was that about not being stuck in the past?

[Matt]

I wouldn't say Roma Street was disgusting at all, quite modern in fact, escalators, lifts, eateries, etc.
Pretty good by Australian standards.

[Matt]

If Tennyson station's roof is fibro, you can bet it's the old type containing asbestos, so it should be replaced ASAP as it's a health risk to the staff and travelling public, no if's and buts.
Can someone chase this up with OHS dept of QR maybe.

[ButFli]

I wouldn't say Roma Street was disgusting at all, quite modern in fact, escalators, lifts, eateries, etc.
Pretty good by Australian standards.

When was the last time you were there? The station area itself is OK but out in the transit centre part I am reminded of 1970's middle-America.

Admitedly 1980's Queensland did a good impression of 1970's middle-America.

[mufreight]

Under the Zero Harm Policy of QR no doubt the next week or so should see the removal of the roof and you can then stand in the winter rain and contract penumonia.
I for one having lived in a house constructed of fibro for some 40 odd years, having worked around and on boilers and steam piping which were lagged with asbestos and have not managed to contract some life threatining disease that I can sue someone for, would like some explanation from someone with knowledge of such matters how a roof metres above someones head poses such a risk unless a large chunk falls off and hits someone.
A perspective from a realist.

[ButFli]

Abestos related illnesses are funny like that, mufreight. Some people can roll around in asbestos dust for years and suffer no harm. Some people are exposed to a tiny amount and die from it. There is one case where the only exposure policeman had to asbestos was when he was controlling traffic around the corner from where a fibro house was being demolished. He ended up dieing from asbestosis.

Through my work I come into contact with some asbestos related court action. Often the plaintiff is a woman who washed her husband's work clothes and never worked with asbestos herself. The husband who worked with it every day will be perfectly healthy and give evidence at the trial.

Needless to say, asbestos is nasty stuff. If Tennyson Station really has crumbling asbestos board then something needs to be done about it fast.

[mufreight]

More people are die each day because of cars, using your argument we should also remove them, yes there are problems but the bigest problem is the overeaction by those seeking to make a dollar out of their misfortune or the misfortunes of others.  Risk is a fact of life that has to be balabced with the management of risk.

[ButFli]

Cars provide a benefit. Having crumbling asbestos around the place does not.

[WTN]

Crumbling asbestos is more dangerous than sealed and intact.  It's the fibres being released into the air and inhaled that causes the harm.  I wouldn't want to travel to Tennyson after reading this.

[stephenk]

Hi All,
I'm a local resident of Tennyson, and as an 18-year-old with out a car, i'm often using public transport in the area. I've needed to use the railway station to get to work if my shift starts in the morning, but apart from that i'll be catching buses if it's in the middle of the day.
Last week i was standing at the corinda-bound platform, and i happened to look up at the roof of the shelter (it was on the monday that all the flooding occurred). I was surprised to find TWENTY holes through the asbestos roof! This got me thinking about the general dilapidated state of Tennyson station... I've taken a couple of photos of the deterioration of the station, and i'm intending to write an article and endeavour to get it published in a couple of papers (Courier-Mail, The local south-west news, possibly mX) about it. I'm going to also try and get in touch with some of the local MPs (Ronan Lee, the old Greens MP; Scott Emerson, the new LNP one; and Cr Nicole Johnston) As such, i've got a couple of questions that I have that you guys might be able to answer...

EDIT: *I haven't listed them yet as I need to swap computers*

Before you contact the press, have you actually contacted QR and told them about your concerns?