NorthShore / Doomben Line

[SteelPan]

From Couriermail [Business section] - 25 May, 2016 by "Glen Norris"

GHOST TRAINS

STILL ON Northshore, your diarist had a bit of a Yes Minister moment when he asked one of the EDQ officers at the session about public transport links to the site. The conversation went something like this:

Diarist: Will there be any public transport?

Officer: Yes, sir there are plans for light rail.

Diarist (looking at map): So where is that on the map?

Officer: Umm, what?

Diarist: The light rail. You said there would be a light rail connection.

Officer: Did I?

Oh dear, maybe Trad, the minister responsible for infrastructure, needs more coloured stickers to dumb the process down further.

[ozbob]

Media Statements
Treasurer, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Minister for Sport
The Honourable Curtis Pitt

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Treasurer turns sod on $15M addition to Northshore Hamilton

Treasurer Curtis Pit today turned the sod for the new $15 million 375 MacArthur commercial office project as part of the Northshore Hamilton Business and Technology Park.

"The wider Northshore urban renewal project started by the former Labor Government in 2008 is a case study in how governments can work with the private sector to achieve significant outcomes," Mr Pitt said.

"This previously underused 304-hectare former industrial and port precinct with a 2.5km frontage to the Brisbane riverfront has since been undergoing a remarkable transformation.

"Through a master planning and staged development process overseen by the state government's Economic Development Queensland it is becoming a residential and retail and commercial hub as well as home to about 15,000 Queenslanders.

"The total Northshore project has an estimated value of $5 billion, with about $250 million of development already completed."

Mr Pitt said 375 MacArthur would offer a first-class business environment as part of the Northshore Hamilton Business and Technology Park known as BTP Northshore Hamilton.

"The new building will provide 2,092 sqm of premium office space and during construction over the coming 12 months will create 40 full-time, onsite jobs," Mr Pitt said.

"The park is a $225 million project and is a terrific investment for Queensland jobs and industry.

"The precinct is designed to offer a wide range of uses, including office, laboratory, technical and storage space.

"It's state-of-the-art in both design and construction, and will help grow innovation and attract investment to build a better future for Queensland," Mr Pitt said.

Other projects already developed at BTP Northshore Hamilton include:

    371 MacArthur Avenue (2,766 sqm)
    The Petit Early Learning Centre at 405 MacArthur Avenue (900 sqm)
    Puma Headquarters at 365 MacArthur Avenue (5,558 sqm).

Over the next five years more than 30,000m2 of additional floor area will be constructed in BTP Northshore Hamilton.

BTP Northshore Hamilton is being developed by the Alceon Group and Graystone, in conjunction with Economic Development Queensland.

The park is strategically located between Brisbane's CBD, Australia TradeCoast and the Brisbane Airport.

"In addition, the entire Northshore project is not far from a new Brisbane International Cruise Ship Terminal — another example of the Palaszczuk Government's cooperative approach to business and development," Mr Pitt said.

"The $100 million terminal is proposed for a site on the north side of the Brisbane River and close to its mouth.

"The concept is moving through the government's Market-Led Proposals process that speeds up assessment and approval of private sector projects," he said.

[SurfRail]

I have no idea how Hamilton has no BUZ route yet, while low density outer suburbs like Calamvale have as many as 3.

[pangwen]

I have no idea how Hamilton has no BUZ route yet, while low density outer suburbs like Calamvale have as many as 3.

I suspect the demographics are such that people from Calamvale and nearby southern suburbs (e.g. Sunnybank Hills) are more likely/willing to catch public transport than those who live in Hamilton (especially the lower density/older area outside of Northshore).

Even in the pre-BUZ era of 30 minute frequencies on the 130 and 150 (and their predecessors 501 and 593), I recall seeing more people on off-peak services compared to what I see today (anecdotally) on off-peak services on the 305 (beyond the Valley).

However, with more high density development at Northshore (and low car park provision) there is a good opportunity to at least trial increased frequencies for buses on this corridor.

[#Metro]

Is it worth extending the Doomben line?

I think a BUZ could be supported there. But the 300 should be BUZzed first.
It only needs 'top up' to reach BUZ standard.

Calamvale, Sunnybank etc is lower density, but the proof is in the patronage. Demand for PT in Sunnybank, Calamvale etc is huge. Maybe it is due to more students being there to be close to Griffith etc?

[James]

Calamvale, Sunnybank etc is lower density, but the proof is in the patronage. Demand for PT in Sunnybank, Calamvale etc is huge. Maybe it is due to more students being there to be close to Griffith etc?

At the risk of sounding like Pauline Hanson, I think it is thanks to the large Asian demographic out there. Car dependency is less ingrained in Asian cultures as they live in high-density communities with high quality PT and a lack of parking. First generation migrants probably never learnt to drive in their own country too, which in turn would make getting a license quite difficult. Compared to Australians (and western migrants) who have already learnt to drive, or for whom getting a license is a rite of passage, I think this explains the differing patronage levels. I could go on.

Long story short - it's a demographic thing. Just my 2 cents.

[techblitz]

Actual demand for the 300 in the evening is poor between Toombul-hamilton(except when ships are docked)......however once it hits newstead as many as 20 passengers can jump onboard between newstead and cultural center.......and this is with a competing cityglider.....the pm 302`s also cop a hammering @ newstead

Realistically a buzzed 300 would be no different to any other evening buz where it carries air for half its route & when it hits the inner suburbs can get hammered.

[techblitz]

Somewhat improved loadings for Doomben and the 303 these days....due to increased residential/industrial @tradecoast/ksd/portside.

8 pax connecting @ Doomben off the 5.20pm 303. 1 on and 1 off @portside .About 20 pax in total heading inbound ex Doomben....

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2016/10/12/new-milestone-for-northshore-hamilton-pda-to-create-200-jobs

Media Statements

JOINT STATEMENT

Deputy Premier, Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Trade and Investment
The Honourable Jackie Trad

Treasurer, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Minister for Sport
The Honourable Curtis Pitt

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

New milestone for Northshore Hamilton PDA to create 200 jobs

The first sod on the residential development 'Riverlight at Hamilton Reach' has been turned today, a project which is expected to employ 200 people during construction.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning Jackie Trad said the project was part of the successful Northshore Hamilton Priority Development Area (PDA) urban renewal precinct.

"The Northshore Hamilton PDA is a prime example of the fantastic outcomes that can be achieved when we take innovative urban renewal approaches to surplus and underutilised land," Ms Trad said.

"Northshore Hamilton is reflective of the outcomes that we are targeting across the whole state through the Palaszczuk Government's 'Advancing Our Cities and Regions Strategy' launched last week.

"Through the government investing in community infrastructure, like the new two-hectare public greenspace underway at Hamilton, we can attract companies like Fraser to the area, driving economic growth."

Officiating over the sod turning, Treasurer Curtis Pitt says today's announcement was further evidence that the Palaszczuk Government's economic plan was continuing to provide jobs and maintaining Queensland's position at the top of the table for business confidence among states and territories.

"We've demonstrated our ability to generate jobs and growth thorough these kinds of developments in south-east Queensland and the Palaszczuk Government is determined to replicate this success across all regions of our State," Mr Pitt said.

"Just yesterday the latest National Australia Bank's Business Confidence Index showed Queensland at equal-first position with NSW and South Australia on a trend ranking of +7 points.

"We have successfully lowered Queensland's unemployment after the record highs we saw under the LNP but we know more needs to be done and projects like Riverlight are emblematic of resurging business confidence in Queensland.

"The facts are that unemployment is lower, debt is lower, economic growth is higher, and confidence has made a comeback under Labor."

Cameron Leggatt, General Manager Residential Queensland for Frasers Property Australia said the company was delighted to see work starting on the next chapter of Hamilton Reach.

"We are immensely proud of the evolution of Hamilton Reach and the community that has formed over the years," he said.

"The delivery of Riverlight adds another element to the community's diverse masterplan and we are very excited to see it take shape."

Watpac Managing Director Martin Monro said the Group was pleased to commence works on an important project for the prestigious waterfront community of Hamilton Reach.

"Watpac has delivered high-quality residential developments in some of Australia's most in-demand suburbs and not only are we delighted to be delivering a project that will help revitalise Northshore Hamilton, but also to build on our relationship with Frasers Property Australia," Mr Monro said.

The State Government's Northshore Hamilton Priority Development Area covers 304 hectares of land and is close to some of Brisbane's most important economic drivers, including the Brisbane Airport and the Australia Trade Coast precinct.

[SurfRail]

There isn't anywhere along the 150 that approaches the density along route 300 (or the Doomben line), yet its service standards are much better than either.

Really needs fixing and pronto.  KSD has nothing to do with it.

[Nickfein]

I know there other priority projects such as CRR. However I have some concerns over the apparent lack of public transport planning for the Northshore Hamilton Priority Development Area. The area already house many people and is set to house 15,000 and employ a further 10,000.

I know there is significant work ongoing with KSD and Remora and MacAuther Roads, but currently the roads become gridlock come Friday and Saturday nights due to the ever popular Eat St Markets. People have minimal options when it comes to public transport, if you're lucky enough to live near a ferry terminal you can walk from Brett's Wharf (a good 800m), walk from Doomben (over 1km away, good luck getting home though!) or catch the 300 (limited interchange options and a good 1km away).

It defies belief how underutilised the Doomben train line is. An inner city rail line not running on Sundays? Eagle Farm Markets attract a decent crowd and would support some services on Sundays, as well as the many cafes/restaurants along Racecourse road. There are some decent sized developments underway also like Ascot Green at the Eagle Farm Racecourse. The 301 bus only runs at 90 minute frequency on a Sunday, so most of the Eastern side of Ascot/Hamilton becomes a public transport black hole on Sundays.

Some realistic improvements in the short to medium term I think are:

Replicate the Saturday timetable on Sundays for the Doomben line

Doomben line get 2 extra later services each day (at 1 hour frequency after the 30 minute frequency till 8pm

Each Doomben train is met by a feeder bus (Extend the 303 to weekends or have a permanent loop that can distribute passengers down Nudgee Road, through Northshore Hamilton and to the TAFE

Once roadworks are complete, Northshore Hamilton gets a CityGlider or BUZ which runs along KSD, down Harbor Rd and continues down MacArthur Road

[ozbob]

^ agree.   Been trying for years to get some sensibility for this line and suburbs.

We really have anti-public transport transport authorities sadly ...

Keep trying ...

[ozbob]

From the City North News 25th November 2010 pages 1 and 5

Way off track

Front page




Page 5

[Stillwater]

RailBOT already worked out bus reform and has its own plan for a PT Authority for Queensland etc.  Maybe time to work on line by line rail strategy and bundle the whole lot together for presentation to political parties.  Ask each party to endorse it, or produce their own plans.  Publish their response so voters know before heading to the booths.

[#Metro]

Might be time to draw up a structure diagram of PTQ based on the WA model.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

27th February 2017

Comment: Tim Nicholls and LNP hides their hands on CRR, Doomben Line!

Greetings,

RAIL Back on Track again calls on LNP Leader Tim Nicholls to declare his and the LNP position on Cross River Rail and Doomben Line upgrades in his own electorate.

Further information about Cross River Rail was released over the weekend. Our members will be participating constructively in the consultation period following that.

What we are missing though is a declared position by the LNP and leader Tim Nicholls about Cross River Rail under a LNP administration.

In a statement on the Opposition website titled "Trad conning South-East Queenslanders over Cross River Rail" Cross River Rail is described as "pie in the sky".

It is also claimed that "secret taxes" would be used to fund the project. A bit of a nonsense really as most people notice when they are taxed.

RAIL Back on Track has attempted a number of times now to get a straight answer about the LNP's position on Cross River Rail.
Unfortunately, no information about the LNP's policy position has been forthcoming. Why is that?

Mr Nicholls, what will happen to the Cross River Rail project if you gain office?

Mr Nicholls what mix of taxation, borrowing or asset sales/leases will be used to fund the project?

These are simple questions that should have simple and straightforward answers.

RAIL Back On Track members are also asking whether Mr Nicholls supports rail upgrades in his own electorate, which has the worst railway service levels in Brisbane.

Mr Nicholls, what is your position on the duplication and extension of the Doomben line to Portside Hamilton?

Earthworks preparing the Doomben line were completed in the 1950s, however duplicated track was never laid and the project remains incomplete.

There are also no train services on the Doomben line on Sundays. It is national and international worst practice really.
What is Mr Nicholls going to do about that - it is his own electorate?

RAIL Back on Track is a politically neutral organisation. We assess proposals based on merit.

We look forward to a written, prompt and complete response from the LNP clarifying their policy position.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

References:

Trad conning SEQ on Cross River Rail
http://www.timnicholls.com.au/trad-conning-south-east-queenslanders-cross-river-rail/

NorthShore / Doomben Line
https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4852.0

[James]

The situation at Northshore Hamilton is a downright embarrassment. I went there for dinner recently on a quite weeknight, parking was difficult to find even then. Hate to see what it'd be like on a weekend, or during the markets. A 300 BUZ should have happened yesterday, at least make it possible to get near the area without having to endure a very slow CityCat journey or hourly (or worse) bus/rail services.

[techblitz]

theres quite a few options for this area once we know the finished road layouts/widths etc....Pinkenba and its current 303 could be handled overnight by simply diverting the 590 to Pinkenba then back to aviation college via lomandra.Would add all of 7 minutes to the trip. Then the focus can be on a 302/303 clockwise Doomben feeder loop...servicing portside,northshore,tangalooma/tradecoast perhaps?....the only requirement is that 590/new loop continue to overlap each other slightly so passengers from KSD etc can easily access southside gateway services(the current 590/302/303 do overlap each other nicely)

[Gazza]

7 minutes is a significant addition!

[dancingmongoose]

Starting today, Monday 26 June 2017, TransLink has introduced a new trial bus service, route 304 to Northshore Hamilton. The bus service will operate between Doomben train station and Northshore Riverside Park including Hamilton Reach, Puma Energy Australia, Portside Wharf and The Hamilton developments.

The new trial route will give you:

100 weekly services, Monday to Friday between 6am and 7pm
Buses every 30 minutes during peak hours and every 60 minutes off-peak
Access the whole public transport network by catching the 304 to Doomben station and jumping on a train or to the Northshore Hamilton Ferry Terminal to catch the CityCat ferry.

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/132101

[BrizCommuter]

Starting today, Monday 26 June 2017, TransLink has introduced a new trial bus service, route 304 to Northshore Hamilton. The bus service will operate between Doomben train station and Northshore Riverside Park including Hamilton Reach, Puma Energy Australia, Portside Wharf and The Hamilton developments.

The new trial route will give you:

100 weekly services, Monday to Friday between 6am and 7pm
Buses every 30 minutes during peak hours and every 60 minutes off-peak
Access the whole public transport network by catching the 304 to Doomben station and jumping on a train or to the Northshore Hamilton Ferry Terminal to catch the CityCat ferry.

https://translink.com.au/service-updates/132101

That'll be an air carrier. Would be better off running from Bowen Hills, or at least somewhere with a decent train service.

[techblitz]

Skygate would have made a logical start point with a stop in at doomben rail via nudgee rd..... nips any future demand between skygate and portside/northshore in the bud.... its currently a pretty long walk to the 590 from portside lol...... and would be much quicker than doubling back into the 590 @ toombul as well...

[cartoonbirdhaus]

Would be better off running from Bowen Hills, or at least somewhere with a decent train service.

Running them all the way to Perth would be cost-prohibitive.

[James]

That'll be an air carrier. Would be better off running from Bowen Hills, or at least somewhere with a decent train service.

The train service is every 30 minutes, so having a feeder bus every 30-60 minutes isn't too bad.

IMO, the feeder bus will fail as it does not run on weekends and after 7pm (much like the Doomben line), is too short and doesn't join together any other major trip generators. While the parking situation at Northshore Hamilton is pretty bad, unless the bus runs late into the night, it simply isn't an option for people at Eat Street & Portside. The bus should have its span of hours extended and be extended to Toombul interchange. That provides good connections to Chermside, the railway line, DFO (via the 590), and perhaps even RBWH (via Route 310).

Bowen Hills is too close to the CBD to force transfer, plus the bus would just get caught in the roadworks on KSD. Toombul opens up a whole new set of destinations.

[techblitz]

Ive put through some feedback to translink to see what they think about starting/ending @ skygate.....mentioning the tourism factor of direct connection between free airport buses(which are now very popular) and the river precint/ferries.And provided the route does time well with Doomben it will a lot easier getting to the cbd from that station instead of 590/walk to Toombul rail...

[Cazza]

Ive put through some feedback to translink to see what they think about starting/ending @ skygate.....mentioning the tourism factor of direct connection between free airport buses(which are now very popular) and the river precint/ferries.And provided the route does time well with Doomben it will a lot easier getting to the cbd from that station instead of 590/walk to Toombul rail...

I have proposed something similar. Metro has given me some feedback on it but I would like to hear others. I will start a new thread with some more information.
Route 305:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1HS_BZC4xLfqpWtDJSD6p-KjYCNU&ll=-27.443204730586906%2C153.05146245000003&z=13

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Hamilton Northshore still does not have a transport network six years after building began

A DEVELOPMENT the size of up to five suburbs built without a transport plan has been described as a "farce" and a "fail" by a public transport lobbyist.

Northshore Hamilton, on prime riverfront land in Brisbane's inner north, was first established as a priority development area (PDA) in 2009 and is planned to one day house 15,000 people.

Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said its public transport network was a "fail".

He said the Doomben train line should have been extended into Northshore Hamilton but instead was now a "lost opportunity".

"We've got to do our urban planning a lot better than we do at the moment and this is a good example of it. It's a lost opportunity," he said.

"Translink's come up with a bus, that's their response. It's a bit of a farce."

Mr Dow expected the trial 304 bus service from the area to Doomben Train Station to fail because it was not frequent enough, while the Doomben line only ran six days a week.

LNP state MP for Clayfield Tim Nicholls said congestion was worsening and parking disappearing while the Government had shown residents "very little" planning for transport options.

LNP councillor David McLachlan (Hamilton) said his ward was home to about 35,000 people and Northshore Hamilton would add another 15,000 — the equivalent of about five suburbs.

"It's been our concern right from ... first establishing the (priority development area) that there wasn't a competent transport plan put forward," he said.

A Transport and Main Roads spokeswoman said the lead agency, Economic Development Queensland, was undertaking detailed transport network planning as part of a review of the Northshore Hamilton Priority Development Area Development Scheme.

She said traffic planning studies had been under way since July 2015.

[verbatim9]

Council has promised a Buz line when Kingsford Smith Drive is completed. (Articulated buses?)

Still think some kind of LRT or Metro would be suitable City Valley Newstead Hamilton Northshore  Doomben - Clayfield converted to LRT terminating @ Eagle Junction or just before with a walkway connecting to the station?

Then a High frequency service could run to Clayfield/Eagle Junction via Hamilton Northshore and Doomben. The expensive low frequency train line will then become a converted HF LRT corridor with opportunity of a new bikeway along side the corridor plus urban renewal, utilities placed underground where possible and landscaping.

On Kingsford Smith Drive the Tram could utilise/share with traffic the outside lane Eastbound and the outside lane Westbound with the flow of traffic. In many countries this is done to save on construction costs instead of running grade seperated in the centre of the road.

You could also run it Catenary free in sections similar to what will occur in Newcastle. So Kingsford Smith Drive section could be Catenary free.

I guess just more disruption again along Kingsford Smith Drive if this would occur due to more construction. (Wouldn't be popular)

[SurfRail]

Council could fund a BUZ service tomorrow if they actually wanted to.  You only need buses and a road.

[Cazza]

Just quickly drawn up a map:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/d/viewer?mid=1yyTpOmgTpdZ0lQ-BMPHpD3Wf1Ak&ll=-27.453151178158095%2C153.03989410000008&z=13

As most would know, I would really like Skygate/DFO to be connected directly to the City and I think it would become very popular. I would like to see something like this trialled first before people disagree with the idea.

Route 369 should also be extended to DFO on weekends, possibly Off-Peak too.

Edit: Added in CityCat and Route 369

[verbatim9]

^^Apparently the 369 used to go to Skygate but was truncated to Toombul due to low patronage. Ashame really! Translink then advised passengers they needed to transfer to the 590 at Toombul.

[Cazza]

^Yeah it did. I was quite disappointed when it happened.

Route 369 is a very good route. The only reason why it doesn't do well is that the supporting network is trash. If the network (both bus and train) around it worked well, then I believe, it has a huge potential for success.

If Brisbane had a PT network like others around the world, then it would be a great cross town connector service

[James]

^^Apparently the 369 used to go to Skygate but was truncated to Toombul due to low patronage. Ashame really! Translink then advised passengers they needed to transfer to the 590 at Toombul.

The 369 actually did quite well between Toombul and DFO, and to a lesser extent, Lutwyche to DFO. It was the western leg where it fell over as it overlapped with the 375 and the network hasn't been designed for cross-city travel. I wouldn't mind if the overlapped the 369 and 590 between Toombul and DFO to provide 15 minute frequency.

I notice Cazza mentions Stafford - Toombul in the map. If the 369 connected directly to DFO, this would be the way you would go, not via the CBD.

Finally, there is no need to go pouring concrete at all. We need a decent bus network first before we go off pouring concrete. Why bother enhancing capacity when the capacity being used is near zero at the moment anyway?

[Cazza]

I notice Cazza mentions Stafford - Toombul in the map. If the 369 connected directly to DFO, this would be the way you would go, not via the CBD.

Yeah, I just thought of a suburb on the northside and Stafford was one of the first that came to my head. If Route 369 is ever extended back to DFO, then you won't need to head to the CBD first. Most suburbs around this area, you would have to travel to the CBD anyway (e.g. Alderley, Everton Park etc.)

[red dragin]

Just reading QR Line diagrams, cause that's what you do when work is quiet.
Thought I might share the rationalization that has occurred to the Pinkenba line around Doomben & Pinkenba.
Also included are the changes at Banyo for the stabling as they are on the same page.

July 2015


October 2017


In just over two years, the entire yard bar one siding has been removed at Doomben, and Pinkenba almost everything has gone. What traffic goes out there to keep this open?

[ozbob]

Grain ...

And the odd steam hauled special ..   

[verbatim9]

That rail corridor is a dead asset and direct  safe cycle routes are in need from Doomben to Pinkenba. Be excellent if a lit cycle way can be built along the (old corridor) route. Be popular for workers in the area as well as recreational users. It will result in a direct safe corridor away from trucks/regular traffic and also encourage cycling in the area.

[red dragin]

Grain ...

And the odd steam hauled special ..   

Yes, I remember the QR employee in his own car, racing the loco to manually activate the crossings when we headed out there a few years ago. And the staff exchange at Doomben for the run to Pinkenba and back.

[SteelPan]

THIS entire corridor is a golden asset waiting to be reactivated to service a booming need........how many more years will pass.........

[Nickfein]

Definitely improved patronage on the Doomben Line during peak. Most trains are pretty full inbound by Albion and standing until Albion/Woolowin outbound in the afternnoons., albeit 3 car trains. Heaps of development going on in the area, Ascot Green is almost complete too, new shopping complex being constructed on Nudgee Road.. Routes 300 and 305 are also jammed during peak. Many buses can't anymore pickup people from Kingsford Smith Drive inbound. It's surprising that many people prefer to use the bus routes then use Ascot Station, journey is far quicker during peak as the buses get stuck on Racecourse road for 10 minutes, queuing to get onto Kingsford Smith Drive. I guess people prefer the turn up and go of 7 minute frequency of the bus compared to 30 minutes on the train.

Anyone seen how route 304 is performing? It's good they are doing feeder bus, but I just think more could probably be done with this route, i think it's probably destined to fail and probably will not make it past the trial phase. Doesn't have enough stops and needs to run on Saturday, Eat St Markets would be well serviced by this route,