Ipswich region

[bretto82]

Oh my god the local pollies are on to this fast haha was removed back when The soccer canned the ippy shut down and only ippy to rosewood went ahead due to the wulkuraka works not being moved as per the contract with Ngr project saying if it was pushed back pay dollars to us big time the cabin was in a bad state with termite damage so was chosen to move it to fix it up safer then right next to the line and potential falling on to tracks as per the engineering reports into

[ozbob]

Knee-jerk comments by Paul et al. hey?   

[ozbob]

Some pics around Ipswich today. 






















Former branch to Churchill and beyond.



Photographs R Dow 22nd September 2015

[ozbob]

^

Riverlink  22nd September 2015

Train on the way to The Workshops at North Ipswich

R Dow 22nd September 2015

[colinw]

Former branch to Churchill and beyond.

You mean, future Springfield via Ripley line. 

[ozbob]

Indeed ... 

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Frustrated residents call for major overhaul of public transport in Ipswich region to keep up with area's growth

Ipswich residents are becoming housebound due to woeful public transport ­services in suburbs surrounding the booming Springfield region.

With a major shopping centre at Redbank Plains to open late next year and Orion stage two nearing completion, residents want TransLink to improve bus services and extend the Springfield train line to Ipswich.

Ipswich City councillor Victor Attwood (Div 3) said public transport needed a major overhaul.

"They need to increase bus services and expand routes to cover more of the suburbs, not just up and down the main street," Cr Attwood said.

"If you want people to use public transport you need to have the services."

Council candidate Jade Connor (Div 9) said the new Town Square development would benefit the Redbank Plains area, encouraging more people to come together while providing facilities close to home.

"One disappointing thing about the development is that council has approved it without requiring any bus stops," Mr Connor said.

"In the future there will be increased demand for buses to this centre and people will be required to drop off at the 7-Eleven across the road."

Cr Sheila Ireland (Div 9) said public transport was limited for some residents in Redbank Plains. Bellbird Park beauty salon owner Nick Corker said more buses were desperately needed in the area.

"We have clients who tell us it's very hard to get around," Mr Corker said.

"It's also very hard for students. My niece found it hard to get to classes and having to stay back after hours wasn't possible as she couldn't get home."

Mr Corker said a train line linking Ipswich to Springfield would make things easier.

Vision-impaired Camira resident Jacqui Hart said she had lost her independence due to limited public transport services.

"I used to be able to take myself to the doctor and the shopping centre at Springfield, but now I can't because it's over a kilometre for me to get to a bus stop," Ms Hart said.

"We desperately need more buses and bus stops."

A TransLink media spokesman said the group would continue to monitor demand in Springfield and surrounds.

"Three bus routes — 522, 526 and 534 — currently service Orion Springfield Central," he said. "TransLink plans services based on passenger demand and growth."

Springfield News asked TransLink if public transport would be increased around the new Redbank Plains Town Square, but no comment was provided.

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> City opens its heart to river in bold $150m CBD plan

[hU0N]

I don't live there and never have, but IMHO, Ipswich needs to fundamentally shift it's thinking about transport. If Ipswich wants great transport, it needs to start thinking about itself as a somewhere to go, rather than as a somewhere to go from. And the best place to start is with language.

As far as Ipswich is concerned, nobody should be talking about counter-peak trains to get to work in Ipswich. That implies that the real purpose of the train is to help people leave Ipswich each morning and any usefulness it might have helping people move the other way is purely incidental and by extension, less important.

Similarly, it's probably unhelpful to focus on the local buses as railway feeders. Even if they do serve this function, focusing on that simply implies they have no purpose except getting people onto trains that take them out of Ipswich. It really is no surprise that Ipswich people complain that it's easier to get out of the city than it is to move around it.

Instead, the language should be about peak hour train services TO Ipswich. Or about the bus TO Ipswich (regardless of whether it's via a train or not).

Only when this happens can things change. If the conversation surrounding transport in Ipswich is focused on connecting places to Ipswich, rather than connecting those places to Brisbane, then you'd see two things happen, both of them positive.

Firstly, Ipswich would prioritise connections between it's suburbs and centres over connections between it's suburbs and Brisbane. Rail to Yamanto would be phase 1 of the Ripley extension, not the last phase. Rosewood shuttles would run at a higher frequency, even if there wasn't a Brisbane train for them to meet at Ipswich. For that matter, the shuttles would probably through run to Goodna or Darra to improve frequency on the inner Ipswich segments of the line. After all, Brisbane runs short workings to increase frequency in Brisbane's inner suburbs. And you'd probably invest in at least some major bus priority through North Ipswich, Chuwar and into Karalee and Karana Downs.

Secondly, Ipswich would start looking to transport to connect it into it's broader context. For example, the government is planning the largest greenfield housing development of the decade at Flagstone, which is literally on Ipswich's doorstep. Yet the transport plan is to connect Flagstone to Brisbane via Acacia Ridge, meaning the only way to travel between the two is a two hour train ride with a change at Roma Street. As long as the primary purpose of transport is to get people out of Ipswich, this doesn't even seem remotely unreasonable. Who cares where the trains take people from Greenbank, so long as they keep taking Ipswichers to Brisbane. But if the conversation about Transport in Ipswich was about how to get people into Ipswich, then there would calls for a way to get these people, these workers and shoppers, business owners and customers, a way to get them to make the short journey to Ipswich rather than elsewhere. And you'd probably see a train line extended from Springfield through the southern edge of the military camp to meet the existing rail corridor at Greenbank. It's almost flat, the land is vacant and it's already owned by the government. And the distance is so short. Combined with an extended Yamanto / Ripley branch, all the future residents of Flagstone cold be a twenty minute train trip from Ipswich CBD. Imagine the impact that would have on the Ipswich economy. And the whole regions economy.

But none of this happens as long as the conversation about Ipswich is implicitly all about the best way to leave. You gotta talk the right talk.

[ozbob]

Some valid points there hU0N.  We have made representations a number of times re counter-peak services.  It is difficult to decentralise and encourage when the tidal flow is obsessive.  Ipswich buses are getting a lot better, I travel regularly on them.  One of the issues though is that there are service constraints which flow to all regions because of the situation with Brisbane itself of course.  Slowly though we are winning.

Ipswich CC has been a very significant player in Springfield rail, there is more to come no doubt as we move into the local council election cycle.

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> CBD traders look to the good times as plans unveiled

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Council wants Transit Centre for the city's redevelopment  (Ipswich)

PLANS to reopen the Ipswich mall to the Bremer River have reignited calls to develop the disused Ipswich Transit Centre.

The Bell St site, owned by the Department of Transport and Main Roads, has been barricaded off to the public since it flooded in 2011.

It had been used by bus drivers as a temporary depot and the previous government planned to put the site on the market early last year.

The site's exterior is currently being used by non-profit community group, 1987 Productions, for theatre performances.

Mayor Paul Pisasale yesterday urged the state government to look at gifting the site to the city to be included in the CBD's redevelopment plans.

"This is a vital piece of infrastructure in regards to the CBD redevelopment," Cr Pisasale said. "The Transit Centre has been left idle and I don't even think the government is aware of it."

Cr Pisasale said the services at the Health Plaza could be relocated into the new development in the mall and the entire site redeveloped.

"The Transit Centre, the way it is, it is not worth anything to anybody, except to the city. The renovation costs are about $400,000. It's just an eyesore at the moment.

"Bell Street as a Transit Centre is hopeless. There is no parking and it has been an issue for everybody. For Bell St to have taxis, buses and the train station all in that small street. It is too cluttered. "We need the Transit Centre to become an integral part of our infrastructure.

"This is a missing link in the plans for the CBD."

Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard said she had spoken to Ipswich City Council about Retail Stage One and potential for the Transit Centre and Health Plaza buildings.

Ms Howard said she had approached Deputy Premier Jackie Trad's office about the Transit Centre and hoped to have an onsite meeting before the end of the year to discuss options for the facility.

Inner city councillor Andrew Antoniolli said he believed Bell St was not the place for a combined transit facility and the CBD redevelopment was an opportunity to work transit options in together.

"When the (Ipswich Transit Centre) was built it was a white elephant then. It is still a white elephant now, it is just boarded up," Cr Antoniolli said.

"We are coming in to a new age for Ipswich and I think it is time that we developed the full transit options for our CBD collectively - trains, buses and taxis.

"At the moment what we've got is limited in a piecemeal sense and it is not having a positive effect on Bell St. We need to look at whether or not Bell St is the place for it.

"We need to have something similar to what other new age cities have - a full optioned transport facility including rail.

"There is an opportnity for us to work with the state to achieve better outcomes, particulary as we are starting to redevelop that mall area, and there are some great opportunities to link those transport and transit options in with that new development."

[ozbob]

Twitter

QLD Times ‏@qld_times 2m

.@PaulPisasale lobbies Canberra on key #Ipswich's 'big four': http://ow.ly/VezFD  @IpswichCouncil

[verbatim9]

Calls for Redbank Plains extension
http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/southwest/calls-for-springfield-to-redbank-plains-rail-line-to-be-fast-tracked/news-story/0fbc74fcf2b7a7cd3e83f5583ac25744

[ozbob]

Thanks ^

Couriermail Quest --> Calls for Springfield to Redbank Plains rail line to be fast tracked

Ipswich residents say the extension of the Springfield rail line to Redbank Plains must happen now to meet growing demand in the eastern suburbs.

On Monday Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale lobbied for the 'no brainier' extension in Canberra as part of the Council of Mayors delegation.

"The two stations at Keidges Rd and School Rd, Redbank Plains, would service the suburbs of Augustine Heights, Bellbird Park and Redbank Plains, one of the fastest growing areas in Ipswich," Cr Pisasale said.

Redbank Plains resident Karina Salmon said her suburb had been forgotten.

"Springfield and Ipswich seem to be taking off. I think we are the forgotten suburb in this area," she said.

A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesman said the Ipswich to Springfield public passenger transport corridor was a project reserved for down the track.

Councillor David Morrison (Div 1) said he hoped the extension would happen within two years.

"Redbank Plains has some of the youngest demographic in the region who would benefit greatly from improved public transport," Cr Morrison said.

Public transport activist and Goodna resident Robert Dow agreed the extension should be fast tracked.

"Of all the railway extensions that could be done, heavy rail from Springfield Central to Redbank Plains south is a priority," Mr Dow said.

"What will be more difficult is getting heavy rail through to the back of Ipswich but I think we could look at other options there such as a bus rapid system."

Real estate agent Lise Vasiliou said the extension would put Redbank Plains on the map.

"This area has so much going for it except for the transport," Mrs Vasiliou said.

"There's so much growth out here and we're not keeping up. It would be a huge asset for the area."

A spokesman said TransLink would continue to monitor the need in Springfield and surrounds to deliver services which meet the demand for growth.

[ozbob]

Quest South West News 3rd December 2015 page 3

Rail access vital for booming corridor

[#Metro]

The service can already be extended - use a bus. Just like the Springfield rocket buses that were put on before the line was extended.

[ozbob]

Our local park at Goodna was upgraded recently by Ipswich City Council.  Small community function this morning to celebrate the upgrade.

Real surprise to find out the name ...



Thanks to Cr Paul Tully & ICC for the park upgrade and the name surprise!

See --> https://www.facebook.com/paultully/posts/907062349329947

[newbris]

Oh wow Bob, that literally bought a tear to my eye...well done mate, well deserved.

[ozbob]

Thanks!  Was a real surprise, had no idea.

[Fares_Fair]

Wonderful recognition for @Robert_Dow, @railbotforum
Goodna park named in his honour.
Congratulations, well deserved https://t.co/96Lb35FLcl

[ozbob]

Thanks FF.   

[Mozz]

Well done on the recognition and well deserved Bob !!!

[ozbob]

Thanks Mozz.

Here is a link to a movie of it.

>> https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=EF6487593EE5ACE0!1345&authkey=!AOGCo9z--gIm0C4&ithint=file%2cMOV

[Stillwater]

Maybe RailBOT's 2016 annual get-together should be a sausage sizzle in Robert Dow Park.

[aldonius]

Out to Rosewood, then a look around the stabling at Wulkaraka, then a picnic in the park. I'm keen.

[ozbob]

Ha,  I am thinking 5" gauge live steam in the park ...     

[Old Northern Road]

A station at Redbank Plains would be located at the southern end of either Keidges Rd or School Rd which is barely any closer to most of Redbank Plains as Springfield Central

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 14th December 2015 page 11

Thanks for the great honour and park improvements

[BrizCommuter]

Congratulations.

[ozbob]

Thanks!

[BrizCommuter]

BrizCommuter is also going to get a park named after him!
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2015/12/brizcommuter-park.html

[ozbob]

BrizCommuter is also going to get a park named after him!
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2015/12/brizcommuter-park.html

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Moggill Ferry should be replaced with bridge: councillors

[red dragin]

Queensland Times --> Moggill Ferry should be replaced with bridge: councillors

Wasn't the the Ipswich Motorway was upgraded rather than bypass road built, because people didn't want a bridge over the river & into a still semi rural localle?

Want to go to Aspley? Take the Logan/Gateway or Legacy Way/Airport Link route. No need for a third road.

[verbatim9]

I remeber just before Rudd got in it was a huge election issue. Federal Liberal were going to fund an off/on ramp stretching across the river linking Bellbowrie and Moggill, but they didn't get in.

[James]

There's no need for a bridge, the ferry hardly gets used and there are alternate crossings available. The money is far better spent elsewhere.

The outer ring road around Brisbane between Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast will take the form of the current M5 + Toowong to Everton Park tunnel + Trouts Rd corridor. Moggill Rd bypass (or a similar corridor) simply does not come into it, there's not enough urban area west of the (future) western ring road to justify putting it out near Moggill.

[verbatim9]

There's no need for a bridge, the ferry hardly gets used and there are alternate crossings available. The money is far better spent elsewhere.

The outer ring road around Brisbane between Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast will take the form of the current M5 + Toowong to Everton Park tunnel + Trouts Rd corridor. Moggill Rd bypass (or a similar corridor) simply does not come into it, there's not enough urban area west of the (future) western ring road to justify putting it out near Moggill.

I have seen those new proposals on the TMR site

[hU0N]

There must be a council election coming up eh?  A bridge at Moggill is a favourite talking point for Ipswich councillors looking to curry a bit of favour with their constituents.

It helps that such a bridge won't ever be built because it wouldn't be useful to any more than an tiny handful of people.  It doesn't provide improved transport links to anywhere except Moggill itself, as all roads out of Moggill are already heavily congested.  And there isn't enough of anything in Moggill to warrant large numbers of people from Ipswich wanting to go there.  Talking about the 40km detour taken daily by poor Ipswich residents who work in Moggill is a laughable fantasy, because the jobs in Moggill (that the good burghers of Ipswich supposedly must trek 40km each day to access) don't exist.

But Ipswich councillors like talking about a bridge come election time, because once they get through all the convenient fictions about the cornucopia of good things located in Moggill, they get to deliver a line something like, "And after all, what's wrong with Ipswich that the people of Moggill are trying so hard to keep us out!"

And all the voters see that the councillor is Ipswich through and through.  They see that the councillor doesn't believe Ipswich is a second class city.  He believes that Ipswich should ride triumphally over all the world, wherever he pleases.  And so reassured, they are prepared to vote.

[Stillwater]

The issue is whether the good people of Brookfield and Kenmore want Ipswich motorists driving through their suburbs.