Proposed rail line welcomed

“I'VE been agitating for this for years.”

So says Cec France, about the proposed Salisbury to Beaudesert passenger rail line.

The Algester resident said the rail line was something which had to happen to help alleviate growing congestion problems on the Mt Lindesay Highway and Beaudesert Road.

“Beaudesert Road is jam-packed,” he said.

“We have an excellent bus service (already), but by the time they get to Parkinson they're full.”

A new double-track passenger rail line from Salisbury to Beaudesert is currently being investigated by the State Government.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said the Salisbury to Beaudesert Rail Corridor Study would plan a future passenger rail line to service areas where more people will live and work in the future.

“The proposed dedicated passenger rail line would generally follow the route of the existing interstate freight rail line down to Flagstone before connecting across to Beaudesert,” she said.

“Our current planning tells us this future passenger rail line would need to be built after 2026 to accommodate population growth, but it makes good sense to plan now.

“Population growth is one of the key challenges facing south-east Queensland and by planning ahead, we will be well placed to manage this future growth.

“Community feedback is an important part of the study so I encourage everyone to have their say on the planning done so far.”

Work to date on the study has identified a proposed rail alignment and station locations.

State Member for Algester, Karen Struthers, and Member for Logan, John Mickel, welcomed the study, saying the line would have lifestyle and economic benefits for the area.

“The proposed passenger rail line would change the way residents move to, from and around the area,” Ms Struthers said.

“It would boost long-term economic growth in the area by better connecting people to goods, services, jobs and facilities.

“In addition, the line will help to take pressure off Beaudesert Road and Mt Lindesay Highway.”

Ms Struthers said the planning still had to happen, and residents needed to have their say about where the stations would be located.

Ms Nolan said a review of environmental factors, which included the proposed rail alignment and station locations, was now available for the community to provide their feedback on.

“This is about our future and the way we will live and travel so it's important people have a say on the proposed alignment and the proposed stations so feedback can be included in the draft impact assessment report,” she said.

“The community will have another opportunity to tell us what they think when the draft impact assessment report is released for public consultation later this year.”

The review of environmental factors can be viewed and downloaded at www.transport.qld.gov.au/salisburytobeaudesert.

Public consultation on the draft alignment for the Salisbury to Beaudesert Rail Corridor Study will begin on September 27, and will be open until October 29.

Community information displays will be held to give the community the opportunity to speak directly with the study team and ask questions.

A list of the public information sessions including dates, times and locations is available on the website at www.transport.qld.gov.au/salisburytobeaudesert and through the public hotline 1800 239 365.