Australian Government and BCC to deliver Lindum Road Corridor
Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP has vowed to bypass the State Government and work with Brisbane City Council (BCC) to deliver stage 1 upgrades to the Lindum Level Crossing.
Following disappointment from the Queensland Labor Governmentâs lack of funding to upgrade the dangerous level crossing, Mr Vasta will now work directly with BCC to find an alternative solution.
Mr Vasta has delivered $85 million towards the project and BCC has committed $40 million for removal of the open level crossing, subject to the State coming to the party.
âUnfortunately, we canât let the lack of state funding prevent this vital safety upgrade from getting underway,â Mr Vasta said.
âThe jointly funded Federal/State Lindum Station Precinct Study was conducted to help us deliver an âall-governmentâ solution, however we cannot sit back any longer and watch other level crossings like Coopers Plains receive $66 million State funding, while Lindum Level Crossing gets zero.
âMr Vasta said he had been working with the Chair of Public and Active Transport Cr Ryan Murphy, Councillor for Doboy Ward Lisa Atwood and Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge to workshop a solution.
âAs a result, we will be redirecting our $85 million funding away from the State Government and delivering it to BCC so they can begin upgrades to the Lindum Road Corridor,â Mr Vasta said.
âOur funding will support BCC and together weâll be looking at possible first stage solutions such as traffic lights and road upgrades and/or extensions in the Lindum Road Corridor to improve safety for pedestrians and motorists in the local area until the State Government has a change of heart.â
Councillor for Doboy Ward Lisa Atwood said it was disappointing that the State Government didnât want to join the two other levels of government to deliver the outcome residents and businesses deserve.
She said the Lindum Level Crossing and surrounding intersections were notoriously dangerous for all road users â especially parents and new young drivers of Iona College.
âThis is alongside the many workers of the major industrial areas of Hemmant and the Port who every day have to negotiate getting through the Level Crossing and adjoining intersections with their heart in their mouths,â Cr Atwood said.
âAs the local councillor, I have been working with Mr Vasta and the Australian Government to give our community a safer road network and rail crossing and I am disappointed in the stateâs decisionâ.
Mr Vasta said he had written to Minister Tudge to formally request the $85 million funding be redirected to BCC to get the project moving.
âDuring the Treasurerâs Budget speech, he warned States âif you donât use it, you lose itâ and the Queensland Labor Government has not only lost this Federal funding, but the confidence of their local community,â Mr Vasta said.
ENDS