Fix our "choking" roads, says Mayor

Mayor Peter Flannery has called on the State Government to fund more public and bus rapid transport systems across in Moreton Bay.

It follows a Climate Council report Next Stop Suburbia: Making Shared Transport Work for Everyone in Aussie Cities, listing The Hills District is one of the worst for public transport.

“We know public transport in our City has not kept pace with demand, so it is refreshing to see this called out,” Mayor Flannery said.

“The Climate Council identifies our Hills District as having the worst availability of frequent public transport and a suburb that deserves immediate attention.

“I’d welcome a serious look at the rest of City of Moreton Bay, where we know only three per cent of resident’s trips are made by rail and two per cent by bus.

“This is unsustainable with congestion choking roads and the City of Moreton already supporting rapid population growth on top of the State’s demands in their Shaping SEQ 2023 Regional Plan.

“It is concerning to us that the State’s current plans are devoid of any meaningful public transport planning.”

The 2023 Global Traffic Scorecard, out this month, says Brisbane’s traffic congestion is the 12th worst in the world out of more than 900 cities across 37 countries.

“We are calling on the State to plan ahead to ensure City of Moreton Bay does not go the same way," Mayor Flannery said.

“Provision of bus services and infrastructure to support a rapid bus transport system would connect key growth corridors with major employment, shopping centre and transport hubs including train stations to help connectivity.

“The State needs to factor this into planning for new roads - it’s just a non-negotiable - especially those roads connecting our growth areas such as Waraba.

Council commissioned a report to look at State investment in Moreton Bay and on a per capita basis, Moreton Bay is one of the lowest funded South East Queensland councils.

“We’ve been told the demand is not there for our public transport, but that was measured years ago and with limited services,” the Mayor said.

“We need to create that demand with reliable public transport services in the first place, especially in the lead up to the Olympics 2032."

Mayor Flannery said the City was ready for a possible influx of commuters parking at train stations with the introduction of the 50-cent fare trial in August.

“Residents should rest assured Council has plans in place for parking at rail stations when this initiative is introduced and will be monitoring the impact,” he said.