Redlands and the 2017 State Infrastructure Plan

Redlands gets very few mentions in the updated State Infrastructure Plan  released yesterday by Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Jackie Trad.

The Part B: Program – 2017 update (2017 Plan) includes a four year program of infrastructure investment aligned with the recently delivered 2017–18 State Budget.

So what infrastructure will benefit the Redlands?

Cross River Rail

Cross River Rail is the highest priority infrastructure project in the 2017 Plan. The Queensland Government has committed to fully fund Cross River Rail at a delivery cost of $5.4 billion.

Rail journey times from Cleveland to the Brisbane CBD will reduce by about 14 minutes when the Cross River Rail project is completed, in 2024.

Eastern Busway

The Eastern Busway project will be the subject of further planning with transitways preferred to busways as an interim solution. The 2017 Plan says:

Eastern Busway extension to Carindale and Capalaba (as busway or other priority corridor)

Initial planning for the extension between Coorparoo and Capalaba has been undertaken by the Department of Transport and Main Roads. Further planning is required as funding options become certain. Implementation of bus priority measures, including transitways, are the preferred interim solution, with busways introduced as network demand warrants. This priority is in concept phase. (Page 19)

Planning for this and other busways, in line with the draft new south east Queensland regional plan (Shaping SEQ), will “support increased dwelling densities and employment growth.”

Other transport projects

Three transport infrastructure projects servicing Redland City are still in the planning phase, as detailed on page 30 of the 2017 Plan.

• Duplication of the Cleveland rail line is still in a planning phase: “Planning is being undertaken to investigate required rail infrastructure on the Cleveland Line between Park Road and Cleveland.”
• The Redland City/Gateway Motorway corridor is still in the concept stage: “Initial planning studies have been completed. The next step is a strategic assessment of service requirement.”
• Tilley Road extension (Redland City to Port of Brisbane) is also in a early planning phase: “Brisbane City Council is leading this proposal. The corridor for the Tilley Road extension has been preserved and the proposal is progressing in a staged approach through planning.”

Education infrastructure

The 2017 Infrastructure Plan includes a $1.5 million project at Capalaba State College. (page 114)

Although not specifically listed in the 2017 Infrastructure Plan, the 2017/18 State Budget included:

• $4.8 million towards a multipurpose hall at Cleveland District High School.
• $688,000 for upgrades at Redland Bay State School

Social housing

The Government plans to supply 492 social homes in Logan/Redlands over the next five years. The Infrastructure Plan does not provide any further detail about how many of these homes will be built in Redland City. (Page 159)

Priority Development Areas and privatisation

Toondah Harbour and Weinam Creek are included in a list of 28 priority development areas where:

A collaborative approach improves infrastructure delivery to support economic development and ensure it is prioritised in areas of high growth and strategic importance.

Apparently, the Queensland Government’s Priority Development Areas allow:

…government investment to be maximised…providing confidence to project proponents through greater planning and development certainty and integrated infrastructure and land use planning.

The Government also has an Advancing our Cities and Regions Strategy which is described by the Government as:

…an innovative approach to renew and repurpose surplus and underutilised government property to achieve better community outcomes, create jobs and drive economic growth. Through community engagement, sensitive land use planning and strategic development management, the strategy will create iconic projects and diversify Queensland cities and regions.

These statements and more can be found on pages 42-43.

Cleveland Innovation Precinct

One of 32 projects raised through consultation is the Cleveland Innovation Precinct. The 2017 Plan says: “This proposal will be progressed to strategic assessment phase (or equivalent) with Redland City Council.” (Page 30)

What about the Leslie Harrison Dam?

There is no mention of the Leslie Harrison Dam in the 2017 Plan.

Following a safety review of various dams in 2012/13, the Leslie Harrison Dam’s gates were removed in 2014 and the dam level was reduced.

Owner of the Dam, SEQ Water, says on its website that:

Dam improvements are prioritised across the region in a staged program that is scoped and scheduled to maintain water supply security, while delivering best value for money.

Planning continues for the upgrade at Leslie Harrison Dam. A recommendation on the scope and timing of the preferred option will be presented to the Seqwater Board in mid-2017.

More information about the State Infrastructure Plan

State Infrastructure Plan webpage 

Part B: Program – 2017 update (2017 Plan) 

Redlands2030 – 20 July 2017