Have your say on Brisbane underground

The community will be able to have its say on the Newman Government’s innovative Underground Bus and Train project from Monday.

Brisbane has shown keen interest since the innovative public transport connection was announced on Sunday, with 25,000 people viewing the transport tunnel fly thru online.

Deputy Premier and State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Minister Jeff Seeney said Queensland Coordinator-General Barry Broe had declared the $5 billion project to be a coordinated project requiring an environmental impact statement.

“This exciting, world-class public transport project demonstrated that the Newman Government is fulfilling its election promise to deliver better infrastructure,” Mr Seeney said.

“Queenslanders will have access to one of the most innovative public transport connections in the world through the Underground Bus and Train project and it will be delivered by our government at a saving of $3 billion compared to Labor’s fanciful cross river rail proposal.

“The government is also progressing other transport priorities ignored by Labor, including the Bruce Highway and the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing. 

“I welcome the Coordinator-General’s release of the draft terms of reference for an EIS, with consultation occurring on this project from November 25 to 20 December 2013.”

Coordinator-General Barry Broe said the draft terms of reference would look at a range of key impacts as part of the environmental investigations of the 5.4 kilometre, 15-metre diameter transport tunnel. It would also look at potential underground stations and platforms at Woolloongabba, Roma Street and Queen’s Wharf, the new Government precinct located in George Street.

Mr Broe will coordinate a whole-of-government response to the project’s assessment.

The EIS does not include any above-ground development above stations, or demolition of the existing buildings in the Government precinct, which will be determined by a separate process.

“The proponent, the Department of Transport and Main Roads, will have to address any impacts to private residences and land owners, including potential noise and dust impacts, as well as any interruptions to existing bus and rail services during the construction phase,” Mr Broe said.

“Other issues to be addressed include impacts to public transport users, the removal and disposal of spoil, the operating hours for the construction team and groundwater impacts.”

To view the draft terms of reference for the EIS and find out how to make a submission, visit www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/underground  

[ENDS] 22 October 2013

Media Contact: Jane Paterson – 0417 281 754 or Elizabeth Spry – 0418 928 744