Queensland’s Big Build in full swing with major train station upgrades

ASSETS – Timelapse, overlay and images of station upgrades

• New Rocklea train station reopens today following a complete rebuild.
• More than $1.5 billion dollars has been committed or invested in upgrading 82 stations over the past eight years.
• Upgrades include an extra platform for future increases to services, new lifts and overpass, as well as enhanced levels of safety, security and comfort for customers. 

Rocklea station has reopened following a full rebuild, delivering a 21st century rail experience and better accessibility for all customers.

Features include new station buildings, an extra platform, pedestrian overpass, three lifts and switchback stairs, improving access for all passengers.

The park ‘n’ ride has also been repaved to include better designed accessible parking, and drop-off and pick-up facilities.

There’s also a new enclosed storage shelter for up to 40 bicycles.

The new Rocklea station was rebuilt as part of Cross River Rail works. Burpengary and Bundamba stations are also being rebuilt as part of Queensland Rail’s Station Accessibility Upgrade Program and will reopen soon.

It’s all part of the Miles Government’s plan to expand, improve and modernise Queensland’s rail network, meet the increasing demands of our growing state and prepare for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

More than $1.5 billion dollars is being invested in station infrastructure across the Queensland Rail network from improvements, to partial and full upgrades and even new stations.

This includes Nerang and Wacol, Fairfield to Dutton Park, Nambour, Auchenflower and more recently Morningside, Lindum, Banyo, Bundamba, Burpengary and Buranda stations.

These works include life changing accessibility upgrades like lifts to replace stairs, new overpasses, platform raising and resurfacing, car parks, public toilets, augmented hearing loops and ramps.

Other rail network improvements include upgraded lighting, enhanced CCTV coverage, bike lockers, new customer screens, and the construction of Queensland Police Service Railway Squad outposts and hubs.

Rocklea is one of seven stations between Dutton Park and Salisbury being rebuilt as part of a rolling program being carried out by Cross River Rail, south of the project’s twin tunnels.

Cross River Rail is also building four new underground stations at Boggo Road, Albert Street, Woolloongabba and Roma Street, a new year-round Exhibition station and three new Gold Coast stations at Hope Island, Pimpama and Merrimac.

A new campaign has also been launched by Queensland Rail to promote the significant work and investment in station upgrades across the network and will feature on billboards, in train posters, station signage, radio and social media.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads Bart Mellish:

“We’re building big when it comes to rail in Queensland and we know how important a modern and reliable rail network is.

“Rebuilding stations like this one at Rocklea means everyone in the community can use the station and take the train.

“Whether you use a wheelchair, push a pram or you’re travelling with luggage, these upgrades are for you.

“We want to make public transport accessible to everyone and this shows we are making that a reality.

“This is the third station to be rebuilt as part of Cross River Rail, with the revamped Yeronga and Fairfield stations already open to the public.

“The Miles Government continues to invest in our public transport both through transformative upgrades and cost-of-living relief.

“Our 50-cent fare trial and half-price tickets on Airtrain are massive cost-of-living relief initiatives that are soon to be on offer across our network.

“When the LNP were last in government, they gutted Queensland’s rail network with cuts to funding and train driver recruitment.

“LNP cuts to transport means wrecking the future of Queensland transport workers - there’s a very real risk they will do it all again.

“Only Labor will back our transport workers and the future of our public transport network, which is why we’re investing in our network at record levels right across our state.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Toohey Peter Russo: 

“I’m proud to welcome customers back to the new and improved Rocklea station.

“Those in my electorate can now use the new station for their trip to work, to the shops, to medical appointments or to catch up with family and friends - from August 5 this will cost only 50 cents!

“Thanks to Cross River Rail, the contractors, and all those who have helped deliver this vital upgrade, and a big thanks to commuters who’ve had to adapt to the station closure during construction.

“We need public transport that is affordable and accessible – especially in our suburbs, and that’s what this upgrade has helped deliver.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Rail CEO Kat Stapleton:

“Queensland Rail has been proudly connecting communities for nearly 160 years and we are committed to constantly improving our network to make it more accessible, convenient and safe.

“Our biggest accessibility upgrade program ever is currently underway, bringing into the modern era six more stations – Buranda, Burpengary, Banyo, Bundamba Morningside and Lindum.

“This is on top of the 12 fully upgraded stations we’ve already delivered and our partial platform raising program which has made boarding trains faster, easier and safer across the network.

“The improvements have already, and will continue to, make a big difference in the lives of customers who use the rail network. They help everyone in the local community to use the rail network safely and without barriers.

“Our customers’ security and comfort are important to us and upgrades like better lighting, enhanced CCTV coverage, bike lockers, new customer screens, and the construction of Queensland Police Service Railway Squad outposts and hubs improve everyone’s travel experience.”

FUTHER INFORMATION

• Queensland Rail’s Station Accessibility Upgrade Program projects that are being delivered at Lindum, Morningside, Banyo, Buranda, Bundamba and Burpengary stations are the largest number of stations Queensland Rail has delivered simultaneously.

• Since 2017, Queensland Rail has completed 12 station upgrades including at Alderley, Newmarket, Graceville, Nambour, Dinmore, Morayfield, Boondall, Strathpine, East Ipswich, Dakabin, Cannon Hill and Auchenflower. South Bank Platform 1 was also completed in November 2022.

• As well as Queensland Rail’s Station Accessibility Upgrade Program, seven southside stations between Dutton Park and Salisbury are being rebuilt as part of Cross River Rail. The transformational project will also see four new underground stations at Boggo Road, Albert Street, Woolloongabba and Roma Street, a new year-round Exhibition station and three new Gold Coast stations at Pimpama, Hope Island and Merrimac.

• In addition to full accessibility upgrades the Queensland Government has invested in improving customers’ comfort and security through partial platform raising, lighting upgrades, enhanced CCTV coverage, bike lockers, new customer screens, and the construction of Queensland Police Service Railway Squad outposts and hubs. 

ENDS

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