BUDGET TO KEEP BRUNSWICK ST STATION UPGRADE ON TRACK
Published Tuesday, 22 May, 2007 at 02:33 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Paul Lucas
Premier Peter Beattie revealed today the Government had allocated $22.4 million in capital funding in the upcoming Budget to ensure the major upgrade of Brunswick Street Railway Station, worth $33 million, would be fully funded.
The announcement followed the Premier’s statement to Parliament that the contract for construction works had been awarded to Bovis Lend Lease and construction would begin next month, with a completion date of December 2008.
“In March, I made a commitment to Fortitude Valley residents that the delayed construction of this upgrade would begin in June and we are delivering on that promise,” Mr Beattie said.
“Queensland Transport and QR reached formal agreement with the Valley Metro Centre owners Lend Lease, allowing us to get on with the job of building the new station and I acknowledge Lend Lease for coming to the table during these negotiations.
“As local Member, I am pleased to see this project back on track – the sooner construction begins, the sooner Valley residents will have the railway station they deserve,” he said.
Mr Beattie, who joined Transport Minister Paul Lucas in unveiling detailed artists’ impressions of the final design, said the upgrade would deliver significant improvements to Brisbane’s third busiest Citytrain station.
“As well as the aesthetic improvements to the station - including community and school artwork and music-themed design to complement the vibrant, cultural Valley precinct – the upgrade will deliver improved accessibility.
“The redeveloped station will provide commuters with a lift, escalator and stairway to each platform from the concourse at the retail level of the Valley Metro Centre, a ceiling throughout the platforms, brighter lighting and improved safety measures, new seating and improved directional and customer information signage.
“All of these features will ensure the improved Brunswick Street Station will provide the facilities and amenity befitting such a busy station in the network, and befitting the lively community of the Fortitude Valley,” he said.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas said it was important Valley commuters were aware the project was going to be a lengthy and complex task.
“Make no mistake - this project is not going to be a simple, quick task. The station itself and the airspace development above it, is over 30 years old making this a difficult process given it is the third busiest station behind Roma Street and Central,” Mr Lucas said.
“But I want to assure passengers, local residents, businesses and local schools that they will be well informed about the impacts of the upgrade.
“For safety reasons, sections of the station will need to be closed throughout the redevelopment and unfortunately some passengers will be inconvenienced by this,” Mr Lucas said.
“During the first stage, platforms 3 & 4 will be closed from public access between July 2007 and March 2008.
“This will mean that trains will not stop at these platforms and some passengers will need to change trains at Central or Eagle Junction stations for a service which stops at Platforms 1 or 2 at Brunswick Street station.
“That said, in June, QR and TransLink will release full details of how the upgrade will affect passengers along with travel options for who use Brunswick Street to provide as much notice as possible.”
There will be a dedicated website page, email address, hotline and a staffed information booth located at the station leading up to the start of construction from June and throughout July.
The construction process has been planned around the continuing operations of the station and will take around 18 months and is expected to be complete in December 2008.
For further information on changes to services rail passengers should visit www.translink.com.au or phone 13 12 30 closer to the beginning of construction.
ENDS
Tuesday, 22 May 2007
Media contact: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office)
3237 1947 (Minister Lucas’ office)
The announcement followed the Premier’s statement to Parliament that the contract for construction works had been awarded to Bovis Lend Lease and construction would begin next month, with a completion date of December 2008.
“In March, I made a commitment to Fortitude Valley residents that the delayed construction of this upgrade would begin in June and we are delivering on that promise,” Mr Beattie said.
“Queensland Transport and QR reached formal agreement with the Valley Metro Centre owners Lend Lease, allowing us to get on with the job of building the new station and I acknowledge Lend Lease for coming to the table during these negotiations.
“As local Member, I am pleased to see this project back on track – the sooner construction begins, the sooner Valley residents will have the railway station they deserve,” he said.
Mr Beattie, who joined Transport Minister Paul Lucas in unveiling detailed artists’ impressions of the final design, said the upgrade would deliver significant improvements to Brisbane’s third busiest Citytrain station.
“As well as the aesthetic improvements to the station - including community and school artwork and music-themed design to complement the vibrant, cultural Valley precinct – the upgrade will deliver improved accessibility.
“The redeveloped station will provide commuters with a lift, escalator and stairway to each platform from the concourse at the retail level of the Valley Metro Centre, a ceiling throughout the platforms, brighter lighting and improved safety measures, new seating and improved directional and customer information signage.
“All of these features will ensure the improved Brunswick Street Station will provide the facilities and amenity befitting such a busy station in the network, and befitting the lively community of the Fortitude Valley,” he said.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas said it was important Valley commuters were aware the project was going to be a lengthy and complex task.
“Make no mistake - this project is not going to be a simple, quick task. The station itself and the airspace development above it, is over 30 years old making this a difficult process given it is the third busiest station behind Roma Street and Central,” Mr Lucas said.
“But I want to assure passengers, local residents, businesses and local schools that they will be well informed about the impacts of the upgrade.
“For safety reasons, sections of the station will need to be closed throughout the redevelopment and unfortunately some passengers will be inconvenienced by this,” Mr Lucas said.
“During the first stage, platforms 3 & 4 will be closed from public access between July 2007 and March 2008.
“This will mean that trains will not stop at these platforms and some passengers will need to change trains at Central or Eagle Junction stations for a service which stops at Platforms 1 or 2 at Brunswick Street station.
“That said, in June, QR and TransLink will release full details of how the upgrade will affect passengers along with travel options for who use Brunswick Street to provide as much notice as possible.”
There will be a dedicated website page, email address, hotline and a staffed information booth located at the station leading up to the start of construction from June and throughout July.
The construction process has been planned around the continuing operations of the station and will take around 18 months and is expected to be complete in December 2008.
For further information on changes to services rail passengers should visit www.translink.com.au or phone 13 12 30 closer to the beginning of construction.
ENDS
Tuesday, 22 May 2007
Media contact: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office)
3237 1947 (Minister Lucas’ office)