History in the making, our newest rail line gets its name

The newest rail link in South East Queensland, the Moreton Bay Rail Link (MBRL) Project, is set to be named after Redcliffe’s iconic peninsula.

The 12.6 kilometres of new dual-track between Petrie and Kippa-Ring will be officially called the Redcliffe Peninsula Line on Queensland Rail’s timetable when it comes into service on Tuesday, 4 October 2016.

Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the name reflects the track route to the seaside Peninsula of Redcliffe and is consistent with the naming conventions used for the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Ipswich train lines.

"Redcliffe was Queensland’s first settlement city and it fitting more than 192 years later we now have built a rail line that connects the peninsula to Brisbane and honours our history," Mr Hinchliffe said.   

"When it is open the Redcliffe Peninsula Line will link the main North Coast line to South East Queensland’s integrated public transport network and make it easier for locals to move around the region."

State Member for Redcliffe Yvette D’Ath said it was fantastic the new line honoured the Peninsula.

"I have listened to the views of locals and I am confident they will embrace this name which celebrates the Redcliffe region," Mrs D’Ath said.

"For more than a decade I have lobbied for this project to fulfil the promise made back in 1895 by the then Queensland Parliament to construct a crucial rail line.

"The Redcliffe Peninsula Line will deliver more than 650 train services between Brisbane and the Peninsula each week and make it easier for locals to use public transport to travel to the CBD."

Ms D’Ath also revealed the Palaszczuk Government would establish a community ballot to determine the final passenger list for the first train.

"I know many locals in the Moreton Bay region will want to be on the first train so they can be part of this historic event, so to manage the strong community interest there will be a public ballot for a seat on the first train," Ms D’Ath said.

"The Redcliffe Peninsula Line was a century in the making and it’s only fair that community members should be on board as our special VIPs for the day."

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland welcomed the announcement the new line would formally recognise the Moreton Bay Region’s historic past.

"More than 34 per cent of our region’s residents will, for the first time ever, be connected to a fast, reliable rail line linking our local suburbs via new stations at Kippa-Ring, Rothwell, Mango Hill, Mango Hill East, Murrumba Downs and Kallangur,” Mayor Sutherland said.

"I’m looking forward to the official opening and I know everyone will get on-board with the region’s new train line."

The ballot for one of the 230 seats on the first train will open at 9am on 12 September and close at midnight on 23 September. To register when the ballot opens visit www.moretonbayrail.qld.gov.au

Media contacts: Jessica Hill 0475 950 772 (Minister Hinchliffe) | Geoff Breusch 0417 272 875 (Minister D’Ath) | Corinne Mulholland 0407 392 827 (Mayor Sutherland)