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Gold Coast, Beenleigh rail users face major changes as Brisbane’s Cross River Rail network is revealed

Gold Coast, Beenleigh rail users face major changes as Brisbane's Cross River Rail network is revealed

Rail commuters in Queensland’s south-east face the most significant shake-up in decades after the state government outlined several route changes to integrate the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail network launch in 2025.

State Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the planned changes amounted to a “brand new network”.

“This network will be a change for Queenslanders, but it will open the door for future investment and time-saving timetable changes to help Queenslanders get home sooner and safer,” he said.

Under the plan, south-east Queensland trains will operate in three sections, all connecting at the existing or new underground Roma Street stations.

Existing rail lines will be shifted to reconnect at new or upgraded stations — significantly altering how residents on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast access Brisbane.

A map of the Queensland train lines
A map for the new network that is expected to be operational from 2025.(Supplied: Queensland government)

Sector One will connect the Gold and Sunshine Coasts directly, operating trains from Varsity Lakes and Beenleigh through to Redcliffe Peninsula, Nambour and Gympie.

Sector Two will link the Rosewood and Springfield lines through Central to the domestic airport and Shorncliffe.

Sector Three will run Ferny Grove trains through Central and Southbank to Cleveland.

Suburban services to shift

The new rail plan will shift multiple suburban services, splitting the Ferny Grove line from the Beenleigh line, placing the airport spur along the Ipswich line, and extending the Doomben line from Roma Street to Indooroopilly.

In a major shift, commuters on the Beenleigh and Gold Coast lines will need to change at Boggo Road or Roma Street to access South Brisbane stations and Central station in the CBD.

The Gold Coast and Beenleigh lines will instead travel through the city via Albert Street, Woolloongabba and Boggo Road.

scaffolding and cranes fill a construction site
The underground station at Boggo Road is taking shape.(Supplied: Cross River Rail)

Another line will run between Boggo Road and the newly upgraded Exhibition station at Bowen Hills.

Travelers from Ipswich and Rosewood will also need to switch trains in the city to connect to northbound Sunshine Coast services.

future and legacy

The 10.2km underground Cross River Rail project will run from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills, with nearly 6 kilometers of tunnels cut under Brisbane River and new underground stations at Roma Street, Albert Street, Woolloongabba and Boggo Road.

“More than 80,000 people migrated to Queensland in the past two years, and this investment shows we are at full throttle, planning, building and delivering a world-class rail network for the state,” Mr Bailey said.

“The new network we build now will be the network Queensland kids and Olympic-goers will remember.”

Concept drawing for new Cross River Rail station
An artistic impression of the Cross River Rail design for Roma Street Station.(Supplied: Queensland government)

The planned network will be in place several years before the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, and was kickstarted in 2019 by south-east Queensland mayors who called for better-connected rail and public transport infrastructure across the region.

Mr Bailey said the government’s rail investment also included a $6 million planning study for the Direct Sunshine Coast line, a $2.5 million corridor study for a line connecting the booming city of Springfield to Ipswich, and a $20 million Salisbury to Beaudesert business case.

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Australia

RAC survey reveals Western Australia’s riskiest roads where motorists fear driving the most

RAC survey reveals Western Australia's riskiest roads where motorists fear driving the most

The risky WA roads motorists fear the most have been revealed, with Farrall Road in Midvale — the scene of a horrific accident where a 15-year-old boy was killed as he waited to cross the road with his friends — topping the list.

The road where Kayden McPhee was struck by a drunk driver in 2018 was identified as the city’s most dangerous by respondents to an RAC survey.

Kayden McPhee.
Camera IconKayden McPhee. Credit: Supplied by family/SUPPLIED
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The 48-year-old driver Biju Paulose pleaded guilty to a string of charges, including unlawfully killing Kayden, dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm under the influence of alcohol and failing to stop to render assistance.

Kayden was taken to hospital but died nine days later from head injuries after his family made the decision to switch off his life support. His 16-year-old friend of him suffered life-threatening injuries and a 12-year-old was lucky to escape unscathed.

Orton Road, Byford, the scene of another fatal smash in 2020, also made the list for its poor road surface quality and lack of traffic separation.

A 26-year-old man was killed when an Acco rubbish truck collided with the Holden Commodore sedan he was driving near the intersection of Orton and Hopkinson Roads.

Farral Road.
Camera IconFarral Road. Credit: Stewart Allen/RAC

At the time, it was the second crash at the same intersection in two weeks, with locals labeling it a “death trap” on social media.

The RAC survey received more than 10,000 nominations from residents identifying streets and intersections in desperate need of safety upgrades.

Mitchell Freeway.
Camera IconMitchell Freeway. Credit: Stewart Allen/RAC

RAC General Manager External Relations Will Golsby said the survey shone a spotlight on safety issues that were often overlooked.

“Driving or cycling to work shouldn’t be a stressful or dangerous experience, but unfortunately that’s the reality for many in Perth,” he said.

“This survey result shows there’s an urgent need for safety treatments across metropolitan Perth.

Neaves Road.
Camera IconNeaves Road. Credit: Stewart Allen/RAC

“There are some great opportunities for low-cost intersection upgrades and better walking and cycling paths.”

Other city roads to appear in the top 10 risky roads include Mitchell Freeway southbound in West Perth, the scene of a smash in December last year that killed one person, injured two others, and led to hours of gridlock.

Respondents also slammed the confusing layout of the Canning Highway interchange on Kwinana Freeway southbound.

The regional road considered WA’s riskiest was the stretch of South Western Highway between Bunbury and Walpole — also picked up in a previous survey — criticized for its narrowness, tight curves and blind crests and lack of overtaking opportunities.

The intersection of Marmion Avenue and Seacrest Drive in the beachside suburb of Sorrento topped the list of Perth’s riskiest road junctions, with residents calling for traffic lights or a roundabout.

Marmion Avenue and Seacrest Drive.
Camera IconMarmion Avenue and Seacrest Drive. Credit: Stewart Allen/RAC

An intersection in Albany, between Albany Highway and South Coast Highway was named worst in the regions.

Mr Golsby said the RAC would work with government and road safety agencies to find solutions to ultimately reduce the impact of road trauma.

“Someone is killed or seriously injured on our roads every five hours,” he said.

“That’s why the feedback from this campaign is so important – it will continue to amplify our calls for safer roads across Perth.”

Road Safety Commission figures show there have been 80 deaths on WA roads in the past 12 months.

WA’s top 10 risky roads

1. Farrall Road, Midvale

2. Mitchell Freeway (southbound), West Perth

3. Neaves Road, Banksia Grove to Bullsbrook

4. Orton Road, Casuarina to Byford

5. Kargotich Road, Oakford

6. Kwinana Freeway (southbound) Canning Hwy interchange

7. Thomas Road, Casuarina to Byford

8. Flynn Drive, Carramar, Neerabup

9. Mundizong Road, Baldivis to Mundizong

10. Walter Place, North Fremantle

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Australia

Perth and WA weather: Bureau of Meteorology issues warning as second front set to bring monster swell

Perth and WA weather: Bureau of Meteorology issues warning as second front set to bring monster swell

West Aussies are being told to brace for a second cold front with swell heights forecast to hit a two-year record and up to 51mm of rain falling in the wettest part of the State.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for the southern part of WA, including the regions surrounding Perth, Mandurah the South West, Katanning, Manjimup, Merredin, Mount Barker and Northam.

Heavy rains and damaging wind likes are being forecast — and it isn’t expected to subside for at least another two days.

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“A second front will move across the coast later this week, prolonging the severe weather conditions in WA through to Wednesday,” the Bureau said.

Pictures of wet weather in Perth. Pictures on St Georges Terrace in Perth.
Camera IconPerth has been smashed by heavy rains and wild winds. Credit: ross swanborough/The West Australian

By 5pm Monday, State Emergency Services volunteers had been bombarded with calls from distressed residents struggling with leaking roofs and flooding.

Walpole, in the State’s South West, was the wettest region of WA with a whopping 51mm of rain in the gauge over the past two days.

In Perth, the hills suburb of Bickley received the most rain on Monday, recording 30.6mm by 6pm.

Pictures of wet weather in Perth. Pictures on Riverside Drive in Perth.
Camera IconRoads were waterlogged in the Perth CBD on Monday. Credit: ross swanborough/The West Australian

The coast also got a battering, with 22.2mm falling in the Swanbourne rain gauge and 89km/h wind gusts recorded at 4.12pm.

Wind gusts have been relentless across WA with 90km to 100km winds recorded at Cape Naturaliste, while Geraldton Airport recorded 87km/h winds.

And while surfers are being told to stay away from the water during the weather warning, the swell is rapidly rising.

Wet weather hits the Perth metro area on 1 Aug, 2022.
Camera IconHuge swell is being forecast for the Perth coast this week. Credit: matt jelonek/The West Australian

On Rottnest Island, an enormous swell height of 9.5m is being forecast — the biggest in more than two years — and monster wave heights are expected in other areas too.

“Significant wave heights exceeding 7 meters are expected in exposed locations. Waves will arrive from West to South Westerly directions,” the Bureau said.

The wild weather has prompted the RSPCA to issue a warning to pet owners to comfort their animals.

Pictures of wet weather in Perth. Pictures on St Georges Terrace in Perth.
Camera IconCommuters were hit by wet conditions on Monday. Credit: ross swanborough/The West Australian

“The winter months can put pets at risk, but luckily there are simple steps we can take to prepare, and make sure our animals stay warm and protected from the wind, rain and cold,” she said.

“Cold and wet weather conditions bring a new influence of cruelty reports to our Inspectorate.

“Last winter, RSPCA WA received over 1500 reports, with common issues being insufficient food, water and shelter, abandonment, and animals in need of vet treatment.

“Protecting your pet this winter could be as simple as providing some extra bedding, food, and somewhere warm and dry for them to escape.”

PERTH WEATHER FORECAST

  • monday – 20C – Showers, possible afternoon storm, 15-20mm
  • tuesday – 10-16C – Showers. Becoming windy, 10-15mm
  • wednesday – 9-16C – Rain, becoming windy, 15-25mm
  • thursday – 10-17C – Showers easing, 3-6mm
  • friday – 7-16C – Shower or two, 0-1mm

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Categories
Australia

Peak-hour chaos as crash, breakdowns on Kwinana Freeway and Tonkin Highway add to heavy rain delays

Peak-hour chaos as crash, breakdowns on Kwinana Freeway and Tonkin Highway add to heavy rain delays

Peak-hour traffic has been hit across the metropolitan area by several incidents as heavy rain causes widespread delays.

Motorists northbound on Kwinana Freeway need to be extra careful on the approach to South Terrace in Como with the left lane blocked after an accident.

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Main Roads have warned of slow traffic in the area.

There have also been a number of breakdowns across the metropolitan area, with the right lane blocked on Tonkin Highway northbound after Roe Highway in Kewdale.

Traffic is slow on approach, with visibility in the wet also hampered.

Traffic is also slow on Tonkin Highway southbound prior to Morley Drive in Morley after a breakdown.

Tow trucks are dealing with the issue in the left emergency lane.

There has been a truck breakdown on the Kwinana Freeway in South Perth.

Emergency services have closed the left lane prior to Mill Point Road.

And Main Roads have warned holidaymakers heading to Perth Airport to allow extra travel time with roadworks closing Tonkin Highway from Great Eastern Highway to Dunreath Drive for bridge removal and construction.

The works started at 4am on Monday, with motorists told to seek alternative routes.

Thick smoke is also making driving difficult on Mitchell Freeway between Neerabup Road and Hester Avenue.

With reduced visibility in the area, motorists have been told to switch on their headlights and take extreme caution.

The latest incidents come after a crash on Kwinana Freeway in Baldivis prior to Karnup Road caused delays on Sunday night.

With wet weather to continue throughout Monday and into Tuesday, motorists across Perth have been warned to stay vigilant, switch on headlights and ensure a safe braking distance to the vehicle in front.

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