Brisbane City Council has released the “Transport Plan for Brisbane — Strategic Directions,” Brisbane’s guide to how its transport network will transform over the next 25 years. Transport projects already lined-up or underway include the Woolloongabba Bikeway, Kangaroo Point Bikeway, Cross River Rail, and Brisbane Metro.
The transport plan aims to address the challenges and opportunities, as well as outlines the specific directions the Council will take in order to meet the current and future needs of Brisbane residents and visitors. It also highlights the importance of partnership with the private sector and other levels of government to ensure success in delivering and managing future transport solutions. The Transport Plan for Brisbane – Strategic Directions identifies 15 desired outcomes and spread across these outcomes are 80 transport directions.
The transport directions framework are guided by the following community desired outcomes:
- A clean, green, sustainable city
- Community health and wellbeing
- Meeting people’s needs
- Better journey experience
- Sustained growth of business and industry
- Convenient commuting
- Safe and efficient freight movement
- Supporting the tourism and visitor economy
- Innovative transport systems
- Technology-enabled solutions
- Robust organisations and partnerships
- Integrated land use and transport
- Well planned, designed and managed networks
- Travel demand management and behaviour change
- Safe transport networks.
Woolloongabba Bikeway project
Video Credit: Brisbane City Council/YouTube
Key aspects of the Transport Directions include encouraging the use of sustainable transport options like walking, cycling, and public transport through high-quality public and active travel infrastructures. The plan also considers the uptake of electric vehicles and technology to improve efficiency and reduce emissions and noise.
To provide a more efficient way of transporting goods to, from, and within the city, the Transport Plan will include proposals to maximise the use of rail network for container and bulk material transport to and from the Port. The freight transport network plan will also take advantage of emerging technologies such as automation and drones.
Bicycle Queensland lauded the Council’s transport plan stating that its vision was “bold, brave, brilliant.” In particular, the community cycling organisation noted how the plan recognized the need to tap public and active transport towards shifting to a healthier and sustainable means to travel that is quicker, safer, and more affordable.
Property Council of Australia also provided feedback during previous consultation on the Transport Plan. They pointed out that with employment in Brisbane predicted to move towards knowledge and health related jobs, there is a need to understand where, how, and what infrastructure will be required and implemented to facilitate this growth and address its needs.