Resident groups campaign for the removal of two level crossings
By Tony Moore
Brisbane residents are still waiting for work to begin to remove two level crossings that were first identified as congestion and traffic safety hazards in 2012.
Community crossing “cutting crews” have been established in Coorparoo and Coopers Plains by local residents who are campaigning for politicians to honour previous promises.
A local community group – the Coorparoo Crossing Crew – is calling for action to remove a level crossing after years of empty political promises.
However, work may finally be about to commence.
Queensland’s Department of Main Roads this week said planning to replace Coorparoo’s Cavendish Road level crossing was underway and construction on the Coopers Plains fix was due to start in late 2025.
A flyer distributed by the Coorparoo Cutting Crew criticising the slow pace of removing the level crossing at Coorparoo.
In Coorparoo, one Nelson Street resident – a member of the “Coorparoo Cutting Crew” – sought to remind politicians of all parties their crossing was first identified as a threat in 2012 by Deloittes Economics.
“If this level crossing is still there in 2032, when the Olympics is being held – and people having to wait for up to 40 minutes when it breaks down – it will be a bit of embarrassment to the city of Brisbane,” said the resident, who asked not to be named.
“There are now obvious safety concerns, you see school kids running across all the time, and it is only a matter of time before there is a severe incident.”
Federal Labor promised $107 million to remove the crossing in 2019, but remained in opposition and again promised $100 million in the lead-up to the May 2022 federal election.
Coorparoo is in Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather’s Griffith electorate, while Coopers Plains is in Labor MP Graham Perrett’s electorate.
Which level crossings were identified as priorities in 2012 and what has happened since?
In 2021, Deloittes Access Economics identified these six crossings in priority order for overpass works:
- Beams Road, Aspley: work started on $235 million overpass in 2024.
- Boundary Road, Coopers Plains: design approved, refinement to model.
- Telegraph Road, Bracken Ridge: level crossing replaced in 2018, cost $160 million.
- Cavendish Road, Coorparoo: $3 million planning study started.
- South Pine Road, Alderley: no work under way.
- Wacol Station Road, Wacol: no work under way.
This week, the Department of Transport and Main Roads confirmed a $3 million study was under way to remove the Cavendish Road level crossing, jointly funded by state and federal governments.
The Australian government has allocated an additional $98.5 million for construction, with the project still needing funding from other levels of government to proceed.
“As Brisbane City Council is the responsible authority for Cavendish Road and Stanley Street East and the surrounding road network, council participation and support is essential,” a department spokesman said.
At Coopers Plains, a design has been approved since 2022, but an extra $93 million was needed from the three levels of government to cover the $399 million project.
An artist’s impression of the overpass to remove the rail crossing at Coopers Plains.Credit: Queensland and Australian governments
Brisbane City Council said it would not provide more than $40 million, however both federal and state governments increased their share and will now each contribute $179.5 million to a “refined” model.
“Work is now underway to further refine the preferred option for the removal of rail level crossing,” the department spokesman said.
Both federal MPs confirmed work was under way. A new option for Coopers Plains will be known by Christmas.