REDLAND City Council has formally endorsed its support for a Brisbane Metro extension to Capalaba, urging State and Federal decision-makers to make the route a priority for South East Queensland.
Councillors today backed the officer recommendation to support the full delivery of the proposed Eastern Metro expansion from Brisbane’s CBD to Capalaba.
The endorsed position paper will now be sent to Brisbane City Council, the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, and Infrastructure Australia.
Cr Jason Colley, who moved the motion, said the Redlands needed to make its case while Brisbane City Council prepared a business case into Metro extensions to Capalaba, Springwood, Carseldine and Brisbane Airport.
“Although delivery of public transport isn’t a local government responsibility, we have a role to play in ensuring much-needed infrastructure is delivered for our community,” he said.
“With a business case being prepared … it is important that we articulate our support for the full delivery of the Eastern Metro expansion to Capalaba and advocate for its inclusion as a priority investment for South East Queensland, and preferably ahead of Brisbane 2032.”
Acting Mayor Julie Talty said the council had been seeking better public transport connections for more than a decade.
“The proposed Eastern Metro extension to Capalaba represents a significant opportunity to improve connectivity, liveability and economic growth across this city,” Cr Talty said.
“It’s one of the largest urban communities in South East Queensland without access to high-frequency public transport.”
She said the Redlands remained heavily dependent on private vehicles, and a reliable, frequent service between Capalaba and Brisbane would give residents greater choice while easing pressure on congested roads.
“With substantial population and employment increases forecast over coming decades, improved public transport infrastructure will be essential to ensure our city can accommodate growth sustainably,” Cr Talty said.
The proposal remains at business-case stage, with no funding or construction commitment in place.
Cr Colley said Metro’s frequent services, dedicated busway operation and high-capacity electric vehicles could provide a faster and more reliable alternative to road travel.
“A fundamental responsibility of council is to ensure our communities are liveable for residents [and] that access to the services we all rely upon every day is as easy as possible,” he said.
Council’s position paper argues the Capalaba route could unlock housing and urban-renewal opportunities, improve access to jobs, education, retail and community services, support tourism and encourage further investment.
Cr Talty said improved public transport would also benefit people who could not, or chose not to, drive, while reducing congestion and transport-related environmental impacts.
“It would also strengthen Redland City’s ability to capitalise on opportunities associated with the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, while creating a lasting transport legacy for future generations,” she said.
The decision follows recent advocacy by Champion Redlands Coast, including its Metro-focused event and calls for the Capalaba corridor to be prioritised.
The business case is expected to examine potential links through areas including Carindale and Chandler, with scope for longer-term extensions deeper into the Redlands.
The motion was supported unaimously.
