A HIGH-FREQUENCY Metro link from Brisbane to Capalaba is being championed as a potential answer to the Redlands Coast’s transport gap, with councillors formally backing a push to have the route delivered ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Councillors last week endorsed a position paper supporting the full delivery of an Eastern Metro expansion from Brisbane’s CBD to Capalaba.
The paper will be sent to Brisbane City Council, the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads and Infrastructure Australia as the business case for potential Metro extensions gets underway.
The proposed project remains at business-case stage with no confirmed funding or construction timetable.
But Acting Mayor Julie Talty said the Redlands had pressed for better public transport connections for more than a decade and could not afford to miss the opportunity.
“The proposed Eastern Metro extension to Capalaba represents a significant opportunity to improve connectivity, liveability and economic growth across this city,” Cr Talty said.
“[The Redlands] is one of the largest urban communities in South East Queensland without access to high-frequency public transport.”
Brisbane City Council, with support from the Queensland and Australian governments, is preparing a business case into four possible Metro expansion corridors: Capalaba, Springwood, Carseldine and Brisbane Airport.
A high-frequency service generally operates every 15 minutes or better between 7am and 7pm.
Existing Brisbane Metro services run as often as every five minutes during weekday business periods.
Cr Jason Colley, who moved the Council motion, said local government did not deliver public transport but had a responsibility to advocate for infrastructure needed by the community.
“With a business case being prepared to investigate the expansion of Brisbane Metro across multiple priority corridors, it is important that we articulate our support for the full delivery of the Eastern Metro expansion to Capalaba,” Cr Colley said.
He said the route should be treated as a priority South East Queensland investment, preferably delivered before the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Redlands Coast remains heavily reliant on private vehicles, with Council warning that projected growth will place more strain on busy roads including Old Cleveland Rd, Moreton Bay Rd, New Cleveland Rd, Rickertt Rd, Finucane Rd, Redland Bay Rd and Mt Cotton Rd.
Cr Talty said a frequent connection between Capalaba and Brisbane would give residents greater travel choice, ease pressure on roads and support people who could not, or did not wish to, drive.
“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,” she said.
The position paper argues a Metro route would strengthen Capalaba’s role as a principal regional activity centre by improving access to work, education, retail and community services, while encouraging new investment, housing and employment growth.
It could also improve links to Carindale, Chandler and the wider busway network.
Champion Redlands Coast CEO Cindy Corrie said recent advocacy had helped bring the issue into sharper focus, including the organisation’s Metro-focused event and calls for the Capalaba corridor to be prioritised.
Council’s longer-term vision also includes protecting possible public transport corridor opportunities for extensions towards Cleveland, Victoria Point, Southern Thornlands and other growth areas.
