Guests address GCA April meeting on Gap Creek Rd/Western Bypass issues
April’s meeting of the Gap Community Association (GCA) saw presentations from Brisbane City Council (BCC) consultant Donna Marshall, the Hon, Michael Johnson, Federal Member for Ryan, BCC Councillor for The Gap Ward, Geraldine Knapp and GCA members.
Ms. Marshall advised that she had been engaged by the BCC as a consultant to assist with the Gap Creek Road Feasibility Study and has been working in close consultation with the BCC project team.
She pointed out that the current project is a feasibility study only, aimed at investigating the nature of the upgrade, costs, benefits, environmental issues etc and that the results of this study are expected to be announced towards the end of 2007.
She went on to explain that no money has yet been allocated to the construction phase of the project and that the only money allocated so far is to conduct the feasibility study.
Ms. Marshal explained that a safety audit had been conducted which had found that the road is unsafe in parts and requires remedial work. The upgrade was described as a “moderate upgrade option
” involving one lane in each direction, a sealing of the entire road, upgrading of the bridge to two lanes, some realignment of the roads shoulders and some potential for land acquisitions.
She went on to explain that the BCC Upgrade Newsletter No. 1 and the survey contained therein had resulted in 240 responses, as follows:
- 57% support an upgrade
- 36% oppose an upgrade
- 7% not stated
It was pointed out that there had been some difficulty with the distribution of the survey describing some aspects of it as a “major blunder
“. She went on to say that the BCC is currently conducting an environmental scoping study which will be concluded by December, 2007. In the mean time they will be talking to environmental groups such as The Australia Koala Foundation, REPA, university/s and others.
Ms. Marshal explained that the most frequent survey responses in favour of an upgrade were:
- reduction in vehicle damage
- improvement in safety
- ability to access other suburbs more readily
Opponents of the upgrade listed the following as their major objections:
- increased traffic through The Gap
- that the road would become a major traffic route
- Payne Road was mentioned as a particular road of concern to increased traffic
- noise and pollution
- that the road could become a possible Western Bypass
- environmental concerns
- speed and load limits
Donna Marshal answers questions
Questions were then invited from the floor and a vigorous debate ensued. Issues and questions raised were as follows:
- The moderate upgrade is the only upgrade “
on the table
” at the present time. - The entire road will be designated as a 50 kph speed limit.
- It is unlikely that traffic calming will be considered but Ms. Marshal undertook to further discuss this issue with the BCC.
- Why not designate it as a district road? A recent survey carried out by REPA indicated that 98% of respondents thought that the road should be designated as a district access road.
- What is the point of consultation with residents when it seems that the BCC has already determined that the road will be upgraded?
- A number of attendees challenged the BCC newsletter’s assumption that vehicle numbers would increase by only 250 from 1750 to 2000 per day by the year 2016! These numbers raised considerable mirth with attendees and it was ultimately conceded by Ms. Marshal that perhaps the projections were conservative. Several individuals expressed the view that road numbers would at least double within the first 12 months and this assertion was not contested by any person present at the meeting.
- Concern and frustration was expressed at the complications arising from three levels of government being involved in the Western Bypass issue all with seemingly different agendas and objectives.
- Ms. Marshal expressed the view that the GCA survey on the upgrade was “
negative
” as the survey included reference to a Western Bypass. Several attendees challenged the results of the BCC survey saying they were at significant variance to every survey carried out by the GCA on this subject over the last 10 years. - Clarification was sought as to where the upgrade would end, e.g., the corner of Dillon and Payne Roads, or would it extend further north below the Enoggera Reservoir dam wall and link up with Waterworks Road/Mt.Nebo Road. In this regard a computer printout was tabled confirming that the BCC had purchased 7136 square metres of land on the 30th August 1996 just to the east of the reservoir dam wall with the sale type referred to as “
extraordinary circumstance
“. Ms. Marshal indicated that she would seek clarification from the BCC as to the reason for this land purchase. - Clarification was sought as to what car capacity the upgrade was designed for.
- It was pointed out by an attendee that in the UK single lane bridges with traffic lights are used as an extremely effective traffic calming measure and why could this option not be considered on Gap Creek Road by leaving the single lane bridge as is!
- Ms Marshal pointed out that if the upgrade goes ahead, money allocated for construction would not be taken away from another project/s in The Gap Ward.
Michael Johnson addresses meeting
At this point, whilst it appeared that there were still many more questions wishing to be asked, it was observed that time was running short and it would be appropriate to invite Michael Johnson to address the meeting.
Mr Johnson outlined his opposition to a Western Bypass through The Gap saying that in his view, the State Government Western Transport Network Investigation Study should be confined to an Outer Western Brisbane corridor and not include an Inner Brisbane Corridor.
His view is that the GCA can realistically minimise the prospect of a Western Bypass through The Gap by agreeing to the concept of a Goodna Bypass.
Mr Johnson is prepared to seek Federal funding for a study exclusively into an outer Brisbane Bypass and suggested that the Goodna Bypass is a 35-year project.
He made the observation that the only level of Government currently looking at an inner bypass is the Queensland State Government and that the activities and lobbying by the GCA would be best diverted in that direction.
An interjection occurred, with a question being asked by an attendee of labour candidate for Ryan, Ross Daniels, who responded that he would oppose a Western Bypass through The Gap as well as the Goodna Bypass.
In conclusion Mr Johnson advised that he was also opposed to an upgrading of Gap Creek Road and that he had just released a survey to western suburb residents seeking their views on a number of issues associated with a possible western ringroad. He urged all persons present to complete the survey and to encourage others to also do so.
Geraldine Knapp addresses meeting
At this point Councillor Geraldine Knapp (GK) was invited to address the meeting.
Her advice is that Gap Creek Road cannot be further graded and is not stable. Nine thousand cars per day are currently using Route 5 compared to 1,750 using Gap Creek Road.
Her understanding is that the State Government will complete its $17m feasibility study within the next six months and her view is that any major Western Ringroad would be a $2 billion+ project.
She also indicated that with the closure of The Gap Sports Club, that the Pastime Club is looking at establishing a meeting room downstairs in the old sports club which may possibly be used as a “club friendly
” meeting place. She indicated that she would invite Pastime Club President, Lee Gannon to address the GCA meeting.
Andrew McMicking and Suzanne Kidman address meeting
Andrew McMicking reported that he has hosted a number of Trivia Nights and he would be pleased to host one for the GCA on Friday, 15th June, 2007 and suggested that the Hilder Road School could be a suitable venue although whilst under cover it did not have walls surrounding the area.
Following discussion it was agreed that Andrew would explore an alternate venue on the same night as the Hilder Road Venue may be too cold in June. He would then prepare a flyer for distribution.
Entry fee is likely to be $10 with tables of eight and a maximum of about 50 people (we could look to raise between $500-$1000).
We should look at running our own bar and raffle and we should seek the donation of prizes for the night.
Suzanne Kidman reported that she had experience conducting Wine and Cheese Fundraising Functions and that she would be pleased to organise such a function on behalf of the GCA suggesting that the month of September would be a suitable time.
She would like it to be a ‘quality function’ and would be directly involved in the selection of wine and cheeses. All agreed that this would be an excellent fundraiser and that the matter be further discussed at future meetings when more time was available.