Authorities in southeast Queensland are now bidding for the 2032 Olympics. In light of SE Queensland’s mediocre public system, it is raising some eyebrows. There is no doubt that there has been investment in Sea Queensland public transport for decades. Significant infrastructure is required to move people across Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Beach during the Olympics and provide a well-utilized legacy after the Games.
An argument against Sea Queensland holding the 2032 Olympics is that Brisbane gets more than its fair share of government spending. This is actually false, since most areas are getting more per capita spending from Brisbane. Thus, there is no small argument to oppose large investments in SE Queensland’s inadequate public transport system if it is chosen to host the Games.
Multiple stadium sites have been proposed – QE2 / QSAC stadium rebuilding, and various locations (RNA) at Brisbane Showgrounds, above Mayne Yards (Bowen Hills), and utilization of the Albion Park racetrack site. QE2 does not have train transport nearby, so it will rely on buses via the SE bus line and from Banoon station on the Beenleigh line. That would not be enough for an Olympic-sized audience. The Exhibition / Mayne / Albion options will be within walking distance of (at least 2 stops outside) one of the exhibits, Bowen Hills and Albion with between 36 and 48 trains per hour in each possible direction. These stations may need capacity improvements and walkways designated for locations. The Mayne Yards option may be limiting if any changes are required in the future layout of the track. Other venues are likely to be deployed throughout SE Queensland, most notably Suncorp Stadium, and many venues on the Gold Coast that hosted the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Essential infrastructure for Olympic heritage for Sea Queensland (in order of priority):
– Northwest Transport Line (NWTC) / Trouts Road Line – This line will connect to the Cross River Rail north of Rome Street and allow for a significant increase in capacity (24tph) from / to Sunshine Coast, Caboolture and Redcliffe, as well as improving public transport to the northern suburbs of Brisbane many. If it is built with 4 routes, it will allow regional express services from / to the beach.
– Square doubling of the Gold Coast / Binary corridor – Parts of the Gold Coast / Benny corridor should be doubled to allow express and local services to operate in both peak and opposite directions. This will prevent the embarrassing closure of Beenleigh Line services that occurred during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, and will allow high-speed high-speed regional train services to / from Gold Coast. Track alignment options should also be considered in the Logan area where there are many bends at low speeds.
– Gold Coast Line Extension – The Gold Coast Line should be extended to Kolengata Airport as originally proposed over a decade ago.
– Multiple network improvements – To maximize network capacity, the following projects need to occur – Cleveland line duplication and use of a peak-track freight route; Sandgate duplication to Shorncliffe, Corinth’s fourth electrified railroad to Dara with a fourth wharf at Oxley, Dumban line duplication with extension to Hamilton Northshore.
– Caloundra / Maroochydore Line – This line (CAMCOS) has been talked about for a long time, and the NWTC will allow frequent express train service from Sunshine Beach to Brisbane. Optimally the line will end at Sunshine Coast Airport, but this may not be economical.
Removal of multiple level crossings – A significant effort must be made to eliminate a large number of high priority / dangerous level crossings as has recently occurred in Melbourne.
– Salisbury line to Beaudesert – This will allow train services to many of South Brisbane’s suburbs and new developments along this railway corridor, such as the Greater Flagstone. A separate classroom junction will be required at Salisbury.
– Extension of the Springfield line – The Springfield line should be extended at least to the new city of Ripley. Optimally it should be extended to Ipswich.
Purpose bus interchanges are critical for Olympic venues. To avoid the crazy bus queues that occurred during the 2018 Golden Coast Commonwealth Games, it is necessary to build bus interchanges that serve the nearest places and train stations (when applicable). Suncorp Stadium is a good example of a well-planned infrastructure, where pedestrians and buses are separated by ranks. The Eastern Busway should be expanded as a way beyond the Chandler service where a number of Olympic sports are expected to take place.
Let’s hope that if Sea Queensland is chosen to host the 2032 Olympics, it will result in Brisbane and Sea Queensland receiving the public transportation infrastructure that comes to an Olympic host city.