“Serious solution” needed for rail crossings

Residents have taken fears over a Moreton Bay rail crossing to the Council chamber saying the issue is “not new, not isolated and not improving”.

Haley Riches, a mother of three primary school children, told Council’s General Meeting last week there are “genuine safety concerns” over the crossing at Mackie Rd, Narangba.

“Residents have reported near misses, unsafe driver behaviour driven by frustration and risks to pedestrians and school children navigating the area during these peak times,” she said.

“There is ongoing concern about emergency vehicles access when traffic backs up on both sides of the crossing.”

Mayor Peter Flannery agreed: “We need a serious solution to open level crossings that addresses increased local traffic and rapid population growth – including at Narangba.”

A Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said: “No plans currently exist to upgrade the level crossing on Mackie Rd, Narangba.

“TMR is always open to community feedback. Future investment in level crossings will balance statewide transport priorities, community connectivity and local amenity.”

Rail infrastructure comes under the State Government, but surrounding roads at the Narangba crossing are Council’s responsibility.

Online petition with community backing 

Using the meeting’s Community Comment, Haley Riches said she had given a 450-signature petition to Cr Ellie Smith (Div 11) and an online petition has more than 4300 signatures.

She is also working with State Member for Kurwongbah Shane King “in support of a petition process directed to the State Government”.

“The Narangba rail crossing continues to experience significant congestion particularly during school drop off, pick-up and peak commuter periods,” Haley Riches said.

“Residents are facing repeated boom gate closures, long queues, driver frustration and delays that have become a daily burden rather than an occasional inconvenience.

“With Narangba’s rapid population growth, traffic volumes have increased substantially yet the infrastructure has not kept pace.

“This is a multi-level issue. What residents are asking is clarity but also a plan. We are asking Council to clearly outline what advocacy efforts are underway with the State Government.

“Whether funding pathways and feasibility discussions have progressed? What interim safety or traffic mitigation measures may be considered?

“And whether a long-term separation solution remains an active priority. A plan should include practical staged improvements.”

Haley Riches said upgrading Boundary Rd bridge to “accommodate heavy vehicles and function as a true multi-lane crossing would provide meaningful traffic relief”.

“However, long-term growth planning may also require serious consideration of an additional overpass connection at the end of Oakey Flat Rd to properly future-proof our area,” she said.

Residents are “not expecting overnight construction”, Haley Riches said, but are “expecting to know whether these options are being formally considered and strategically planned for”.

“We are asking for transparency, advocacy and a clear pathway forward.”

Response from Council

Mayor Peter Flannery believes if “action is delayed further or not undertaken by the State, it will result in unacceptable delays of up to an hour at certain crossings during peak periods by 2036 as the City continues to grow”.

“City of Moreton Bay has strongly advocated for the removal and treatment of our seven local open level crossings over many years,” he said.

A priority in Council’s City of Tomorrow Strategy is a commitment from the State Government to “remove or provide alternative solutions” to open level crossings including South Pine Rd, Todds Rd, Mackie Rd/Boundary Rd, Pumicestone Rd and McKean St.

“Action is critical because by 2036, based on current projections, City of Moreton Bay will see a 42 per cent increase in morning train activity and 55 per cent increase in afternoons,” Mayor Flannery said.

The Mayor said City of Moreton Bay has called for funding in Federal and State budget submissions is “working closely” with the State on local impacts of future rail planning.