Labor rules out Chermside connection for Gympie Road bypass tunnel
By Tony Moore
Entry and exit ramps for Chermside have been ruled out for the Queensland government’s proposed Gympie Road bypass tunnel.
Transport Minister Bart Mellish said allowing motorists to take shorter trips in the tunnel would cause more disruption above ground and add to the cost of the project.
The Suburban Futures lobby group has repeatedly called for a tunnel portal at Chermside to allow the local hub to reach its potential as a mini CBD.
Transport Minister Bart Mellish (left) has ruled out a tunnel entry and exit at Chermside in the proposed Gympie Road bypass tunnel. He is pictured with Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, who supports a state-funded tunnel.Credit: Annette Dew
“We have always argued this more than just a tunnel for traffic,” spokesman Ross Elliott said.
“This needs to be about suburban renewal on the surface. Without the portal, the great opportunity for Chermside is missed.”
Mellish said investigations had shown the property resumption costs involved with a Chermside portal, as well as the disruption to the existing road network and the green space in Marchant Park, would be excessive.
“The argument for a ‘mid-point portal’ as part of the Gympie Road bypass tunnel simply does not stack up,” Mellish said.
“There would be significant impacts on green space, properties and the local road network.”
A publicly released summary of the tunnel investment proposal provided to the government showed the portal would incur “substantial additional tunnelling and above-ground costs”.
Gympie Road is used by about 80,000 vehicles each day, which is expected to grow to 110,000 vehicles by 2046 if a tunnel is not built.
The Gympie Road bypass tunnel - what we know
The proposed seven-kilometre, two-lane tolled tunnel between Kedron and Carseldine promises to:
- Save users up to 32 minutes a day for a return journey in peak hour.
- Improve safety and reduce pressure on suburban roads.
- Enable better direct connectivity to the Gympie Arterial Road and the Bruce Highway.
- Deliver a gross regional product boost of more than $8 billion.
- Generate about 1800 direct and indirect jobs during construction.
Source: North Brisbane Infrastructure, an arm of the Queensland Investment Corporation
The proposed tunnel could be used by 40,000 vehicles daily, saving motorists 32 minutes – and 19 sets of traffic lights – for a trip between Kedron and Carseldine.
However, the project’s much-publicised benefits would require stakeholders “monetising” social improvements to offset the anticipated construction cost of between $7.7 billion and $9.9 billion.
The budget allocated $318 million for further planning. A final decision on whether to proceed with the project would be made by the government after the October 26 state election.
Elliott said Suburban Futures would lobby for a separate business case for the Chermside portal, which he suggested might be similar to the Nundah bridge and bypass project.
“It’s like Nundah on steroids,” he said.
Ross Elliott envisages a more connected, pedestrian-friendly Chermside.Credit: MODE Design
“You would be able to duck down and head north to the Sunshine Coast, no lights. You would duck down via the Clem7 and head south to the Gold Coast, no lights. You would duck down to the airport, no lights.”
Mellish had previously promoted a major greening and redesign of Gympie Road near Chermside as part of the tunnel project.