This Brisbane CBD lift is so unreliable, it’s been out of service almost half the days in 2024
Elisha Matthews lives on the Brisbane River, and often travels by ferry. But when she gets off at North Quay, there’s a good chance she won’t be able to take the public lift into the CBD.
This lift is so unreliable, it’s broken down at least seven times this year. One outage lasted two months.
The lift near the North Quay terminal in Brisbane has been out of action for 73 days this year alone.Credit: Matt Dennien
All up, it’s been out of action on 73 days – almost half the year so far.
Sometimes the lift is stuck at the bottom or top and won’t respond to the button. Other times, its doors open and close repeatedly.
Elisha Matthews avoids using the North Quay ferry terminal due to its unreliable lifts.
When it’s not working, the options include climbing 63 stairs up to William Street, or a detour of more than 800 metres with four street crossings and a steep ramp.
Want to take the accessible route? That’s a 1.5-kilometre detour.
For Matthews, who uses a wheelchair, she’s started to avoid the area altogether.
“I actually try to avoid using them unless I’m going towards the ferry terminal [from the city] and going past that way – I’ll check first if the lift is working and I can get down,” she said.
“I’d rather endure the cobblestones of Riverside than get stuck having to go back or go around the long way at North Quay.”
Taking the detour would drain her wheelchair battery, she said, as well as make her miss public transport connections and be late for meetings.
‘I’d rather endure the cobblestones of Riverside than get stuck having to go back or go around the long way at North Quay.’
Elisha Matthews
Queenslanders with Disability Network chief executive Michelle Moss said with Queen’s Wharf due to open in August, and Brisbane hosting the Olympics and Paralympic Games in 2032, many more people would be out and about in the area.
“The current state of the lift is something that needs to change to ensure our infrastructure is accessible and can accommodate all users, including those with disabilities,” she said.
The lift was installed in 2015 as part of the North Quay ferry terminal upgrade. Since July 2022, council records indicate the lift has been out of action 49 times.
Replacement parts are sourced by the manufacturer, and in some cases must come from overseas.
An outage in November 2021. Cyclists say they’ve noticed frequent outages since at least 2017.
Anna Campbell from Queensland Walks said the situation was a massive burden for people unable to use stairs.
“A lift outage can mean the difference of not being able to access their doctor, not getting to their job easily or at all, or even do their shopping,” she said.
Directions posted on the North Quay ferry terminal lift, describing the detour routes, which can be up to 1.5km.
The elevator is also an important link for people commuting via the Bicentennial Bikeway, and not everyone can carry an e-scooter – which can weigh up to 30kg – or bicycle up the stairs.
Brisbane CBD Bicycle User Group co-convenor Paul French uses the lift regularly, and counted seven outages this year. He said it had been an issue since 2017.
During its most recent outage, on May 14, French said he spoke to two elderly women with walking sticks, who were puffing after climbing the stairs.
“They commented to me about … how poorly Brisbane caters for disabled and elderly people compared to other cities,” French said.
“While I can easily carry my bike up and down these stairs, many less able people cannot.”
Bicycle Queensland CEO Alton Twine said the lift needed to be reliable, like any form of transport.
Paul French says he can carry his bike up the stairs, but the frequent outages inconvenience others.Credit: Felicity Caldwell
“When you have active transport infrastructure – and this is a critical piece because it is aimed particularly at people who might have a disability – then it needs to be working,” he said.
Brisbane City Council Central Ward councillor Vicki Howard said the lift occasionally required maintenance, but was also repeatedly targeted by vandals.
“Every time someone selfishly damages the lift, it reduces accessibility and costs Brisbane ratepayers,” she said.
“We know the lift’s closure can be inconvenient for residents and visitors so we’re investigating a number of options, including an upgrade and enhanced security measures.”
An Otis Elevators spokeswoman said the company was aware of the issue and would continue to work closely with the council to prioritise servicing the lifts and minimise disruption to passengers.