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Mayor thanks candidates for pledging a FairShare4Logan

Mayor thanks candidates for pledging a FairShare4Logan

City of Logan Mayor Luke Smith has thanked the major parties and independent candidates contesting local State Election seats for acknowledging it’s time for the Logan community to receive its fair share of transport and social infrastructure.

Combined, the ALP, LNP and One Nation have made commitments to the City of Logan totalling $556m in response to the FairShare4Logan campaign, with significant funding commitments in particular for the Mount Lindesay Hwy. (A summary of commitments to date is included further below.)

The commitments ultimately honoured will be dependent on which party forms government.

The FairShare4Logan campaign has enabled local voters in this weekend’s election to reinforce the need for critical state investment in the City of Logan, particularly to:

  • upgrade the Mount Lindesay Hwy so it’s safe for all users along its entire length
  • fix the M1 in all directions at the Gateway interchange, and extend the South East Busway to Loganholme
  • bring forward the Salisbury to Beaudesert Passenger Rail to serve the rapidly expanding south-west communities
  • upgrade the Waterford-Tamborine Rd to alleviate the gridlock in Logan Village every morning and afternoon
  • deliver innovative heath, education and wellbeing facilities that meet the needs of our fast-growing south-west communities, particularly in Yarrabilba and Flagstone.

“On behalf of our Councillor team, I’d like to thank parties and candidates for listening to our community, and our community for getting behind this important campaign,” Mayor Smith said.

“We now know which parties and candidates support our priorities, and this will no doubt help Logan voters make their choice at this Saturday’s State Election. We also thank independent candidates for their support. If elected, we need those independents to continue to help us keep the major parties accountable for their commitments to our community.

“Of course, commitments are one thing: more importantly is seeing those commitments delivered by whoever forms our next State Government. Council will continue to monitor those pledges in the months and years to come as part of our ongoing advocacy agenda.”

The FairShare4Logan campaign has mobilised local residents and provided a platform for advocacy on behalf of the city. It follows on from last year’s Federal Election campaign, which helped gain commitments to the first stage of an M1/Gateway Motorway interchange.

“Much of our latest campaign has been driven through online and social media activity. Our reach in the first three weeks alone was more than 270,000 people, with around 18,800 people engaging with our posts,” Mayor Smith said.

“A huge thank you to everyone who signed our petition, shared the campaign on social media, attended events and raised issues with candidates. Your voice has made a difference.”

The social media activity encouraged City of Logan residents to visit the www.FairShare4Logan.com.au campaign website and sign petitions for the issues they were most passionate about.

See Commitments page for party and candidate commitments.

Deliver south-west infrastructure now to avoid past mistakes

Infrastructure2

Deliver south-west infrastructure now to avoid past mistakes

To avoid repeating past government mistakes in Logan, innovative health and education infrastructure is urgently needed in the rapidly-growing south-west of the city.

As part of the FairShare4Logan campaign, Council and the Logan community are reinforcing this critical need with major parties and local candidates in the 25 November Queensland Election.

City of Logan Mayor Luke Smith said the new communities of Yarrabilba and Greater Flagstone in particular would be home to more than another 170,000 people in coming years, and both areas were already behind when it came to community infrastructure.

“We know what happened in Logan in the 1960s and 1970s when consecutive State Governments drove major residential growth without delivering services to support those communities,” Mayor Smith said.

“The State Government is now driving residential development in the Priority Development Areas of Yarrabilba and Greater Flagstone, and we again have the issue of growing communities not having adequate access to the education, health and wellbeing facilities.”

“While there has been some initial investment in community infrastructure by the State Government, the rate of delivery has been far too slow to keep pace with growth.

“We’ve been working with successive Queensland Governments to deliver innovative solutions for health and education infrastructure needs in the south-west – and we’ll continue to do so – but we need firm commitments to projects, funding and timing that meets the ever-increasing demand.”

Division 4 Councillor Laurie Koranski said the growth at Yarrabilba reflected the appeal of the area, especially for young families. “Many people have moved out here on the promise of a fully serviced community and are now finding it frustrating they don’t have access to essential services,” Cr Koranski said.

“The announcement of a public secondary school to commence construction in 2018 is welcome news, but we need the incoming State Government to commit to providing vital funding for health, early learning support facilities and wrap-around services.”

Division 11 Councillor Trevina Schwarz said Greater Flagstone faced the same challenges, as the area’s population grew exponentially.

“Access to quality services and facilities is critical to community health and wellbeing, quality of life and creating education and job opportunities,” Cr Schwarz said.

“It’s not only the state-developed areas that need attention, though. There are more than 25,000 people in existing areas that have largely been forgotten when it comes to services. Communities from Greenbank to Woodhill – including the wider Jimboomba area – are also experiencing growth and are still without adequate health, social support and education services.

“Our south-west communities offer hope and a great way of life for the thousands of people who live here now, and will move here in the future. We need to make sure these areas can deliver on their lifestyle promises.”

Locals can have their say by going to www.FairShare4Logan.com.au, where they can sign the online petition and help spread the message on social media.

FairShare4Logan

Council is mobilising the community to help ensure the City of Logan receives its fair share of funding for major roads and public transport, and timely services for growing communities.

The #FairShare4Logan campaign enables locals to have their say and reinforces the need for critical investment in Logan.

The campaign is based around five key priorities:

  • Mount Lindesay Hwy
  • M1 Motorway and extension of South East Busway
  • Waterford Tamborine Rd
  • Salisbury to Beaudesert Passenger Rail
  • Infrastructure for growing communities.

Act now: www.FairShare4Logan.com.au

South-west passenger rail critical for Logan’s growing communities

South-west passenger rail critical for Logan's growing communities

Communities in Logan’s rapidly-growing south-west should not have to wait decades for a promised passenger rail service that could to save commuters up to $15,000 a year in lost travel time.

As part of the FairShare4Logan campaign, Logan City Council and the Logan community are calling on all parties and local candidates to commit to bringing forward delivery of the Salisbury to Beaudesert passenger line.

Mayor Luke Smith said a firm, funded timeframe for the passenger service will shape how people live and plan their work choices in Logan’s south-west, one of the fastest growing areas in Australia.

“More than 170,000 additional people will be living in the State Government-developed areas of Yarrabilba and Greater Flagstone alone in coming years, and they will need access to efficient and reliable public transport,” Mayor Smith said.

“Passenger rail will reduce congestion on the south-west’s roads as the population continues to expand, and will give locals greater education, employment and lifestyle options.”

City Infrastructure Committee Chair Phil Pidgeon said access to public transport often made a huge difference in where people chose to live, and would potentially save future commuters thousands of dollars.

“We estimate that commuters in the south-west could save up to $15,000 a year, or four hours a day in lost time stuck in traffic, once the line is operational,” Cr Pidgeon said.

“We’re asking for a commitment to deliver this critical infrastructure much earlier than the current plan.

“We’re also asking that stations be included along the line at Hillcrest, Boronia Heights, Greenbank, New Beith, Flagstone and Undullah.

“We’re calling on our south-west communities to join with us through FairShare4Logan.com.au to reinforce with State Election candidates that this is an important issue in our city.”

FairShare4Logan

Council is mobilising the community to help ensure the City of Logan receives its fair share of funding for major roads and public transport, and timely services for emerging communities.

The #FairShare4Logan campaign enables locals to have their say and reinforce the need for critical investment in Logan.

The campaign is based around five key priorities:

  • Mount Lindesay Hwy
  • M1 Motorway and extension of South East Busway
  • Waterford Tamborine Rd
  • Salisbury to Beaudesert Passenger Rail
  • Infrastructure for growing communities.

Act now: www.FairShare4Logan.com.au

M1 funding announcement is only the first step

M1

M1 funding announcement is only
the first step

The recent funding for the M1/Gateway Motorway interchange at Eight Mile Plains won’t solve the northbound gridlock each morning, or help city-bound buses stay on schedule, says City of Logan Mayor Luke Smith.

Mayor Smith is calling on major parties and local candidates in the 25 November Queensland Election to fix the M1 congestion in both directions, and extend the South East Busway to Loganholme.

As part of the FairShare4Logan campaign, Council and the Logan community are asking for a $16m business case to deliver a comprehensive solution for the M1, including upgrading the northbound lanes between Eight Mile Plains and Rochedale South, and the remaining section from Rochedale to the Logan Motorway at Loganholme.

This week, the Australian Labor Party committed to invest $16m to develop a business case for future upgrades of the M1 corridor between Eight Mile Plains and the Logan Motorway.

“Peak hour now lasts four hours for northbound traffic, and it’s only going to get worse as the region’s population grows,” Mayor Smith said.

“We certainly welcome the recent announcement by the Queensland and Australian Governments that the southbound M1/Gateway merge will be jointly funded, but it’s only the first step.

“While the newly announced upgrade will help in the afternoons, it won’t address our four-hour peak hour every morning.

“We welcome this week’s commitment by the ALP, and we’re calling on the other parties to step up too.”

Mayor Smith said the congestion on the M1 was impacting on the productivity of local businesses – particularly tradespeople and those in the transport and logistics sector – and holding Logan back in becoming the region’s next CBD.

City Infrastructure Committee Chair, Councillor Phil Pidgeon, said congestion on the M1 also impacted commuters catching buses in and out of the city in peak hour.

“Because the South East Busway only begins at Eight Mile Plains, buses are caught in the congestion too. It is high time the busway was extended to Loganholme to make public transport a viable option for Logan commuters.”

Drivers lose up to 80 hours a year stuck in the M1 gridlock, which means people are spending time in traffic they could be spending with friends and family, doing the things they enjoy.

Locals can have their say by going to www.FairShare4Logan.com.au where they can sign the online petition and help spread the message on social media.

FairShare4Logan

Council is mobilising the community to help ensure the City of Logan receives its fair share of funding for major roads and public transport, and timely services for growing communities.

The #FairShare4Logan campaign enables locals to have their say and reinforces the need for critical investment in Logan.

The campaign is based around five key priorities:

  • Mount Lindesay Hwy
  • M1 Motorway and extension of South East Busway
  • Waterford Tamborine Rd
  • Salisbury to Beaudesert Passenger Rail
  • Infrastructure for growing communities.

Act now: www.FairShare4Logan.com.au

Gridlock on Waterford-Tamborine Rd unacceptable

Waterford

Gridlock on Waterford-Tamborine Rd unacceptable

Upgrading and improving safety on the Waterford-Tamborine Rd has become a critical issue for local residents, with traffic gridlock bringing Logan Village to a standstill at least twice a day.

As part of the FairShare4Logan campaign, Council and the Logan community are calling on local candidates and party leaders in the 25 November Queensland Election to commit to fixing all stretches of the busy road.

Mayor Luke Smith said 14,000 vehicles a day used the single-lane road, which connected residents to central and northern Logan and the M1.

“With another 50,000 residents expected in State-developed Yarrabilba in coming years, this issue is only going to exacerbate driver frustration and make the road less safe.”

City Infrastructure Committee Chair, Councillor Phil Pidgeon, said Waterford-Tamborine Rd was not designed to carry current and future volumes of traffic.

“It has inconsistent speed limits, is narrow, tree-lined, and hazardous due to uneven surfaces and damaged road edges. It’s not fit for purpose now, and will become even more dangerous as traffic increases. The time for action is now,” Cr Pidgeon said.

“In the last five years there have been 88 crashes on Waterford-Tamborine Rd and, tragically, seven fatalities.

“We need timing and funding commitments for detailed design and construction to upgrade the Waterford-Tamborine Rd between Anzac Ave and North St in Logan Village, and funding for a business case to upgrade the remaining length of Waterford-Tamborine Rd from North St to Kingston Rd/Albert St in Waterford. The business case is important because nothing happens without it.

Division 4 Councillor Laurie Koranski said roads in and around Logan Village became gridlocked during peak hour and at school drop off and pick up.

“Traffic can often be at a standstill for more than a kilometre north and south of the town centre, which obviously affects access to shops and services, and is incredibly frustrating for drivers,” Cr Koranksi said.

“It impacts everyone who travels through Tamborine, Jimboomba, Yarrabilba, Logan Village, Buccan and Waterford.”

Locals can have their say by going to www.FairShare4Logan.com.au where they can sign the online petition and help spread the message on social media.

FairShare4Logan

Council is mobilising the community to help ensure the City of Logan receives its fair share of funding for major roads and public transport, and timely services for growing communities.

The #FairShare4Logan campaign enables locals to have their say and reinforces the need for critical investment in Logan.

The campaign is based around five key priorities:

  • Mount Lindesay Hwy
  • M1 Motorway and extension of South East Busway
  • Waterford Tamborine Rd
  • Salisbury to Beaudesert Passenger Rail
  • Infrastructure for growing communities.

Act now: www.FairShare4Logan.com.au

Time for Mt Lindesay Hwy to become safer

Mt Lindesay Hwy 2

Time for Mt Lindesay Hwy to
become safer

With four lives already tragically lost this year on the Mount Lindesay Hwy, it’s time for the Queensland Government to deliver a fair share of funding to make it safer.

On behalf of the City of Logan community, Logan City Council is calling on local candidates and party leaders in the 25 November Queensland Election to commit to a fully-funded solution for this busy highway.

As part of the FairShare4Logan campaign, Council and the Logan community are advocating for a $10m business case that will deliver a comprehensive plan of upgrades and priority funding for construction of an end-to-end solution.

Mayor Luke Smith said the Mount Lindesay Hwy had the third highest rate of fatalities and serious crashes on a highway in Queensland, which was unacceptable for the Logan community.

“This highway has been neglected for far too long, so we’re calling on all parties and all local State Election candidates in Logan’s south-west to commit to making this highway safe for all road users.

“It’s dangerous now: how much worse is it going to be as our communities in the south-west continue to grow, including at Greater Flagstone, where an additional 170,000 people will be living in coming years?”

City Infrastructure Committee Chair, Councillor Phil Pidgeon, said successive governments had neglected the highway, which travels through 15 City of Logan suburbs.

“As City Infrastructure Committee Chair, I know how important road safety is to our community, and we are sick of the planning that never leads anywhere. We need action, and we need it now,” Cr Pidgeon said.

“Over the past five years, there have been 240 crashes and 14 tragic deaths on Mt Lindesay Hwy, and 225 people have ended up in hospital. It’s not good enough. We need State representatives who will do more than just talk about plans.”

Division 11 Councillor Trevina Schwarz said Mount Lindesay Hwy was heavily used by local and through traffic, including a high volume of heavy vehicles.

“Those who use this road know how unsafe it can be, with five different speed zones, as well as bus stops, traffic lights and driveways entering directly into traffic,” Cr Schwarz said.

“An end-to-end solution will mean safer travel for everyone along the entire length, and reduced travel times for families, workers and freight vehicles.

“The situation is incredibly dangerous around our schools, particularly the Jimboomba State School, where children must use a non-signalised crossing to get across a busy highway.”

“The Mt Lindesay Hwy is a critical issue for local residents, and candidates in the upcoming election need to understand and acknowledge that.”

Locals can have their say by going to www.FairShare4Logan.com.au where they can sign the online petition and help spread the message on social media.

FairShare4Logan

Council is mobilising the community to help ensure the City of Logan receives its fair share of funding for major roads and public transport, and timely services for growing communities.

The #FairShare4Logan campaign enables locals to have their say and reinforces the need for critical investment in Logan.

The campaign is based around five key priorities:

  • Mount Lindesay Hwy
  • M1 Motorway and extension of South East Busway
  • Waterford Tamborine Rd
  • Salisbury to Beaudesert Passenger Rail
  • Infrastructure for growing communities.

Act now: www.FairShare4Logan.com.au

Queensland Election Candidates to deliver fair share for Logan

COUNCIL CALLS ON QUEENSLAND ELECTION CANDIDATES TO DELIVER FAIR SHARE FOR LOGAN

It’s time for Logan to receive its fair share. That’s the message from City of Logan Mayor Luke Smith and Logan City Council ahead of the pending Queensland Election.

Council is mobilising the community to help ensure the City of Logan receives its fair share of Queensland Government funding for major roads and public transport, and timely services for emerging communities.

The #FairShare4Logan campaign enables locals to have their say and reinforces the need for critical Queensland Government investment in Logan.

The campaign is based around five key priorities:

  • Mount Lindesay Hwy
  • M1 Motorway and extension of South East Busway
  • Waterford Tamborine Rd
  • Salisbury to Beaudesert Passenger Rail
  • Infrastructure for growing communities.

“The City of Logan is ready and willing to embrace its potential as an innovative, dynamic city of the future, but for too long, we haven’t received our fair share of funding,” Mayor Smith said.

“We need urgent investment in key major roads and public transport, and timely delivery of health, education and wellbeing services in our growing communities.

“Following the success of our Federal Government advocacy campaign last year – which helped secure funding for the first part of a fix for the M1 at Eight Mile Plains – we’re moving our focus to the State Government. We want political party leaders and candidates in Logan to know what’s important for our community.”

Council today launched www.FairShare4Logan.com.au, a website where locals can vote on the infrastructure and priorities most important to them via an online poll. The campaign will also include extensive social media activity, as well as highly visual messaging across the City of Logan.

Each week during the election campaign, Council will provide updates to all candidates contesting seats covering all or parts of the City of Logan.

“We need all parties and local candidates to know that our community is tired of missing out on funding,” Mayor Smith said.

“The City of Logan is the seventh largest city in Australia and a growing economy, and we’re being held back by the shortcomings of our major roads and public transport, and the lack of services and facilities in our fast-growing south-west corridor.

“Enough is enough. It’s time for Logan’s fair share.”

What are we asking candidates to commit to?

Mt Lindesay Hwy:

  • Invest $10m for a business case that will deliver a comprehensive plan for upgrades
  • Priority funding for construction of an end-to-end solution.

M1 Motorway and extension of South East Busway

  • Invest $16m for a business case to deliver a comprehensive solution for the M1, including:
  • upgrading the northbound lanes between Eight Mile Plains and Rochedale
  • upgrading the remaining section from Rochedale to the Logan Motorway
  • extending the South East Busway to Loganholme

Waterford Tamborine-Road

  • Invest $7m-$10m for detailed design and project funding to upgrade the road between Anzac Ave and North St (Logan Village)
  • Invest $10m for a business case to upgrade the remaining length of the road from North St (Logan Village) to Kingston Rd/Albert St (Waterford)

Salisbury to Beaudesert Passenger Rail

  • $5 million to bring forward a business case to provide a passenger rail service

Infrastructure for growing communities (including Priority Development Areas of Yarrabilba and Greater Flagstone)

  • Commitment to:
    • health services and facilities to meet community demand
    • support high quality education facilities from early years thorugh to high school
    • support development of a community hub in the south-west
    • the right level of police services in the south-west
    • places to gather and hold events in our community.

Act now: www.FairShare4Logan.com.au