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Consultation gets underway on proposed Gympie Road Bypass Tunnel

Written by Monica Gameng | Oct 31, 2023 1:28:10 AM

North Brisbane Infrastructure is carrying out community consultation to gather feedback on the proposed Gympie Road Bypass Tunnel project between Kedron and Carseldine. 

The consultation phase will run from 30 October to 3 December 2023 and those interested can have their say through a comment board, a survey or by attending information sessions. More information on the consultation period can be found here. 

This consultation process follows the announcement made by Treasurer Cameron Dick in June of this year that a detailed investment proposal is being made for the proposed tunnel. 

“I undertook that community consultation would occur before the end of the year and, now we are delivering on that commitment. 

“The detailed investment proposal is continuing, but at the same time, we want the community to have their say. 

“Our Government is committed to listening to Queenslanders and investing in planning for Queensland’s future growth. 

“Forecast population growth on the Sunshine Coast and in the Moreton Bay region will result on more commuter traffic heading into Brisbane, so now is the right time to do this work,” Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said. 

Feedback received from this consultation process will help inform the investment proposal and key community findings will be included in the proposal that is going to be presented to the Queensland Government for consideration. 

The investment proposal analysis and the ongoing community consultation is being undertaken by North Brisbane Infrastructure, a subsidiary of the State Government-owned company Queensland Investment Corporation Limited. 

“The Palaszczuk Government is tackling congestion on many fronts, including undertaking this important work on a proposed Gympie Road bypass tunnel. 

“From the ‘Second M1’ on the Gold Coast to significant upgrades along the Bruce Highway and Caboolture Bribie Island Road, we are doing the heavy lifting for commuters in the South East. 

“We are also focusing our efforts on improving public and active transport, including the Northern Transitway, which will help to take more cars off the road and improve journey times for all commuters,” Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said. 

Proposed bypass tunnel in light blue (source: North Brisbane Infrastructure)

Should the proposed Gympie Road Bypass tunnel proceed to an investment decision phase, the community will have more opportunity to provide feedback as the project progresses. 

The proposed Gympie Road Bypass tunnel between Kedron and Carseldine is being considered as a potential solution that will help ease congestion as well as reduce traffic on Gympie Road. 

The tolled tunnel is projected to deliver a range of benefits including: 

  • Reduced commuter times for travellers from Brisbane’s growing northern region 
  • Reduced traffic for local road users 
  • Public and active transport opportunities 
  • Improved liveability for local communities 
  • Increased productivity and efficiency for commercial vehicles and freight 

“Gympie Road gridlock has been an issue for some time and it will get worse as the population continues to grow – we need solutions like this on the table,” Member for Aspley Bart Mellish said. 

“A new tunnel under Gympie Road would unblock congestion and provide opportunities to get to and from work faster and spend more time with their loved ones,” Member for Pine Rivers Nikki Boyd said. 

“This tunnel solution will take through traffic underground and return Gympie Road to connecting locals with our community, including those who use Gympie Road or cross over Gympie Road to reach local destinations,” Member for Stafford Jimmy Sullivan said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; North Brisbane Infrastructure (1, 2