Frequently asked questions about the Moreton Bay Rail Link project

Q:  When is construction starting on the project?
A: The first work on the Moreton Bay Rail Link project involves roadworks to connect the local road network around the new rail line.

The first construction contract was awarded to McIlwain Civil to deliver a road-over-rail bridge at Kinsellas Road East in Mango Hill. Construction began on site in July 2012.

Design of the rail corridor works (including the track, structures and 6 new stations) will continue throughout 2012 and into 2013. The bulk of construction will then be underway on the project, with the new rail line scheduled for delivery by late 2016.

Q:  Who is the successful contractor for the first contract – the Kinsellas Road East bridge in Mango Hill?
A: The contract has been awarded to McIlwain Civil.

Q: This rail link has been talked about for many years – will it go ahead this time?
A: Detailed negotiations have taken place between the 3 levels of government and funding has been committed – meaning that the project will go ahead.

Although this project has been proposed by various elected representatives over the years, never before has there been a commitment by all 3 levels of government to fund the project.

The first construction contract for the project – to build a road-over-rail bridge at Kinsellas Road East in Mango Hill – has been awarded to McIlwain Civil Contractors and work started on site in July 2012. This marks the beginning of construction on the project and is a major milestone for the project and the community.

Q: Will the recent change in state government affect the project?
A: There has been no indication that changes in the political environment will affect the project timeline.

Q: Who is responsible for overseeing the project?
A: The Queensland Government, through the Department of Transport and Main Roads, is responsible for the delivery of the project.

Q: How are the interests of 3 levels of government represented in the project?
A: The Moreton Bay Rail Link is being jointly funded by the Australian Government ($742 million), the Queensland Government ($300 million plus land) and the Moreton Bay Regional Council ($105 million). All 3 levels of government have input into the project through the project Steering Committee.

Q: How will my property be affected?
A: Although long-term planning for the Moreton Bay Rail Link has ensured that the government already owns much of the land required for the project, a number of additional property acquisitions will also be required.

You may already have been contacted by the project team if your property is likely be required according to the current design plans. Letters were sent to these property owners in early November 2010 and again in October 2011.

Land will be acquired in stages as the design of various project components progresses. Property owners will be notified if there is a requirement for all or part of their property, in advance of the project’s proposed construction commencement.

A fact sheet about the land resumption process, called Property acquisition – Your property, your rights (PDF, 174 KB) is also available.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads also recognises that in the time between project planning and resumption, it is possible that property owners may have some difficulty in dealing normally with their property.

If you experience such a situation and would like to enter into a voluntary early acquisition process, the department can consider this option (on a case-by-case basis) in accordance with its hardship policy. You can download a copy of the hardship policy.

Please contact the project team if you have any questions.

Q: What impact will the project have on property values?
A: Experience in Australia and overseas has shown that train lines actually increase the value of nearby properties.

According to a PRDnationwide report released in May 2010, property values in Brisbane suburbs with a train station jumped 10.3% between January and December 2009, while those with no rail service only achieved 7.7% growth in the same year.

Property experts have predicted the Moreton Bay Rail Link may similarly deliver increased value to properties close to the rail line.

Q: Why doesn’t the rail link extend to other suburbs on the Redcliffe Peninsula?
A: The land which has been reserved for the transport corridor only extends as far as Kippa-Ring. Most of the remaining land on the Redcliffe Peninsula has already been built on, so extending the rail link to other suburbs would require a large number of residents and businesses to be relocated.

Q: Why doesn’t the new rail line link up with the Shorncliffe line?
A: Plans for a rail link to the Redcliffe Peninsula have been in place for many years, and a number of planning studies examined how to deliver this rail link.

A link to the Petrie line is the preferred option because it utilises the allocated land corridor and allows for 6 new stations, providing vital public transport infrastructure to parts of the region which have seen the greatest growth in recent years.

The Moreton Bay Rail Link will provide public transport for growth suburbs such as Mango Hill, as well as established areas such as Deception Bay in via feeder bus services.

The Moreton Bay Rail Link also provides a more direct alternative to travelling in a private vehicle on the Bruce Highway.

Q: How long will the journey take to the CBD?
A: Current modelling shows that an express train journey from Kippa-Ring to the Brisbane CBD will take around 57 minutes when the Moreton Bay Rail Link is complete in 2016. This is compared to well over an hour by car in peak-hour traffic.

TransLink Transit Authority and Queensland Rail are working together to develop detailed plans about the frequency of rail services.

Q: When will the rail link be built?
A: Construction commenced in 2012 and is scheduled for completion in 2016.

Q: Why has heavy rail been chosen?
A: Various options were considered including light rail, busway and heavy rail.

Heavy rail was found to be the most effective option for the following reasons:

• A single journey – extending the existing heavy rail network allows passengers to board a service at a station on the Moreton Bay Rail Link and continue on the same service all the way to Brisbane without needing to transfer.
• Carrying capacity – heavy rail will be better able to cope with increasing number of passengers in future than either light rail or busway.
• Cost – heavy rail was found to have similar costs to light rail or busway, but with higher carrying capacity and faster journey times.