Latest news
December 2012
The Coordinator-General has released the evaluation report for the Cross River Rail environmental impact statement.
The evaluation report represents a formal statutory step in the process of assessing the project that was submitted by the Department of Transport and Main Roads to the Coordinator-General. It concludes the process as required under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (SDPWO Act).
In his report, the Coordinator-General noted that the Cross River Rail project could deliver a major boost to public transport capacity as well as city building and economic benefits to the city of Brisbane. It would improve rail commuting in Brisbane by reducing capacity constraints on the rail network, and improving service frequency and reliability.
The Coordinator-General’s report went on to conclude that the impacts can be avoided or acceptably minimised and mitigated, provided that all conditions and requirements described in his report are fully implemented.
A full copy of the Coordinator General’s Evaluation Report for the Cross River Rail’s EIS is available at the Coordinator-General’s project page.
November 2012
The Cross River Rail project has won a major urban planning award from the Planning Institute of Australia (Queensland). The project won the “Best Planning Ideas Award - Large, Regional or Urban Project” at the 2012 Awards for Planning Excellence for the project's Detailed Feasibility Study.
In presenting the award, the Planning Institute of Australia said the study “represents a new benchmark for integrative land use, transport and business use development for major infrastructure projects in Australia".
August 2012
Cross River Rail has been identified as a new ‘ready to proceed’ project by Infrastructure Australia.
The Queensland Government has submitted the Brisbane Inner Rail Solution (both Early Capacity Works and the core Cross River Rail project), as part its 2012 submission to Infrastructure Australia.
July 2012
The Coordinator-General has released the Environmental Impact Statement – Supplementary Report. This report was prepared to respond to written submissions received on the Cross River Rail Environmental Impact Statement during the public notification period between August 2011 and October 2011.
The Coordinator-General is expected to release its final report in late 2012.
June 2012
In May 2012, the Minister for Transport and Main Roads appointed an expert panel of independent consultants to review the Cross River Rail project to ensure the project is affordable, and meets the future needs of South East Queensland.
The independent panel has since completed the review of Cross River Rail, and recommended the government move forward with a scaled-back version of the project. The project is now planned to be delivered in stages, with the 'core' of Cross River Rail works to be delivered first.
February 2012
Geotechnical investigations on the Brisbane River for Cross River Rail are now complete. The next important stage of detailed planning is land based drilling, which will provide core samples, which will confirm the depth and quality of the rock along the alignment.
Drillers have started collecting information about ground conditions, which will involve marking up areas for boreholes and carrying out drilling mainly on roads and footpaths. Land based drilling will occur at 15 locations along the project route.
Drilling is expected to take three to four days per hole and this work should be complete by mid March 2012.
December 2011
Cross River Rail is drilling under the Brisbane River.
Geotechnical investigations for Cross River Rail are now under way from a floating barge on the Brisbane River. Results from this round of investigations will be used to further understand what lies beneath the river. This drilling will provide core samples that will give an indication of the rock quality.
The barge can be viewed from either the eastern side of the Botanical Gardens (west bank) or the Lower River Terrace Park in Kangaroo Point.
River drilling investigations will confirm the location and the depth of the tunnels which will be approximately 40 metres below sea level. About 15 holes will be drilled in the river and this work should be completed by the end of January 2012.
October 2011
A comprehensive environmental impact statement has been developed that outlines the substantial benefits Cross River Rail could deliver and the potential impacts of construction and operation. The environmental impact statement also outlines measures to avoid, mitigate or manage these impacts.
The environmental impact statement was available for public review and comment between 30 August 2011 and 21 October 2011.
The Coordinator-General will review the submissions and independently address any issues raised as part of the environmental impact statement evaluation process.
Reference design changes
In late August 2011 key changes to the reference design were announced. For information about the changes read the latest project information.
Previous media statements
20 June 2012 – Panel delivers rail capacity options
30 August 2011 – Have your say on the Cross River Rail EIS
11 November 2010 – Next stop - the Ekka
15 September 2010 – Yeerongpilly next stop for Cross River Rail as southern portal announced
13 July 2010 – Albert Street next stop for 'game changing' Cross River Rail
24 March 2010 – Major milestone reached for Cross River Rail project
19 November 2009 – Underground is the future for Brisbane transport network
12 May 2009 – Cross River Rail key to city’s transport future
