A Shorten Labor Government will invest $5 million towards the expansion of Narangba Train Station’s parking facility to help overcome the growing shortage of car spots.
This critical local project is part of Federal Labor’s $300 million National Park and Ride Fund for new or expanded car parks at public transport hubs, such as train stations.
Each weekday an average of 559 vehicles park at Narangba Station.
But the existing car park has capacity for only 387 vehicles, meaning commuters rushing to catch their train to work are forced to park further away from the station in surrounding streets.
Expanded parking facilities will relieve pressure at the station, which serves the communities of Narangba, Deception Bay, Burpengary and North Lakes.
Federal Labor’s Park and Ride Fund will provide real, practical support for communities struggling with the effects of traffic congestion, which is eroding our quality of life and acting as a hand brake on productivity and economic growth.
By contrast, the Turnbull Government has no traffic congestion strategy.
Indeed, it is making the problem worse by cutting public transport investment and refusing to back Brisbane’s Cross River Rail project, which will expand the capacity of the rail network right across South East Queensland.
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Cities Anthony Albanese, said Federal Labor would invest in public transport, including Cross River Rail.
“We’ll also work with other levels of government to deliver practical measures to help commuters get to work with a minimum of fuss, including through our new Park and Ride Fund,’’ Mr Albanese said.
“Public transport isn’t just about the train line or bus route itself. It’s also about the surrounding infrastructure that makes it work for local residents.’’
Labor’s candidate for Saturday’s Longman by-election, Susan Lamb, said Narangba residents had made it clear to her that action was needed to improve parking facilities at the train station.
“Labor is listening and acting,’’ Ms Lamb said.
“It’s hard enough commuting to the city each day for work without having to drive around in circles trying to find a parking spot.’’
The Narangba investment follows news last week that Federal Labor will provide $4 million to improve parking facilities around the Mango Hill train station, also on Brisbane’s northside.