Airport BUG & PED NEWS
April 2012 - Bikerack installed at domestic terminal carpark.
A new bicycle parking area has appeared on the footpath near Brisbane Airport's new parking station. (see pictures below). This is a good indication that Brisbane Airport is on it's way to becoming a bicycle friendly destination. Airport BUG regularly receives enquiries from the travelling public regarding bicycle parking and other facilities at the terminals. Airport BUG believes there is also a market for secure undercover bicycle parking at the Brisbane Airport.
March 2012 -Latest from Brisbane City Council on the pedestrian and cycle pathway to Brisbane Airport
Councillor Julian Simmonds has written to Airport BUG & PED to advise that an application for funding for the bridge across Schulz canal and pathway to the Brisbane Airport has been submitted to the Federal Government.
Read the letter from Cr Julian Simmonds below.
Bikeway Closure Update Post Floods 8 Feb 2011
For more information please contact:- Lindsay Enright, Senior Program Officer, Active Transport, Brisbane City Council on 3403 5012
- John Lee, Program Officer, Active Transport, Brisbane City Council on 3403 9724
Article In City North News and Northern Times
The Australian Bicycle Council is the national body that has managed and coordinated implementation of the Australian National Cycling Strategy 2011 - 2016. Building on the National Cycling Strategy 2005 - 2010, it identifies a series of actions to help more people get on their bikes, and start riding for a better life. This strategy sets out a series of actions that will help to deliver its overarching vision which is to double the number of people cycling in Australia over the next five years. This suggests a commitment and support of governments and non-government organisations across the country. Read it here. The Australian Bicycle Council secretariat is provided by Austroads.
Current Issues Submissions News Contacts Links Join Home
15/2/10
A possible bikeway linkage from Terminal Drive to Viola Place across Trade Coast land parallel to the rail line was proposed in a submission by Airport BUG to Dept of Main Roads in conjunction with Gateway Bikeway public consultation.
Main Roads Dept ( who are building connections to the Gateway Bikeway down Terminal Drive) and Brisbane City Council (who own Terminal Drive) and the Brisbane Airport Corporation (who own Viola Place) have expressed their support for the idea.
However Trade Coast Central who are the developers are not in favour of the connection. The reasons for this opposition are not clear as the land is not useful for development as is bounded by a drainage ditch and the rail line.
Currently the machinery and labour are in the vicinity building a bikeway down Terminal drive . Whilst the machinery ( and the momentum) is available we believe we would be able to get this additional connection to Viola Place built if the Trade Coast developers would agree.
Airport BUG has spoken with Gavin Williams from Main Roads, Simon Banfield from BCC active transport and Mark Willey and Terry Rossito from Brisbane Airport Corporation. All agree that the connection is a good idea but none seems to have influence over Trade Coast Developers
Airport BUG is concentrating their advocacy efforts on the Brisbane City Council as BCC are part owners of Trade Coast. Hopefully this opportunity for a safe and convienient cycle access to the Brisbane Airport will not be lost.
28/11/09
3/8/09 CyCliNG oN AiRPoRT
BAC traffic update newsletter for August asks that cyclists do not travel over Bridge 1, instead use Qantas Drive which can be accessed from Airport Drive via charlie Earp Bridge and Lakeside Drive. This route can be found on the directional map at www.brisbaneairport.com.au , clicking on Major Projects.
1/4/09 Diversion for cyclists around roadworks.
Due to road works, all inbound lanes of Airport Drive ( eading towards the terminals) will be divirted onto Bridge 1. ( see map). The outbound lanes will be divrted onto the previous inbound lanes. BAC has designated a cycling route via Charlie Earp Bridge, Lakeside Drive and Qantas Drive which is outlines on map 2. BAC has prohibited cycling in Airport Drive, between Charlie Earp Bridge and the International Terminal roundabout from the start of the diversion ( end April/ early May) until further notice. The cycle diversion will be clearly signposted.
4/12/08 Meeting with Port of Brisbane Corporation regarding cycle access to Fishermans Island
Some Airport BUG members have transferred to the Port of Brisbane for their work. These members report that the cycling access to the port is difficult, and as a result they do not currently cycle to work at the port. As Airport BUG members who work in border protection agencies often rotate between the airport and the Port of Brisbane Fishermans Island, Airport BUG has approached the Port of Brisbane Corporation regarding cycle access to the port. We believe bicycle access towards the port will improve with the construction of dedicated bicycle infrastructure in conjunction with the Port of Brisbane Motorway upgrade. These bicycle facilities will form part of the Moreton Bay Cycleway.
Airport BUG member Mitch Bright met with Dr. Bill Tranberg, Senior Manager Infrastructure Planning & Chief Engineer at Port of Brisbane Corporation to inquire if the Port of Brisbane Corporation had plans to connect any cycle facilities to the nearby Moreton Bay Cycleway. This is a summary of the information provided at the meeting:
The Port of Brisbane Corporation are supportive of workers at the port who choose to cycle to work, however the Port Corporation are concerned that the number and frequency of large trucks accessing the port are a hazard to on road cyclists. The Port Corporation plan to build an off road cycle and pedestrian path from the end of the council planned cycle route ( near the boat ramp) to the Port Visitor Information centre. This would include building a dedicated cycle bridge. At the visitor centre the Port proposes to provide end of trip facilities for cyclists and a bus workers from the Visiter information centre to their workplace within the port precinct.
Mitch commented that the benefits of cycling usually enjoyed by commuters are door to door transport, parking close to the workplace and freedom from adherence to timetables. Bill replied that many port werkers were accustomed to using buses to access their workplaces as many of the wharf areas were not accessible any other way. Mitch commented that the streets around the commerecial and office precinct of Port Central are quiter and suitable for cycling. . Bill Tranberg agreed that cycle access to these worplaces from the visitor centre would be possible.
1/12/08 Briefing from BAC on Airport Masterplan
On Monday 1st December, Airport Bug representatives met with BAC for a briefing on the Airport Masterplan 2009, in particular their Land Transport Strategy which includes plans for cycle routes. Andrea Alderton, Tony Jed and Mitch Bright were briefed by Terry Rossito (Transport Infrastructure Manager) and Mark Willey ( Executive Manageer Airport Planning) from BAC.
The briefing included a overview of airport operations and future projections. BAC predict the full time workforce at the airport will rise from the current 16 thousand full time equivalents to 24 thousand by 2020. Along with increases in passenger numbers expected, BAC realise that access to the airport by motorvehicle will not be sustainable at these numbers and they plan to increase availability and patronage of public transport. Cycling is also planned to increase and BAC have a network of off road bicycle paths planned for commuter and recreational cycle use.
The plan of the cycleways looked like it will provide comprehensive coverage of the airport precincts with direct and inconnected cycle routes. Airport BUG expressed it's concerns about the safety of shared bicycle, pedestrian paths and advised that the since the paths would likely be used by commuter cyclists, it may be best to seperate pedestrians and cyclists. The question was asked what were BAC's policy regarding on road cycling? The answer was that BAC would not prevent on road cycling, but they hoped that cyclists would prefer the off road paths.
No date was given for construction but BAC indicated that they plan to strarting construction prior to completion of the Gateway Cycleway. It was noted that the Gateway cycleway was not due to be completed until 2011and BAC advised that they have been lobbying BCC and Main Roads to provide cycle connections to the airport precinct a lot earlier than this.
The issue of end of trip facilities was raised by Airport BUG. BAC was quite receptive to providing secure bicycle parking as part of terminal redevelopment. They were also interested in the concept of a bicycle assembly area at the terminals to cater for people travelling with bikes and wishing to ride from the terminals. Airport BUG noted the PR potential for BAC in providing such a facility, particularly as the airport will be a major transport hub along the proposed Moreton Bay Cycle Route.
3/11/08 Invite from BAC
BAC have invited the executive of Airport Bicycle Users Group to attend a briefing on the 2009 Master Plan, focusing primarily on the Surface Transport and Cycling strategy. THe briefing will take place on 1 Dec 08. The 2009 Brisbane Airport Master Plan is scheduled for release for public comment in late January 2009.
2/10/08 Reply from BAC
BAC have responded to Airport BUG's request for BAC to facilitate cycle access through roadwork areas and improve cycle access on airport roads.
Read letter from BAC here.
Airport BUG believe work on bicycle facilities on some airport roads which are not affected by roadworks could commence immediatly. Lomandra Drive badly needs a safe bicycle facility either on road or off road. Preferable both.
22/9/08 Letter from Transport Minister
Federal Minister for transport Anthony Albanese MP has replied to Airport BUG's request for assistance with cycle access to Brisbane Airport Precinct.
Read letter from Fed Transport Minister here.
6/9/08
Report from BAC Community Forum Sat 6th September 2008
The Abruzzo Club, 150 Fursden Rd Carina.
Airport BUG attended Brisbane Airport Community Forum on Sat 6th Sept
The majority of the questions from the community in this area concerned aircraft noise and flightpaths.
Airport BUG asked if the road constructed between Chloris Street and Hibiscus Street, ( see opposite image), as a diversion of Airport Drive would have sealed shoulders?
Mr. Stephen Goodwin, General manager - Operations at Brisbane Airport Corporation replied that the road constructed would have sealed shoulders.
Jim Carden - Corporate Relations Manager at BAC added that Brisbane Airport Corporation were not anti-cycling and the planning for cycling at the airport includes facilities for all cyclists, BAC acknowledging that commuter cyclists and recreational cyclists have different needs.
In summary, the sealing of the road shoulder is positive news for those cyclists at Airservices who continue to battle the bicycle unfriendly roadworks up Airport Drive. It is also good that BAC acknowledges that commuter cyclists and recreational cyclists have different needs and hopefully this will be reflected in the cycling plans in the soon to be released Airport Masterplan.
Hopefully, little by little we will gain positive outcomes for cyclists at the Airport Precinct through our activism and through educating authorities regarding cycling.
22/8/08
Letter from BAC.
Airport BUG received a reply from Brisbane Airport Corporation in response to a request from Airport BUG to meet to discuss planning for bicycle routes and infrastructure at the airport.
BAC replied that first they would finalise discussions with Dept of Main Roads and Brisbane City Council. They estimate this would be around October/November this year. Then they would meet with Airport Bug.
We consider this is a positive sign that BAC are prepared to discuss cycle planing, although Airport BUG would prefer to have input to planning at an earlier stage, as we believe our members are in a good position to offer constructive input from their considerable experience with cycling at the airport precinct.
28/7/08
Report from BAC Community Forum Sat 2 August
The Booroodabin Bowls Club
126 Breakfast Creek Rd Newstead
Kerry, Mitch, Tony and Lisa from Airport Bug attended the Brisbane Airport Community Forum on Sat 2/8/09 at The Booroodabin Bowls Club Newstead.
The meeting began as it did last time with a slide show of the airport development plans and the initial questions from the public concerned airport noise and flight path issues.
We asked why the 'Sustainable Airport' brochure did not mention mentioning cycling as a sustainable transport option. The reply was that the brochure was old and BAC now supports cycling as a sustainable transport option to the airport. We also mentioned some issues that Airport Bug members had raised in the membership survey such as soil on the road verge needing to be swept up. Mitch said he would send BAC all the comments from Airport Bug members as a 'wish' list for cycling improvements and Jim Caden indicated he would consider these requests.
In response to other questions from us, BAC indicated a signalised intersection ( traffic lights) would be established very soon at he intersection of Airport Drive and Lomandra Drive and later at Lomandra / Qantas Drive intersection. Mark Willey from BAC said the connections for cycle access to the Airport had recently been discussed with Main Roads Dept and Brisbane City Council. He also said cycle infrastructure within the airport had been brought forward in the planning schedule. ( no date specified). BAC also said they supported the Gateway Bikeway joining the airport at Viola Avenue, which was the same comment Airport Bug made in the submission to Main Roads. ( You can read ABug submission here: http://airportbug.googlepages.com/gatewaybikewaysubmission.
It was worthwhile for Airport Bug to attend the forum as we demonstrated that we were a active and concerned lobby group who deserve a seat at the table when it comes to airport transport planning.
Report from BAC community Forum on Sat 5th July
by Mitch Bright
On Sat I went to the BAC community forum in the hall on Racecourse Road.
There was only a small group of about 20 people attending and about 7 BAC staff.
Some people has cardboard signs 'BAC Environmental Vandals" written in bold dripping paint and they waved these about at intervals, but most people sat quietly until question time and then voiced their concerns. Mostly issues were regarding the new Parrallel Runway (NPR) and aircraft noise issues.
I recognised John Lister from CBD bug. John asked a few questions regarding cycle access to the airport. Once the cycling issue was raised, Koen Rooijmans, CEO of BAC , responded. Mr Rooijmans repeated the excuses for cycling being 'discouraged' which was expected. He confirmed BAC cannot ban cyclists. Mark Willey, Manager of Airport Planning, repeated the familiar line of BAC having a commitment in their plans for a bicycle network but they can't do anything until 'connectivity' is established.
I asked when the 2009 update for the masterplan would be released for public comment? (Answer: September 08 and it has to be to the Fed Minister for transport by May 09).
It was good to see the cycling issues are being pushed to the fore with BAC. The release of Main Roads Gateway bike path plan connecting to the airport and BAC Master Plan up for review are great opportunities for us at Airport BUG to get involved at the planning stage lobby for some really good bicycle infrastructure at the Brisbane Airport.
For more details click on the BAC masterplan newsletter below.
Mitch
1/7/08
Brisbane Airport Corpration has invited the community to a consultation forum on Sat 5th July 10am - 12pm at Hamilton Town Hall, cnr Racecourse Rd and Rossiter Parade Hamilton. A representative from Airport BUG will be attending to ask about the new masterplan and cycling access in particular connections to Main Roads cycle routes as indicated on the Gatewaybike way draft plan.
25/6/08
The Department of Main Roads has released a Dreaft Bikeway Plan for a pathway between the new Gateway Bridge and the Kedron Brook Wetlands Bikeway.
This bikeway will provide connections to the Brisbane Airport precinct from the North and the South. A plan of the bikeway, together with a feedback form is available from The Department of Main Roads.
Phone 1800 268257 .
Email: gatewaybikewayproject@mainroads.qld.gov.au