Would Public Transport Be Able To Keep Pace With Pallara's Booming Population?

Pallara may be one of Brisbane’s fastest-growing suburbs, but sadly, public transport and other infrastructure and amenities have been lagging for years, much to the frustration of its residents.

Residents say that it has been five years since developments in the area were approved. Families were encouraged to move into the newly created suburb of Pallara with the prospects of future facilities including shops and public transport being available to the locals soon. They are, however, yet to see these amenities delivered to their community.

Particularly, Pallara residents have long been campaigning for their own public bus service. A petition launched last year highlighted the concerns of parents over their children’s safety with “so much movement with developments” in the area and the main road being used by motorists to access alternate suburbs.

Recently, Councillor Angela Owen confirmed that there will be six new permanent bus stops that will be built by summer this year in Pallara, following its agreement with the Department of Transport and Main Roads to install a new bus route in this booming suburb.

Three pairs of new bus stops will be built at Pallara by summer, and two of these stops will be installed at Brookbent Road. Another pair will be located at Ritchie Road, near where the old Pallara State School was once situated, whilst the two other stops will be built close to the new Pallara State School.

The current route 126 (Mitchell St, Acacia Ridge East to Zamia St, Sunnybank Plaza) will be realigned and then extended to run along Mains Road and also south to Ritchie Road. This change will provide a bus route to Sunnybank Plaza and CBD connections and even further south to Heathwood.

The Council initially wanted to fast-track the project by installing temporary bus stops but TMR was requiring permanent bus shelters that are federal accessibility and Australian laws compliant before the 126 bus service could be extended.

This was underscored by TMR through a letter sent to Councillor Ryan Murphy, council’s Civic Cabinet Chair for Transport, stating that Translink supported the business case for the amended bus route and is ready to implement the new services subject to the bus stop requirements.

Member for Algester Leeanne Enoch confirmed that Council has agreed to the requirements and plans to deliver at least six bus stops in the interim to facilitate the extension of route 126 bus services to Pallara. Residents are to see some construction activities commencing in the coming months. Other stops are expected to be delivered after the bus services are already in place.