Airport Link and Northern Busway Connections (BrisConnections)
These pertain mainly to those changes greatly affecting Kedron Brook Catchment. Links to the web sites of the major projects are given below.
Introduction
This page will provide links to websites of relevant organisations giving detailed information on the significant changes being made to our major roadways and infrastructures.
To get the "big picture", it is important for any enquirer to be aware of the home page and structure of these individual web sites so that they can get the overall viewpoint of what is going on and how each part interacts. These organisations are responsible for dissemination of information and spend much time, money and resources to ensure this happens.
Home Page Links
BrisConnections
BrisConnections, as contractor, is delivering the $4.8 billion Airport Link, Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron) and Airport Roundabout Upgrade projects - Australia's biggest road infrastructure project. The link, http://www.brisconnections.com.au/, is the safest to start with since their website changes too quickly to give specific links here to more direct subjects. The main sections such as Projects, Progress, Traffic and News are easily linked from the top navigation bar.
Gateway Duplication Project
Now in 2011, this project has nearly been finished. Small relocations of roadway access to the Bridges and extension of upgrades to the Gateway Motorway South from the bridges remain. Use the link, Gateway Duplication Project , for further information.
Northern Busway Project
Use the link: http://www.translink.com.au/northernbusway .
Airport Link Project
BrisConnections (above) give progress reports and construction issues relating to the construction of the Airport Link and Airport Roundabout Upgrade projects. The following link mainly covers the technical investigations, project design and environmental assessment planning steps in the overall plan. Use the link: http://www.airportlinkeis.com/ .
Brisbane Airport - Second Runway Project
Within the list of significant projects for this immense undertaking are new roads, upgrades to terminals, improvements to the existing runway system and the delivery of the New Parallel Runway. The recent decrease in numbers of air travellers due to a dip in the world economy has allowed the rate of construction of this project to be spread out over the next decade. For further information on the planning and implementation of this project, use the link: http://bne.com.au/major-projects/new-parallel-runway-project.
The Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, following a consultation and public comment period, has approved the Minor Variation to the Major Development Plan (MDP) for the New Parallel Runway (NPR) project at Brisbane Airport (Minor Variation). A copy of the document, 'New Parallel Runway Project Minor Variation to MDP (Approved 8 February 2011)', is obtainable via a link from the Brisbane Airport Corporation web site page as per the previous paragraph.
Briefly, the runway location must be changed to fit in the longer runway to enable an internationally recommended extension of the length of the Runway End Safety Areas since the original plan was presented. Because this runway change encrouches upon the present wildlife habitat, an 11 ha area of Casuarina glauca plantation is to be made available to provide an even larger habitat area suitable for the uncommon bird, Lewins's Rail. This is more than just an essential swap of property from overwise unrequired land. One part of this huge project is the construction of proper drainage of tidal waters and stormwater from the Brisbane Airport and environs. Plans are shown that indicate how existing wildlife habitats will not be significantly affected, particularly for the Lewin's Rail.
One interesting outcome of the drainage plan is that it presumes a potential temporary drainage construction zone within the present bird's habitat area. This temporary drain is to be eventually replaced by a future mangrove-lined drain by the finish. With the exception of this drainage construction site area, there is an existing 40 m buffer zone provided to the south of the Lewin's Rail Environmentally Significant Area as part of the Airport Environment Strategy. This is an interesting document from which to learn more about interactions of infrastructure on our wildlife habitats.
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