2017-07-11 Services and Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                   11 JULY 2017


Now that QR are considering the closure of this crossing, it is recommended that a letter of
support for the Pomona Community be sent citing the formal Council resolution and reiterating
the reasons provided above.

2.    Statistics +

The Pomona rail crossing is an important link for the town for the following reasons:
    It caters for 64 pedestrians/day (source: QR, 2014).
    It has been used since 1911 and forms part of the heritage walk.
    It is the safest location for horses to cross the rail line. The underpass is not safe due to
      horses spooking when confronted by vehicles coinciding with use.
    It provides a logical efficient link between the two sides of town.
    There is currently no safe alternate route provided.

3.    Background

In 2014, QR advised Noosa Council of their safety concerns with the Reserve Street Pomona
open level crossing and provided details for the design of an active maze pedestrian facility. On
being advised of the upgrade to the Reserve Street crossing, HOP were concerned this would
lead to the eventual closure of the mid-town pedestrian rail crossing.

Concerns were conveyed to QR regarding the general connectivity issues for the town. In a
subsequent meeting with key QR representatives and Council’s Director, Planning and
Infrastructure, QR advised that they had no intentions to close this crossing.

Further, QR advised that trials were being performed on alternative devices that may mitigate the
safety issues. No advice has been received regarding these trials.

QR met with the A/Director, Planning and Infrastructure on 3 April 2017 to discuss the possibility
of Noosa Council constructing a footpath that would redirect stakeholders from the current mid-
town crossing at Pomona Station Yard, along Railway Parade, to the recently upgraded crossing
at Reserve Street. Council reiterated its position that QR should undertake community
consultation and take such consultation into consideration prior to making any decision on the
closure of the crossing.

Previous Council Consideration
Nil

Finance & Risk
If QR ultimately decide to proceed with the closure of the mid-town rail crossing, they have
indicated they would be willing to fund the construction of footpath linkages if Council were to
manage the construction.

Consultation

External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
During the meeting of 3 April 2017, QR advised that any decisions on the mid-town rail crossing
would only be made after carrying out a full community consultation process. As part of this, QR
have developed a targeted stakeholder engagement approach which includes a key stakeholder
working group, letters to residents and businesses, drop in sessions, advertisements, fact sheets,
and feedback forms.


                                                                                    Page 42 of 51