A small parcel of land at South Brisbane could undo the $944 million Brisbane Metro project, but Brisbane City Council’s transport boss says he is confident the transport project will go ahead as planned.
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The council released detailed design for the Brisbane Metro station at the at-capacity Cultural Centre station, which included a 1600-square-metre parcel of land the council does not own.
The parcel of land is currently owned by the state government.
The council requested, in writing, the land be transferred to its ownership in September 2017 but almost seven months later the land is yet to be given to or purchased by the council.
Council’s public transport chairman Adrian Schrinner said it was "pretty normal" for land yet to be acquired to be identified in major infrastructure projects.
“It is not a matter of whether the land deal will happen, it’s more locking down the timing and whether the state will be contributing the land or expecting the council to pay for it,” he said.
“I am confident the state will hand over the land.”
If the council fails to acquire the land the Brisbane Metro will not be able to go ahead in its current form.
A Department of Transport and Main Road spokesman said the Queensland government would work with the council about the interface between the Brisbane Metro proposal and the state's infrastructure and assets.
Cr Schrinner said the land was critical for the planned underground station and not being able to access the land would jeopardise the station, which was a key part of the Metro.
Brisbane lord mayor Graham Quirk said the planned Metro Cultural Centre station would deliver a 60 per cent increase in public space at the congested precinct.
“Metro will help transform the Melbourne and Grey Street intersection from a congested, dangerous and chaotic mess into a safer, people-friendly place that prioritises public and active transport,” he said.
“This change will mean up to 340 fewer buses per hour at surface level through the intersection of Melbourne and Grey Streets, significantly improving safety and amenity for pedestrians.”
The details plans also included a scramble crossing, which would allow pedestrians to cross the intersection in every direction.
The draft design report will be open to community consultation for five weeks.
