A preferred design has been chosen for the planned expansion of the Northgate Park ‘n’ Ride facility. After the presentation of four options during the planning phase, feedback for Option D, which offers a multi-storey parking facility along Ridge Street, emerged as the most popular choice.
Once approved and completed, Option D will provide commuters with 350 extra car parks, including disabled parking, new bike storage facilities, CCTV security, and better lighting for safety purposes.
Per studies and investigations by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), Option D was chosen because it has the following features:
- large, rectangular shape (which is more efficient and reduces construction costs)
- separated entry and exit points, minimising localised congestion and traffic delays
- close proximity and good access to the train station, local bus stops and major roads
- existing adjoining land use (mostly light commercial), which would impact less on the community.
Other sites considered for Northgate Park ‘n’ Ride are all on the western side of the existing facility but have smaller and irregular shapes. These areas (Option A, B and C) also have low to medium residential densities.
The community consultation for Option D was completed on 18 November 2021 and TMR is moving on to finalise planning and to seek approval for the business case by the end of the year.
In the last few years, residents around the Northgate Park ‘n’ Ride have complained of traffic, blockages in their driveway, and lack of street parking spaces amidst the increase of people using the park ‘n’ ride. This station has been a popular and busy junction for the Caboolture and Shorncliffe lines.
TMR has been actively planning the expansion since the 2018-2019 financial year.