Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House the urgent need for a planned and funded flood proof river crossing infrastructure solution, at Colleges Crossing, to support the continued population growth in the suburbs of Chuwar, Karalee, Mount Crosby, and Karana Downs, and surrounding regions. Colleges Crossing is an important link between the Brisbane City and Ipswich Local Government Areas. 

With Colleges Crossing regularly going under water, the wider community is affected, as they are unable to attend work causing a domino effect, with the wider community unable to receive or travel to services including school, hospital, and for essential shopping.

During flooding:

• the general community is unable to attend essential daily activities such as school, work, day care, medical appointments as well as attending social and family commitments.

• the closure of Colleges Crossing, Bells Crossing (Kholo Bridge), and the Moggill Ferry results in extra congestion on already heavily congested local and state-controlled roads of Kenmore and Moggill resulting in increased accidents/fatalities.

• families are impacted by a three hour round drive to attend work, school, day care, resulting in less quality family time; fatigue; extra fuel costs. Young children are catching a bus at 7 am and getting off the bus at 5.30 pm. 

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to collaborate and coordinate with all levels of Government to fix Colleges Crossing, with a flood proof river crossing solution at this specific location, that will benefit the whole community including motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and wildlife.