Queensland citizens draws to the attention of the House that the Ipswich western suburbs including Karalee lack the proper public transport services required pursuant of the Commonwealth Government’s Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards), further, the Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994 s 2(3)(b) says the State has an obligation to: provide a system of public passenger transport in the State that – (i) is responsive to community needs; and (ii) offers an attractive alternative to private transport in a way that reduces the overall environmental economic and social costs of passenger transport; and (iii) addresses the challenges of future growth; and (iv) provides a high level of accountability; and (v) provides public passenger services at a reasonable cost to the community and government. The Translink Transit Authority Public Transport Infrastructure Manual at 1.1.1.1 says: “The Translink Network Plan sets the long-term strategy and identifies the importance for public transport to be safe, secure and accessible to all.” Ipswich West area population is approximately 55,000, Karalee population is approximately 4,600, the current public transport infrastructure and services do not meet the needs of the residents or the required standards. The Queensland Government appears in breach of both the Act and the Standards in providing public transport in the Ipswich western suburbs.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to call on the Transport Department to meet its legal requirements and provide a compliant public transport service to meet the needs of the residents of Ipswich’s western suburbs.