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Submission
Public Transport on Tamborine Mountain
17 September 2020
To: Hon. Mark Bailey MP Minister for Transport and Main Roads GPO Box 2644 Brisbane Qld 4001
Submission provided by The Community Steering Committee for Public Transport on Tamborine Mountain C/- PO Box 363 North Tamborine Qld 4272
Phone number 0419743275 [email protected]
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Index
1. Executive summary Page 4
2. Introduction Page 7
3. Role of Community Steering Committee Page 8
4. Situation analysis Page 8 4.1 Description of Tamborine Mountain area 4.1.1 Geography 4.1.2 Demography 4.1.3 Socio economic data 4.1.4 Existing public transport
4.2 Personal issues and their causes resulting from lack of public transport Page 15
4.3 Other social, environmental, governance and economic considerations Page 19
4.4 Overview of support Page 20
4.5 How similar problems have been addressed elsewhere Page 20 4.5.1 Demographic comparisons of similar locations 4.5.2 Public funded services in similar locations 4.5.3 Translink funded bus services in similar locations
5. Criteria for including Tamborine Mountain in the IMTA Page 24 5.1 Need for public transport 5.2 Current Queensland Transport Strategy 5.3 Australian Bureau of Statistics - Tamborine Mountain rezoning
6. Details of proposal Page 31 6.1 Proposed map of route 6.2 Style of service 6.3 Proposed schedule 6.4 Access to service
7. Proposed way forward Page 35
8. Conclusion Page 35
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Supporting Information – Annexes
Annex 1A Letter from Jacki Trad MP 17Aug15 Page 38
Annex 1B Letter from Mark Bailey MP 8Jun18 Page 39
Annex 2 IMTA Translink Contracted Areas Page 41
Supporting Information – Appendices
Appendices A-G Support letters from State and Local Government members Page 42
Appendix H Community Steering Committee Members Page 50
Appendix I Community Letters of Support for this Submission Page 51
Appendix J Tamborine Mountain Blueprint Page 53
Appendix K History of Public Transport Tamborine Mountain Page 55
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1. Executive summary
The big question for the residents of Tamborine Mountain is: why don't we have equality of access to a public bus service when other smaller communities do?
The Rotary Satellite Club of Coomera River-Tamborine Mountain and the local community of Tamborine Mountain are seeking the delivery of an integrated, efficient and accessible public bus transport network, which operates around Tamborine Mountain plateau and connects to the Helensvale transport hub via Upper Coomera Shopping Village and Oxenford Village Shopping Centre.
Upon recognition of the need for public transport on Tamborine Mountain, Rotary established a Community Steering Committee of 11 members to research and deliver this submission.
Tamborine Mountain, located in the Scenic Rim Regional Council, is an 8km long, 4km wide plateau 500+m above sea level. Mountain residents are geographically isolated from all neighbouring towns and a considerable proportion of the surrounding areas are national parks or Defence service land. Tamborine Mountain has a population of approximately 8100 (according to current Scenic Rim Regional Council records. This has increased from 2016 Australian Census figure of 7429). Socio- economic information, sourced from the 2016 Australian Census, shows that 50% of the population of Tamborine Mountain are aged over 50. Of those in the workforce (aged 15 years and older), compared to the rest of Queensland and Australia, Tamborine Mountain has approximately 10% higher part time employment and 9% lower full-time employment. This translates into a lower median weekly income compared to the rest of Queensland and Australia of between 12% and 13.
Although often presumed to be the same place, Tamborine (postcode 4270), which does have a public transport bus service, is geographically separated from the township of Tamborine Mountain (postcode 4272) and is actually 15-25 minutes’ drive “down” the mountain on the western side which heads towards Beenleigh which is in Logan City.. This bus service is not accessible to Tamborine Mountain residents. Further, there is very little community of interest between Tamborine Mountain residents and the village of Tamborine, the town of Beenleigh or indeed the rest of the Scenic Rim Regional Council area. In fact, the medical, shopping, education and recreational facilities on the Gold Coast, coupled with its geographic proximity to Tamborine Mountain, mean that residents with a private vehicle predominantly access services on the Gold Coast rather than other areas of the Scenic Rim Regional Council area or Beenleigh. That is why this submission proposes a Translink connection in the other direction to the Helensvale Transport hub.
Previous correspondence from the Ministers for Transport and Main Roads, in 2015 and 2018, suggested residents take advantage of the community transport services that currently operate in and around Tamborine Mountain (as per http://www.scenicrimtransport.net/index.php/canungra- tamborine-mt). It was also pointed out that Tamborine Mountain is not located within a service contract area as defined by the Integrated Mass Transit Area (IMTA).
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Of the 10 transport options listed on the Scenic Rim Transport website (referred to specifically by Jackie Trad MP and further referenced by Mark Bailey MP), only one is in fact accessible to all members of the general public. This is a Translink subsidised taxi service leaving Tamborine Mountain at 6.30 am on weekdays (with an extra service at 9.30 am on Thursdays) for two passengers only due to COVID restrictions (normally three) for the Beenleigh Railway Station, with a weekdays’ return trip leaving Beenleigh station at around 6.20pm for Tamborine Mountain. This service for three passengers a day is neither flexible nor convenient and does not meet the needs of the 8100 residents of Tamborine Mountain.
The other 9 services listed are either only available to clients of community organisations or are private businesses offering charter hire targeted primarily at tourists, not locals.
Lack of access to public transport on Tamborine Mountain causes many challenges for residents such as inability to access health services, employment, training, education, shopping and recreation facilities both on and off the mountain. Additionally, COVID 19 lockdowns earlier this year, caused further isolation from medical facilities with temporary service closures on the mountain. This submission cites extracts of many personal stories received by the Community Steering Committee regarding situations of hardship, frustration and concern due to the lack of public transport options on the mountain. Corroborating these experiences, a recent survey of mountain residents conducted during the development of a Community Blueprint for the future of Tamborine Mountain identified demand for public transport as the number one priority for the community.
The support for the need for public transport on Tamborine Mountain from State Members of Parliament, Council Mayors, Division Councilors, community organisations, service providers and community members has been overwhelming. The Community Steering Committee has attached letters from many of these supportive parties to this submission and also has other letters available upon request.
The provision of an integrated, efficient and accessible public transport network will remove the complete social isolation that currently exists for residents who do not have access to their own private vehicle. It will also reduce the number of private vehicles on the roads, in turn reducing CO2 emissions. Residents and businesses alike would also benefit financially from access to low cost public transport – with reduced transport expenditure costs and the potential of more tourists visiting local businesses.
This submission details how similar problems have been addressed elsewhere and draws upon demographic and Translink service comparisons of smaller Scenic Rim towns of Beaudesert and Canungra as well as geographically similar Maleny on the Sunshine Coast. Overall, the level of Translink services provided to these substantially smaller communities raises questions as to why Tamborine Mountain residents have not yet received equity of access to these services?
Recognising that Tamborine Mountain currently falls outside of the IMTA, the submission cites reasons for the community’s inclusion. References to statements in the current Queensland Transport Strategy about equitable access to public transport and how these pertain to the Tamborine Mountain community are presented. In addition, the recent Australian Bureau of Statistics reclassification of Tamborine Mountain to Major City status (by the Australian Statistics Geography Standard) and Metropolitan status (by the Modified Monash Model) are examined – highlighting the disconnect between the urban classification given to our community by government
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when considering some types of service delivery and the reality for our community in terms of actually available public transport services.
From the 1930s, various bus services have operated from Tamborine Mountain either to the Beenleigh railway station or directly to larger urban centres, including a well patronised and regular service from 1978 to just before 2000. The committee has investigated past challenges faced by operators, including those pertaining to our geographic location and, whilst acknowledging the expertise of Translink in the design and provision of public transport services, suggests the following may contribute to ensuring appropriate levels of patronage, service efficiency and reduced operating costs, should our submission be successful: - a bus route that starts and finishes on the mountain (to ensure bus drivers are not required to expend excessive travel time prior to and after completion of a shift) - smaller coach size of approximately 20-24 seats to facilitate efficient movement around the mountain plateau and down to the Gold Coast - a bus timetable enabling four return trips to the Gold Coast per day, with bus stops located within walking distance for the greatest number of patrons, but sufficiently spaced to reduce bus travel time - a public awareness campaign about the service - operation of contract by a local coach company
Possible route maps and timetable are included in this submission.
The Community Steering Committee believes this submission provides substantial evidence that Tamborine Mountain satisfies the minimum criteria to be included in the scope of the IMTA, hence enabling the Translink Chief Executive to enter into an integrated mass transport service contract with a suitable provider for Tamborine Mountain residents. The area’s population density and urban development are at an appropriate level to justify government investment and there is a clear demand identified both qualitatively and quantitatively through the personal stories and Community Blueprint survey results.
In addition, provision of the service would align with the social justice objectives of government by acknowledging the relative socio-economic disadvantage of the community and equity issues when compared with other smaller communities who have been included in the IMTA. Further, the committee has suggested measures for increasing the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the service through the proposed route and timetable design and a public awareness campaign to ensure appropriate patronage.
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2. Introduction
The community of Tamborine Mountain is seeking a local public transport bus service which integrates into the Translink system at the Helensvale transport hub giving residents equality of access to Translink services available in other smaller towns. The Tamborine Mountain community, from young adults to the elderly and infirm, have a need to travel around the mountain to access local community businesses and services. Residents also need to travel off the mountain to access a wider variety of shops and numerous essential medical, educational and recreational facilities which are not available within the community. Most of these essential services can be accessed via a bus service link to the Helensvale transport hub.
The Helensvale transport hub is the closest transport hub to Tamborine Mountain and connects commuters to: - Queensland Rail Brisbane and Gold Coast services - G:Link Gold Coast light rail medical, shopping and tourist destinations - Surfside bus services
The distinction needs to be made between Tamborine (also referred to as Tamborine Village) and Tamborine Mountain. Although often mistakenly thought of as one place, these are two separate geographic locations. Tamborine Mountain is 500+m above sea level on a mountain plateau. Whereas Tamborine is located approximately 15-25-minute drive down to the valley at the western base of the mountain.
Due to a lack of public transport, both around Tamborine Mountain plateau and down to the Gold Coast (eastern base of the mountain), the only transport option for residents is private motor vehicle. Residents without access to a vehicle and/or without a drivers’ licence are left in isolation. Some residents rely solely on charities and volunteers to enable them to access essential goods and services.
Since the 1950’s, when Bill Mitchell made the first attempt to provide public transport on the mountain, there have been numerous attempts by individuals and the Scenic Rim Regional Council to provide a service on and off the mountain (see Appendix K for more detailed history). However, geographic and/or population challenges have often meant the services have been short lived and unsustainable. The fact that Tamborine Mountain is not currently defined in a contract area of the Integrated Mass Transit Area (IMTA) has also meant that our residents have been ineligible to access Translink services.
As Tamborine Mountain’s population has grown to 8100, the local mountain roads and laneways have in some parts been upgraded. However, many areas still remain as rural, single lane carriage ways with grass verge edges. Thus for the safety of all road users, to minimize wear and tear on local roads, to facilitate easy maneuverability of the bus and to reduce the overall cost of providing this service, we recommend the use of a medium sized 20-24 seater coach. This also ensures that public transport is accessible to a larger number of people than a mini bus otherwise would.
Furthermore, we recommend utilsation of a local coach operator as we are seeking a service which starts and ends on the mountain. This would help to reduce costs. Additionally, our community is a very strong supporter of local business and we believe a local coach operator would encourage early adoption of the service, loyalty long term as well as additional employment on the mountain.
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This submission seeks to have Tamborine Mountain included in the IMTA under Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994 to enable the Chief Executive to enter into an integrated mass transport service contract with a suitable provider for Tamborine Mountain residents, taking into consideration the topography of the mountain location.
3. Role of Community Steering Committee
The Rotary Satellite Club of Coomera River-Tamborine Mountain has recently been established on Tamborine Mountain. Several of our members saw a need for public transport on Tamborine Mountain and connecting down the mountain.
Our club held an open invitation community meeting to establish whether or not there was substantial community interest in, and support for, public transport. The meeting was attended by representatives of 17 community organisations, past and present Division 1 Councilors, as well as a number of community members. From that meeting, a Community Steering Committee of 11 members was established.
The members of the Community Steering committee, in consultation with members of their own organisations as well as the broader community, have worked together to complete this submission.
Refer to Appendix H for Community Steering Committee member details and Appendix I for list of letters received from people and organsations who fully support this submission.
4. Situation analysis
4.1 Description of Tamborine Mountain area 4.1.1 Geography
Tamborine Mountain is on a plateau 500+m above sea level. The 28km2 plateau is 8km long and 4km wide. It is surrounded by bushland, National Parks and Defence Service land. Tamborine Mountain is geographically isolated from all neighboring towns – both small and large. There are only four roads that connect from the plateau down the mountain. All roads are steep, winding mountain roads. The terrain alone discourages some mountain residents from regularly driving on and off the mountain – from both a wear and tear and safety perspective.
The drive from Tamborine Mountain to the Helensvale transport hub is between 25 to 35 minutes for all mountain residents, depending on their location on the plateau.
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The physical distance from the centre of the plateau to the following destinations is:
27km Helensvale Train Station (transport hub) 35km Gold Coast University Hospital
38km Beenleigh Train Station 43km Logan Hospital
15km Tamborine (also known as Tamborine Village)
According to current Scenic Rim Regional Council records, the population of Tamborine Mountain (postcode 4272) is approximately 8100. Tamborine Mountain is divided into three suburbs: Eagle Heights, North Tamborine and Mount Tamborine (see image below). It is a combination of densely populated suburban areas interspersed with acreage blocks.
To remove confusion about place names, it must be understood that Tamborine (or Tamborine Village as it is known) with postcode 4270 is a different community from Tamborine Mountain (postcode 4272), the former being located 15-25 minutes’ drive down and west from the Tamborine Mountain plateau along Tamborine Mountain Road which heads towards Beenleigh - the opposite direction to what this submission proposes for a Translink connection. (See photograph below.)
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4.1.2 Demography
Tamborine Mountain is a relatively self-sufficient community for all residents who have access to their own vehicle. Businesses and services on the mountain include, but are not limited to:
Medical: QML Pathology, Iris Imaging (radiology), Medical Practices, dentists, optometrist, chemists, physiotherapists Schools: 2 state primary schools, 1 state high school, 1 private college Prep-12 Shopping: IGA, Foodworks, boutique stores, Mitre 10 Food: bakeries, butcher, cafes, restaurants, wineries General: Post office, bank, Police station, Ambulance station, auxiliary Fire station / rural Fire brigade, library, mechanics, building trades, lawyers, solicitors, accountants, real estate agencies, tourism
Many of the services provided on the mountain are representative of the type of services one would expect to find in a small rural community. As a result, there are numerous reasons for residents needing to leave Tamborine Mountain for additional services including, but not limited to:
Medical: hospitals, medical specialists, specialist Xray and pathology services Schools: tertiary institutions, choice of private primary and high schools, apprenticeships Shopping: Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, shopping centres, Bunnings General: wider variety of affordable goods and services, sports and recreation facilities Employment: a large percentage of the workforce work off the mountain due to limited employment opportunities within the community
Tamborine Mountain’s geographical location makes services in the urban cities of the Gold Coast and Brisbane accessible to those with a private vehicle. The Gold Coast is a shorter commute and is thus the proposed destination of the mountain’s public transport link. The facilities on offer on the Gold Coast are also more than the other townships of the Scenic Rim can offer.
4.1.3 Socio-economic information
The socio-economic data in this section of the submission is sourced from the 2016 Commonwealth Census.
Age profile
The census reveals that whilst there is a spread of age groups across the Tamborine Mountain population, 50% of the residents are 50 years of age or older.
Age - Tamborine Mountain 0-9 years 10% of population 10-19 years 12% 20-29 years 5% 30-39 years 8% 40-49 years 15% 50-59 years 16% Delivering an integrated, efficient, accessible public transport network for Tamborine Mountain.
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60-69 years 17% 70-79 years 12% 80 years and above 5%
One common implication of the lack of public transport for this age profile is that, given there is only one aged care facility on Tamborine Mountain, many older residents are unable to age in place, having to move away from the mountain to the live on the Gold Coast or in Brisbane once they can no longer drive to access the services they require. This causes dislocation and social isolation for elderly residents who lose contact with friends they have known for years on the mountain. For those who do remain, loss of a drivers’ license can also mean social isolation and/or dependency on others for transport to essential services, especially health services.
Income - Tamborine Mountain
Working residents that live on Tamborine Mountain earn an income that is on average 12% lower than the median income for the rest of Queensland. This income, when compared to the census data for the median income for the rest of Australia, is 13% lower. This cohort is further disadvantaged financially due to the absence of public transport on the mountain.
Median weekly incomes Tamborine Mountain People aged 15 years and over Personal $581 Family $1,469 Household $1,244
Employment - Tamborine Mountain
When compared to Queensland and Australia’s census figures, Tamborine Mountain has an 8.7% lower level of full-time employed residents and approx. 10% higher level of part-time employed residents. We consider that this lower income correlates to a greater need for affordable public transport.
People who reported being in the labour force, aged 15 years and over Worked full-time 49.8% Worked part-time 39% Away from work 6.2% Unemployed 5.0%
Travel to Work - Tamborine Mountain
Given that there is currently no public transport link around Tamborine Mountain plateau or down to connecting Translink transport hubs, it can only be presumed that the 1.6% of residents who travelled by public transport used a private vehicle to connect with that public transport.
Furthermore, the census data for people who travelled to work by public transport for the rest of Queensland was 7.5% higher than Tamborine Mountain and for the rest of Australia was 9.9% Delivering an integrated, efficient, accessible public transport network for Tamborine Mountain.
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higher. One would presume that access to an integrated, efficient public transport network for the residents of Tamborine Mountain would increase those who travelled to work by public transport by several percentage points.
Travel to work, top responses -Employed people aged 15 years and over Car, as driver 63.4% Worked at home 11.3% Car, as passenger 4.2% Walked only 2.6% Other 0.8% People who travelled to work by public transport 1.6%
Given the demographic profile of Tamborine Mountain, there is social justice argument to support the introduction of a subsidised public transport service to link the community to the Gold Coast and Brisbane.
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4.1.4 Existing public transport
In letters of response to previous requests for public transport on Tamborine Mountain, both Jackie Trad MP and Mark Bailey MP (see Annexes 1A and 1B) suggested residents should take advantage of the community transport services that currently operate in and around Tamborine Mountain.
The full list of services, as referred to by our Ministers for Transport and Main Roads, can be found at: http://www.scenicrimtransport.net/index.php/canungra-tamborine-mt
Although at a glance, the public transport services listed for Tamborine Mountain appear quite comprehensive and inclusive, upon investigation it is apparent that there is actually only one option which is available to all residents. This is the Tamborine Mountain – Beenleigh Station Translink provided service accessible to a maximum of 3 pre booked passengers daily.
Note: as previously mentioned, Tamborine Mountain is geographically separate from Tamborine/Tamborine Village and Canungra.
Below is a brief summary of each service listed on the website and those who are eligible to access it.
Tamborine Mountain – Beenleigh Station - Translink subsidised service - Website refers to this as a “Bus Run”, however as per the Translink flyer it is actually a dedicated flat-fare taxi service https://translink.com.au/sites/default/files/assets/resources/travel-with-us/taxi-and- community-transport/mt-tamborine-to-beenleigh-service-flyer.pdf - Operates Monday to Friday - Set timetable: Tamborine Mountain pick up 6:30am Beenleigh Station return 6:20pm Note: one additional pick up/return time available on Thursdays - Sedan taxi – seats maximum of 3 passengers. However, due to COVID restrictions, at time of writing this service seats a maximum of 2 passengers
Canungra – Tamborine – Beenleigh via Loganlea - Translink subsidised service operated by Logan Coaches - Route 587 - Not a service for Tamborine Mountain residents as Canungra and Tamborine Village are both located OFF the mountain (i.e. Tamborine Mountain residents would have to use their own transport to drive 15-25 minutes to either Canungra or Tamborine Village. Note: Helensvale Transport hub is 25-35 minutes from any point on Tamborine Mountain by private car)
Eagle Heights, Tamborine area – Australia Fair - subsidised by grant funding - operated by Ozcare - only available to registered Ozcare clients (i.e. not available to the general public) - minibus - Thursdays only Taxi Services Delivering an integrated, efficient, accessible public transport network for Tamborine Mountain.
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- one Yellow Cab - pre booking only for availability of Maxi Taxi - fare price: approx. $90 one way Tamborine Mountain to Helensvale Transport Hub
Mt Tamborine Transfers - pre bookings only - private business (no subsidisation) - fare price: $50 one way Tamborine Mountain to Helensvale Transport Hub
Patient Transport Scheme Claims - only for patients who visit a specialist medical service more than 50km away i.e. Brisbane only as Gold Coast University Hospital is less than 50km away - is up to a maximum of $25 taxi fare subsidy (claimable after travel) - fare price: $170-210 one way Tamborine Mountain to Brisbane City - GP must write referral prior to booking the service for patient to be eligible
Tamborine Mountain Community Care - subsidised by grant funding - operated by Tamborine Mountain Community Care Association (TMCCA) - only available to registered TMCCA clients who must be 65 years of age or older (i.e. not available to the general public). Currently approx. 480 registered clients - shopping: - minibus maximum of 9 passengers - pre bookings only - Tuesdays to Gold Coast shopping centres (currently not operating due to COVID) - Thursdays local shopping on Tamborine Mountain (IGA, Post Office, Bank, Library etc.)
- medical appointments: - volunteer drivers use own transport and are reimbursed for vehicle wear and tear - pre bookings only - 1 patient per car (plus carer or partner if necessary) - destinations the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Ipswich
Roscoe Coaches - private business - 51 seat coach available for private charter - not accessible to the general public
Tamborine Mountain Coaches - private business - private charters for weddings, group bookings etc. - not accessible to the general public
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Lets Talk Tours - private business - private charter for tourism purposes (specialises in day tours for small groups) - not accessible to the general public
In summary, of the 10 Tamborine Mountain transport options available to the local community, only one is in fact accessible to all members of the general public. This is Translink’s Tamborine Mountain to Beenleigh Station subsidised taxi fare. However, this service has the following limitations: - only operates one return trip daily - day trip is fixed at 12 hours from pick up to return pick up. This means it is approximately 13 hours by the time the traveler returns home - security and safety concerns waiting at Beenleigh Station at 6:20pm - maximum of 3 passengers Monday to Friday
The other 9 services listed are either only available to a very limited demographic or are private businesses offering charter hire targeted primarily at tourists not locals.
Clearly, the current community transport services referred to by Jackie Trad MP (Annex 1A) and Mark Bailey MP (Annex 1B) are only accessible to a very limited number of Tamborine Mountain’s 8100 residents. We are seeking an integrated, efficient and accessible public transport service with pickups around Tamborine Mountain and a connection to and from the Helensvale Transport hub.
4.2 Personal issues and their causes resulting from lack of public transport
In 2018/19 a Blueprint for Tamborine Mountain’ future was developed by the local community following collection and analysis of over 400 written submissions and 250 online questionnaires. The Blueprint research was done with the view to establishing the community’s perception of the most important topics for our mountain moving forward to 2030. Lack of public transport was highlighted as the current number one issue for our community. (See page 1 of Blueprint Summary at Appendix J.)
In addition, the Community Steering Committee’s recent consultation with the community brought forward numerous issues experienced by residents due to the lack of access to public transport on Tamborine Mountain. Inability to access health services, employment, training, education, shopping and recreation facilities both on and off the mountain is a common issue. Feelings of isolation and frustration, which can adversely effect the mental health of residents, is also a common challenge experienced by those without access to a private vehicle nor public transport which prevents them from easily leaving and returning to the mountain. No demographic is left untouched.
Additionally, during COVID lockdowns earlier this year, our community was further isolated from medical facilities with the temporary closure of both QML Pathology and Iris Imaging. All patients requiring COVID testing or general pathology testing were required to travel to Oxenford for the nearest pathology lab or radiology services. This was a particular issue for the elderly who have regular testing to monitor their health. The following are extracts from personal stories received by the Community Steering Committee regarding situations of hardship, frustration and concern due to Tamborine Mountain residents’ lack of access to public transport.
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Young people
“My son is 16 years of age and recently wanted to travel to the Gold Coast to meet with friends. Due to work and family commitments we were unable to take him down the mountain. For him to meet his commitment he had to go to work with his father at 4 am to Ormeau and wait at that site until daylight to get a bus and tram to Southport. If there had been public transport from Tamborine Mountain, this ridiculous situation would have been remedied.” Carmen W
“For my family with two teenagers this is really needed. There is next to nothing for them to do on the mountain and this would give them some freedom without us parents being a taxi driver every day.” Stuart D
Aged
"My 84-year-old patient has been referred to Geriatric services. They normally would do a home visit, but they rang him up that due to COVID they can only offer him a consultation at the local Hospital. Unfortunately, he can't drive down the mountain anymore, so nothing happens." Patient of Dr Zomerdijk
"My elderly 82-year-old neighbour lived by herself on the mountain for more than 20 years. Due to age and poor health, she could not drive anymore. She had to move to Brisbane to live close to her children. She regrettably had to leave her best friends and beautiful garden on the Mountain" Neighbour of Janny G
“I came to Australia 4 years ago and having a German and International driver's license until my age of 90 years, I had to get an Australian license after two weeks which I did successfully. I have only one working eye since birth, which was no problem for me for the last 82 years. A year ago I had to retest my vision and unfortunately I missed by a tiny bit. So, I need a public bus service to get off the mountain at any time without a week's notification. I am living here in an "over 50 lifestyle village" of 46 houses with approx. 70 residents. Many of them have no valid license anymore or only a limited one for daylight or mountain driving. Many of the residents here at Capo Di Monte cannot afford a taxi or uber to get to Helensvale and back.” Wolfgang K
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Families
“My 84-year-old mother lives in Helensvale and can only visit me at Eagle Heights if I go and collect her. I am 56, live on my own and work in Brisbane. I drive to Coomera and leave my car at the station. If I need to have someone at home to allow access to trades or the like I have to pick up my mother for an overnight stay.” Lyn A
“Patricia (age 70+) drove her grandson (age 21+) to and from Helensvale railway station each weekday for 6 months because he did not have a driver’s licence and needed to attend TAFE college in Brisbane. Her grandson was living with her on Tamborine Mountain during this period.” John C
“Noleen in her mid-70s does not drive. Her husband drives her off the mountain once a week for a shopping trip and other business. Recently Noleen’s husband became ill, was hospitalised and when he returned home could not drive while he was recovering. Noleen needed transport both while her husband was hospitalised and could not travel off the mountain for shopping or business while he was recuperating. Had to rely on family and friends for transport.” Helen G
Employees
“On taking my car down to Southport for servicing/maintenance at 7am I then have to wait until up to 4pm to collect the vehicle. If there was a bus service, I could get the light rail to Helensvale and a bus to Tamborine Mountain at 8am and return to Southport in the afternoon or even the next day to collect my car. I do this at least twice a year.” Colleen S
Businesses
“Business owners in Eagle Heights, the lack of public transport on and around Tamborine Mountain impacts many of my employees who do not have a drivers licence. The staff are reliant on family or friends to bring them to and from work. If their family or friends are off the Mountain, they do not have transport and therefore cannot work.” Theresa P
“As the owner and operator of Eagle Heights Mountain Resort, we often have enquires from guests who would like to come and stay in our hotel, and enjoy all that Tamborine Mountain has to offer, including the bush walks. The Guests’ who don’t own a car are not able to travel up and stay and visit, the high cost of taking a taxis or Uber or hiring a car adds to cost of the guests trip and I believe it is limiting how many nights we can sell to travellers to the region. During the 2018 Commonwealth games guests who stayed with us became stranded on the Mountain. We needed to provide private transport to assist the guests in leaving the Hotel and meeting trains at Helensvale Train station. A bus service would open up the mountain to more international and interstate tourists.”
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Tourists
“On a regular basis the hotel has tourists in the evening asking when they can get a bus back to the Gold Coast. After finding their way to Tamborine Mountain during the day, they anticipate that they will be able to catch a bus back to their accommodation. It is on this occasion that my staff would have to call a taxi on their behalf, which would cost over $100. If there was a bus service, our staff could advise tourists of a timetable and pick up points.” Theresa P
People with a disability
“When I first moved to the Mount Tamborine I had a suspected mini stroke, so I was not allowed to drive. As it was a temporary disability, I could not get community transport to my appointments for hospital and tests. The one bus down was not a suitable time and I am not sure how I could get to pick up and also to various appointments. I am a 63 year old single woman.” Janine C
Citizens with health issues
“Trygg was in his early 60s had an urgent appointment at the Gold Coast hospital. His wife cannot drive off the mountain so Trygg had to resort to asking a neighbour for a favour to drive him to the hospital, wait until his appointment was complete and drive him back to his home on the mountain.” Graham G
“I have a need to attend oncology at the Gold Coast hospital several times a year. Currently I drive and have to pay around $20.00 just to park my car. If there was public transport to Helensvale I could then get a tram to the hospital and return without having to drive through the madness.” Neil S
“I am 70 years old and live on a farm at North Tamborine. I need to walk approximately half a kilometre to the gate. Most days I walk 3km each way to the shops. As I have no driver’s license, it is difficult for me to leave if it is raining. I rely on my 70year old husband to take me off the mountain. He recently had to have his eyes tested for cataracts and as he could not drive for 24 hours, we had to stay in a motel at the coast. He now needs an operation and he will not be able to drive for about 6 weeks. We will need to rely on friends to take us to and from the mountain during this time to doctors etc.” Pam D
“I recently suffered a serious eye problem requiring immediate attention at the emergency department of the Gold Coast University Hospital. Fortunately, the hospital’s Patient Transfer Unit coordinated patient transport services for me through Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) to and from Tamborine Mountain for a further two visits to see the ophthalmologist at the hospital, as I could not drive my car due to the eye problem. This involved tying up the resources of a QAS officer for a total of 6 hours for 4 round trips, between the mountain from the hospital of 1.5 hours each. Otherwise I would have had to take 4 expensive taxi rides as there is no bus service.” Nicole S
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Citizens without private transport
“Due to lack of Public transport I have been driving a friend from Tamborine Mountain to a Gold Coast hospital for the last three months for her weekly appointments as she has no way for getting there. Also driving her to doctors’ appointments twice a week on the mountain.” Janine C
4.3 Other social, environmental, governance and economic considerations
The provision of an integrated, efficient and accessible public transport network will remove the complete social isolation that currently exists for residents who do not have access to their own private vehicle – either temporarily or long term. It will also empower our youth and older citizens who are unable to drive alone, have limited licenses or personal driving safety concerns (for example, driving in the regular daytime thick fog or rain).
From an environmental perspective, the addition of public transport around Tamborine Mountain plateau and down to Helensvale’s transport hub will reduce the number of private vehicles on the road which will in turn reduce carbon emissions.
From a governance perspective we feel that the residents of Tamborine Mountain have equal access to public transport services commensurate with those provided by Translink in other smaller rural towns such as Beaudesert, Canungra and Maleny (see 4.5 for How similar problems have been addressed elsewhere) whose populations are substantially less.
As previously mentioned, Tamborine Mountain has a large number of residents who are either not employed or who only work part time who would directly benefit from access to low cost public transport as well as lower priced goods and services. Due to the geographic isolation of the mountain plateau, the cost of certain goods and services within our community are proportionately higher than those available on the Gold Coast. A public transport connection to Helensvale transport hub via Upper Coomera and Oxenford will give our residents access to lower cost hardware (Bunnings), groceries, clothes and more. Westfield Helensvale Shopping Centre (located at Helensvale’s transport hub) has over 150 stores including banks, Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, Kmart, Target and more.
In addition, access to hospitals via a public transport connection mitigates the high cost of parking.
A further economic benefit of a public transport connection to Helensvale’s’ transport hub is for the businesses on Tamborine Mountain. This connection would enable tourists, who don't have access to a private vehicle, to do daytrips or longer to access the green behind the gold.
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4.4 Overview of support
The Community Steering Committee has received support from everyone we have been in contact with – from local residents and business owners through to local Council and State Government Members of Parliament.
See Appendices listed below for copies of letters of support for public transport on Tamborine Mountain. State Members of Parliament (Appendix A-C) Council Mayors of Scenic Rim Regional Council and the City of Gold Coast. (Appendix D and E) Division 1 and Division 2 Councilors of Scenic Rim Regional Council (Appendix F and G) Tamborine Mountain community organisations and Service Providers (Appendix I) Tamborine Mountain Community Blueprint summary (Appendix J)
4.5 How similar problems have been addressed elsewhere
Tamborine Mountain is part of the Scenic Rim Regional Council. As mentioned previously, Tamborine Mountain is located 500+m above sea level on top of a plateau within the Scenic Rim. The comparisons below are made on the basis of equality of access to services from a population perspective as well comparing a small community with similar geographic constraints. As such, comparisons will be made between Beaudesert and Canungra – smaller Scenic Rim townships, and Maleny – a smaller township with similar geographic accessibility.
Public Transport funding for Tamborine Mountain is limited to Translink’s subsidised Monday to Friday once daily taxi service to Beenleigh Station for a maximum of 3 passengers. By comparision, the smaller Scenic Rim townships of Beaudesert and Canungra, as well as geographically similar Maleny, all experience integrated, efficient and accessible Translink connections to transport hubs, multiple times, 7 days a week.
4.5.1 Demographic comparisons of similar locations – Beaudesert, Maleny, Canungra
Below are population and Modified Monash Model (MMM) classification comparisons between Tamborine Mountain, Beaudesert, Maleny and Canungra. MMM rezoning, based on an Australian Bureau of Statistics measure for population density and remoteness, took effect from 1 January 2020 (see 4.6.3 Australian Bureau of Statistics - effects of Tamborine Mountain rezoning for complete details).
Urban Area Population MMM Classification+ Council Tamborine Mountain 7429* 1 Metropolitan Scenic Rim Beaudesert 6273* 4 Median Rural Town Scenic Rim Maleny 2869* 5 Small Rural Town Sunshine Coast Canungra 1229* 2 Inner Regional Scenic Rim
Legend: * Data from 2016 Census + See 4.6.3 Australian Bureau of Statistics – effects of Tamborine Mountain rezoning Delivering an integrated, efficient, accessible public transport network for Tamborine Mountain.
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The map shows the designated urban footprints used by the ABS for the 2016 Census data.
The pie charts (on the next page) highlight the age group demographics for the towns being compared. It is of note that as the population ages, the need for access to public transport increases. In spite of having 50% of it’s population over the age of 50, Tamborine Mountain still has no public bus services. Sitting at 59%, Maleny is the only town in the comparison with a higher percentage of over 50’s. By contrast, Beaudesert’s over 50’s population sits at 42% and Canungra’s at only 34%. In spite of this, all three other towns have access to regular, integrated and efficient Translink funded public bus services.
As previously mentioned, the lack of public transport around Tamborine Mountain plateau and down to Helensvale’s transport hub is a major reason why residents without a car or drivers licence are forced to leave the mountain to live permanently elsewhere.
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80 and above TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN years 70 to 79 years 5% 0-9 years 12% 10% 10 to 19 years 12%
60 to 69 years 20 to 29 years 17% 5% 30 to 39 years 8%
50 to 59 years 40 to 49 years 16% 15%
BEAUDESERT 80 and above years 8% 0-9 years 70 to 79 years 13% 10%
10 to 19 years 13% 60 to 69 years 12%
20 to 29 years 10% 50 to 59 years 12% 40 to 49 years 30 to 39 years 12% 10%
80 and above MALENY 0-9 years years 8% 8% 10 to 19 years 70 to 79 years 10% 16% 20 to 29 years 5%
30 to 39 years 7% 60 to 69 years 21% 40 to 49 years 50 to 59 years 11% 14%
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80 and above CANUNGRA years 70 to 79 years 2% 7% 0-9 years 13% 60 to 69 years 11%
10 to 19 years 15%
50 to 59 years 15%
20 to 29 years 11%
40 to 49 years 14% 30 to 39 years 14%
4.5.2 Public funded services in similar locations – Beaudesert, Maleny, Canungra
Beaudesert Tamborine Mtn Maleny Canungra Population* 6,273* (Now 6500#) 7,429* (now 8100#) 2,869* 1229* Hospital Yes No Yes No Ambulance Station 24hr Station (not 24hr) Station (not 24hr) Station
Legend: * Data from 2016 Census # Current Council data
4.5.3 Translink funded bus services in similar locations – Beaudesert, Maleny, Canungra
Beaudesert Maleny Canungra Translink Services Route 540 Route 891 Route 587 Operates 13 services daily 9 weekday / 5 weekend 5 weekday / 2 Saturday
Times 5:45am to 6:10pm 7am-7:30pm / 9am-4pm 5:05am-7:45pm w/days Transport connection Browns Plans Landsborough Beenleigh
By contrast to the regular Translink funded public bus services available in Beaudesert, Maleny and Canungra, Tamborine Mountain residents only have access to Translink’s subsidsed pre booked taxi service with a maximum of 3 passengers and a fixed timetable as per below.
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It is important to note that this Translink taxi service operates in the opposite direction to the public bus service this submission seeks.
Tamborine Mountain Operates 1 Mon-Tue-Wed-Fri / 2 (Thursday only) Times 6:30am pick up / 9:30am 6:20pm return / 1:20pm (Thursday only) Transport connection Beenleigh Station
5. Criteria for including Tamborine Mountain in the IMTA
Tamborine Mountain currently falls just outside of the IMTA Map of Gold Coast-Coomera (see Annex 2). It is of note that in spite of Tamborine Mountain’s population of 8100 and geographic proximity to the edge of the IMTA map at Wongawallan (which finishes at Elevation Drive – a street at the base of the mountain), our community has been excluded from the mapped region. Whereas the comparatively small and geographically distant township of Canungra has been included in this service contract area.
When determining whether an area or route should be declared as a new mass transit/service contract area, it is understood that Translink must consider a number of particular circumstances. The Community Steering Committee believe that this submission has shown a clear need for public transport on Tamborine Mountain and as such we are seeking equity of access to public transport services that are provided by Translink in smaller, less isolated, townships than our own. References to the current Queensland Transport Strategy cited below, coupled with the most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics rezoning effective as at 1 January 2020, will further support our case for inclusion of Tamborine Mountain in the IMTA.
5.1 Need for public transport
The location of Tamborine Mountain on the top of a plateau geographically separates and isolates the community from neighbouring towns and cities. As detailed above, the Blueprint for Tamborine Mountain and the personal submissions made to the Community Steering Committee express a clear need from residents for a public bus service around the mountain and connecting down to Helensvale’s transport hub (see 4.2 Personal issues and their causes resulting from lack of public transport). In addition, the unexpected temporary closures during COVID of QML Pathology and Iris Imaging further highlight the need for a public transport connection to essential medical facilities on the Gold Coast for those members of the community without access to a private vehicle.
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5.2 Current Queensland Transport Strategy
Below are references drawn from the current Queensland Transport Strategy and how we believe these pertain to the need for equitable access to public transport for the Tamborine Mountain community.
This information was obtained from: https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/queenslandtransportstrategy
Note: All direct quotes will be highlighted and italicised as per this sample text.
The Queensland Transport Strategy has been developed with five strategic outcomes to support a future-focused transport system. These five strategic outcomes are:
1 Accessible, convenient transport 2 Safe journeys for all 3 Seamless, personalised journeys 4 Efficient, reliable and productive transport for people and goods 5 Sustainable, resilient and liveable communities
The Executive Summary states: As the proportion of older Queenslanders increases, there will be more urgency to ensure accessible services are available.
With over 50% of the population of Tamborine Mountain currently over the age of 50, the urgency within our community is very real. This, coupled with the isolation from medical services with the unforeseen temporary closure of QML Pathology and Iris Imaging due to COVID, further highlights the real and pressing need for the delivery of public transport for Tamborine Mountain.
P11 “Our customers and the community are at the core of what we do, which is why the Queensland Transport Strategy focuses on what Queenslanders need and want. (…) An efficient and productive transport system enables increased private sector investment and will create jobs in a strong economy, keeps communities safe, is accessible for all (...).”
For the Tamborine Mountain community, we see this as a local coach operator of a medium sized coach employing local drivers.
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“Strategic outcome 1: Accessible, convenient transport (p24-29) Transport will be physically and geographically accessible, as well as affordable. (…) Future directions and initiatives. Directions: Prioritising investment in shared transport services and infrastructure. Particularly in our regional centres and cities, we will prioritise investment in efficient and reliable shared transport that delivers the capacity and frequency that is needed. This will support and enable efficient and reliable journeys for our customers by reducing dependence on trips by private vehicle. Initiatives we will investigate: Explore opportunities for more shared transport services in regional areas, particularly around busier town centres. (…) Directions: enabling transport that is accessible for all. (…)This means being geographically and physically accessible and affordable for all customers. Initiatives we will investigate: Ensure existing and future stations, stops and interchanges are made accessible for all customers, particularly for people with a disability and older Queenslanders.
The provision of “shared transport” in the form of a medium sized coach which travels around Tamborine Mountain plateau and down to Helensvale’s transport hub would connect the community both locally on the mountain as well as with the rail, tram and bus services available on the Gold Coast. This would take our residents from an otherwise geographically “regional area” to the busier town centre of Helensvale on the Gold Coast. The size of the coach is of particular significance given the nature of the roads on the mountain as well as the need to provide accessibility to a wider potion of the community.
Tamborine Mountain’s geographic isolation, coupled with our community demographic of over 50% of our 8100 residents being over the age of 50, clearly sits us in the category of “initiatives we (Queensland Government) will investigate” for inclusion in the IMTA.
“Strategic outcome 2: Safe journeys for all (p30-35) Directions: Improving personal security on the transport network Initiatives we will investigate: Continually review and improve requirements for all transport service providers to protect the personal security of customers.”
The Community Steering Committee believes it is time to review the current Translink dedicated flat-fare taxi service from Tamborine Mountain to Beenleigh Station in part due to the personal security of customers and in part due to the service going the opposite direction that most residents want to travel. Redirecting the current funding into a more accessible bus service that goes to Helensvale transport hub would enable more residents to access public transport to a destination where both young adults and elderly customers feel safer.
The current Translink service, only accessible to 3 passengers per day on a fixed schedule, has been in operation for over 12 years. In our discussions with the community, the Steering Committee only found one local resident (outside of the aged care providers) who is aware of the existence of this service. It is not well publicised and is very under utilised. The one 70year old female resident, who does not have a license, has been utilising this service regularly for over 7 years to travel to Broadbeach. She advised that in years past, the taxi driver was often flexible and agreed to collect Delivering an integrated, efficient, accessible public transport network for Tamborine Mountain.
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passengers prior to the return time of 6:20pm. However, in the past year or so, the return time has become 100% rigid and as per the timetable. Due to the shops across the road from the Beenleigh Station pick up area closing around 5:30pm, the cold and darkness during winter and her feeling isolated and unsafe waiting for the return pick up she now relies on friends for transport and only uses the Translink service on rare occasions. Furthermore, this resident expressed that now, at the age of 70, a 13 hour day away from home is simply too tiring a journey to embark on and the Thursday timetable doesn't allow her time to travel to and from Broadbeach to spend time at the Casino.
Strategic outcome 3: Seamless, personalised journeys (p36-41) Directions: Providing world-class, innovative customer services and community connection We will continue to improve our existing customer service offering while exploring new digital opportunities that provide greater accessibility and connectivity, and more opportunities for authentic community engagement
Initiatives we will investigate: Engage with customers, the community and partners to co-design initiatives and services.
Given the opportunity, the Community Steering Committee would welcome partnering with Translink and our community to co-design services for the Tamborine Mountain community. Our 11 Steering Committee members are members, employees or participants of 10 different community based organisations and businesses giving us direct access to hundreds of community members. Additionally, strong community readership of local community newspapers (Scenic News and Tamborine Times) and a very active Facebook community with just shy of 8000 members puts us in a position to facilitate the rapid engagement of more community members as required.
Strategic outcome 4: Efficient, reliable and productive transport for people and goods (p42- 47) Directions: Reducing the cost of transport for households and businesses (…) addressing transport constraints in supply chains to help reduce the cost of travel for households and businesses Initiatives we will investigate: investigate opportunities to partner with new Mobility as a Service providers to ensure that transport remains affordable for all Queenslanders, such as through appropriate concessions, and by introducing more affordable transport options and mobility plans.
The 2016 ABS Census data which indicates that 1.6% of Tamborine Mountain’s working residents access public transport to travel to work, in spite of there currently being no public transport link from Tamborine Mountain to a Translink transport hub, indicates an already existing need for connectivity to reduce the cost of private vehicle travel.
Furthermore, the comparatively low percentage of full time employed residents, and higher percentage of part time employed residents, compared with the rest of Queensland and Australia indicates that provision of an affordable public transport option has the potential to ease the financial burden of travel on Tamborine Mountain households.
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Strategic outcome 5: Sustainable, resilient and liveable communities (p48-53) In the future, shared transport will be a more attractive alternative to private car use, helping manage emissions and creating more attractive places. As regional centres and urban areas continue to grow, greater use of shared transport will help manage congestion and emissions.
With no reticulated water or town sewerage mountain residents are, in general, quite conscious of our environment and doing what we can to preserve our precious natural resources. This general community awareness aligns well with the Queensland Government strategy for providing an alternative to private car use, for both local transport around the mountain as well as down the mountain, in order to help manage emissions.
Our role in the transport system of the future (p54-61)
How Transport and Main Roads will address challenges and opportunities • Continue putting customers and the community first • Ensure the transport system is sustainably funded. We will (…) ensure equitable and accessible transport options are prioritised.
Principles for decision-making Principle: Encourage social equity Description: Our future transport system will support equity and access and help build liveable, connected and sustainable communities.
Delivering our 30-year strategy (p62-66) As we consider and progress future initiatives, we will: • consult with customers and the community to ensure we are delivering initiatives that best meet their needs • communicate our initiatives and actions to the community and all stakeholders to raise awareness of our work and highlight opportunities to develop partnerships to achieve customer and community outcomes.
Measuring progress against outcomes Outcome: Accessible, convenient transport Measure: increase per cent of residents in urban and regional Queensland able to access essential services within 30 minutes
Our Community Steering Committee believe that the above excerpts from the current Queensland Transport Strategy demonstrate a number of reasons why the Tamborine Mountain community should be eligible to receive equitable access to a Translink funded public bus service similar to those currently available in the smaller towns of Beaudesert, Maleny and Canungra. As such, we feel that there is reason to include Tamborine Mountain on the IMTA map, thus facilitating access to Translink’s public transport network.
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5.3 Australian Bureau of Statistics - Tamborine Mountain rezoning
The 2016 Australian Census data saw Tamborine Mountain reclassified by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for both the Australian Statistics Geography Standard (ASGS) and the Modified Monash Model (MMM).
ASGS determines five levels of remoteness for areas and is used by all levels of Government. The ASGS classifications are: Major Cities Inner Regional Outer Regional Remote Very Remote
As per the ASGS map below, Tamborine Mountain was reclassified from Inner Regional to Major Cities in 2016.
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Subsequently, in 2019, Tamborine Mountain was reclassified to Metropolitan (MM1) by the Modified Monash Model (MMM). This model, used by the Australian Department of Health, measures remoteness and population size on a scale of Modified Monash (MM) category MM 1 to MM 7: MM1 Metropolitan MM2 Regional centres MM3 Large rural towns MM4 Medium rural towns MM5 Small rural towns MM6 Remote communities MM7 Very remote communities
As per the map below Beaudesert, with a smaller population and more health facilities, has now been classified as a Medium Rural Town (MM4). Likewise Maleny, which has a smaller population, more health facilities, but similar topographic access challenges, has been classified as a Small Rural Town (MM5).
Map source: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/health-workforce-locator
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The ASGS and MMM classifications of Major Cities and Metropolitan denote a town that is well connected with excellent access to medical and transport services. However, this is not the case for Tamborine Mountain.
Tamborine Mountain residents cannot access health facilities in their own town (such as hospitals and specialists) that one would otherwise expect to be easily accessible in an urban centre. Currently, all hospital and major specialist facilities located on the Gold Coast are a 35 to 45-minute drive by private car from Tamborine Mountain.
As detailed in 4. Current Public Transport Options on Tamborine Mountain, the only public transport service currently available to all residents is the Translink subsidised taxi fare for a maximum of 3 passengers daily Monday to Friday to Beenleigh Train Station. Currently, there is no public transport connection between Tamborine Mountain and Gold Coast University Hospital (accessible via Helensvale transport hub). This situation worsened during the COVID-19 crisis with the temporary closure of both local Iris Imaging (the only x-ray department) and QML Pathology.
Translink’s provision of a public transport network around Tamborine Mountain and down to the Helensvale transport hub would provide residents with access to Metropolitan health facilities. Clearly, the execution of the Queensland Transport Strategy would deliver an integrated, efficient, accessible public transport network for Tamborine Mountain. Furthermore COVID, and the future risk of closure of some health facilities on Tamborine Mountain, highlights the urgency with which Translink need to respond to this submission and the needs of Tamborine Mountain residents for a public transport connection.
6. Details of proposal
Although the implementation of a public transport network is at the discretion of Translink, the Community Steering Committee has a goal of a permanent (or long term) Translink subsidised public bus service that operates around and down the mountain delivering an integrated, efficient and accessible public transport network for Tamborine Mountain residents.
The proposal below was formed after community consultation, analysis of past successes and challenges and collaboration with current local coach operator Chris Erickson of Tamborine Mountain Coaches. It takes into account past challenges of limited pickups, excessive bus size and the practicality of operating a coach in our geographic location.
Although Tamborine Mountain is on a plateau, most residents live on or around the sides of the mountain. This means that walking 100m in some locations may be impractical due to the severity of the incline. In other locations, things such as trees protruding onto the road make turning a coach an impossibility. We believe that the route selection and schedule has taken all of these aspects into account and would work efficiently to service the local community.
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6.1 Proposed map of route
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6.2 Style of service
The Community Steering Committee proposes: - operation of contract by a local coach company - a bus that starts and finishes on the mountain (to ensure bus drivers are not required any excessive travel time prior to and after completion of a shift) - smaller coach size of approximately 20-24 seats (see example image below) to facilitate efficient movement around the mountain plateau and down to the Gold Coast.
6.3 Proposed schedule
The proposed schedule starts and finishes on the mountain to ensure bus drivers are not required any excessive travel time prior to and after completion of a shift. This also ensures the maximum number of return loops possible around and down the mountain during two driver shifts.
The times of the proposed services are based on facilitating student and working commuters’ access to onward connections four times per day – both on and off the mountain. The proposed bus stops are a combination of residential pick up points and locations near or at essential services such as Post Office, bank, shops etc. The route makes use of existing bus shelters as well as pick up points in geographically convenient and accessible locations.
The proposed schedule below highlights (in white) the stops that are in the Scenic Rim Regional Council and those that are part of the City of Gold Coast (in yellow). Although located in the City of Gold Coast, White Rock Bus Stop opposite the corner of MacDonnell Road and Tolima Drive is actually located “on” the mountain whilst the Upper Coomera Shopping Centre pick up point is “down” the mountain. This 15-minute part of the journey incorporates most of decent from the plateau. This is the section of road that isolates Tamborine Mountain residents from accessing the geographically close, but topographically distant, medical and shopping facilities of the City of Gold Coast. Refer to Annex 3 for location of these two bus stops overlaid on the current IMTA Declared Service Contract Area Map of Gold Coast-Coomera.
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6.4 Access to service
Although our submission is targeted at delivering integrated, efficient and accessible public transport to local residents of Tamborine Mountain, with the support of Gold Coast Tourism and marketing of the integrated route from the Helensvale transport hub to the Gold Coast’s green behind the gold, we believe that this service would be utilised by tourists and locals alike.
In addition, it is important to note that the coach would need to be wheelchair accessible to ensure equality of access to those in our community with disabilities or mobility challenges.
7. Proposed way forward
Seek Governor in Council approval of a regulation under the Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994 to include Tamborine Mountain in the Integrated Mass Transit Area, hence enabling the Chief Executive to take steps to enter into an Integrated Mass Transit Area service contract with a suitable provider.
We also seek collaboration between the Community Steering Committee and Translink to deliver an integrated, efficient and accessible public transport network for Tamborine Mountain residents, taking into account geographic constraints and the opportunity for increased employment within our community with the use of a locally based coach operator.
8. Conclusion
The Community Steering Committee believe that we have outlined the reasons why the Tamborine Mountain residents need a Translink funded public bus service as well as the supporting evidence as to why our community should receive equal access to these services which are readily available in other smaller towns such as Beaudesert, Maleny and Canungra.
Tamborine Mountain is a community of 8100 residents located on and around an 8km long, 4km wide plateau 500+m above sea level. It is geographically separated from Tamborine / Tamborine Village which is at the western base of the mountain, 15-25 minutes drive by private car.
Although in a rural setting that is geographically isolated from the towns at the base of the mountain, the 2016 Australian Census data for Tamborine Mountain’s densely populated plateau saw our community rezoned to Major City under the Australian Statistics Geography Standard and Metropolitan under the Modified Monash Model. These classifications denote an urban town that is well connected with excellent access to medical, shopping and transport services. However, this is not the case for Tamborine Mountain.
The closest hospitals and medical specialists are located on the Gold Coast (accessible via Helensvale’s transport hub), a 35-45 minute drive by private car. The closest shopping centres with major chain stores and lower priced goods and services are also located on the northern Gold Coast.
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Currently, the only Translink service available to residents is a dedicated flat fare, pre booked taxi service which operates once a day on weekdays (twice on Thursdays) from Tamborine Mountain to Beenleigh Station for a maximum of 3 passengers. This service goes in the opposite direction to that requested in this submission.
This submission seeks the inclusion of Tamborine Mountain in the IMTA under Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994 to enable the Chief Executive to enter into an integrated mass transport service contract with a suitable provider. The Community Steering Committee proposes the use of a medium sized 20-24 seater coach, which operates four return services daily around the mountain and down to Helenvale’s transport hub, to facilitate easy maneuverability of the bus and to reduce the overall cost of providing this service. Given the multiple services operating in other much smaller towns, we feel this is a very reasonable request.
Translink’s provision of a public transport network around Tamborine Mountain and down to the Helensvale transport hub would provide residents with access to metropolitan health facilities as well as shopping and recreation facilities not available within the community. Clearly, the execution of the Queensland Transport Strategy would deliver equality of access for Tamborine Mountain residents to an integrated, efficient and accessible public transport network.
Furthermore COVID, and the future risk of closure of some health facilities on Tamborine Mountain, highlights the urgency with which Translink need to respond to this submission and the needs of Tamborine Mountain residents for a public transport connection.
The Community Steering Committee ask you give due consideration to this submission. We look forward to meeting in person with the Minister to discuss the next steps in making public bus transport a reality for Tamborine Mountain residents.
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Supporting Information Annexes and Appendices
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Annex 1A Letter from Hon. Jackie Trad MP
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Annex 1B Letter from Hon. Mark Bailey MP
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Annex 2 Current IMTA Map of Gold Coast-Coomera
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Index of Appendices A-H
Letters of support submitted by Members of State Parliament, Scenic Rim Regional Council Mayor, Gold Coast City Council Mayor, and local government members for the local area and surrounding divisions.
A. Support letter from Jon Krause MP – State Member for Scenic Rim
B. Support Letter from Mark Boothman MP - State Member for Theodore
C. Support Letter from Michael Crandon MP - State Member for Coomera
D. Support Letter from Greg Christensen – Mayor Scenic Rim Regional Council
E. Support Letter from Tom Tate – Mayor City of Gold Coast
F. Support Letter from Derek Swanborough - Division 1 Councilor Scenic Rim Regional Council
G. Support Letter from Jeff McConnell - Division 2 Councilor Scenic Rim Regional Council
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Appendix A - Support letter from Jon Krause MP – State Member for Scenic Rim
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Appendix B Support Letter from Mark Boothman MP - State Member for Theodore
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Appendix C Support Letter from Michael Crandon MP - State Member for Coomera
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Appendix D Support Letter from Greg Christensen – Mayor Scenic Rim Regional Council
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Appendix E Support Letter from Tom Tate – Mayor City of Gold Coast.
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Appendix F Support Letter from Derek Swanborough – Division 1 Councillor Scenic Rim Regional Council
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Appendix G Support Letter from Jeff McConnell – Division 2 Councillor Scenic Rim Regional Council
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Appendix H Community Steering Committee Members
David Power Rotary Satellite Club of Coomera River-Tamborine Mountain - Chairman
Neil Smith (Coordinator) Rotary Satellite Club of Coomera River-Tamborine Mountain - Member
Zoe Ross (Submission Editor) Rotary Satellite Club of Coomera River-Tamborine Mountain - Member
Dr Jan Zomerdijk (Modified Monash Model and Media) Rotary Satellite Club of Coomera River-Tamborine Mountain - Member General Practitioner Tamborine Mountain Medical Practice
John Clem (Route Planner) Probus Club of Tamborine Mountain - Member Tamborine Mountain Community Care Association – Board Member
Jaap Vogel (History) Tamborine Mountain Progress Association - Member Tamborine Mountain Universe Incorporated - Member Tamborine Mountain Chamber of Commerce - Member
Richard Pratt (History and Media)
Nigel Waistell (Public Transport Current Status) Tamborine Mountain Community Care Association – Chairman Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens Association – Member Tamborine Mountain Landcare Association – Member
Wolfgang Klein (Research) Probus Club of Tamborine Mountain - Member Catholic Church
Geoff Marshall Tamborine Mountain Community Care Association – Manager
Chris Erickson Tamborine Mountain Coaches – Director
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Appendix I Community Support
The people and organisations listed below fully support the proposal for the introduction of a public transport bus service for Tamborine Mountain residents.
Each have provided the Community Steering Committee with a signed letter of support which can be made available upon request.
See Appendix A-G for letters of support submitted by State Members of Parliament, Scenic Rim Regional Council Mayor, Mayor City of Gold Coast and local government members.
Members of Parliament Jon Krause MP Member for Scenic Rim 5515 1100 Mark Boothman MP Member for Theodore 3445 0100 Michael Crandon MP Member for Coomera 5560 8100
Mayors Greg Christensen Mayor of the Scenic Rim Regional Council 5540 5105 Tom Tate Mayor of the City of Gold Coast 5581 5283
Local Government Councillors Cr Derek Swanborough Division 1 Scenic Rim Regional Council 0401 306 659 Cr Jeff McConnell Division 2 Scenic Rim Regional Council 0436 327 434
Aged Care Providers Anglicare Mandy Smith 1300 610 610 Beau Care Louise Dwyer 5541 4216 Roslyn Lodge Louise Stephens 5545 7822 TM* Community Care Association Geoff Marshall 5545 4968
Pharmacies Tamborine Mountain Chempro Chemist Dr Bryce Frederiks 5648 0902 Eagle Heights Pharmacy Jay Harvey 5545 1441
Dentists Tamborine Mountain Dental Care Dr Sandeep Gupta 5545 2788 Eagle Heights Dental Care Dr Raj Jasthi 5545 2522
Travel Agent Travelling Places Gina Storey 5545 1600
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Medical Practices Tamborine Mountain Medical Practice Dr Jan Zomerdijk 5545 1222 Eagle Heights Medical Centre Dr Kavita Nathan 5545 2416 Mountain Medical Centre Dr Oliver Bowens 5545 2909
Optometrist
Tamborine Mountain Optometrists Nicole Carr 5545 0277
Physiotherapists Physique Health Physiotherapy Rebecca Bell 5545 1133 Tamborine Mountain Physiotherapy Gary Brooks 5545 0500
Community Service Clubs Tamborine Mountain Chamber of Industry Inc Alison Rip 0419 700 428 Tamborine Mountain Progress Association Jennifer Peat 5545 1940 Lions Club of Tamborine Mountain Inc Rodger Baker 0460 410 933 Rotary Satellite Club of Coomera River-TM* David Power 0419 743 275 Tamborine Mountain RSL Sub-Branch Phillip Hunter 0410 662 961
Social Support Groups Tamborine Mountain Men’s Shed Daryl Furness 5545 3308 Tamborine Mountain U3A Delle Daniels 0413 084 571 Tamborine Mountain Creative Arts Cheryl Wallace 5545 0086 St Vincent de Paul Kevin King 0407 492 336 Presbyterian Church Annette Harden 5541 4216
* TM denotes Tamborine Mountain
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Appendix J Tamborine Mountain Community Blueprint
Note: Public Transport was the key point in the Local Tamborine Mountain Community Blueprint submitted to the Scenic Rim Regional Council 2019
Link for complete document http://visittamborinemountain.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/blueprint-version-21.pdf
Summary
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Appendix K The History of Public Transport on Tamborine Mountain
History of public transport on Tamborine Mountain clearly shows that long term government subsidisation is pivotal to ongoing success of a bus service.
Good transport links have always been essential for the residents of Tamborine Mountain right from the days of first settlement in the 1870’s.
The covering of dense rainforest and the steep rocky slopes made travel on and off the Mountain very challenging for the residents, particularly for essential business, medical and family reasons - needs that still equally apply to the current population which has grown to 8100.
Initially, the only way off the Mountain was cross-country on horseback to Southport or down the old timber getters track to the Tamborine Village settlement with its railway connection to Brisbane.
Gradually these tracks were widened for horse drawn vehicles, which allowed agricultural produce from the Mountain to reach the markets and also the first intrepid tourists to venture up to the mountain. This also made it a bit easier for the mountain residents to travel for medical, business and personal reasons.
In 1925, the rough track up from Tamborine Village (now known simply as Tamborine) became the first sealed road in Queensland. This allowed much less punishing access for motorists, produce trucks and particularly privately owned buses bringing a steady flow of welcome visitors coming to the mountain to share its beauty and to stay at the growing number of guest houses.
However, there was no public transport at all and certainly no scheduled bus services. The best that residents could hope for was to get a ride with a friendly truck or bus driver. There are charming stories of people riding down sitting on other peoples’ laps surrounded by loads of flowers on the way to market in Brisbane.
From the 1930’s on, there were at any one time two or three private bus companies running from Tamborine Mountain to Brisbane. In the early 1950’s, Bill Mitchell established Tamborine Mountain Coach Services, which was later sold to Ian McLean and most recently to current owner Chris Erikson. This is the longest standing privately owned coach company that is still in operation on Tamborine Mountain, currently trading as Tamborine Mountain Coaches.
During the McLean family ownership, commuters and other adults were able to travel on the Tamborine Mountain Coach Services’ school bus run to the Southport area. This was before the Helensvale station was built in 1996. The school run was discontinued in 2001 when Tamborine Mountain State High School opened. Tamborine Mountain Coaches still currently do the school run on the mountain, however currently legislation prevents the general public from utilising these school services.
In 1978 Clarrie Skennar, the owner of a large Brisbane based bus company established a regular Monday to Friday daily service to Brisbane via Beenleigh railway station and commissioned a very powerful 38 seater Denning bus specially for the Mountain roads. The run was specifically aimed at commuters with early departure and late afternoon return and picked up passengers en route. It was a very regular and reliable service with a total of twenty or more passengers per journey.
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It is significant that, to the best of our knowledge, this very successful service was supported by a State Government subsidy. In addition, the regular income earned from the consistent commuter fares would have provided a consistent income base from the route.
In the mid 1990’s Clarrie Skennar retired and the Tamborine to Brisbane route was taken on by Logan Coaches who ran it with equal success until sometime before 2000.
Since then, there have been a number of smaller scale bus operations involving services both on and off the Mountain. These have been privately owned and run by individuals or small companies, some successfully but others eventually failing partly due to the lack of the comprehensive daily scheduling required to meet the wide range of passenger needs.
Currently on the mountain there are a small number of community run bus services catering for their own clientele, staffed by volunteers and funded by grants and donations.
There is also a taxi service, established by Translink over 12 years ago, which provides one return service daily for a maximum of three passengers to Beenleigh Station. This service leaves at 6.30am and returns at 6.20pm from a dark location at the Beenleigh train station. It has to be booked by the night before. Due to Covid-19, at time of writing, this service only takes 2 passengers.
One common factor with almost all of these services is that generally there has been a failure to adequately advertise the service to the mountain population as a whole.
There are a number of lessons that can be drawn from the history of Tamborine Mountain bus transport.
The long and varied history of bus services - public or private - for Tamborine Mountain clearly shows how an effective transport system has been, and continues to be, essential for residents to access the whole range of services which are only available in towns and centres off the Mountain – predominantly on the Gold Coast or in Brisbane.
The residents’ needs have always included getting to work and studies on a regular basis, access to medical and legal services as well as shopping, recreation and contact with friends and family.
These have remained the same to this day with the population now reaching 8100 and expected to grow even larger.
The historical lack of ongoing advertising is something that must be addressed for any future bus service in order to achieve maximum patronage from the population.
Clearly, there has long been a need from residents on Tamborine Mountain for a public bus service dating back many decades. However, as evidenced above, among other factors the success of a regular, reliable and accessible public transport bus service for the community of Tamborine Mountain is reliant on long term government commitment to subsidisation of the service.
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