Brisbane Urban Corridor

The community consultation component of the Brisbane Urban Corridor (BUC) Traffic Planning Study set a benchmark in its field.
Taking an unusual 'blank page' approach with no specific outcomes in mind, the then Queensland Department of Main Roads and the Federal Department of Transport and Regional Services asked JTA to engage a large part of the Brisbane community south of the river and invite their input into local and overall traffic solutions for BUC.
This 11km stretch of the National Highway links Brisbane's south-eastern and south-western motorways, between Ipswich and Gateway motorways. The vital BUC transport corridor passes through heavily concentrated residential, retail, commercial and industrial suburbs. Heavy traffic and congestion along the corridor were impacting on quality of life – on pedestrian and motoring safety, noise levels, the environment and residential amenity and health.
JTA gathered public opinion and suggestions through a consultation program with more than 40 community meetings, 100 key stakeholder meetings, 250 community member interviews, two community representative forums and a comprehensive public awareness program. Input from communities and stakeholders was high and JTA maintained interest and engagement in the process despite the challenges and stresses for the participants.
In summary, JTA neutralised pre-existing community and political ill-will and engaged, educated and assisted the community develop realistic solutions.