Brisbane’s transport challenges aren’t simply about roads, railways and buses. They’re also shaped by where people live, where jobs are created and whether a network traditionally focused on the inner city reflects the journeys people actually make.

In this episode of THE Brisbane Channel Podcast: In-Depth, Adam speaks with transport engineer David Hayward, director and co-founder of Aptura Consulting, Queensland Walks board member and Queensland Chair of Engineers Australia’s Transport Australia Society.

The conversation explores:

• Why Brisbane’s growth could lead to longer journeys • What an ideal transport system might look like • Why walking is often overlooked in transport planning • The potential role of e-mobility • Whether “tall over sprawl” works without adequate transport • What buses, trains, cars and active transport should each do • Whether Brisbane 2032 could leave a meaningful walking legacy • Why better land-use planning may matter more than another mega-project

The extended version of this conversation is available to Insider and Elite Contributor members of THE Brisbane Channel.

This podcast was made possible with the support of YB Painting Services. Claim an exclusive 10% discount at: https://ybpainting.com.au/tbc

Every aspect of life in Greater Brisbane can be viewed from more than one perspective. The views expressed aren’t necessarily shared or endorsed by THE Brisbane Channel, but they can add another dimension to the wider conversation. This is one perspective, not the final word.

In this episode of THE Brisbane Channel Podcast, Adam sits down with RACQ Transport and Infrastructure Advisor Tim Mitchell to discuss one of Greater Brisbane's biggest challenges: how do we keep a rapidly growing region moving?

Can public transport ever work well in a city as spread out as ours? Are Brisbane Metro and Cross River Rail enough? Is the 2032 Olympics an opportunity or a looming challenge? And what can Brisbane learn from other cities around the world?

Whether you're a daily train commuter, someone who rarely uses public transport, or you're simply tired of sitting in traffic, this conversation offers an interesting look at where Greater Brisbane is heading.

A very wide-ranging discussion covering everything from e-bikes and busways to Olympic infrastructure and the long-term future of Brisbane.

Today’s guest is Dr Matthew Burke — CEO of Bicycle Queensland and someone with a long academic background in transport and city planning. So while this conversation does cover cycling in Brisbane and the debate around Queensland’s proposed e-mobility laws, it also goes much broader than that.

We talk about:

• Why so much of Greater Brisbane was designed around cars

• The fuel crisis and Australia’s vulnerability to rising fuel costs

• Why outer suburbs can be difficult to live in without a car

• The future of public transport in South East Queensland

• Whether Brisbane is actually improving when it comes to transport planning

• And what kind of transport legacy the 2032 Olympics could leave behind

Members of THE Brisbane Channel on YouTube (at Insider level or above) have access to the extended podcast, with an extra 21 minutes of ideas and discussion.

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Brisbane is growing rapidly—but are we keeping up?

In this first episode of The Brisbane Channel Podcast, Adam sits down with Dr Tony Matthews to take a deeper look at what’s really driving growth across Greater Brisbane, and why so many systems are starting to feel under pressure.

From housing affordability to infrastructure, migration, and the limits of how cities are designed, this conversation goes beyond the headlines to explore what’s actually happening—and what it means for people living in the region.

This is a condensed public version of the full conversation. Become a member of THE Brisbane Channel on YouTube for the full chat, including additional discussion on alternative housing models, international comparisons, and some of the more complex challenges shaping Brisbane’s future.

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction

01:02 – Who is Tony Matthews?

02:15 – Why Brisbane?

02:39 – What is playing out in SEQ?

04:31 – What is driving growth?

05:38 – Why here?

08:33 – Listeners: who should I chat with? Plus your 10% discount from our sponsor0

8:02 – What about urban densification (AKA consolidation)?

11:00 – Is our culture hindering progress?

12:51 – Developers' benefit vs residents' benefit

16:17 – What about trying successful overseas models?

18:54 – Are we trapped by the decisions of the past?

22:53 – Where are we headed?

26:32 – What about migration?

34:15 – Balancing growth with maintaining character

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