#ausvotes Liberal - Smart Cities

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Turnbull to boost public transport as lure for housing development

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's government wants to boost funding for road and rail public transport infrastructure on the fringes of Australia's major cities as a lure for housing-development projects.

"Land prices in the outer suburbs of Sydney or Melbourne are sufficiently high and have accelerated enough over recent years to be able to support funding of major transport infrastructure projects," Assistant Minister for Cities Angus Taylor said in a Sky Television interview Sunday. "If we're to make major investments in transport infrastructure, it's right and proper that we can have an expectation that there are major new housing developments" in those areas, he said.

Surging home prices have pushed more Australian families to the fringes of sprawling cities like Sydney and Melbourne, where public transport is often substandard and roads frequently gridlocked. Turnbull, sometimes seen on trains while travelling to engagements, is signalling a move away from the infrastructure-funding policies of predecessor Tony Abbott, who ruled out federal funds for urban commuter rail projects, saying they were the responsibility of state governments.

Turnbull's Liberal-National coalition government is due to release its annual budget on May 3 before holding an election that Turnbull has said is "highly likely" to be July 2 ...

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/public-service/australia-shifts-toward-public-transport-boost-under-turnbull-20160327-gnrvyg#ixzz448sHQWce

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Turnbull to borrow big in multi-billion cities plan

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> PM Malcolm Turnbull reveals urban plan he says will ease housing, traffic

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> #goQLD: Federal Government's Cities Policy to revolutionise infrastructure funding

[Stillwater]

Queensland has got a $35 billion infrastructure plan and $500 million to throw at it (about $300m of which it has committed).  So there is a big hole to fill.  Malcolm Turnbull's dilemma is whether to reward Queensland for its lack of action in this space, in effect, rewarding bad behaviour or 'do nothing' behaviour.  Our state government has been stuck in the old paradigm -- shouting SHOW US THE MONEY at Canberra without doing the necessary business case analysis for major projects.  We are in catch-up mode.  With the big money floating around and the potential deals in the offing, Queensland is likely to be caught flat-footed, while other states have their big projects ready to roll.  Malcolm Turnbull will want early runs on the board, and will go with projects that will deliver early results.  Sadly, they will be in states other than Queensland.

For some time now, the emphasis in the great Game of Infrastructure has been the finances and innovative financing, not the slog of preparing engineering drawings.  Let's face it, for much of our stuff in SEQ, given our pollies' focus, we haven't got much past the 'concept fly-through' stage.  We will be caught out, relative to other states, leaving the Queensland Government having to mount some special plea bargain arrangement around a mythical 'special status'.  Victoria has got it act together; it is no surprising Melbourne is Australia's fastest-growing city and high up the list of world liveable cities.  Again, Queensland likes to pretend -- giving Brisbane self-proclaimed titles such as the 'New World City'.  It is self-deluding.

One of the things we should have advanced right now is the South-East Queensland Regional Plan -- our population distribution strategy.  It was held up, so it was said, due to the local government elections, but the real reason is likely to be around the delicate nature of the balance of power in state parliament.  Is a bold new plan for the South-East likely to raise the hackles of the cross-bench about more largesse for SEQ at the expense of the rest of the state?  The political stakes have changed if a redistribution is on the way (it is) and more seats are up for grabs (an extra four).  Where will they be, what goodies can be promised there?  Stuff what any plan says, if the seat can be won and the party can gain government, our pollies are thinking.

The SEQ Plan and the SEQ Infrastructure Plan should be in lockstep in terms of their strategic thinking.  They are out-of-time sequence.  We are out of time, given predictions of congestion on the roads and on the railways.  There is almost a daily crash on the Bruce Highway, causing serious and lengthy delays.  It is the new norm.  We are not in a position to construct a shovel-ready rail capacity augmentation solution (SCL duplication etc).  We are at least 12 months away from completing the business case, which is the start of process of determining the solution: armed with the facts and finance options that easily could have been in place now, given the myriad reports and studies down the years.  The latest is saying that 'doing nothing is not an option' in respect of the SCL and that a lack of investment in freight rail along the eastern seaboard will reduce that sector to an 'irrelevancy', with road freight the more viable alternative for freight movements south of Mackay.  The Brisbane-Toowoomba corridor is another where major rail line investment is required, due to that line's freight component.

Hinchliffe, Trad and Co., drunk on the political gamesmanship, need to focus at the pointy end of where things are at.  That is the business of infrastructure, not the politics of infrastructure.

[ozbob]

Yo, another prang on the inbound Bruce this morning.  Just going from diabolical to tragic now.

Twitter

Penny Dahl ‏@Pennycopter 41 seconds ago

Traffic already back to Deception Bay on the Bruce Hwy from a big smash southbound at Murrumba Downs. AVOID if you can #bnetraffic

Our state government is a failure.  I guess we have to acknowledge that and start working for a new one.

[#Metro]

SEQ Regional Rapid Rail!

Trains not lanes!!

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Budget 2016: $50 million to be allocated to city infrastructure projects

The Federal Government will allocate $50 million towards supporting new infrastructure projects for the nation's cities in next week's budget.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's plan will see the Commonwealth help broker finance for state and private infrastructure projects, rather than providing direct grants.

The funding has been characterised as a down payment to kickstart a new model for funding infrastructure in Australia.

Some of the projects the Government has suggested could be funded this way include:

    A fast rail line to the planned Western Sydney airport
    The Melbourne Metro rail project
    Adelaide light rail
    The Brisbane cross-river rail
    A Perth to Forrestfield airport link

The proposal has got the backing of the business community in Western Sydney, a key battleground in this year's federal election.

Western Sydney Director of the Sydney Business Chamber David Borger said while it was still an idea, he was hopeful it would attract investment for a new airport fast rail.

"I think this is quite visionary, we have an infrastructure backlog going back at least 30 years," he said.

"What the Government is doing is being a bit innovative around finding new ways to finance the things we haven't been able to afford in the past, we really haven't kept pace with population growth, our cities are becoming more and more congested, not more connected."

He said it has been difficult to get projects off the ground.

"We have not been able to find ways, Commonwealth or state, to fund the projects that will make our cities work, so what the Government seems to be saying is it's giving a green light to the notion of long term debt financing using bonds," he said.

"Now that basically means interest rates are very low, they're super low at the moment, now is a good time to start locking in these visionary, transformative projects like a fast rail link to Badgerys Creek Airport."

LOL nothing is going to happen in Queensland .... our mob couldn't organise a birthday bash at the golden arches sadly ...

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Smart Cities Plan -->  https://cities.dpmc.gov.au/

[ozbob]

Malcolm Turnbull --> Cities Policy Launch - with Minister for Major Projects and Assistant Minister for Cities

Smart Cities will grow the innovation economy

The Prime Minister Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP today released the Commonwealth's Smart Cities Plan, to deliver jobs closer to homes, more affordable housing, better transport connections and healthy environments. The Plan was launched at a Cities Summit in Melbourne. Governments, businesses and the Australian community must work together to transition our economy to be led by innovation. The performance of our cities - metropolitan and regional - is crucial to this transition. Great cities attract, retain and develop increasingly mobile talent and organisations, encouraging them to innovate, create jobs and support growth.

The Smart Cities Plan includes:

    The establishment of an infrastructure financing unit to work closely with the private sector on innovative financing solutions; and

    committing $50 million to accelerate planning and development works on major infrastructure projects to develop business cases and investment options.

The Plan will draw on the Commonwealth's coordination capacity and the strength of its balance sheet at a time of historically low interest rates, to get the best infrastructure projects off the ground. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the Cities Plan will be used to unlock more housing supply. "By increasing the supply of housing we can address one of the greatest financial issues of our times for most families - housing affordability," he said.

Minister for Major Projects Paul Fletcher said strong partnerships with state and territory governments would underpin successful infrastructure proposals. "We need the best projects to deliver maximum value for taxpayers and ensure that Commonwealth investment achieves the right outcomes for our cities."

The Smart Cities Plan prioritises smart policy, smart investment and smart technology to improve accessibility, create more jobs, more affordable housing and build healthy environments. Assistant Minister for Cities Angus Taylor said City Deals would be at the heart of smart policy. "The global lesson is that cities collaborate to compete. There's a great incentive here for everyone to work together. The Smart Cities Plan will also importantly target jobs growth for regional cities and outer metropolitan centres. Our regional cities need a strong platform for coordinated investment and planning."

To succeed in the 21st century economy our cities - regional and metropolitan - need to be productive and accessible, but they also need to be liveable, with a clear focus on serving their citizens. All Australians, wherever they live, are encouraged to share their ideas on the Smart Cities Plan. Feedback is welcome through the cities website www.dpmc.gov.au/cities

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Editorial: PM's ambitious Cities Deal infrastructure plans point way to recovery

A COLLABORATIVE federal and state government approach to infrastructure funding is both welcome and long overdue.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's Cities Deal initiative has the potential to revolutionise the way major works are paid for and prioritised in this country, and it is imperative that Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk gets across the finer details of the proposal so that Queensland is placed in the best possible position to benefit from it.

As part of Mr Turnbull's ambitious vision to make regional and capital cities more "liveable", people will have to travel no longer than 30 minutes to access employment, education and key services.

Private investors, including national and international, will be encouraged to buy government infrastructure bonds, which will then help finance important projects such as the Cross River Rail and Gold Coast light rail.

A $50 million down-payment, allocated from next week's Budget, will hasten the planning and development of major projects, and establish a financing unit with the private sector to attract investors.

The Commonwealth could also become an investor in certain projects where "city deals" between state and local governments can guarantee future jobs and productivity growth.

With bipartisan and cross-jurisdictional support, the City Deals plan could be the economic blueprint Queensland needs to fight back after the end of the mining boom.

Mr Turnbull has already promised a $1.5 billion upgrade of roads in Victoria, a $230 million defence hub in South Australia and a $490 million windfall for West Australian infrastructure.

As the federal election campaign kicks in, we look forward to seeing what is in the pipeline for Queensland.

Within the next 15 years, an additional one million people are expected to pour into the Greater Brisbane area alone, highlighting the pressing need for improved transport, housing and employment opportunities.

Innovation has been the buzzword this week – in summits on jobs growth, start-up hubs and education – and it is critical that this spirit of innovation also extends to infrastructure funding.

The State Government is not awash with cash – a problem asset sales could have alleviated had it been properly sold to voters – so it falls on Ms Palaszczuk to also be creative with funding models.

A genuine collaboration between George St and Canberra is needed.

Queenslanders are tired of the merry-go-round of buck-passing, with the state putting the onus on the Commonwealth to bankroll major works.

It is time for a meaningful and productive partnership that puts Queenslanders first, and a $50 million down-payment from the Federal Government is a good start.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> PM Malcolm Turnbull reveals urban plan he says will ease housing, traffic

[ozbob]

Twitter

Anthony Albanese ‏@AlboMP 27m

Holding a press conference at 9.30am calling on PM to outline who will pay for his cities policy given his failure to invest any funding

[ozbob]

Dreams ...

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Turnbull's cities plan: an urban revolution, or more of the same?

[ozbob]

The Conversation --> 'The 30-minute city': how do we put the political rhetoric into practice?

[tazzer9]

it takes me 25 minutes to get from my bus stop to the city on the 385.   A so called express high frequency route.   This is only about a 11km trip.   How on earth does malcolm think he will make everyone's commute less than 30 minutes.  A plan to make everyone commutes less than 90 minutes per direction each day would still be a pretty steep task.

[ozbob]

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/photogallery/federal-politics/cartoons/david-pope-20120214-1t3j0

[STB]

it takes me 25 minutes to get from my bus stop to the city on the 385.   A so called express high frequency route.   This is only about a 11km trip.   How on earth does malcolm think he will make everyone's commute less than 30 minutes.  A plan to make everyone commutes less than 90 minutes per direction each day would still be a pretty steep task.

My guess is the development of satellite cities (eg: Springfield; Parramatta etc) and encouraging people to live and work within those areas on top of the main CBD (ie: Brisbane; Sydney), along with the development of more busways; transit lanes; railways etc on top of more footpaths etc.

So a ton of work, not sure if it's doable but certainly something of worthy thinking.  I think the biggest thing to change and the most difficult will be the car culture we have in Australia (and in many other countries), it'll be interesting to see how automated and semi automated cars will change behaviours and the car culture in the decades to come.

[ozbob]

Smart Cities Plan

> https://cities.dpmc.gov.au/smart-cities-plan

>> Smart Cities Plan (6.61 MB) (pdf)

[ozbob]

Alan Davies --> Turnbull's Smart Cities Plan: is that all there is?

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Smart Cities plan for Gold Coast means M1 upgrades and light rail to airport for 30-minute city

IF Malcolm Turnbull wants to deliver a 30-minute commute from home to work on the Gold Coast, he must fix several Pacific Motorway interchanges and extend light rail to the airport.

His Government must also support planning and securing of land for the alternate northern route to the M1 — the Intra-Regional Transport Corridor — and work with the State Government on funding the expensive the cross river rail crossing in Brisbane.

The IRTC will ensure residents in the northern boom suburbs can access the Glitter Strip and the river tunnel will prevent their rail trip to Roma Street stretching from 45 to an 86 minute marathon peak hour trip.

But Mr Turnbull's Smart Cities plan, where a trip to work takes less than half an hour, on the Gold Coast can be delivered but with a $3.3 billion price tag.

This is the costing of the ultimate solution which the city's northern State MPs, city councillors and public transport lobbyists agree will stop traffic gridlock predicted by the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The first test of the Turnbull Government's commitment is today's Federal Budget where stakeholders want projects similar to $75 million worth of work underway to fix shocking congestion on Coomera Exit 54.

Coomera MP Michael Crandon said the upgrades of Motorway Exit roads 41, 45, and 49 had a higher priority than building a new $50 million railway station flagged for Pimpama.

Northern-based city Councillor William Owen-Jones knows the Gold Coast cannot be a so-called 30-minute city without the key transport corridors being upgraded. Photo: Jerad Williams

"The same issues we've had with Exit 54 we are now experiencing with Exits 41, 45 and 49. They are all in need of a desperate upgrade. I think people would agree with me that it's more important to get on and off Exit 49 than have a railway station," he said.

Albert MP Mark Boothman said the failure to upgrade the interchanges would lead to increasing safety concerns with traffic northbound on Exit 41 backed up on the MI in the morning as vehicles headed towards the Yatala industrial estate.

"The heavy trucks are using it. It's clogged there every morning. There could be a potential solution by building an offramp between exits 45 and 41. It could help local traffic get off the motorway," Mr Boothman said.

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates, who is the councillor representing Division One in the city's fastest growth area, said the IRTC was a priority in relieving congestion on the M1.

"We have all been to a number of shared meetings. We agree that the plan for a second north-south connection road is crucial," Cr Gates said.

"In the last month the (State) Government has gazetted the IRTC from Nerang-Broadbeach Road to Foxwell Road. There's no doubt in my mind we need a second north-south connection."

Cr Gates said the back-up of traffic on the M1 near Exit 49 had to be resolved before it created a safety problem.

Division Two councillor William Owen-Jones sees the upgrade of the Oxenford "diamond" interchange as a priority given police regard it as an accident black spot.

"If the Federal Government wants to truly create a 30-minute city, it will need to work with the State Government to improve transport corridors including the exits on and off the M1," Cr Owen-Jones said.

Other key funding priorities would need to include planning for the IRTC and the staged building of light rail stage three to the airport, he said.

"Otherwise it's just continuing congestion and productivity loss," Cr Owen-Jones said.

The Oxenford "diamond" could cost $100 million, the other interchanges at least $75 million each and the IRTC has been costed at $500 million.

The southern projects include $1.6 billion for light rail to Currumbin and at least $910 million for six landing of the M1 to Tugun.

Rail Back on Track leader Robert Dow supports the 30-minute city plan and believes the IRTC along with light rail stage three and the Cross River tunnel will be the key mass transit solutions.

"We think in 30 years the Gold Coast will have a magnificent light rail system. I can see stage three will be locked in," Mr Dow said.

He said it was disappointing that the State Government had yet to complete a business case on cross river rail.

"You would like to think they would have done it in their first year of government," Mr Dow said.

"We're disappointed we're languishing for funding for cross river rail. It's difficult to see the Federal Government tipping in money at this point."

30-minute city wishlist

1. Alternate M1 route to Brisbane $500m

2. Upgrade M1 exit 41 $75m

3. Upgrade M1 exit 45 $75m

4. Upgrade M1 exit 49 $75m

5. Oxenford "diamond" interchange $100m

6. Light rail to Currumbin $1.6 billion

7.Six-lane M1 to Tugun $910m

[ozbob]

The Conversation --> Smart Cities Plan offers signs of hope, but are Turnbull and Taylor just dreamin'?

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> The 30-minute city is a silly idea, but Malcolm Turnbull's cities policy isn't as hollow as it seems

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Turnbull's city funding plan still no more than a pamphlet

[ozbob]

The Conversation --> New name, new look for latest national urban policy, but same old problem