Darra - Springfield Railway

[ozbob]

Soon to be constructed.  At last!

[ozbob]

http://www.murgroup.com.au/medNewsDetail.php?ID=77

Greater Springfield Applauds State Government Investment in Fast Tracking Road and Rail Infrastructure

Date: 08-06-2006
Source: Springfield Land Corporation
Springfield Land Corporation has welcomed the decision by the Beattie Government to fast track the $790million Centenary Highway Duplication and Springfield Rail Line outlined in the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan.

In a post budget speech yesterday The Premier announced that John Holland Pty Ltd has been appointed in an Interim Project Alliance to fast track final feasibility so construction can start in early 2007.

The project is expected to be completed within three years of commencement.

Springfield Land Corporation Chairman, Maha Sinnathamby, said that the announcement in this year?s budget represents recognition by the State Government of the size and scale at which Greater Springfield and the entire western corridor is growing.

?By approving the initial road and rail proposal the Government recognised the region?s growth, by fast tracking the project they have acknowledged the significance of the region in the state?s future,? Mr Sinnathamby said.

?Greater Springfield will potentially be home to more than 65,000 people so increased transport will play an important role in opening the region to further residential and business investment.

?Construction is also well underway on the $8billion 320 hectare Greater Springfield CBD which upon completion will not only house business, education, health and retail precincts but will be twice the size of Brisbane?s and Sydney?s CBD.

?The Springfield Train Line will lead directly into the Greater Springfield CBD and along with the Centenary Highway Duplication, will make the CBD a hub of business activity for the entire Western Corridor,? he said ...

See http://www.murgroup.com.au/medNewsDetail.php?ID=77 for more.

[ozbob]

The location of Richlands railway station on the Darra to Springfield line has been finalised.

Northern option on this map http://www.qr.com.au/SEQIP/Images/map_webpage_tcm24-16198.pdf

[barnesy]

a few residents and the locla councillor around the camira area are putting a pettion together for a camira railway station on the new springfield line

[ozbob]

Welcome  Barnesy!

Excellent move. 
If you have details of the petition we would be happy to post here for folks.
An investment such as the Darra - Springfield line needs accessibility from all communities.
Two other possible stations mentioned in planning documents are Ellen Grove and Springfield Lakes

Regards
Ozbob

[barnesy]

the local councillor has a pettion at his office and there is a email address ill have to got back down to the station to get,didint know about it till friday arvo with the signs up a goodna rail station bus stops asking people from the camira to band together and not get left out

[ozbob]

RAIL Back On Track supports strongly additional stations at Springfield Lakes and Camira.

This media releases details this support:

-------------------------------------------

Media Release 9 August 2007

Brisbane: Darra to Springfield Railway Line ? More stations needed!

RAIL ? Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community organisation for the promotion of rail throughout Australia has said that two additional stations are needed on the Darra to Springfield railway line.

Robert Dow said:

"The Darra to Springfield railway line will be a very welcome addition to South East Queensland's transport infrastructure.  Springfield will be a major population centre in the not too distant future and rail will provide frequent and safe access to and from the Brisbane CBD and other suburbs by Citytrain.  The provision of this vital new infrastructure is the prerequisite for fulfillment of the vision of Springfield as a region with low dependence on private cars for transport.  However aspects for the proposed plans for construction of this railway line represent a false economy for residents and the government alike as only two stations on the line are confirmed to be built from the outset, Springfield and Richlands."

"Without provision of stations within walking distance of the well established residential area?s of Springfield Lakes and Camira the proposal fails to deliver the most significant savings in household expenditure on private car transport that act to could insulate these residents from future raises in petrol and interest rates as it will still be necessary to drive to park and rides at Springfield or Richlands out of walking reach of these stations.  A station at Camira would also provide access the Carole Park industrial area, benefiting both employers and employees.  Building the stations at Springfield Lakes and Camira well after opening of the line is also a false economy for Government as it is likely that costs would be inflated due to the additional construction costs incurred by building around an operational railway line."

"It is to the Queensland Government?s credit that they recognise importance of the providing a sound foundation for future growth of the Western Corridor through construction of the Springfield railway line.  However skimping on the initial construction by not providing required stations on the line will only short change all parties in the medium term.  Rail Back on Track is calling for the construction of Stations at Springfield Lakes and Camira in time for the opening of the line and suggests that local residents should express their concerns to their Government representatives."

Contact:

admin@backontrack.org
Administration RAIL Back On Track

http://backontrack.org

[QGT]

Can't wait for Richlands Station to be finished

[ozbob]

Welcome QRGT!

Yes,  it is an impressive project at Richlands.

Some photographs here --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=639.msg9372

Cheers
Bob

[O_128]

we really need Springfield fast tracked right now. As well as stations built at the same time as the railway

[ARB]

I was very disappointed to see the much needed rail link to Springfield has missed out on federal funding in yesterdays budget announcement. With the centenary highway opening to yamanto in a matter of weeks and the continued development of the western corridor the existing 2 lanes of the centenary highway simply cannot cope in its present condition untill 2015.
THE SPRINGFIELD RAIL LINK IS NEEDED NOW!  My families quality of life depends on it.

[ozbob]

Welcome ARB!  Agree entirely.  I have been speaking to a number of media outlets this morning about the lack of funding for Richlands to Springfield.  We will keep trying.

Regards
Bob

[ARB]

Thank-you Bob.  I'm sure many present and future residents of the western corridor will benefit from our efforts.

[ARB]

Good to see the coverage of the springfield rail in the local media this week.

[ozbob]

Form the South West News click here!

Brakes on Darra to Springfield rail link

GREATER SPRINGFIELD: Residents will wait at least another six years for a rail link from Darra to Springfield.

Despite high expectations the link would be fast-tracked by Federal Government infrastructure funding, last week?s federal Budget failed to deliver funding for the rail link.

In March, Federal Member for Oxley Bernie Ripoll said the bid had made the shortlist because it ticked all the boxes, was financially viable and would be good for the whole state.

Last week, Mr Ripoll said he did not know if the extension would be included in the budget, and that it could still be fasttracked later.

?When you?ve got hundreds of infrastructure projects you?ve got to start somewhere,? he said.

The Goodridge family of Springfield is among those disappointed the project has been
delayed.

Mike and Chrissy Goodridge?s son Nick, 18, travels to The Queensland Conservatorium of Music at South Bank, catching a bus to Goodna railway station and then travelling by train.

Mrs Goodridge said her son often arrived home about 7pm if he finished classes at 5pm.

?It?s pretty draining for some students,? she said.

She said the Government?s decision was disappointing because residents needed the
service now and believes it also affects council planning.

?The population is growing and the congestion on our roads is getting much more horrifi c,? she said.

Nick said the rail link would save him about 25 minutes each way.

It would make a pretty big difference with the journey a little bit quicker,? he said.

RAIL Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said there was already a need for the extension, which he believes Queensland Rail should build from Richlands as a double line.

?There is no point creating massive housing areas without adequate public transport,? he said.

One Springfield Lakes resident who did not want to be named said the extension was needed before planned new housing in the Ripley Valley turned the Centenary Highway into the next Ipswich Motorway.

?People are concerned about what it will be like in 2012 or 2013,? he said.

Minister for Transport Rachel Nolan said the Darra to Springfield railway was a State Government project.

Ipswich City Councillor David Morrison (Div 1) said the project should have been considered for the infrastructure funding as it was ?shovel ready?.

[O_128]

Take the 3.3 billion from the Ipswich motorway. Triplicate the line to Ipswich,Build a DUAL track line to Springfield and have plans for a Springfield to Ipswich line in place to be built by 2015. there will be no need to upgrade the motorway if the rail is upgraded and is attractive to commuters this would take cars of the Ipswich motorway.

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Daughter has big development boots to fill

Daughter has big development boots to fill
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Mike O'Connor

May 13, 2009 12:00am

THE succession plan is in place for the local development dynasty that began in the poverty of a Malaysian village.

However, Raynuha Sinnathamby doesn't expect to be sliding her feet beneath her father's desk just yet.

"He says he'll retire but he won't. He says he will go and he's told all of us that but I just can't see it. He just likes it too much," she says. "He's in his late 60s now and still young ... I'd like to see him spend less time here but that's for him to decide, not for us."

Her father, Maha Sinnathamby, is the man who built Springfield, creating a suburb from scrub country, a build-it-and-they'll-come field of dreams.

I've lived in Brisbane for most of my life and l've never been to Springfield. I get lost negotiating a series of roundabouts near its shopping centre and I'm 10 minutes late for our interview.

Raynuha greets me in the boardroom. She's petite and quietly spoken with an engaging, little-girl smile.

"This was just forest," she says nodding out across the development that now embraces six suburbs.

"It was owned by Associated Forestry Holdings. They put the site on the market and no one wanted it because half the land was not able to be developed as it was designated a green zone, and there was no Centenary Highway here.

"Successive governments never wanted to do anything for the people out here because they were Labor voters and they'd vote Labor whether they did anything for them or not. When we moved out here it was a socially and economically depressed area," she says.

Raynuha's father and his determination to develop his vision have been a powerful, ever-present force in her life.

"In the early days, I can remember my dad driving us through the mud and stuff on to this site. He'd say, 'There's going to be a city here'. I think we believed him because he is the kind of father who, if he says he is going to do something, he's going to do it.

"A lot of people tell me now that back then they thought we were all nuts, but we believed it because my father told us it would happen. It was kind of like a brain-washed cult. His passion is his strength."

Raynuha studied law at The University of Queensland and was working in a practice on the Gold Coast when her father suggested she join the family business.

"I was hesitant because I was quite happy being a property lawyer but Dad said, 'Look, just come and try it and see what you think'. That was in 1998 so I came as a bit of holiday from my law job. Once I came here, there was no turning back. There was just so much going on."

The transition, however, was not seamless. " There are four of us kids. My sister was working here at the time and she'd scream at me and think it was perfectly OK. Coming from a conservative law firm, it was completely different."

Her father, she says, has powered the creation of educational opportunities in the area.

"The demographic, when we came here, was one of people who left school in Year 10, so we lobbied really hard for a high school for the area," Raynuha says.

"It started with 320 and now has over 2000 kids. It's called Woodcrest State College and now there are six schools within the project.

"We also worked hard to get a uni project and three years ago we opened a campus of the University of Southern Queensland. We also have TAFE and 100 rooms of student accommodation so there are local and international students."

It's apparent Raynuha has been a keen student, absorbing her father's energy for the project which has consumed his life, and she reels off the statistics of the development.

"The common misconception is that it is just a residential subdivision, just a lot of houses thrown together, but actually we have six suburbs. The whole land holding is about 3000 hectares, about 11/2 times the size of Robina."

I ask if her will clashes with that of her father, and she offers a half-answer.

"I think we're more similar than dissimilar. He has an amazing effect on people.

"I have a different personality from my father. He's far more vivacious. I'm far more conservative, more level-headed and that's probably my legal training to some extent. You're trained to worry about the detail."

I ask her if she feels that she walks in her father's shadow and, legal training to the fore, she reverses the question.

"I won't ever overshadow my dad. All I can do is be my own person. I'll never be him and while I'd love to have all his qualities, I don't think that's realistic. I just want to be the best person I can be."

She admits there are times when she is aware that, rather than seeing her as an individual, people see her as an extension of her father.

"You just face up to it. When I married I could have taken my husband's name of Seto. That would have put a bit of distance between me and the family name but I consider myself a Sinnathamby and I don't think I'd ever thought I'd change my name," she says.

She takes some joy in being able to point to those she has christened the "non-believers" and remind them of their lack of faith. "I'd love to have a dollar for all the times people said they thought we were lunatics. In the early days our selling price was around $35,000. If you'd bought then, you'd be laughing. There were a lot of non-believers.

"Nothing in this project has been easy. There's never been a deal that's been easy. We're good at solving problems. That's our strength," she says. "Our saying is 'It's No Until It's Yes' because we've heard 'No' so many times."

[ozbob]

Media Release 6 June 2009

SEQ:  Richlands to Springfield railway line needed now!  Call for a public float!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport has called for the construction of the proposed Richlands to Springfield railway line to be started immediately and all stations built from the outset, and the line be built as a duplication rather than as a single line.  Part public investment from individuals and superannuation funds could be a smart way of raising capital.

Robert Dow said:

"The Western suburbs are experiencing rapid population growth. The Ipswich highway is a 'Smart-State basket case'. The Queensland Government and the Federal Government have failed to grasp the fact that more road funding is not going to improve transport outcomes for the long term, and in fact will lead to costly environmental failings and more gridlock and congestion."

"What is needed is a massive investment in public transport infrastructure to position South-East Queensland for an environmentally sustainable transport environment for the future."

"RAIL Back On Track has previously highlighted the myopia of Queensland Transport and the Queensland Government in the failure to commit to build the additional stations at Ellen Grove and Springfield Lakes on the Richlands to Springfield line from the outset." (1, 2)

"Does Queensland Transport learn from the flawed planning decisions of the past?  No, the line from Richlands to Stepham is being planned as a single line!  The costly upgrades to duplicate sections of the Gold Coast railway line could have been avoided if the planners took off their rose-coloured short-term spectacles and looked at the big picture and built for the future from the outset."

"The failure to fully electrify the fourth railway line presently being constructed between Corinda and Darra is another example."

"It is time that Governments snapped out of their politically expedient short term 'pork-barrel' focus and got on with real sustainable transport infrastructure for the community."

"The only viable long term environmentally sustainable line mass transit transport solution is electric rail and the Richlands to Springfield railway line is needed now."

"Why not have a public investment scheme to raise part capital to allow construction to proceed?  Match smart state rhetoric with smart actions!"

References:

1.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=246
2.  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=321.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[O_128]

please just build it as a dual track all the way to Springfield WITH STATIONS if anything there should be a target for completion to Springfield by 2012 and Ipswich by 2015

[stephenk]

Take the 3.3 billion from the Ipswich motorway. Triplicate the line to Ipswich,Build a DUAL track line to Springfield and have plans for a Springfield to Ipswich line in place to be built by 2015. there will be no need to upgrade the motorway if the rail is upgraded and is attractive to commuters this would take cars of the Ipswich motorway.

Great idea. Just one problem - you would need more inner city capacity to allow the above to happen. This would require an extra $14b or so.

[Markus]

Great thinking Robert, a Public Float, for a transport system that WILL survive the future.
Where do i sign up.
I'll bet there shares dont drop to $0.01  !!!   

Come on pollies, its a no brainer. 
. . . just ease congestion in our CBD, with more lines first of course.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

One rail line or two to Springfield

One rail line or two to Springfield?
Tony Moore
June 11, 2009 - 5:54AM

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale has called on the State Government to ensure a new rail line built out to Springfield contains two sets of tracks.

The government has not yet decided if it will build a return rail line or a cheaper single spur line to the fast-growing satellite city.

A single line would means commuter trains could not pass each other and must wait at either Richlands or Springfield for the line to be clear for the next train.

Cr Pisasale and Rail: Back on Track's Robert Dow have both accused the government of short-changing the region's population growth.

"Build it and they will come," Cr Pisasale said.

"By putting the right infrastructure in now, one, it will mean cost savings and two, it will ease the pressure for our capital."

Cr Pisasale said Springfield could soon be home to 90,000 people and a single line was short-sighted.

"I get upset when we go back and fix up the things we should have done properly in the first place," he said.

"That's one of the things that is behind Ipswich's great success at the moment, we're not doing things second rate any more."

Rail: Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow also called on the Queensland Government to reconsider plans for a rail single lane.

"We call for a double line from Darra to Springfield from the outset," Mr Dow said.

"We also believe that the stations at Ellen Grove and Springfield Lakes should be built as part of the initial construction."

The Richlands to Springfield rail line is stage two of an $800 million project to build two rail lines from Darra to Richlands by 2011.

Springfield has a population of 18,100 with 80,000 people projected for 2030.

The State Government plans to extend the rail line to Springfield by 2015.

Queensland Rail yesterday said no decision had been made and said no cost estimates were yet available.

"The configuration of the track ... will be determined after considering all relevant factors such as service levels required to satisfy current and future demands," Queensland Rail said.

The State Government confirmed it was including options for stations at Ellen Grove and Springfield Lakes as well as a site close to the Orion Shopping Centre at Springfield.

Thanks Mayor and Brisbanetimes!  

[O_128]

another issue is is that if we build Ellen grove and Springfield lakes later they will most likely be the annoying seperate platforms instead of islands.

[stephenk]

another issue is is that if we build Ellen grove and Springfield lakes later they will most likely be the annoying seperate platforms instead of islands.

What's annoying about side platforms?

[ozbob]

From the South West News 3rd June 2009 page 1

Rail line challenge MP calls for joint venture on a link

Rail line challenge MP calls for joint venture on a link

By CHRISTOPHER O'LEARY

BUNDAMBA MP Jo-Ann Miller has called on Springfield Land Corporation to help fund completing the Darra to Springfield rail line before the planned 2015 finish. Mrs Miller made the comment in State Parliament after last month's Federal Budget failed to deliver funding for the rail link.

It had been widely speculated that the Federal Government would provide funding for the State Government project as part of its infrastructure program. "As I understand it, it can be brought forward but it is important the developer contribute to the bring forward cost to deliver it earlier," she said.

Mrs Miller said home-owners were buying into Springfield Lakes believing the rail line's completion was imminent. She said fast-tracking the Centenary Highway in 2000 was an example of developers bringing infrastructure to the region, proving it could be done.

"(Real-estate agents) have been selling and making out it's almost here and expectations have not been met," Mrs Miller said. The News contacted Springfield Land Corporation but a spokesman declined to comment on Mrs Miller's challenge.

However, Springfield to Darra Transport Corridor Stage One Community Reference Group committee member Daniel Gigliotti said residents were more concerned about why they were not getting the railway line by 2012.

Speaking as a resident, Mr Gigliotti said: "They're thinking why isn't the government delivering on their promise for 2012? The track's been costed for and budgeted for well before the economic downturn."

He said residents would support a joint public-private venture to speed up the project if they paid the same fares on the line which were offered across Brisbane's rail system.

A spokeswoman for Minister for Infrastructure and Planning said discussions between Springfield Land Corporation and the State Government on fast-tracking the project were ongoing.

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail 30th November 2009 page 6

Springfield residents wait for rail

[mufreight]

Reading between the lines a little here but from the media release of Ms Jo-anne Miller above it would seem that the government is softening up the electorate for having private interests paying for and so providing the long delayed infrastructure that the government has already promised, originaly the Springfield line was to be completed to Springfield by 2011.
If the developer for Springfield has to pay for infrastructure that the government has promised will be provided then it is reasonable to expect that the developer of the exhibition development should also make a major contribution to the underground rail link between the exhibition line and Central station.
The other suspicion that arises is that despite the espousals of both the Premier Ms Bligh and the Transport Minister Ms Nolan that rail passenger services will not be sold off it would be reasonable to expect that if a private developer who has to pay for the infrastructure would then want return on that investment either by operating the line and possibly all metropolitan rail passenger services under a franchise agreement if not actual ownership, a suspicion that is strengthened by the gathering of previous franchise operation management staff by Translink that would seem to be being orchestrated by Translink CEO Mr Strachan, his import into an unneeded position seemingly created for and not advertised of Mr Brannagan, and now the inclusion in this coterie of  franchise engineers in another position that again has not been advertised for a Mr Andy Thomas, again at an excessive salary.
The appointments strengthen the perception that there is a government sanctioned agenda to divest itself of rail passenger commuter services and create a franchise operation.
It would be interesting to have Transport Minister Nolan, the Premier Ms Bligh and the member for Bundamba Ms Miller provide an explanation of their actual intentions or to defend their position if that is the actual agenda for rail passenger transport in this state.  

[stephenk]

Whilst not my area of expertise - I think that developers should contribute towards the addition of public transport infrastructure. Maybe it would help restrict Brisbane's carefree urban sprawl if developers had to think more about how people living in it's development can actually get anywhere other than by car.

Many developers elsewhere in the world contribute to public transport infrastructure - Canary Wharf's developers in London paying for a significant proportion of the Jubilee Line being a good example.

[mufreight]

There is no doubt that in this day and age that developers should contribute to the costs of infrastructure required for their development, but why one project and not another?  Surely these costs should be met by the enduser of the development and not entirely by the community at large.
The developer of Springfield has made such a contribution for the rail line to Springfield and is now being pressured to make further contributions for the line to be completed in a more practical time frame due to the failure of government to meet its original comitments.
On this basis the developers of the Exhibition redevelopment and the Albion TOD should be both making a meaningful contribution to the costs of the section of the underground cross river rail link between the exhibition (Bowen Bridre Road) and Central as they will be benefiting by the improved public transport that this link will provide which increases the value of their respective developments.

[ozbob]

From Quest News click here!

Rail focus is federal

Rail focus is federal

GREATER Springfield Chamber of Commerce will continue lobbying the Federal Government about the Darra to Springfield rail extension after meeting Premier Anna Bligh on Sunday.

Chamber president Brian Hooper said Ms Bligh told him the State Government was committed to building the rail line by 2015, but could not deliver it quicker without support.

?She said there was an opportunity to bring it forward, but it depended on private and federal influences,? Mr Hooper said.

?So we?re going to go down the federal track and try and get some federal dollars.?

Mr Hooper said the chamber would support Ms Bligh privatising state-owned assets if it meant finding funds to deliver the rail line before 2015.

The chamber also supported the Mater Health Services? submission to build a public-private hospital in Health City, he said.

Ms Bligh told him that after the sale of assets had been completed, there could be money available for more health projects. He also welcomed Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace?s plans to put up signage along the Centenary Motorway.

Springfield Land Corporation said the State Government?s commitment to improving signage along the Centenary Highway was a step in the right direction.

About 300 people attended a Community Cabinet meeting at Forest Lake High School to make formal and informal deputations to Ms Bligh and her ministers.

Ms Bligh described the meeting as an ?exercise in democracy?.

Springfield Land Corporation managing director Bob Sharpless said he was pleased the Government had taken action after hearing community concerns.

[O_128]

i find this photo a bit concerning it looks like springfield has been pushed back to 2019!

[ from varsity lakes opening]
http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=47898

[Derwan]

The call-out box actually says 2015.

It's hard to line it up, but go from the first line.  You'll realise that Yellow is 2015, green is 2019 and blue is 2026.

[O_128]

The call-out box actually says 2015.

It's hard to line it up, but go from the first line.  You'll realise that Yellow is 2015, green is 2019 and blue is 2026.

o still only 5 years late

[Jon Bryant]

The truely scary part is that if this is all they have planned for rail contruction by 2026 then the whole SEQ is in for a lot of pain as petrol prices spike over the next 5-10 years and people start screaming for public transport to save their jobs because it has become too costly to get to work, congestion is so bad that the city is gridlocked, too many peoaple are dying on our roads, our air is toxic to breath and the city is an ugly mess of concrete and bitumen.

The current misallocation of funding towards roads not public transport is going to be remembered as the worst economic mistake over the last 20 years.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

New moves to fast track Springfield rail line

New moves to fast track Springfield rail line
TONY MOORE
January 28, 2010 - 6:05AM

The Federal Government is being urged to help fund the construction of a rail line to Springfield.

A rail line to the growing hub of Springfield could be fast-tracked, if a new submission for Federal Government funding was successful.

The $1.6 billion infrastructure project is currently set to be completed in 2015.

But last night, long-serving Labor MP Bernie Ripoll said five years was "too long to wait" and confirmed he gave Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese a detailed briefing on the road and rail project a fortnight ago.

Mr Ripoll, from the Federal seat of Oxley, said he had invited Mr Albanese to see first hand how the project would allow the region to grow quickly and create jobs.

"2015 is just too far away and I think it is the type of project we should be looking at fast-tracking," he told brisbanetimes.com.au.

"It is not just about rail, it is about providing for future jobs in the region, building industry and taking cars out of the CBD."

Mr Albanese this week warned states that funding from the Infrastructure Australia pool of money in 2010 would be tight, but told the Australian Financial Review the government wanted to improve infrastructure funding.

"The government is no longer prepared to be only a funder of infrastructure, but is taking steps to improve its own and the state's project delivery capability ," he said.

Mr Ripoll said he understood the project was a State Government initiative, but felt there was a case for asking for Federal Government help.

The Federal Government has not committed any money to the project, despite a request last year.

The Queensland Government has updated its submissions to Infrastructure Australia and has again prioritised the Darra to Springfield road and rail project, along with Brisbane City Council's Northern Link tunnel, the rail line to Kippa-Ring and the Toowoomba Bypass.

Queensland Co-ordinator General Colin Jensen wrote to Infrastructure Australia co-ordinator Michael Deegan at the end of October, describing the Springfield rail project as critical for Brisbane's western corridor.

"The Darra to Springfield project, particularly the rail component, is critical for achieving the regional plan objective of development of the western corridor," Mr Jensen wrote.

"It has sufficient land supply to facilitate affordable housing and industry development and was identified in the South East Queensland Regional Plan as the most suitable growth corridor for the predicted 300,000 people moving to the sub-region by 2031."

Through Infrastructure Australia, the Federal Government has funded the Ipswich Motorway ($844 million), the Gold Coast Rapid Transit ($365 million) and gave $20 million for a study into Brisbane's underground city rail.

The State Government was also negotiating an agreement with the Springfield Land Corporation which could include a financial contribution towards the construction of the rail line.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Springfield lures business with $500k carrot

Springfield lures business with $500k carrot
TONY MOORE
January 28, 2010 - 5:16AM

A half-million dollar carrot will be dangled today to encourage a business to move their head office to Springfield, in a promotion modelled on Tourism Queensland's 'Best Job in the World' campaign.

Springfield Land Corporation chairman Maha Sinnathamby said Springfield would have a CBD twice the land size of Brisbane's and would be home to some of Australia's biggest companies by 2030.

Mr Sinnathamby said the $500,000 on offer was the right approach to attract new businesses to Springfield.

"Paying payroll tax, rent-free business premises, golf memberships and the chance for postgraduate study, this prize has it all," he said.

"I encourage big, medium and small businesses to enter the competition and even if they don't win, I am sure Greater Springfield can make an offer that suits."

Mr Sinnathamby said the opportunity was open to any business.

"It doesn't matter if it's a multi-national, or a mum and dad operation, we want you," he said.

The growing Ipswich suburb - with a current population of 19,000 - has built a major shopping centre, an education precinct with a University of Southern Queensland campus and has earmarked 18 hectares for health industries.

The South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 has identified Ipswich as having the most room within its council area to build new homes and industry.

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale said while he supported Springfield's initiative, his council would not offer financial incentives for businesses to move to the city.

"It is not about incentives from the Council perspective. Our job is to make sure that we don't hold up [a development]. If you hold up a development for two or three years, the holding cost of a development is just massive," Cr Pisasale said.

"I got [aluminium plant] Capral over the line in six weeks. What we will try to do is beat our six-week mark."

Springfield last year opened a 10-storey business tower and a special-purpose communications network to lure NEC and consultants Cardno to the business park last year.

Mr Sinnathamby said a survey of 500 business leaders, commissioned by Springfield, showed cheaper leases, custom-built premises and access to public transport were the triggers for business to shift.

He said 47.3 per cent had indicated they would prefer to move their business to South East Queensland over Melbourne and Sydney.

Mr Sinnathamby said a cheaper lease (28 per cent), custom-built premises (16 per cent), proximity to public transport (15.5 per cent), location within a business hub (14.3 per cent), a workforce living within five minutes (7.8 per cent) and access to world-class IT (7.4 per cent) were seen as the major reasons why a company would move.

[ozbob]

It is important that the stations at Ellen Grove and Springfield Lakes (and Springfield) are built from the outset and the line be double track all the way from Richlands to Springfield.

It would be a lot more cost effective to do that, and to continue with the present construction teams working on the Darra to Richlands project rather then stop, disperse, and reform the teams at greater costs.

[Jon Bryant]

Lets hope common sense and realisation that 40 years of freeway construction has caused our current traffic problems prevail.

[O_128]

It is important that the stations at Ellen Grove and Springfield Lakes (and Springfield) are built from the outset and the line be double track all the way from Richlands to Springfield.

It would be a lot more cost effective to do that, and to continue with the present construction teams working on the Darra to Richlands project rather then stop, disperse, and reform the teams at greater costs.

YES lets not have another Gold coast or ferny grove debacle

[mufreight]

It would be logical to continue the construction to Ellengrove as a next stage rather than shut the program down and start again.
Opening the line to Ellengrove would provide an alternative for commuters from Forest Lake and pull some out of cars on to rail with obvious benefits to all.
The further extension to Springfield Lakes could then continue on with the line then being extended to Springfield itself but it should not finish there with construction continuing beyond Springfield into the Ripley Valley swinging away from the Centenary Highwaytowards Spring Mountain and following Woogaroo Creek towards South Ripley then towards Deebing Heights with the option then of following Deebing Creek through Yamanto and Churchill looping back into Ipswich or continuing towards Peak Crossing to service the expanding rural residential developments in that area towards Boonah.
A program of continuing construction with reserved corridors determined now would be the most cost effective method of providing transport infrastructure into these areas in the future.
The same reasoning dictates that the reconstruction of the Ferny Grove station should allow for the future extension of the line beyond the existing station towards Sanmford rather than the station as presently proposed.