Article: Meeting to discuss public transport

[Fares_Fair]

Sunshine Coast Daily online
Monday 17 October, 2011

Meeting to discuss public transport
http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2011/10/17/sunshine-coast-meeting-discuss-public-transport/

Details of the forum:

Date:           Tuesday 18 October, 2011

Time:           5:30pm - 6:30pm

Venue:         Multi-purpose hall, Kawana Waters State College, Sportsman's Parade, Bokarina.

To register your attendance, please contact the Kawana electorate office (Jarrod Bleijie MP) on 5478 1189.

[PollyWouldLikeASeat]

Well that's nice safe time to have a meeting, all the commuters are still on the train out of harms way.

[somebody]

It's also only around 30 hours notice.

[Gazza]

Who thinks I should troll the electorate office and ask why it is being held at such a bad time?

[Stillwater]

It would seem to be a platform for Scott Emerson to offer reassuring words to the electors of the Sunshine Coast - hardly worth attending unless he is there to announce SC Transport Policy.  (A stand-alone Coast Transport Policy has been promised by LNP members on the Sunshine Coast.)  RailBOT has access to Mr Emerson via other means.

[Fares_Fair]

I received a call from an elderly resident on Saturday morning informing me of this meeting (mentioned in previous post, and discussing her sunshine coast bus and rail issues)
and stumbled upon this story in the Daily today.

I have written (email) to the opposition Transport Minister, Mr Scott Emerson MP, on the 27 September, asking what the LNP position is on the rail duplication works.
If anyone is going to this forum I would appreciate that question being asked.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Stillwater]

From the Sunshine Coast Daily website -- comments by Sunshine Coast commuters about the level of rail services they receive, post the timetable changes:

First, re the Scott Emerson meeting on Tuesday Night...

"Tuesday at 5:30pm? Are you kidding me? To get home in time for that I'd have to catch the 3:30pm train from Central and hope it actually runs on time. Great way to make sure the majority of people that are suffering this idiotic public transport disaster aren't able to attend."

About the standard of the service to the Sunshine Coast ...

"On the 5.30am ABC news there's the Transport Minister spruiking about all the extra seats & services the Govt has provided!  Seats and services are one thing - providing them at a reasonable cost and at a time when they are needed is another.  Have commuted to the CBD for almost 20years and the service now is worse than it was then!"

"The spruiking about all the extra seats & services provided by the Transport Minister hardly affect those who travel from the Sunny Coast each day to work. We don't have any extra seats and as for services - if you call getting to the city later each morning and getting home later each night service the Transport Minister is truly deluded. No work life balance for us. What is needed is to restore the Nambour Express."

"All I want is to be able to get to work on time - and for it not to take the ridiculous amount of time it does now. The new timetable has done nothing except make our days longer - and make the trains run late more often than they used to."


"The rail bus journey is long and then they put you on a all stops train to Brisbane - crazy!!! It took forever to get to Brisbane. And they tell me the Tilt train gets Priority on the line and you wonder why I and many people opt for the Bruce Hwy. This line needs to be duplicated asap.  It is a joke! "

"A train upgrade would take cars off the road.  Therefore, Labor stalling on this upgrade are indicating that they aren't so eco conscious after all.  They are just full of all hot air!"

"In what has started to become a regular event, I experience finding that the Northgate to Bowen Hills all stops on the morning train became an express. The difference this time was that the guard didn't make the announcement until after we left Northgate. NO problems except I get off at Wooloowin.

"My call to Translink began with 'I hope this call is being recorded because it will make a great training case, I suggest you get your supervisor as you are not being paid enough to deal with my complaint.' And went on from there.

"My request was simple-who do i forward the taxi receipt to for a refund due to Translink/QR failure to let us know of the change to the timetable before leaving Northgate. This was despite QR advising Translink at 0735 (before the train arrived at Caboolture!!) of the change.

Having been repeatedly told that the taxi would not be refunded because 'I had been able to complete my journey' I had abandoned hope of any success.  Imagine my surprise when some two weeks later Translink Customer Service rang me (maybe a first in itself) and asked me to send my taxi receipt and bank details to the customer complaints section at QR for a refund to be processed!!

"Precendent has been set but before you get too excited, I have since noticed that repeats of such timetable changes have been repeatedly announced before we arrive at Northgate!! But come the day they don't!!"

About the LNP and whether it will upgrade rail services to the Coast ....

"The LNP won't duplicate the line anyway as all its Coastal seats are safe and you can forget about the CAMCOS railway line as well ."

"What annoys me the most is that Campbell Newman will not reply to my emails requesting the LNP make a commitment to start the duplication immediately. He talks about the need for infrastructure on his website but nothing about finishing the duplication from Caboolture to Nambour. Adding insult to injury Minister Palaszczuk comes out and says that those who travel on the train 5 days a week will get free public transport on the weekend. Well Palasuck, you have never been to the Sunshine Coast and seen how pathetic the bus service is. If neither Labor or LNP are going to look after the people of the Sunshine Coast who will?"

"Why doesn't Campbell Newman and the candidates for the Sunshine Coast meet the passengers getting off the train from 6pm onwards and explain to us what the LNP will do to complete the duplication from Caboolture to Nambour? So far the LNP have kept silent, not been to Nambour rail station, won't reply to my emails, just silence. I really don't think they take us seriously here on the Sunshine Coast, they expect us to continue to vote Liberal.  Well, I have news for you LNP, your days are numbered if you don't face the issues."

[Gazza]

I trolled the office with a quick call in the afternoon. They said that Scott Emmerson had to be back in Brisbane for a function later in the evening, and that if they held the meeting on a weekend nobody would go.  :conf

[Golliwog]

I trolled the office with a quick call in the afternoon. They said that Scott Emmerson had to be back in Brisbane for a function later in the evening, and that if they held the meeting on a weekend nobody would go.  :conf

I'd question the statement about no one going on a weekend. Even so though, my feelings on this would be, if you're going to have a meeting to discuss PT on the sunshine coast, do it at a time when people who are affected by it can attend. Good on him that he has somewhere else to be later that night, but perhaps then he should reshedule the PT meeting to another night when he can be there late enough to have most of the SC passengers turn up.

[Gazza]

Well, the phone number is there, Id encourage those affected to ring up and agitate for another session...Or bite the bullet and leave work early (Work through lunch, come in early, whatever)
The rail issue needs to be driven home loud and clear.

[O_128]

Well, the phone number is there, Id encourage those affected to ring up and agitate for another session...Or bite the bullet and leave work early (Work through lunch, come in early, whatever)
The rail issue needs to be driven home loud and clear.

Shame Scott "Lets build a park and ride on indooroopilly station to stop congestion on the walter taylor bridge " Emerson is not the best person to be running the transport cabinet I feel he will be another failure, shame the labor alternative is just as pathetic. Though I get a feeling that if Labor were selected CRR will be "delayed" again.

[somebody]

Shame Scott "Lets build a park and ride on indooroopilly station to stop congestion on the walter taylor bridge " Emerson is not the best person to be running the transport cabinet I feel he will be another failure, shame the labor alternative is just as pathetic. Though I get a feeling that if Labor were selected CRR will be "delayed" again.

I don't have a problem with the current transport minister.  Notice how as soon as she took over improvements started to happen.

Perhaps you meant the Labor govt as a whole.

[Fares_Fair]

Shame Scott "Lets build a park and ride on indooroopilly station to stop congestion on the walter taylor bridge " Emerson is not the best person to be running the transport cabinet I feel he will be another failure, shame the labor alternative is just as pathetic. Though I get a feeling that if Labor were selected CRR will be "delayed" again.

I don't have a problem with the current transport minister.  Notice how as soon as she took over improvements started to happen.

Perhaps you meant the Labor govt as a whole.

Of course that doesn't include the stated "we will review 6 and 12 month tickets" scenario, and 7 months later absolutely nothing.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[somebody]

Shame Scott "Lets build a park and ride on indooroopilly station to stop congestion on the walter taylor bridge " Emerson is not the best person to be running the transport cabinet I feel he will be another failure, shame the labor alternative is just as pathetic. Though I get a feeling that if Labor were selected CRR will be "delayed" again.

I don't have a problem with the current transport minister.  Notice how as soon as she took over improvements started to happen.

Perhaps you meant the Labor govt as a whole.

Of course that doesn't include the stated "we will review 6 and 12 month tickets" scenario, and 7 months later absolutely nothing.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

I wish they'd just say that they aren't coming back.

[O_128]

Shame Scott "Lets build a park and ride on indooroopilly station to stop congestion on the walter taylor bridge " Emerson is not the best person to be running the transport cabinet I feel he will be another failure, shame the labor alternative is just as pathetic. Though I get a feeling that if Labor were selected CRR will be "delayed" again.

I don't have a problem with the current transport minister.  Notice how as soon as she took over improvements started to happen.

Perhaps you meant the Labor govt as a whole.

I dont agree, Nolan wasn't performing well and still would have been disliked, easier to change the minister and start doing the changes.

[Fares_Fair]

Shame Scott "Lets build a park and ride on indooroopilly station to stop congestion on the walter taylor bridge " Emerson is not the best person to be running the transport cabinet I feel he will be another failure, shame the labor alternative is just as pathetic. Though I get a feeling that if Labor were selected CRR will be "delayed" again.

I don't have a problem with the current transport minister.  Notice how as soon as she took over improvements started to happen.

Perhaps you meant the Labor govt as a whole.

Of course that doesn't include the stated "we will review 6 and 12 month tickets" scenario, and 7 months later absolutely nothing.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

I wish they'd just say that they aren't coming back.

Clearly with the Minister's inaction, you have your wish ...

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Stillwater]

Can anyone confirm whether the Minister will be at this meeting?  Or will it just be Scott Emerson?

[Fares_Fair]

AFAIAA, it is being hosted by Jarrod Bleijie MP (LNP Kawana), with Scott Emerson MP (LNP Indooroopilly) shadow Transport spokesman.
There is no mention of any government minister involvement in the story.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Stillwater]

Ta 

[Fares_Fair]

Kawana Public Transport Forum Report
Tuesday 18 October, 2011

T.B.A.
Watch this space...


Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Fares_Fair]

Kawana Public Transport Forum Report

I decided to attend this meeting on Tuesday afternoon 18 October 2011, held at the Kawana State College's Multi-Purpose Hall, at 5:30pm.
The Hall was actually a product of the Federal Government's BER scheme and this was the first time it had been used to host a public forum.

OFFICIAL ATTENDEES
Jarrod Bleijie MP (Kawana) Shadow Attorney General hosted the event with guest speakers:
Scott Emerson MP (Indooroopilly) Shadow Minister for Transport, Multicultural Affairs and the Arts.
James Birrell, of Conlon Birrell Landscape Architects

OTHER ATTENDEES
Cr Vivien Griffin of Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Mr Mal Brough, former Federal MP

120 stated as in attendance, but I counted about 150, probably because of impromptu guests like me.
Local TV media were in attendance.

Jarrod Bleijie MP (Kawana) opened the meeting and gave the introduction, recognising the above dignitaries in attendance.

James Birrell presented a brief 5-10 minute presentation of his light rail proposal.
2 versions, one at grade (on ground) and one raised above the road.
To go from Caloundra South through to the airport, and possible future extension to Noosa.

Scott Emerson MP (Indooroopilly) spoke briefly about when he and Andrew Powell MP, caught the train back on 6 May.
He then took the floor for questions at 6:00pm.

Q1-Q3
Amazingly, the first 3 questions were calls (statements) for the duplication of the rail line to Nambour.
I was ready to ask this but didn't need to as 3 others had already done so.
It sent a clear message that the Coast wants it to be done and people recognise that it won't work with the current bottleneck of a single line.
"No point funnelling a 6 inch pipe into a 2 inch pipe" as the third speaker succinctly stated. (exact pipe sizes uncertain)

With regards to the Beerburrum to Nambour rail duplication, no promises were made.
Mr Emerson explained that he would not tell us the LNP was going to do something, only to have them change their mind 3 weeks after an election.
It was explained that Queensland has a current debt of $85 billion, and it is costing the state $100,000,000 per week in interest repayments.
We have lost our AAA credit rating as well, making money more expensive to borrow.
He said that he heard the message.

See Q9 below.

Q4
Question on the costs of public transport.
Mr Emerson stated that the LNP were looking at a policy to provide real fare relief to commuters in order to encourage public transport use.

Q5
Preference was stated for light rail down the Nicklin Way.

Q6
Called for the need to have a link from the Coast to the heavy rail line at Landsborough.

Q7
Called for action and not more plans for Caloundra to wherever on public transport.

Q8
Called for more parking to be provided at Landsborough and Beerwah Stations.
Mr Emerson explained there was land available to be secured at Landsborough and that if the government didn't act quickly it would miss the boat on its purchase.

Q9
Called for the political will by the LNP to make the Sunshine Coast a priority.

Unfortunately, at this point I had to leave at 6:48pm for another appointment.
(Finish time was supposed to be 6:30pm)

This is my record of the meeting, taken from hasty notes.
All the questions are paraphrased by me to get the gist of the questions, and because I couldn't write fast enough.
My apologies if there are any errors in what is presented here.
I hope to get an official version later today.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[somebody]

Thanks for posting that.

Sounds like the LNP have no plans to proceed with the duplication.  They also sounded like they are assuming that they will get in.

Fare relief?  Let's hope it isn't reducing the number of weekly trips to get free trips.  Much better to just reduce the base fare.

[Stillwater]

Had I been able to attend the Kawana meeting, I would have asked if Mr Emerson was aware of the LNP Policy Statement entitled: A Liveable Sunshine Coast.  He probably would not have been, 'cos it was cobbled together by local LNP members under public pressure.

I then would have referred him to the clauses of that policy that state:

"We (the LNP) will guarantee the delivery of affordable and efficient transport infrastructure to support sustainable growth on the Sunshine Coast."

"In Government, the LNP will deliver a Sunshine Coast Integrated Transport Plan containing clear delivery timelines for infrastructure and services."

And I would have asked whether we will see any sort of LNP Sunshine Coast Integrated Transport Plan before the election.  I suspect we won't, as the sentence contains the qualifier saying this will happen 'in government' (i.e. after the election).

And what if the LNP delivery timeline is duplication to Nambour by 2031?  How would we be better off?  Do we trust the LNP to do anything differently to the current government.  By his comments, Mr Emerson was hedging his bets very heavily.

[Fares_Fair]

Thanks for posting that.

Sounds like the LNP have no plans to proceed with the duplication.  They also sounded like they are assuming that they will get in.

Fare relief?  Let's hope it isn't reducing the number of weekly trips to get free trips.  Much better to just reduce the base fare.

To be fair, I do recall him qualifying his statement with a "should we win government" phrase.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Gazza]

I'm must say, good on you FF for keeping the duplication on the public radar and getting members of the public saying the right things... The fact the first question asked off the bat, and the next two, is a testament to that.

It's refreshing to see the PT debate at a more intelligent level, with people understanding the nitty gritty like track capacity and how things actually work.

[Fares_Fair]

Thank you, Gazza.
TBH, I was both amazed and thankful.

Nobody seems to have noticed Q4.
It is significant and a firm policy commitment to action on the fare hikes.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

EDIT 21.10.2011 at 8:30am: Sorry, Simon did notice and commented above.

[Golliwog]

Thank you, Gazza.
TBH, I was both amazed and thankful.

Nobody seems to have noticed Q4.
It is significant and a firm policy commitment to action on the fare hikes.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

Q4
Question on the costs of public transport.
Mr Emerson stated that the LNP were looking at a policy to provide real fare relief to commuters in order to encourage public transport use.

I'm interested, but until they actually have a policy on it, I'm not getting my hopes up. To be honest, I'm not overly concerned by the fare rises (well not yet anyway) as didn't they drop the fares for go cards down a whole bunch when they first came out? IIRC didn't that negate 1 or 2 of the rises?

[somebody]

Is that review to come out after the election though?

[Stillwater]

Saying that the LNP would look at a policy of 'fare relief' is one step short of saying such a policy will be implemented.  A politician will always say what the person/audience they are addressing wants to hear, but always include an escape clause.  (Example:  "We will build this planned new edifice, subject to other competing priorities and the budgetary cycle.")

Examining Q4, therefore, it is a firm commitment to 'have a look', but not to do any more.

It is the same promise you got from the Minister, FF, re the SCL.  She also gave the 'mirror' reply: "I will look into it."

Tweedledum says the ALP will look at things.  Tweedledee says the LNP will look a bit more intently than the ALP.  That's not much of a distinction, and certainly not a vote changer.

[dwb]

Well, the phone number is there, Id encourage those affected to ring up and agitate for another session...Or bite the bullet and leave work early (Work through lunch, come in early, whatever)
The rail issue needs to be driven home loud and clear.

Shame Scott "Lets build a park and ride on indooroopilly station to stop congestion on the walter taylor bridge " Emerson is not the best person to be running the transport cabinet I feel he will be another failure, shame the labor alternative is just as pathetic. Though I get a feeling that if Labor were selected CRR will be "delayed" again.

ha yeah but that idea comes straight from the leader himself!

[Fares_Fair]

Saying that the LNP would look at a policy of 'fare relief' is one step short of saying such a policy will be implemented.  A politician will always say what the person/audience they are addressing wants to hear, but always include an escape clause.  (Example:  "We will build this planned new edifice, subject to other competing priorities and the budgetary cycle.")

Examining Q4, therefore, it is a firm commitment to 'have a look', but not to do any more.

It is the same promise you got from the Minister, FF, re the SCL.  She also gave the 'mirror' reply: "I will look into it."

Tweedledum says the ALP will look at things.  Tweedledee says the LNP will look a bit more intently than the ALP.  That's not much of a distinction, and certainly not a vote changer.

I interpreted this (rightly or wrongly) when spoken as a firm commitment to act, that will be in their pre-election policy.
Having seen nothing in the media since does leave me wondering if that interpretation is correct.

I have asked for and am awaiting the official record of the meeting.


Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Fares_Fair]

Here is a copy of the officail notes from the Public Transport Forum held at Kawana.
Thank you to Jarod Bleijie MP, member for Kawana office for these.
Unedited.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT FORUM, 18 OCTOBER, 2011

NOTES FROM PRESENTATION

Host: Jarrod Bleijie MP, Member for Kawana & Shadow Attorney-General

Guest Speaker: Scott Emerson MP, Shadow Minister for Transport, Multicultural Affairs & the Arts

Speaker: James Birrell, Conlon Birrell Landscape Architects, presentation on light rail proposal

Issues raised by residents:

•   Duplication of rail line between Beerburrum to Nambour

•   Express train services don't go further than Caboolture enough

•   Queensland Rail structure, subsidising existing travel vs building more infrastructure

•   Master plan for Light Rail on the Sunshine Coast, Adelaide has a good model

•   High speed rail between capital cities

•   Light Rail should be up middle of Nicklin Way, above grade, vs on CAMCOS corridor

•   Rail along Bruce Highway

•   Master plan takes too long, too much planning, not enough action

•   More car parking at Landsborough, Beerwah, Caboolture

•   Don't lose on-street parking for businesses that operate on Nicklin Way

•   More money from State to local governments for transport assistance

•   Coast Connect should be scrapped

•   Public transport needs to be efficient and timely

•   Sunshine Coast University Hospital and Ramsay Health Private Hospital  needs adeqaute car parking and a public transport plan

•   Better integration of SEQ public transport

•   Improve our local bus services, the current services are too long and expensive

•   Island Point Villas has no bus service

•   Sunshine Coast university Hospital is most important project for Sunshine Coast - need to ensure the provision of adequate transport services

•   Sippy Downs bus services are an ongoing issue for residents

•   Government is heading towards $85 billion in debt

•   Cost of living expenses are a major issue at the moment

•   Kawana Forest has no bus services

[Gazza]

•   Kawana Forest has no bus services

"Be on the way!"

[Set in train]

I'm must say, good on you FF for keeping the duplication on the public radar and getting members of the public saying the right things... The fact the first question asked off the bat, and the next two, is a testament to that.

It's refreshing to see the PT debate at a more intelligent level, with people understanding the nitty gritty like track capacity and how things actually work.

I second that, a great result with awareness of duplication.