RAIL - Back On Track Forum

Place holder ....   

I'm quite confident that it will be in 2022

Just in case ...      ( I change it in a flash ... 21  22 )

https://twitter.com/JoshButler/status/1432583192922361862

The Age----> Labor pledges to plan trackless trams in Melbourne's south-east

PM must go to the polls before May 2022.  Usually a PM doesn't want to leave it to the last minute, just in case a scandal breaks out and there is insufficient time before an election must be held to recover from whatever the scandal might be. The cat and mouse game being played by the state government is interesting -- delaying the signing of the SEQ Deal .... which removes from federal pollies across SEQ the opportunity to announce before an election all the funded goodies agreed between the SEQ Council of Mayors and the Federal Government.

Queensland seats will be crucial to the outcome of the next federal election.

A redistribution has taken a seat away from WA and created a new seat (Hawke) in Victoria. It is notionally Labor. Assuming that is the case, the Coalition would go the the election with 76 seats in the House of Reps to 69 for Labor. Labor would need to hold all its seats and pick off seven from the Coalition. There is a chance a couple of seats might go the other way.

Seats the Coalition holds in Queensland that would require less than a five per cent swing to go the other way include Brisbane, Ryan, Dickson and Longman. A fast train to Caboolture anyone?

I reckon they will do a sweetener Budget and hold an election straight after. Could be May 14, a week after Mothers Day?

https://amp.abc.net.au/article/100470168

https://twitter.com/JackDempseyQLD/status/1511985399601971200

21st May 2022 #ausvotes

AEC > https://www.aec.gov.au

ARA: 2022 Election Commitments Summary – Rail Highlights

> https://ara.net.au/wp-content/uploads/Federal-Election-Commitments-Summary-Briefing-note_FinalR.pdf

Quote from: ozbob on April 12, 2022, 11:18:58 AMARA: 2022 Election Commitments Summary – Rail Highlights

> https://ara.net.au/wp-content/uploads/Federal-Election-Commitments-Summary-Briefing-note_FinalR.pdf

It is missing at least 1 party?

QuoteIt is missing at least 1 party?

I agree. It's not acceptable to miss Green team or the Nationals given their influence on policy. There is an entire upper house that exists, in addition to the government that forms in the lower house, and both houses must agree to pass legislation.

So backwards!! 

Quote from: #Metro on April 12, 2022, 12:36:40 PM

QuoteIt is missing at least 1 party?

I agree. It's not acceptable to miss Green team or the Nationals given their influence on policy. There is an entire upper house that exists, in addition to the government that forms in the lower house, and both houses must agree to pass legislation.

So backwards!! 

Nationals are included as part of Liberal National Coalition.
Greens OTOH are ignored completely, I guess because they're seen to have such a remote chance of forming government.

Media Release via Aurizon
13 April 2022
 
Freight on Rail Group Federal election policy priorities

The industry group representing Australia's largest rail freight operators and infrastructure owners today released their policy priorities for the forthcoming Federal election.

Freight on Rail Group (FORG) members contribute more than $11 billion to Australia's economy each year, employ almost 20,000 people, operate 1,600 freight locomotives and manage 23,000 kilometres of rail track. They include Pacific National, Australian Rail Track Corporation, One Rail Australia, Aurizon, Qube Holdings, SCT Logistics, Arc Infrastructure, Watco Australia and Southern Shorthaul Railroad.

Rail-based freight and logistics operations perform a vital role for Australia's export industries and in domestic markets. FORG recognises the importance of efficiently meeting future freight demand and continuing to improve the competitiveness of freight supply chains. As Australia moves rapidly to decarbonise the nation's supply chains, rail will have a pivotal role given the major safety, environmental and other community benefits it delivers, including reduced road congestion.

The following should be priorities for the elected Federal Government.

Prioritise rail infrastructure resilience
FORG welcomes the current Review of Road and Rail Supply Chain Resilience. With "once in 100 year" events happening more regularly it will be important that:

* Resilience priorities are identified across Australia's rail freight network, including regional rail infrastructure and focusing on where the existing network requires improvement.

* The use of technology to detect when a network or particular sections of a network require mitigation and protection actions.

* Ensuring that rail networks are well prepared to undertake efficient recovery works when required.

The findings of the Review of Road and Rail Supply Chain Resilience need to be a key priority for the first six months of the new Federal term of office.

Inland Rail Project

Inland Rail will provide step-change improvement in the domestic and export supply chains for industries that are vital for Australia's economic prosperity.

A key infrastructure priority for an incoming Federal Government should be the delivery of the Inland Rail project, with a focus on supporting the large private sector investments that will be required to realise all the economic and regional benefits of the supply chain services that will use Inland Rail in the future.

Provide a level playing field for rail and road with infrastructure pricing policy
On freight corridors where rail and road compete to transport general freight, the current policy of Federal and State Governments has resulted in in favourable road user charges for trucks that are not cost reflective.

FORG recommends the Federal and State Governments introduce equivalent policies for rail and road infrastructure pricing, and achieve this by one of the following options:

* Road pricing reform that introduces cost-reflective user charging for heavy vehicles, as previously agreed by the Federal and State Governments; or

* Alternatively, the introduction of a rail freight utilisation incentive program, potentially linked to the value of the emissions reduction benefits of freight transported by rail.

Utilise rail freight to reduce transport sector greenhouse gas emissions
Too often the emissions reduction strategies are compartmentalised to the specific mode of transport, road or rail, and handled separately. There is an opportunity for governments and industry to think across the different transport modes and to increase the utilisation of rail freight to reduce overall transport emissions, given that using rail freight produces 16 times less carbon pollution than road freight per tonne kilometre.

FORG recommends that emissions reduction programs should provide an incentive for future freight volumes to be carried by rail, recognising the environmental and community benefits from using rail. A rail freight utilisation program could also be linked to the larger infrastructure access costs paid by rail compared to road.

Coastal shipping regulation
Coastal shipping regulation for the transportation of domestic freight should recognise investments in land transport operations and provide for efficient utilisation of land transport modes where infrastructure and services are available.

Coastal shipping regulation should not provide unreasonable competitive advantages to foreign flagged ships to enter and participate in Australia's domestic freight services market where ships compete with land transport supply chains. FORG recommends that transport policy and regulation should better protect the sovereignty and security of Australia's domestic supply chains against foreign-flagged ships.

Focus on improving the productivity of rail freight
FORG recommends a nationally coordinated focus on improving the productivity of rail freight that involves the following priorities:

* Addressing impediments to rail freight productivity including those that are identified by the Review of Rail Freight Productivity chaired by former Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson.

* Making targeted investments in improving the productivity of existing rail infrastructure.

* Integrate rail-based supply chains with other transport modes so that the benefits of rail in carrying larger volumes of freight are realised, including 'first mile' and 'last mile' connections to production or distribution sites and end destinations.

* A coordinated Federal and State Government approach to consistently identifying and overseeing the implementation of rail freight productivity improvement priorities that is integrated with overall supply chain development programs.

Transport infrastructure investment proposals to recognise externality impacts of transport modes
FORG recommends that transport infrastructure investment assessments should be required to consider and recognise the externality impacts of transport modes, including safety, environment and congestion benefits. These benefits should be identified and considered in relation to infrastructure investment priorities, including investments aimed at improving the productivity and utilisation of existing infrastructure.

The Guardian --> Tony Windsor backs five independent candidates in inland rail electorates

QuoteFormer independent Tony Windsor and inland rail advocate Everald Compton have backed five independent candidates in regional electorates in a bid to change political representation on or near the proposed inland rail route.

Windsor, the former New England MP prior to Barnaby Joyce, said local communities would be heard on their inland rail concerns if they had independent representation in a hung parliament. Windsor was one of three independents who held the balance of power during the Gillard government's term.

"There's obvious problems with the current route and current incumbents aren't interested in hearing about that," Windsor said. ...

Quote from: achiruel on April 12, 2022, 18:37:09 PM

Quote from: #Metro on April 12, 2022, 12:36:40 PM

QuoteIt is missing at least 1 party?

I agree. It's not acceptable to miss Green team or the Nationals given their influence on policy. There is an entire upper house that exists, in addition to the government that forms in the lower house, and both houses must agree to pass legislation.

So backwards!! 

Nationals are included as part of Liberal National Coalition.
Greens OTOH are ignored completely, I guess because they're seen to have such a remote chance of forming government.

"Elections should be about a contest of ideas".  Sick of good ideas being ignored because of our 2PP system.

Quote from: ozbob on April 14, 2022, 08:19:02 AMThe Guardian --> Tony Windsor backs five independent candidates in inland rail electorates

QuoteFormer independent Tony Windsor and inland rail advocate Everald Compton have backed five independent candidates in regional electorates in a bid to change political representation on or near the proposed inland rail route.

Windsor, the former New England MP prior to Barnaby Joyce, said local communities would be heard on their inland rail concerns if they had independent representation in a hung parliament. Windsor was one of three independents who held the balance of power during the Gillard government's term.

"There's obvious problems with the current route and current incumbents aren't interested in hearing about that," Windsor said. ...

The obvious problem seems to be that the line doesn't go where Everald wants it to go when he drew a line on a map 30 years ago.

https://twitter.com/alexjago51/status/1517515609294065664




Senate

Am I reading this right? No real change to numbers of independents vs last time in the lower house?

I thought there was supposed to be a flood of teal candidates?

Quote from: #Metro on April 23, 2022, 01:26:06 AMAm I reading this right? No real change to numbers of independents vs last time in the lower house?

I thought there was supposed to be a flood of teal candidates?

Looks like they've joined Pauline or Campbell.

ABC: Federal Election Guides

> https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2022/guides

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1520412422141804544

Sunshine Coast Council
https://oursc.com.au/featured/sunshine-coast-council-calls-on-all-federal-election-parties-to-commit-to-investing-in-the-region

Sunshine Coast Council calls on all Federal election parties to commit to investing in the region

Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson has outlined the core commitments the council is seeking from all 2022 Federal Election parties to advance the prosperity, connectivity and liveability of the region.

The priorities focus on investment in public transport, road transport, climate readiness and the 2032 Brisbane (SEQ) Olympic and Paralympic Games – regional development and for the Sunshine Coast to receive a fairer share of funding.

"The Sunshine Coast remains one of the fastest growing regions in the nation, with population expected to grow from 350,000 to well over 500,000 by 2041," Mayor Jamieson said.

"With this significant growth, our focus remains on ensuring that our region is connected and has the essential infrastructure to meet the growing needs of our communities.

"While our council and our region are grateful for the recent Federal budget announcement of a $1.6 billion contribution to deliver a new rail connection from Beerwah to Maroochydore, this is just one of the many projects that requires commitment from all parties contesting the Federal election to maximise our advocacy efforts with the Queensland Government and to ensure the commitment is fulfilled, regardless of the outcome of the poll on 21 May 2022.

"With Brisbane to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Sunshine Coast as a key delivery partner, it has never been more critical for our region to secure support from all levels of government, particularly for essential public transport and social infrastructure solutions.

"The 2032 Games presents a unique opportunity for all levels of government to work together to ensure a lasting legacy is realised for the Sunshine Coast and Queensland.

"Our advocacy document outlines the core commitments our council is seeking from all parties to advance the prosperity, connectivity and liveability of our Sunshine Coast.

"We remain committed to working with whoever forms government to ensure that our region's objectives are achieved and that our residents and our communities are in a position to realise our vision of being Australia's most sustainable region – healthy, smart, creative."

Public transport

A commitment to maintain within the Commonwealth Budget, the recently announced $1.6 billion as the Federal government's contribution to the delivery of a new rail connection from Beerwah to Maroochydore, with greater clarity provided on the timing and delivery of that project. In addition, Council seeks a commitment from all parties to advocate vigorously to the Queensland Government to provide a matching contribution to enable this critical project to proceed and be delivered prior to 2032.
Pending the outcome of the Detailed Business Case for the Sunshine Coast Mass Transit project (currently led by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads), commit to jointly fund the delivery of the first stage of a mass transit solution for delivery by 2027.
An agreement to work with the Queensland Government to resolve any funding deficit for the duplication of the North Coast Rail Line from Beerburrum to Landsborough, with a commitment to find a solution to facilitate the extension of the upgrade to Nambour.

Road transport

Consistent with the current financial commitments (80% Australian Government/20% Queensland Government), a clear timing and funding commitment to complete the expansion of the Bruce Highway between the southern Steve Irwin Way exit and Caloundra Road by December 2027.
A commitment of $250 million as the Commonwealth's contribution to Stage 2 of the Mooloolah River Interchange (subject to matching funding from the Queensland Government).

Climate readiness

With regard to emissions reduction – Support to more rapidly secure investment to develop local business capability and technologies that accelerate emissions reduction, expand the uptake of renewables and financially support the establishment of cutting-edge circular economy industries.
Commitment that urban enhancements provide opportunities to not only accommodate our increasing population but also respond to changing climate hazards via the delivery of appropriately designed and located infrastructure, including the drainage and stormwater network and stronger urban greening efforts.
Integrated and collaborative leadership, encouragement and support for our communities to reduce their emissions and increase their adaptive capacity and resilience to a changing climate. For example, facilitating improved building design outcomes for private dwellings and greater access to suitable finance options to support investment in climate resilient homes.

2032 Brisbane (SEQ) Olympic and Paralympic Games – Regional Development

A commitment of $36.6 million to be available from the 2022-2023 financial year as the Federal Government's contribution towards the delivery of the Stage 1 expansion of the Sunshine Coast Stadium, so that the venue is capable of staging Olympic football events as well as support the attraction of ongoing national sport and international entertainment content to the Sunshine Coast.
A minimum of $100 million commitment – to be matched by the Queensland Government – to deliver the first stage of a flexible use, contemporary Exhibition and Convention Facility in the Maroochydore city centre, to support the delivery of Games related events as well as underpin the growth of the region's share in the business events, conventions and entertainment markets. The detailed business case for this facility has been with the Federal Government since January 2020 – it only requires a clear funding commitment to enable this facility to be progressed.
Fairer Funding

Council is seeking a commitment from all parties that the next Federal Government will restore the value of the Commonwealth Financial Assistant Grants to local government to the equivalent of 1% of total Commonwealth Taxation Revenue.

The Sunshine Coast Council 2022 Federal Election Advocacy Priorities document can be found on council's website.

The problem with Sunshine Coast Region is all their transport projects went to a massive unrequired freeway/interchange expansion! The money is there, it just needs to stop being wasted on freeways and motorways expansions!

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1525482222098165760

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1525673357240283136

QLD Labor FB Post on ^  https://www.facebook.com/qldlabor/posts/522638782652350

What about putting that extra lane as a train lane? Put rapid rail in the median and run it at 200 km/hr, twice the speed of the cars and 10x the capcity.   

Brisbanetimes --> Rubber hits the road: What the election means for SEQ major projects

Quote... Labor's infrastructure spokeswoman Catherine King said a Labor government would "honour" the commitment made by the Coalition government in March to support a spur rail line from Beerwah to Maroochydore through Caloundra. ...

... Labor has not clarified with Brisbane Times whether it supports the $150 million in federal funds allocated to the $450 million Woolloongabba Metro station and included in the $1.8 billion City Deal suite of projects announced in March, or a $1.2 billion rail expansion near Beenleigh. ...

Status of key road and rail project announcements

Supported by the Coalition and Labor:

$1.6 billion for the Beerwah to Maroochydore rail spur
$133 million for Coopers Plains level crossing removal
Springfield-Ipswich rail link business case (Labor has promised $2 million, while the Coalition's $1.8 billion City Deal promised $10 million)
$20 million for safety upgrades on the Brisbane Valley Highway
Infrastructure policy differences:

Bruce Highway

Labor:

$586.4 million to widen the Bruce Highway from Anzac Avenue (Mango Hill) to Uhlmann Road at Burpengary after 2024
$200 million to widen the Bruce Highway to eight lanes from Dohles Rocks Road (Murrumba Downs) to Anzac Ave (Mango Hill)
$200 million for Rockhampton to Gladstone upgrades of the Bruce Highway

Coalition:

$165 million to upgrade the Bruce Highway from Caboolture to Bribie Island Road
$43.7 million to upgrade the interchange on the Bruce Highway at Deception Bay Road
$84.8 million for Pine River to Dohles Rocks Road interchange
$27.2 million for three business cases to plan the next three sections of the Bruce Highway where Labor has committed $586.4 million for work after 2024
$10 million for a business case for the "second" M1, the Coomera Connection Road
Trains and rail

Labor:

$100 million to remove Coorparoo level crossing
Coalition:

$450 million for Gabba Metro project as part of the $1.8 billion City Deal project
$1.3 billion: Kuraby to Beenleigh rail upgrade (in federal budget, but no written confirmation from federal Labor)

No word from my enquiry to the Labor Party official website about the 80/20 federal/state infrastructure funding split situation.
Labor abolished the 80/20 split last time in power and replaced it with a 50/50 funding split.

Will they do the same again?
They certainly didn't want to answer the question.

Early days, but this is the general sentiment so far ...

https://twitter.com/10NewsFirst/status/1527961001487900672

https://twitter.com/steph_dalzell/status/1527972993275527168

https://twitter.com/theage/status/1527982876805169154

Latest results:

ABC > https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal-election-2022/

Latest seats won Queensland:

Coalition 21

Labor 5

Greens 2

Katter 1

Media release: The Climate Election Demands Transport Changes

24th May 2022

RAIL Back On Track members say whilst the dust is still settling from the Federal election the results have already sent a clear message that people want change.

Inner city Brisbane electorates like Ryan, Brisbane and Griffith, have seen strong results for climate, cost of living and housing affordability. Right across Australia, candidates who reflected these community concerns won more votes.

Transport plays a significant but frequently unrecognised role in reducing carbon emissions, cost of living and housing unaffordability.  Today, the transport sector is the second largest source of emissions in the Australian economy, and emissions are growing fast. Further, cars currently represent the largest source of transport emissions in Australia with emissions growing by 25% since 1990 (1).
 
For over 15 years, RAIL Back On Track  has campaigned for greater focus on and funding for active and public transport as well as freight rail. And it's not just because we like trains. It's because prioritising these forms of transport:

* reduces carbon emissions.
* improves access to jobs.
* creates healthy and active communities.
* makes our suburbs safer and more enjoyable to live in.
* grows stronger and more resilient local economies.
* minimises the impact of rising fuel costs.
* require a fraction of the tax-payer subsidies that motor vehicle trips do.

Over those 15 years, consecutive Governments at all levels have said "We know what we are doing. We're got this sorted" and yet continued to build car-dependent cities, communities and economy. Well if there is one thing the weekend's Federal Election results showed is that the people of Brisbane have said very loudly "No you don't. It's time for change"

RAIL Back On Track  calls for all major freeway expansion or road upgrade commitments made during the federal campaign to be redirected to improving active/public transport and freight rail such as:

1. Green Bridges and other delayed active transport projects
2. Separated Bike Lanes on all our roads
3. Cost of Living review of Public Transport Fares
4. SEQ Bus-Rapid-Transit (BRT) Network Design including Bus Lanes on all major roads
5. All train stations being made Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant
6. Park 'n' rides converted into co-located transit-oriented, mixed-use Affordable/Social Housing
7. City Plans amended to create walkable, transit-oriented, mixed use developments around all commercial centres plus railway and major bus stations
8. Rail Network Upgrades for example the Beerwah-Maroochydore (CAMCOS), Springfield-Ipswich, North-Coast Line, and ETCS deployment across the entire Citytrain SEQ Network

Further, all levels of Government need to redirect their current and future transport investments in SEQ away from further freeway and road expansions towards these initiatives.

This Federal election was fought on issues relevant to all levels of Government and it is time for change.
It is time for improved public and active transport!

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org


1. Australia Climate Factsheets - Vehicle Emissions
https://climateanalytics.org/publications/2019/australia-climate-factsheets-vehicle-emissions/#:~:text=The%20transport%20sector%20is%20the,and%20emissions%20are%20growing%20fast

Facebook ...

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1528865885553033217

ARA 2022 ALP Election Commitments– Rail Highlights

https://ara.net.au/wp-content/uploads/ALP-Election-Commitments-Summary-Briefing-note.pdf

A copy attached below:

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/2022/2022_05_24_DAILY.pdf

Queensland Parliament Hansard

Ministerial Statements

Federal Labor Government, Roads and Transport

Hon. MC BAILEY (Miller—ALP) (Minister for Transport and Main Roads) (10.01 am): The people
have spoken. They have voted for change.

Opposition members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Order!

Government members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Members to my right! I will wait for silence.

Mr BAILEY: The people have spoken. They have voted for change. They have voted for what will
be a majority Albanese Labor government—a federal government that will deliver integrity via a federal
independent commission against corruption this year.

Opposition members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Order!

Mr BAILEY: They will deliver a federal independent commission against corruption—a positive
change. An Albanese Labor government will also finally deliver Queensland our fair share on transport
and road infrastructure funding. This will come in the form of existing jointly funded projects and new
commitments that will now be looked at by this Palaszczuk state Labor government.
These new commitments include: almost $1 billion towards Bruce Highway upgrades on
Brisbane's north side, including upgrades to eight lanes between Uhlmann Road and Dohles Rocks
Road, which I know is well received by the members for Bancroft and Kurwongbah and a number of
other members up there; the removal of the Coopers Plains level crossing; upgrades to the Kuranda
Range Road in Far North Queensland; a major upgrade to the Cairns Marine Precinct, as outlined by
the Deputy Premier earlier; major upgrades to the Bruce Highway from Rockhampton to Gladstone; the
creation of six lanes on Loganlea Road from the Logan Motorway to the M1; and a $500 million national
electric vehicle strategy which Queenslanders will benefit from, on top of our own Zero Emission Vehicle
Strategy here in Queensland.

This is the authentic and contemporary leadership the industry has been crying out for and did
not get under the Morrison-Joyce government. I note the former deputy prime minister said this morning
that he had done such a wonderful job. Well, good luck to him with that line. Many of these commitments
will require a state contribution, and in some cases we have already agreed to funding because we see
the value in these key projects for Queensland. Importantly, we will work collaboratively with the
Albanese Labor government on these projects.

One of the big takeaways from the election campaign is that the Albanese Labor government—
as it did over the last three years—wants to work with states like Queensland, not against us. We
especially saw the record during the pandemic, which was supported by those opposite, of the
undermining of health advice. We now have a Prime Minister who wants to bring people together, not
create division. We have already seen how Queensland will be getting its fair share under Anthony
Albanese as Prime Minister and with a federal Labor government. Through our continued collaboration,
we can now achieve better results for the whole of our state.