RAIL - Back On Track Forum

State Infrastructure Strategy 2022

> https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/industry/infrastructure/state-infrastructure-strategy

QuoteOur vision
We will drive collaborative state infrastructure planning to boost productivity, grow our economy and create jobs throughout the state. Infrastructure planning and delivery will leverage opportunities to improve the livability of our communities and capitalise on innovation to build a strong, sustainable, and resilient Queensland.

The State Infrastructure Strategy 2022 presents a clear vision of the Queensland Government's infrastructure requirements over the next two decades. It sets out our objectives for infrastructure and the priority actions that will drive the future we want for Queensland. It's also clear about the challenges and opportunities we'll face over this time.

The strategy sets out to align infrastructure investment across agencies to help inform industry and other levels of government. It promotes place-based infrastructure planning, working closely with industry and the broader community to leverage their experience and knowledge. We will do more with less, driving performance and tackling complex issues, while providing infrastructure that meets the changing needs of our population and industries.

The strategy will be revised every four years to continue to guide and reflect the evolving nature of infrastructure.

State Infrastructure Strategy 2022 (  PDF 10.4 MB)

This Journalist knows the ropes...

Robert MacDonald has reported on and worked with Queensland and Australian businesses for more than 40 years as a senior journalist with the Australian Financial Review, BRW, The Courier-Mail and publications in North America. He is a former editor and publisher of Business Queensland.
Bob left journalism for a time to be an Austrade Trade Commissioner with postings to Mexico and Chile and more recently spent three years as Trade and Investment Queensland's communications manager.
He also served as a business policy advisor to Queensland Premier Wayne Goss.

In Queensland --> Behold the new State Infrastructure Strategy - solid as a handful of sand

QuoteQueensland's new State Infrastructure Strategy  might look impressive at first glance but its flabby and non-specific language will make tracking its success difficult writes Robert MacDonald

The Queensland Government released a 122-page State Infrastructure Strategy last week.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Infrastructure Minister Steven Miles would have us believe it's a significant document.

It's not.

"We consulted widely on a draft strategy to help shape this document, which sets out a 20-year vision for infrastructure to boost productivity, create jobs and improve liveability," Palaszczuk and Miles say in their joint foreword. ...

The amount of $$$ wasted on these never ending procession of strategies, visions, plans and connecting this and that would have probably helped remove several level crossings.

 

Quote from: ozbob on June 14, 2022, 17:12:09 PMThe amount of $$$ wasted on these never ending procession of strategies, visions, plans and connecting this and that would have probably helped remove several level crossings.

 

Haven't delivered on the one they set in 1990's. Serious this is just a joke.  We have more plans, strategies and fluff documents to circumnavigate the globe but can't get public transport above 20%. 

On the Sunshine Coast that public transport figure sits at just 3%.
I think we all know why.

Gold Coast is 4.2%
Queensland wide is 7.1% - although I admit I find that hard to believe.

Sunshine Coast public transport trips have been in decline since 2010!

Source: Sunshine Coast Mass Transit Project Strategic Business Case

Quote from: Jonno on June 14, 2022, 17:19:15 PM

Quote from: ozbob on June 14, 2022, 17:12:09 PMThe amount of $$$ wasted on these never ending procession of strategies, visions, plans and connecting this and that would have probably helped remove several level crossings.

 

Haven't delivered on the one they set in 1990's. Serious this is just a joke.  We have more plans, strategies and fluff documents to circumnavigate the globe but can't get public transport above 20%. 

The kool aid was flowing when they put the ' strategy ' together ...

Page 56

Quote... The Cross River Rail project is the Queensland
Government's highest priority infrastructure project.
Together with new high-capacity signalling, Cross River
Rail will revolutionise the SEQ rail network, paving
the way for future rail and creating opportunities for
increased bus network integration to improve the
passenger transport network. ...

But they are too timid to outline how the rail network will be structured .. lol

I don't think I can stay sane for much longer, too many 'strategies '

Because Jonno raises this often, what the planners probably do is calculate the density of people in the area and then multiply by 7.1% to get the PT demand. This is the "Predict and Provide" model of service planning which is the opposite to the "Access Based" model that Jarrett Walker and Human Transit blog is developing.

So if you have 10,000 people living in a suburb, the number of trips will be that x 2 for two trips per day and then multiply by 7% to get 1400 trips generated per day. It is more sophisticated than that of course, but that's the guts of it.

They wouldn't know if their backsides were on fire ...

Brisbanetimes --> 'Bolt' infrastructure spending to population growth, SEQ mayors urge

QuoteThree of south-east Queensland's fastest-growing councils have demanded the state government "bolt" infrastructure spending to population growth trends.

Logan, Ipswich and Moreton Bay councils told a Property Council of Queensland forum on Tuesday that infrastructure plans must reflect new population growth patterns in the south-east.

Brisbane Times reported last week that population growth had been underestimated in the Moreton Bay region for 15 years and overestimated in Ipswich, as a new South East Queensland Regional Plan is developed.  ... "

Brisbane - Gold Coast [much improved needed]
Brisbane - Sunshine Coast [before hell actually does freeze over]
Brisbane - Toowoomba [Oz's 2nd largest Inland city, in 2023 you can't even get regular trains there]

SEQ's unique "wagon wheel" geography, offers unrivalled super economic and social opportunities, the SoCal of Australia....just needs quality inter-urban rail links!

Attn [Hon] Annastacia Palaszczuk

See this story....AND it's got the words OLYMPICS in it...and fast rail!!!!!!!  See it CAN be done!!!!!

Today on ABC news 24 there was a special report on how there is not enough forward planning on new transport infrastructure to support Greenfield sites around Ipswich and West to Gatton. The mayor of Ipswich Teresa Harding was quoted that the State and Federal Governments need to "get on with it", so they can start opening new estates up which can help ease the housing crisis.

^^Commit to stage 1 of the Toowoomba Line to Gatton now as well as the extension of the Springfield line

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/2023/2023_03_16_DAILY.pdf

Questions Without Notice

Infrastructure Projects

Ms PUGH: My question is of the Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Can the Premier please update the House on the Palaszczuk government's big build infrastructure
program and is the Premier aware of any alternative approaches?

Ms PALASZCZUK: I thank the member for Mount Ommaney for the question, because on this
side of the House we have the big ideas for the big build for our big state, and we are getting on with
the job. We said that we would build the Sumners Road overpass—delivered in the seat of Mount
Ommaney. Next up for Mount Ommaney is the Centenary bridge.

Dr Rowan interjected.

Ms PALASZCZUK: What is happening? Under you lot it would be shut! That is right: new
releases—

Opposition members interjected.

Ms PALASZCZUK: Oh, I am so glad those opposite are interjecting because we know very
clearly that yesterday they released the list of their cuts—of their building cuts. That is what they
released. I am very proud of our $64 billion pipeline of infrastructure projects across Queensland,
including the Gabba. That is going to be a world-class facility and those opposite voted against it last
night in this chamber. They voted against it.

Mr Bleijie interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! Member for Kawana.

Ms PALASZCZUK: They voted against the Gabba. Well, do not go and turn up to any events if
you do not even support it.

Mr Bleijie: That's what it's about, isn't it—attending events?

Ms PALASZCZUK: We are getting on with the job.

A government member: That's it: they're not invited!

Ms PALASZCZUK: We all know the member for Kawana is just disappointed he did not get
invited to Elvis. We know that. That is where it all began: crying on his little pillow with his little rat—the
little stuffed animal—having a little cry. Let me tell—

Ms Grace: Jealousy's a curse.

Ms PALASZCZUK: Jealousy is a curse; I will take that.

Honourable members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Order, members!

Ms PALASZCZUK: Let me say this: the screen industry is about jobs in this state, and I will stand
up for jobs in this state.

Mr Bleijie interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: The member for Kawana is now warned under the standing orders.

Ms PALASZCZUK: It is about his dancing! Let me say very clearly that we are getting on with
the Gold Coast Light Rail. That is right: another great Labor government initiative building the light rail
on the Gold Coast. We are getting on with the Varsity Lakes to Tugun section. The M1 upgrades are
being delivered by this government. Oh, and then of course who is building the Cross River Rail? We
are, not them—not one single dollar from them. Oh, the Townsville Stadium? Who built the Townsville
Stadium? Not them. No ideas. Oh, my goodness. If I was those opposite, after hearing the contribution
from the member for Gregory he should be the deputy leader over there.

Government members interjected.

Ms PALASZCZUK: Put some common sense in there.

Honourable members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Order!

Honourable members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Order, members!

(Time expired)
Mr SPEAKER: I will wait for silence, members. Are you okay, member for Gregory?

Honourable members interjected.

====

 

No wonder our state is a joke with thaws clowns in Government.

F@&keb kids.

They need to electrify as well as fix up the alignment between Cairns and Townsville to make it faster than driving.

Some areas of the track could be raised above flood plains. This can be done with prefabricated concrete bridge structures.

Queensland has a very weak State opposition. They don't seem to have many tangible policy positions.

They don't get many seats in Brisbane which means they don't have much of a chance to form government.

Most of the public works and projects happen in SEQ, so the results of Red Team policies are obvious to all.

What doesn't make a lot of sense is the inversion of this situation at the LGA level.

Brisbane residents have no issue voting in Blue Team at the LGA level and that has been very enduring as well.

In other words, there must be a large number of people voting Blue Team at LGA level who vote Red Team at the State Level.

Now, why would that be the case?

An obvious approach would then be to contest State Seats with ex-BCC candidates.

Yes, this is the problem their policies are outdated and don't appeal to the masses, as well as for the influx of people from NSW and Vic that now live here.

They could support Daylight Saving and deregulation of retail hours, as well as allowing the sale of beer and wine in supermarkets which is in line with Council's objectives. This could help win Se Qld seats.

These are popular policies that reflect the people's sentiments in Se Qld.

They have been behind fast rail in the past but have gone quiet on that lately. They also need to have a definitive direction on this, thus keeping up momentum.

Good on them for highlighting youth crime though as a lot of people weren't happy with the current situation.

Both parties still arguing over who is better at prioritising the wrong infrastructure!!

Maybe it's worth engaging, even if they have a different viewpoint.

I agree with the trading hours thing. Everywhere else seems to have stores open until 9pm.

Couriermail --> 'Prices through the roof', timeline blowouts if Qld doesn't get $100b build list right $

QuoteIndustry players have issued a dire warning to the state government to get planning right on its nearly $100b list of projects or suffer the consequences.

Workers will not "miraculously appear" to build Queensland's mega-pipeline of projects from stadiums to pumped hydro, with industry players warning that the state government really needs to get planning right on its nearly $100bn list or suffer the consequences.

This could include forcing "prices through the roof" and timeline blowouts amid a battle to attract already scarce talent from interstate.

Queensland's enormous pipeline of major works in the next decade includes 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games infrastructure, the $62bn Energy Plan, a $9.8bn program to build or upgrade 15 hospitals across the state, and road and rail upgrades.

Projects including the $2.5bn Brisbane Arena, $2.7bn demolition and rebuild of the Gabba, and Borumba Pumped Hydro project are due to be completed by 2030, while stage 1 of the 5GW Pioneer Burdekin Pumped Hydro scheme is expected to be done by 2032. ...

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1644713250163150848

This has been my view for a while now. 

There is a long and expensive infrastructure list. There isn't money or people to do all, or even most of it.

You're either going to cancel some, or the more Queensland approach, do a business case study that will quickly go obsolete, and indefinitely postpone them.

Bus reforms are designed to work in a low finance environment. Still viable and doable.

Just consider these rail projects, most locked into the ' planning cycle ' ...

Toowoomba to Brisbane Passenger Rail Strategic Business Case
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/toowoomba-to-brisbane-passenger-rail-strategic-business-case

Salisbury to Beaudesert Rail Business Case
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/salisbury-to-beaudesert-rail-business-case

Ipswich to Springfield Public Transport Corridor Study
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/ipswich-to-springfield-public-transport-corridor-study

Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line, planning
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/direct-sunshine-coast-rail-line-planning

Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (Stage 1)
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/beerburrum-to-nambour-rail-upgrade-stage-1

Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/logan-and-gold-coast-faster-rail

Gold Coast Heavy Rail Extension – Varsity Lakes to Gold Coast Airport
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/gold-coast-heavy-rail-extension-varsity-lakes-to-gold-coast-airport

Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/gold-coast-light-rail-stage-4

SEQ Rail Connect
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/About-us/Corporate-information/Publications/SEQ-Rail-Connect

Beams Road (Carseldine and Fitzgibbon), rail level crossing
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/beams-road-carseldine-and-fitzgibbon-rail-level-crossing

Boundary Road (Coopers Plains), rail level crossing, funding commitment
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/boundary-road-coopers-plains-rail-level-crossing-funding-commitment

ETCS L2 - there is some basic stuff on this eg. https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/about/rail-network-improvements/

But I cannot find a detailed description of the project. For more on ETCS L2 > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?msg=260351

Add these in:

The state's $100bn infrastructure bonanza
Gabba Stadium  demolition and rebuild
Cost: $2.7bn
Start: 2026
End: 2030

Brisbane Arena
Cost: $2.5bn
Start: 2027
End: 2030

Copperstring 2.0
Cost: $5bn
Early works: 2023
End: 2029
Jobs: 800

Borumba Dam Pumped Hydro
Start: Uncertain
End: 2030
Jobs: 2000

Hospital capacity expansion program
End: All 15  completed 2024-28
Cost: $9.8bn

Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro
Start: Uncertain. Report due in June 2024
Stage 1 completed by 2032
Stage 2 completed by 2035
Cost: $12bn
Jobs: Uncertain

Burdekin Falls Dam Raising
Start: 2025
Jobs: 150
Cost: $502m (2018 estimates)

====

Ha ha ha ... too funny, albeit very sad. 

The money is there it is just being prioritised/wasted on



The busway could have been built without the extra 4 lanes of road capacity