RAIL - Back On Track Forum

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1557736500934365186

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1559541209441652736

Brisbanetimes --> Olympic Games infrastructure agency tipped to take shape soon

QuoteDetails about the body that will evaluate infrastructure projects for south-east Queensland's 2032 Olympic Games may be decided at a meeting of the Brisbane organising committee in early October.

The body's new chief executive will be discussed – and possibly chosen – and federal and state representatives identified.

This comes as planners – presumably from the Queensland government – are now evaluating changes to the Games' Brisbane Arena venue at Roma Street, preliminary designs for the Gabba as the site of the opening and closing ceremonies, the international Broadcasting Centre at South Brisbane, and a proposed complete revamp of Albion's sports and recreation facilities.

Sports and new rail facilities at the Sunshine Coast, a proposed canoe slalom centre at Redlands, the Athletes' Village at Hamilton, and a late multibillion-dollar submission to Infrastructure Australia to improve transport links on Brisbane's fringe to Moreton Bay are also in play. ...

A lot of focus on "fizz" infrastructure ie., stadiums and other feel good stuff...so far, not a lot, [except chain dragging] on REAL infrastructure to benefit the SEQ region post the "games" - Sidineeee got entire new underground rail corridors out of their games....and more!   

I agree that there's far too little planning and emphasis on real infrastructure with long term benefit. However NSW/Sydney did an appalling job of infrastructure planning for their olympics. In the decade after the olympics decades of underinvestment finally had huge impacts and began to change the political priorities of the city. The rail clearways project started in 2004 was probably the most important and under acknowledged Sydney trains infrastructure project which enabled real capacity growth.

Brisbanetimes --> New faces on the Brisbane Olympic Games organising committee

QuoteTwo Brisbane-based federal MPs have been nominated by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to fill vacancies on the Brisbane organising committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Before the defeat of the Morrison government, the two spots were filled by Sunshine Coast LNP backbencher Ted O'Brien and previous sport minister Richard Colbeck.

Albanese has now nominated member for Moreton Graham Perrett - who has held the seat since 2007 - and Labor Sport Minister Anika Wells, who holds the seat of Lilley.

Wells, also the minister for Aged Care, attended the previous BOCOG meeting at Brisbane's City Hall as an official observer.

The next meeting of BOCOG would be in early October, a spokesman for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said. ...

Quote from: ozbob on August 19, 2022, 15:36:18 PMBrisbanetimes --> New faces on the Brisbane Olympic Games organising committee

QuoteTwo Brisbane-based federal MPs have been nominated by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to fill vacancies on the Brisbane organising committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Before the defeat of the Morrison government, the two spots were filled by Sunshine Coast LNP backbencher Ted O'Brien and previous sport minister Richard Colbeck.

Albanese has now nominated member for Moreton Graham Perrett - who has held the seat since 2007 - and Labor Sport Minister Anika Wells, who holds the seat of Lilley.

Wells, also the minister for Aged Care, attended the previous BOCOG meeting at Brisbane's City Hall as an official observer.

The next meeting of BOCOG would be in early October, a spokesman for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said. ...

Anika is my local Member, so I'll make sure I let her know what I think regarding infrastructure for the Olympics!

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/96016

10-year countdown to the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games opening ceremony
24th August 2022

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for the Olympics
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe

Queenslanders continue to share the spirit of the green and gold runway, as we mark 10 years until we welcome more than 8,000 athletes and officials at the opening ceremony of the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games.

Premier and Minister for the Olympics Annastacia Palaszczuk said hosting Brisbane 2032 will provide opportunities to achieve new standards for Queenslanders living with disability.

"The Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games will drive conversations and inspire action towards a more inclusive, diverse, and accessible landscape for people living with disability,' the Premier said.

"There are more than 260,000 Queenslanders living with disability and more than 474,000 carers supporting them.

"Brisbane 2032 can be the platform to encourage businesses to embrace inclusion, provide public spaces and precincts that are universally designed and promote a society that is inclusive for all, regardless of age, background, gender or ability.

"Queensland Para-athletes are already thriving on the world stage, winning two gold, six silver and six bronze at the recent Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Their contribution puts Australia as the lead in Para-sports amongst the 72 nations that competed.

"And in 2032, I can't wait to cheer on our Queensland Paralympians in their chosen sports."

Sport Minister and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympic and Paralympic Sport and Engagement Stirling Hinchliffe said a Queensland-wide search was underway for promising new para-athletes.

"We want to discover and nurture our next generation of elite para-athletes to be podium ready for the 2032 Paralympic Games on Queensland soil," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"The Queensland Academy of Sport's (QAS) Youfor2032 talent identification program is the nation's biggest, and next month starts testing para-athletes in eight Paralympic sports.

"From archery and swimming to triathlon, wheelchair basketball or wheelchair rugby, we're looking for dozens of para-athletes to represent Queensland on the world stage.

"We're off to a great start with more than 40 young Queenslanders with Paralympic ambition this week meeting with Youfor2032 coaches to explore possibilities.

"It doesn't where you live in our vast State, if you're ambitious for a place on Queensland's green and gold runway to the 2032 Games, it's not too late to register for Youfor2032."

Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Officer, Catherine Clark said the next ten years will be about strengthening the pathways through which we find these amazing, talented and aspiring athletes.

"Then we work to ensure that the system is connected at all levels so no one gets left behind,' Ms Clark said.

"There are 4.3 million Australians living with disability yet only one in four participates in sport, while 75 per cent want to participate. Programs such as Youfor2032 are important to encourage greater awareness and participation in sport.

"These programs also help break down the societal stereotypes and biases to increase social inclusion and community connection for people with a disability," Ms Clark said.

For more information, please visit https://youfor2032.initiatives.qld.gov.au/

ENDS

Sent to all outlets:

2032 Olympics & Public Transport - What Governments Need to Stop/Start Doing

26th August 2022

AECOM cities programme leader Andrew Jones has urged Brisbane to make public transport a priority in the 10 years to 2032 (1). Something RAIL Back On Track  has been calling for well before the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games campaign was a twinkle in the eye of the SEQ Council of Mayors.

Prioritising Public Transport is a no-brainer for moving large volumes of people around South East Queensland for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  But it also a no-brainer for moving people around the region each and every day of the year not just for major events.

Transport Planners and even the OECD have been calling for the prioritisation of active and public transport (i.e. funding it before funding road widenings and new freeways) because it better for the economy, local, State and Federal finances, our health and well-being, our environment, safety, jobs ... ok, everything.

Brent Toderian, the former City Planner for Vancouver and advisor to Oslo and other cities on their Olympic bids, noted "Successful multimodal cities aren't just about what your city starts doing — i.e., funding transit — it's what you stop doing — i.e., widening roads. Brent Toderian: Don't "Balance" Modes — Prioritize Walking, Biking, and Transit (2).

With only 10 years left before the Opening Ceremonies, all levels of Government are still spending the majority of their transport budgets widening roads and building freeways, bypasses or tunnels.  Just last week the Brisbane City Council said a $9.5 billion dollar road tunnel was their first priority for the North West Transport Corridor.  The State and Federal Governments are widening various freeways and planning to construct more with public transport relegated to "when there is enough demand". Certainly not prioritising it.

RAIL Back On Track  has been very supportive of all the major active and public transport projects across the region but many of these current projects remain light years off "prioritising" public transport.

If we are to prioritise active and public transport in the lead up to 2032 Olympics then all new major road expansions or new freeways, bypasses, road tunnels, including those in the planning/early works stage, must be shelved and plans for active and public transport prioritised.

RAIL Back On Track calls for the following list of representative public transport projects to be prioritised for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in addition to those already underway. This list is not exclusive or a priority order.  Proper consideration needs to be given to creating a proper public transport authority to deliver these projects.  We suggest an authority modelled on the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia ( https://www.pta.wa.gov.au ).     

* SEQ Bus Network Redesign and 24hr Transit Lanes on our Major Roads
* 15 minute train frequency (6am-9pm) across Greater Brisbane stations
* ETCS - L2 Entire Citytrain Network
* Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade
* Direct Sunshine Coast Line fast rail
* Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4  Burleigh to Coolangatta
* Varsity Lakes to Coolangatta Rail Extension
* North West Rail Line - Brisbane to Strathpine
* Doomben line upgrade and extension to Northshore Hamilton Athletes Village
* Manly to Cleveland line upgrade
* Sandgate to Shorncliffe line upgrade
* Norman St Bridge Ipswich
* Open level crossing removal projects
* Springfield to Ripley Rail Extension
* Salisbury to Flagstone Rail Extension
* SE Busway Springwood to Hyperdome and Loganlea Extension
* Kuraby to Dutton Park Quadruplication & Fast Rail
* Toowoomba Fast Rail
* Fully Accessible Network
* Redevelopment of urban/suburban Park 'n' Rides into vibrant, active public spaces and mixed use developments including station upgrades
* Separated bike lanes on all our major roads (3)

This is not an issue of funding, it is an issue of redirecting the funding towards active and public transport.

References:

1. Brisbane Olympics should prioritise public transport, says London Olympics planner
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-25/london-olympics-planner-says-public-transport-a-priority/101370458

2. Don't "Balance" Modes — Prioritize Walking, Biking, and Transit
https://denver.streetsblog.org/2017/02/09/brent-toderian-dont-balance-modes-prioritize-walking-biking-and-transit/

3. 3 Things You Need to Know About Bike-Transit Integration
https://blog.altaplanning.com/3-things-you-need-to-know-about-bike-transit-integration-130d477568c6

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

Facebook ...

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1562877969067962368

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1564010883533000704

Quote* SEQ Bus Network Redesign and 24hr Transit Lanes on our Major Roads
* 15 minute train frequency (6am-9pm) across Greater Brisbane stations
* ETCS - L2 Entire Citytrain Network
* Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade
* Direct Sunshine Coast Line fast rail
* Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4  Burleigh to Coolangatta
* Varsity Lakes to Coolangatta Rail Extension
* North West Rail Line - Brisbane to Strathpine
* Doomben line upgrade and extension to Northshore Hamilton Athletes Village
* Manly to Cleveland line upgrade
* Sandgate to Shorncliffe line upgrade
* Norman St Bridge Ipswich
* Open level crossing removal projects
* Springfield to Ripley Rail Extension
* Salisbury to Flagstone Rail Extension
* SE Busway Springwood to Hyperdome and Loganlea Extension
* Kuraby to Dutton Park Quadruplication & Fast Rail
* Toowoomba Fast Rail
* Fully Accessible Network
* Redevelopment of urban/suburban Park 'n' Rides into vibrant, active public spaces and mixed use developments including station upgrades
* Separated bike lanes on all our major roads (3)

This is not an issue of funding, it is an issue of redirecting the funding towards active and public transport.

This is a really long list. Also, large projects cannot happen all at once as industry has capacity constraints, especially now when materials costs have increased and there are few workers.

For this reason, projects need to be arranged into a pipeline.

We also cannot continue adding more and more cities with more and more needs at very far distances (e.g. 50 km away) and then expect rail (usually LSR) to be extended at $5-10 billion dollars a pop.

Yes, these areas might be high growth, but they are starting from a low/no base.

We don't even have rail to half the Gold Coast and all of the Sunshine Coast yet, and these areas might have lower growth already have a huge stock of population (500,000+). Parts of the existing network aren't even double track! Read that line again!

I do think it is also an issue of funding. The costs of even one of these projects are enormous. In other states, such as Victoria, they made a choice to offload major assets like Ports to fund these projects. That would not have happened if it were a just a case of a simple reallocation away from roads.

^ it is a very long list, and could be longer, but shows how far we are behind. 

Road centric transport has failed.

Time to change the paradigm.  Redirect the funding!

" ... This is not an issue of funding, it is an issue of redirecting the funding towards active and public transport. ... "

If you don't aim for Pluto...you might not even get to the Moon!
For DECADES rail has been given bridesmaid treatment...time to go for the jugular on these things or we'll get nothing...which is, in real terms, what rail often ends up with, a lot of not much! 

Absolutely agree with this list. We need to campaign for all of South East Queensland's public transport needs otherwise we'll get nothing.

The Conversation --> In a year of sporting mega-events, the Brisbane Olympics can learn a lot from the ones that fail their host cities

Queensland/Brisbane has signed up officially for all electricity used in the staging of the 2032 Games to come from renewable sources, and the strong suggestion is that renewable resource will be a pumped hydro Borumba Dam at Imbil, in the Mary Valley.

https://www.epw.qld.gov.au/about/initiatives/borumba-dam-pumped-hydro

The government has stepped-up funding for a feasibility study and the business case. To be ready for the Games, construction would need to start towards the end of 2025, which is lightning speed for government ... and who remembers the failed Traveston Dam project? The Borumba Dam pumped hydro plant would require reconstruction of the existing dam and the building of a second, higher dam on land the government owns already.

The EIS would be interesting, although not as problematic as the Traveston Crossing Dam. The pumped hydro project will generate 2000 construction jobs. The potential is there for the project to have significant lakeside recreation facilities provided around the lake's edge.

The price tag has a 'b' after it - so expect noise from the Queensland Government about Commonwealth financial assistance. The feasibility study/business case will establish the likely cost.

Couriermail --> 'Snail-like pace' as Games plans nearly a year behind schedule $

QuoteThe Palaszczuk government is nearly a year behind schedule on its Olympics infrastructure plan, and frustrated senior bureaucrats are warning venues, athletes' villages, road and rail networks risk not being built on time unless it starts to accelerate quickly.

In fact, while the 22-person Brisbane Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) has been up and running since April, the delivery authority to build the Olympics infrastructure has not even been established.

Under the terms of the agreement struck with the International Olympic Committee, the infrastructure delivery authority – known as the Olympic Co-ordination Authority – should have been set up within five months of Brisbane being declared the 2032 host.

The Brisbane winning bid was announced in July 2021, meaning the infrastructure committee should have been operational by Christmas last year.

Even if announced soon, it will be at least 10 months behind when the IOC sounded the starter's gun. ...

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1570776878478397443

My worst fears are being confirmed. 

This is a shambolic government, struggle to organise a birthday party at the Golden Arches ...

https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/seq-olympics-2032/snaillike-pace-as-games-plans-nearly-a-year-behind-schedule/news-story/4239ed4514067e91339b242aa450b178

Quote...Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said last month the infrastructure body could be up and running by next month but behind-the-scenes jockeying between state and federal bureaucrats is thwarting the process.

Responsibility for Olympics infrastructure currently sits within State Development, which is headed by Minister Steven Miles and director-general Mike Kaiser.

Labor sources say turf wars are rampant within the bureaucracy on who gets responsibility for what, with most of the major transport projects, including the $6bn Cross River Rail, falling within the Transport portfolio.

"It's a s--t fight,'' said a source. "Miles wants as much control as possible so he can hand out 'Olympics goodies' to MPs if there's a leadership battle. ...

I will say it until the cows come home.  Until the Government establishes a proper public transport authority the mediocrity will no doubt continue, as petty political turf wars and incompetence continues to reign.

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1570781897550336000

I believe the DG is a former Red Team State secretary? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Kaiser

Quote from: #Metro on September 17, 2022, 00:44:10 AMI believe the DG is a former Red Team State secretary? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Kaiser

Indeed ... 

Couriermail --> Peter Gleeson: We've dropped the ball on the Olympics, badly $

QuoteQueensland has had a 10-year runway to deliver to the world the 2032 Olympics, but when the starter's gun went off, we were left flailing in the blocks, writes Peter Gleeson.

When Brisbane started to crank up its bid for the 2032 Olympics, we were told it would be cost-neutral and we'd get new sporting venues, roads and train networks that would sustain us for the next 100 years.

To many, it sounded too good to be true, but the International Olympic Committee's so-called new funding paradigm was all about legacy and not sending a city broke, and with that iron-clad pledge all tiers of government pulled together to secure the event.

But political infighting and turf wars among bureaucrats is threatening to derail an already risky and precarious building process. ...

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1570843180714827777

(It's the front page of today's Couriermail)

https://twitter.com/DavidCrisafulli/status/1570908776823410694

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1570934864266035203

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1571068174438928386

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1571156452517253122

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1571061181422387203

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1572374163410792452

McDonalds Management do believe, they make great burgers, fries and shakes!
Woolworths Management really do believe, their stores offer great value for customers....

State Ministers are hosing down concerns south-east Queensland won't have the infrastructure in place in time for the Olympic Games....well, what does anyone expect their public sales pitch to be?

Here's a simple test....the Gold Coast heavy rail now terminates at Varsity Lakes...it ONLY has to get a glorified stones throw to Coolangatta......any sign of that "easy" project about to be DONE?

Couriermail --> 'All for an extra 8000 seats? It's nuts': Gabba Games refit cost could blow out to $2.5bn $

QuoteThe demolition and rebuild of the Gabba as the 2032 Olympic Games' main venue may be abandoned as the state government conducts a "project validation'' report into why it would spend a fortune on a new stadium for just 8000 extra seats.

Government sources say the original cost estimate of $1bn for the Gabba's demolition and rebuild was "laughable" and it may well double, or even be as high as $2.5bn.

"All for an extra 8000 seats?" an insider said.

"It's nuts. ...

QuoteThe Metricon option faces stiff resistance from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, who believe the state's capital should host these events.

Well the whole purpose was that the Olympics would be LOW COST and use EXISTING infrastructure.

Demolishing The Gabba will fail both those essential criteria. Yes, it would be a blow to the Lord Mayor if the opening ceremony were held on the Gold Coast, but then again it was a regional proposal.

For these levels of cost, you could put HSR on the Doomben Line. 

(it is about $125,000 - $312,500 per new seat. What is the ticket price again?)

(or pay for massive rail upgrades to ferry pax on the Gold Coast line from Brisbane)

Quick reminder that in the IOC's recommendations to the government, they suggested that we use Metricon, but Palaszczuk et. Al INSISTED on using the Gabba...

When even the IOC is seeming like the fiscally responsible one, you know you messed up

Couriermail --> Qld deserves a vision on Olympics infrastructure, says LNP $

QuoteAn independent body should be tasked with managing Brisbane's Olympic Games infrastructure, according to the LNP, after state government insiders flagged the Gabba rebuild could be shelved over cost blowout fears.

On Saturday, The Courier-Mail revealed the government was conducting a "project validation'' report into why it should spend as much as $2.5bn on a new stadium for 8000 additional seats.

LNP Leader David Crisafulli said Queenslanders "deserved a plan", and the delivery of major infrastructure for the 2032 Olympic Games must be done "on time, and on budget".

"We've called from the start for an independent body to deliver this infrastructure," he said. ...

" ... It's nuts ... "

Agreed, I have long had doubts about Queensland Governments doing the right things generally and for public transport for the Olympics ... 

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1573680548337586177

The bus stop is costing half a billion right? 

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1574044422349946880

The issue re the whole Victoria Bridge and it's approaches is classic "five-n-dime Brissy" thinking - tunnels out from the city via Southbank, are the only serious city answer. Leave the current bridge to foot traffic, taxies, bikes etc and get the buses, "weird metro" and, hopefully one day, real rail in tunnels ASAP!

Brisbanetimes --> Lord Mayor ramps up pressure on premier to set up Olympic infrastructure body

QuoteAfter forging a bipartisan tag-team with the Premier to secure the 2032 Olympic Games for Brisbane, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has pressured Annastacia Palaszczuk to urgently set up an independent infrastructure agency to oversee major projects and avoid cost blow-outs.

"If they go it alone, and make decisions on their own, then it is going to be a challenging project," he said. ...

Quote from: timh on September 24, 2022, 18:58:57 PMQuick reminder that in the IOC's recommendations to the government, they suggested that we use Metricon, but Palaszczuk et. Al INSISTED on using the Gabba...

The Gabba can't do Track and Field as is, but there's no reason they couldn't do the opening and closing ceremonies there and the Track and Field at Metricon Stadium. There is no requirement to do them at the same venue. Paris is apparently going to open the games on the river.