RAIL - Back On Track Forum

Couriermail is reporting " IT will be full-steam ahead on major rail projects for the Sunshine and Gold Coasts to get commuters home faster and prepare the southeast for the 2032 Olympic Games, after a whopping $3.9 billion roads and rail budget bonanza. ... "


Couriermail --> Coast-to-Coast: $3.9b road and rail bonanza to connect southeast for the Olmypics, upgrade regional roads $

QuoteIT will be full-steam ahead on major rail projects for the Sunshine and Gold Coasts to get commuters home faster and prepare the southeast for the 2032 Olympic Games, after a whopping $3.9 billion roads and rail budget bonanza.

In a big-spending, pre-election budget, the Beerwah to Maroochydore rail extension has been the green light with a $1.6 billion commitment from the Federal Government, linking Brisbane to the heart of Sunshine Coast.

There is another $1.12 billion for the long awaited Kuraby to Beenleigh rail upgrade to ease pressure on the Brisbane-Gold Coast commute.

Both rail projects will require the State Government to match the funding and will play an important role in supporting the 2032 Olympics, helping the fast mass transit of athletes, media, spectators and officials. ...

WHERE THE CASH GOES

$1.6bn - Brisbane to Sunshine Coast Beerwah Maroochydore rail extension

$1.12bn - Kuraby to Beenleigh rail upgrade

$190.3m - Mt Isa to Rockhampton Corridor - various sections

$114.4m - Tennant Creek to Townsville Corridor - various sections

$28.3m - Cairns to Northern Territory Border Corridor - various sections

$11m - Coomera Connector future stages business case

$3.9m - Steve Irwin Way

$19.1m - Townsville to Roma Corridor Upgrade

$112.5m - Outback Way

$68.5m - Cooktown to Weipa Corridor upgrade

$27.2m - Bruce Highway (Mango Hill, Burpengary, Morayfield)

$150m - Brisbane Metro - Woolloongabba Station

$22.5m - Brisbane Olympic Games 2032 business case developments

$36.2m - Gore Highway Millmerran-Goondiwindi

$20m - Brisbane Valley Highway upgrades

$14.4m - Phillips Bridge Creek replacement, Burdekin Shire

The Treasurer will deliver the 2022-23 Federal Budget at approximately 7.30 pm (AEDT) on Tuesday 29 March 2022

>> https://budget.gov.au/index.htm

https://twitter.com/Treasury_AU/status/1507932934501814275

Need to see how the other states will pan out ..

====

Herald Sun --> Freight terminals on the way but state must contribute $

QuoteTwo giant freight terminals are the centrepiece of the Morrison government's $3.3bn spend on Victorian infrastructure in Tuesday's budget.

TWO giant freight terminals will be built in Melbourne's north and west, creating thousands of jobs and taking 5500 trucks off arterial roads every day once finished.

However, the $3.1bn commitment – the centrepiece of the Morrison government's $3.3bn spend on Victorian infrastructure in Tuesday's budget – includes $2bn that was announced a year ago.

That leaves Victoria worse off than other states and territories, with $3.9bn promised for road and rail projects in Queensland, $3.3bn for NSW and $2.8bn in South Australia. ...

Daily Telegraph --> Budget 2022: $1bn for Newcastle to Sydney fast rail $

QuoteA new rail line, which will be built to dramatically speed up travel times between Newcastle and Sydney, is expected to support more than 4500 jobs.

A dedicated new $1 billion passenger rail line will be built to dramatically speed up travel times on the critical commute between Newcastle and Sydney as part of a major infrastructure investment in NSW.

The 2022-23 Budget will include funding for 10km of new electrified track, rail bridges and stations between south Tuggerah and Wyong, allowing express passenger services to bypass the slower main line and pave the way for a future faster trains.

The state government will match the Commonwealth funding for the rail project, which in addition to improving the reliability of passenger and freight services, is expected support about 4,560 direct and indirect jobs.

In total the federal government will unveil $3.3bn for mostly new road and transport projects across NSW as part of a $17.9bn pre-election infrastructure cash splash nationally. ...

Not fast rail, but faster rail in essence ... 

The Advertiser --> Federal budget to include $200m for nightmare Marion Road bottleneck fix $

QuoteA long-awaited fix for one of Adelaide's worst traffic bottlenecks will be promised in Tuesday night's federal budget as the Coalition unveils plans to spend more than $450m on new road projects in South Australia.

Almost half of that money will go towards easing congestion through the Marion and Cross roads intersection, eliminating two nightmare tram crossings on the northern border of SA's most marginal federal electorate – Boothby.

With the $200m investment in the federal government's last budget before an election is called, the Glenelg tram line crossings on the two roads at Plympton will be removed, with both options of a tram or road overpass on the table. ...

What the federal budget contains for SA

INFRASTRUCTURE

$200m: Marion Rd, Anzac Highway, Cross Rd upgrades. Grade separation of tram crossings, widening of the Marion Rd/Anzac Highway and Marion Rd/Cross Rd intersections.
$120m: Road widening, shoulder sealings and new markings in Adelaide Hills, including Onkaparinga Valley Rd, Long Valley Rd, North East Rd, Torrens Valley Rd, Norton Summit Rd, Lobethal Rd, Main Rd and Kangarilla Rd.
$60m: South Eastern Freeway Managed Motorways – stage 2. Movable central barrier systems along the freeway. Stage 1 (already completed) focused on the section between Crafers and Stirling.
$16m: Main South Rd upgrades, including construction of overtaking lane near Delamere, near Cape Jervis, and upgrades between Myponga and Yankalilla
$60m: Investment to protect the Sturt and Eyre highways from flood damage
$2.26bn: Torrens to Darlington section of the North-South corridor
$40m: Horrocks Highway corridor
$20m: Marion Rd and Sir Donald Bradman Drive intersection upgrade
$43.3m: For other various projects, including $16.2m for the Port Augusta-to-Perth corridor

Brisbanetimes --> $3.9b earmarked for major Qld projects in federal budget cash splash

QuoteA bigger and faster rail network will be a key pitch to Queensland voters in a federal government pledge to spend $3.9 billion on major projects to help prepare the state to host the Olympics.

The federal budget will include $1.6 billion to build a rail line to Maroochydore to connect the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane after years of reviews into better transport for a region that is expected to grow from 350,000 to more than 500,000 people over the next two decades.

Another $1.1 billion will be pledged to cut the time required to travel by rail between Brisbane and the Gold Coast by upgrading the line from Kuraby to Beenleigh to allow for more express services.

The two rail projects are the biggest transport measures in the federal budget, to be released on Tuesday night at a time when Prime Minister Scott Morrison is counting on Queensland voters to back him against Labor leader Anthony Albanese at the election due in May.

In a sign of the importance of the state to the election outcome, the federal budget will outline $3.9 billion for Queensland but only $3.3 billion each for Victoria and New South Wales. ...

Don't be fooled fellow train travellers, NSW has many billions of dollars disguised in the Western Sydney City Deal for example, and Victoria has many billions for the MEL Airport railway for example.  More smoke and mirrors .. 

I don't have much confidence that TMR will get these rail projects right.

What have they done internally to avoid repeating the mess that Kippa-Ring rail was.  The NGR debacle, which is still impacting of course.

Run to your leaders   

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1508195139046735872

Well, I guess we now know why the City Plan was so light on major transport projects. It couldn't be seen to upstage the Election Budget!

https://inqld.com.au/news/2022/03/28/hospital-pass-multi-billion-dollar-promise-to-boost-rail-links-fails-to-impress/

Quote... The Beerwah to Maroochydore rail extension has been given the green light with a $1.6 billion commitment to link Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast.

A further $1.12 billion has been earmarked for the Brisbane to the Gold Coast corridor faster rail upgrade.

However, Transport Minister Mark Bailey was sceptical of the funding boost.

He said the Morrison government had a patchy track record of delivering election promises.

"If it actually happens ..it's a positive thing," Mr Bailey told ABC radio.

"We know with the Olympics coming up, there's going to be a whole lot of infrastructure challenges. ..."

Rail Express --> Budget boost for rail infrastructure

QuoteThe Federal Government has pledged $17.9 billion towards new and existing projects in the infrastructure pipeline in this week's Budget.

With investments in every state and territory, the Government's rolling 10-year infrastructure pipeline will increase from $110 billion to over $120 billion, a new record.

Key new commitments funded in the 2022–23 Budget include:

Victoria:

$3.1 billion in new commitments to deliver the $3.6 billion Melbourne Intermodal Terminal Package, including:

$1.2 billion for the Beveridge Interstate Freight Terminal in Beveridge, taking the total investment to $1.62 billion;
$280 million for Road Connections, including Camerons Lane Interchange, to the Beveridge Interstate Freight Terminal;
$740 million for the Western Interstate Freight Terminal in Truganina; and
$920 million for the Outer Metropolitan Ring – South Rail connection to the Western Interstate Freight Terminal.

Queensland:

$1.6 billion for the Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast (Beerwah-Maroochydore) rail extension
$1.121 billion for the Brisbane to the Gold Coast (Kuraby – Beenleigh) faster rail upgrade

WA:

$100 million for the METRONET Morrison Road Level Crossing Removal
$135 million for the METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link
$116 million for the METRONET High Capacity Signalling
$90 million for the METRONET Yanchep Rail Extension

NSW:

$1 billion for the Sydney to Newcastle – (Tuggerah to Wyong) faster rail upgrade
$77.5 million for a business case forStage 2 of the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport line

Tasmania:

$96 million for the Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation Program – Tranche 4


Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government's record infrastructure investment was keeping Australians moving and supporting thousands of local jobs across the country.

"Continuing to provide record future funding for road and rail projects is a key part of our economic plan for the long term to keep our economy strong," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Barnaby Joyce, said the Government was building the infrastructure that will make the nation and economy stronger.

"Getting more commodities to ports and sending them overseas will generate more export income, making our nation wealthier and stronger. Better roads and infrastructure will enable that," he said.

Australasian Railway Association chief executive Caroline Wilkie said the investment in faster rail networks would improve the speed, frequency and reliability of services, as recommended in the ARA's Faster Rail Report.

"Highways in and out of our cities are only getting busier, which means we must invest in faster rail to support the east coast's sustainable development," she said.

"Faster rail will enable rail travel times on regional rail lines to better compete with road, making it a more desirable and sustainable travel option.

"This will help avoid traffic gridlock and reduce transport-related emissions as populations rise.

"At a time when petrol prices are at record levels, this investment in faster rail will support regional economies and be good news for the many people thinking about a move from the city after the pandemic."

The ARA also welcomed the allocation for a rail extension from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast (Beerwah to Maroochydore).

Wilkie said the extension would strengthen public transport connections between Brisbane and this key regional centre.

  BLUE TEAM funding RAIL projects? What happened? did they get visited by the Ghost of Christmas past or something?

  

Quote from: #Metro on March 29, 2022, 17:15:48 PM BLUE TEAM funding RAIL projects? What happened? did they get visited by the Ghost of Christmas past or something?

  

It's called "vote-buying"
Happens every election!

Media Release

Bipartisan support a must for faster rail to Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast

30th March 2022

RAIL Back On Track welcomes funding in the Federal budget for both a rail extension to Maroochydore ($1.6 billion), and for the Logan to Gold Coast Faster rail project ($1.1 billion).

We urge all parties to commit to funding both of these projects at the coming federal election.

Rail to Maroochydore will be a game changer. For years the Sunshine coast has seen proportionally less public transport investment than Brisbane or the Gold Coast.

Currently the main rail stations on the Sunshine coast are a significant distance inland at Nambour, Landsborough and Beerwah, well away from the bulk of the population on the booming coastal strip. The rail project long known by the acronym 'CAMCOS' will thread right through the centre, putting new stations on the doorstep of hundreds of thousands of residents at places like Caloundra, Birtinya and Maroochydore. It will also support the growing Aura development, ensuring the new city grows sustainably around the rail line.
The new line will be built to fast interurban standards, potentially achieving speeds of 140 km/h or more.

Also significant is the Logan to Gold Coast faster rail project. The rail line south of Kuraby is only one track in each direction, with many slow curves. Gold Coast Express trains have no way to overtake all stops Beenleigh trains.
The current setup slows down maximum speeds and limits the total number of trains that can be run. The faster rail project will expand the corridor from two tracks to four, and straighten out some of the slow curves.
This will ultimately segregate Gold Coast trains and give them a clear run through Logan and into Brisbane.

These projects will better connect the Gold and Sunshine Coasts to Brisbane, will relieve pressure on the overloaded Bruce and Pacific Highways, support the shift to net zero emissions and aid the movement of people across SEQ for the 2032 Olympics.

Finally, its important to acknowledge the need for Toowoomba to also be included in this 'faster rail fever' to complete the regional vision.
The coming inland rail project will provide new tunnels bypassing the currently slow range sections up to Toowoomba.
With careful design, freight trains and regular passenger services could share these tunnels, slashing the journey time, potentially meaning Toowoomba and Brisbane could be linked in under 90 minutes.

References:

1. Budget 2022-23 https://budget.gov.au/index.htm

2. Rail Express Budget boost for rail infrastructure https://www.railexpress.com.au/17-9-billion-budget-boost-for-australian-infrastructure/

3. Caboolture to Maroochydore Corridor Study  https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/caboolture-to-maroochydore-corridor-study

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

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

Facebook ...

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1508818085318631424

2022-23 Federal Budget

>> https://budget.gov.au/index.htm

ABC News --> What does the fuel excise cut mean? What happened to the beer excise cut? Five quick questions about the federal budget

https://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/about_council/media/media-releases/articles/2022/mixed-results-for-ipswich-in-2022-23-federal-budget

Mixed results for Ipswich in 2022-23 Federal Budget
01 April 2022

The 2022-23 Federal Budget delivered a mixed bag for Ipswich as council welcomed the Commonwealth's commitment to the Ipswich to Springfield Central (I2S) Options Analysis, but missed out on key commitments to support the city's significant population growth.

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the cost of living relief measures will be welcomed by Ipswich residents.

"Increased investment in new apprenticeships and training, defence industry and cyber security will create more local jobs in our local economy," Mayor Harding said.

"While council's advocacy efforts towards I2S are starting to pay dividends, it was disappointing there wasn't more in the budget to meet the growth challenges faced by the region.

"Council has been ramping up calls for government investment into council's priority projects as part of our federal election campaign.

"As our population continues to grow at a rapid rate, we welcome the Commonwealth's financial commitment to I2S as part of the South East Queensland (SEQ) City Deal.

"The I2S project is integral to addressing the under-provision of public transport in growth areas such as Redbank Plains and Ripley while connecting the Ipswich CBD to Springfield Central.

"Council has led I2S from day one having already delivered a strategic assessment for the project and is now on track to progress an Options Analysis and then a Detailed Business Case, which will move this project to shovel-ready status.

"But this is just the start – Ipswich has suffered from chronic underinvestment for decades and now it has a long to-do list including a second CBD river crossing, significant upgrades to North Ipswich Reserve, resource recovery reform as well as upgrades to the Cunningham, Warrego and Centenary highways and Ripley Valley roads.

"Ipswich is the fastest growing city in Queensland and will welcome an additional 330,000 people over the next 20 years.

"We will continue to advocate for Ipswich with a list of road, public transport, sporting and community projects needed to support our fast-growing city.

"This is just the beginning, as we ramp up our advocacy efforts heading into the federal election."

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1584189708598677514

The Treasurer will deliver the 2022-23 October Budget at approximately
7:30 pm (AEDT) on Tuesday 25 October 2022

  https://budget.gov.au/index.htm

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1584203561566875648

Can't see anything in the Budget Papers yet that refers specifically to Beerwah-Maroochydore rail ..... but here is a transcript of a doorstop interview that the federal minister, Catherine King, has put up on her website (dated 24 October 2022):

JOURNALIST: Maroochydore Rail and Great Western tunnel, is that the same?

KING: Maroochydore in Queensland, still in the Budget. Absolutely still in the Budget. The Great Western tunnel, we're not funding that, we're funding the two ends of the tunnel. We want to work with the New South Wales Government to make sure that corridor actually works for the people of the Blue Mountains and we'll work with them on that project.

https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/c-king/interview/transcript-minister-catherine-king-doorstop-interview

If you look at Budget Paper No. 2, it reads (in part)

In addition to existing infrastructure investment the Government will provide $8.1 billion
over 10 years from 2022–23 for priority rail and road infrastructure projects across Australia
to support economic growth and development. Funding includes:

$2.1 billion for projects in Queensland, including $866.4 million for the Bruce
Highway, $400.0 million for the Inland Freight Route (Mungindi to Charters Towers)
upgrades, $400.0 million for Beef Corridors and $210.0 million for the Kuranda Range
Road upgrade.

$18.0 million to establish the High Speed Rail Authority to plan, develop, coordinate,
oversee and monitor the construction and operation of the high speed rail network.

The Government will re-profile $6.5 billion of funding for existing projects within the
Infrastructure Investment Program to beyond the forward estimates, to better align the
investment with construction market conditions, while maintaining the Government's
overall funding commitment to the projects.

BIG QUESTION: Has Federal Labor 'absolutely committed' to Beerwah-Maroochydore (as stated by Minister), but 're-profiled' (i.e. delayed) spending on this project to future financial years beyond 2022-23?

"In addition to existing infrastructure investment ..."  Or is Beerwah-Maroochydore regarded as an 'existing infrastructure investment'. Perhaps worth chasing to have Catherine King clarify.

The Minister's media release for Budget 2022-23:

https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/c-king/media-release/147-billion-infrastructure-boost-queensland

No mention of rail investment.

Thank you SW.
I too haven't found one inclusion in these budget papers that mentions rail, Beerwah or Maroochydore.
Given the Minister's doorstop interview, it requires clarification.

Beyond the forward estimates equates to beyond the 2032 Olympics.

I think we have been dishonourably 're-profiled' to a later date.

The Beerwah Maroochydore rail project is NOT listed under the Infrastructure Investment Program so it mustn't be a re-profiled project?

From the Courier Mail.

Two major rail projects — the $1.6bn Sunshine Coast rail extension and the $1.1bn Kuraby- Beenleigh Faster Rail upgrade — were not mentioned in the budget.

But Treasury bureaucrats on Tuesday said the project to connect Beerwah to Maroochydore remained in the budget, though no further detail has been provided.

The fate of the Kuraby-Beenleigh Faster Rail upgrade, noted in the March budget as "critical to meet the demand of projected population growth" and for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, is unknown.

Labor's budget razor gang noted it had saved billions by killing the National Faster Rail Agency.

Rail investment funding allocated to Queensland into 2025/26 is $300m less than it was in the March budget.

Thank you kram0.



Budget re-profiling (noun), also (adjective)
1. The fallacious term where major #rail & #infrastructure projects are consigned to a later budget [where not in print] they can be safely disposed
2. The recycle bin of government. It enables deletion at a more convenient date/time

QuoteThe Government will re-profile $6.5 billion of funding for existing projects within the
Infrastructure Investment Program to beyond the forward estimates, to better align the
investment with construction market conditions, while maintaining the Government's
overall funding commitment to the projects.

This is jargon for "its been delayed beyond this budget". So come back next year.

Not wholly unexpected - it's a large expenditure; releasing that sort of money into the economy at a time when construction has labour shortages would be inflationary.

It appears to be beyond forward estimates.. so up to 5 years away.

Forward estimates is 3 years after the current fiscal year.

They do know there's an Olympics less than 10 years away? Right?

Here is the Dept. of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development etc official Budget factsheet.

https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/files/budget-oct-2022-23/budget-oct-2022-23-fact-sheet-qld.pdf

Nothing substantial for Queensland rail other than some money for LXs that might happen before 2066 if you are lucky ...


https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/files/budget-oct-2022-23/budget-oct-2022-23-fact-sheet-qld.pdf

Cavendish Road Level Crossing, Coorparoo
The Australian Government has committed $100 million to
upgrade the level crossing at Cavendish Road in Coorparoo,
with matching funding contributions expected from the
Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council.
The Cavendish Road Level Crossing project will help to
improve safety and reduce congestion. The project will
very partners.

Boundary Road Level Crossing, Coopers Plains
The Australian Government has committed an additional
$60 million to upgrade the level crossing at Boundary Road in
Coopers Plains, taking the total Australian Government
commitment to $133 million. The Queensland Government
has also committed $133 million to the project. Brisbane City
Council is also expected to make a funding contribution.
The Boundary Road Level Crossing upgrade will help to
increase pedestrian and commuter safety, reduce congestion,
and improve traffic flow. The project will commence
construction following the completion of the current business
case and is expected to be completed by late 2025.

Quote from: Stillwater on October 25, 2022, 23:37:45 PMHere is the Dept. of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development etc official Budget factsheet.

https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/files/budget-oct-2022-23/budget-oct-2022-23-fact-sheet-qld.pdf

All road projects, except the planning into the transit corridor between Ipswich and Springfield... I fail to see how that's more important than a rail line to Maroochydore but I digress.

ARA

Highlights: New funding commitments in 2022-23

Passenger rail $2.6 billion for projects in Victoria, including $2.2 billion for the Suburban Rail Loop East.

$85.9 million for the Canberra Light Rail Stage 2A project.

$18 million to establish the High Speed Rail Authority to plan, develop, coordinate, oversee and monitor the construction and operation of the high speed rail network.

$500 million for planning the corridor acquisition and early works for the Sydney to Newcastle High Speed Rail.

As usual, Queensland shafted no doubt due in part to the lack of ability within transport agencies in Queensland to compile and articulate strong business cases.

ARA Media Release:

https://ara.net.au/media-release/rail-industry-welcomes-rail-manufacturing-industry-coordination-and-innovation-focus-in-federal-budget/

https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/files/budget-oct-2022-23/budget-oct-2022-23-fact-sheet-qld.pdf

Ipswich–Springfield Detailed Business Case

The Australian Government has committed $3.4 million to
deliver, together with the Queensland Government and
Ipswich City Council, a detailed business case for a public
transport corridor between Ipswich and Springfield.
Funding contributions are expected from delivery partners -
the Queensland Government and Ipswich City Council. The
Detailed Business Case is dependent on the outcome of the
Options Analysis project currently in development.
The project will inform the delivery of priority infrastructure
for the rapidly growing region, which will provide critical public
transport services between key regional and local centres,
strengthening the ongoing growth and development of the area.

====

This is not new as such, just a small top-up.

How in the f**** does Victoria get billions for the suburban rail loop that doesn't have a business case nor a cohesive case.  It is arguable that the route of SRL East is not optimal for efficiency or cost.  Why?  It hasn't really been critically analysed. 

Heavy rail to Maroochydore has been studied since 2006.

FUK Y'ALL !

The Conversation: Everything you need to know about Labor's first budget in 6 charts

https://theconversation.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-labors-first-budget-in-6-charts-192851

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1584911813879418880

Couriermail --> Federal Budget 2022: Blow to Queensland mega projects $

QuoteMega projects once slated for Queensland including dams, roads and rail have been ditched or delayed amid the federal government's brutal redirection of billions of infrastructure dollars in the budget.

And the future of other critical infrastructure hangs in the air, with no clarity provided within the budget or by bureaucrats.

Infrastructure Minister Catherine King was scheduled to write to her state and territory counterparts on Tuesday night outlining which projects had been felled by Labor's razor gang, which had been deferred indefinitely, and which were safe. ...

Quote... Two major rail projects — the $1.6bn Sunshine Coast rail extension and the $1.1bn Kuraby- Beenleigh Faster Rail upgrade — were not mentioned in the budget.

But Treasury bureaucrats on Tuesday said the project to connect Beerwah to Maroochydore remained in the budget, though no further detail has been provided. ...

^ This seems very much bullsh%t, if it is not in the budget it is NOT in the budget.