RAIL - Back On Track Forum

Courier Mail---Road, rail projects need to be cut to take heat out of inflation: Treasurer

QuoteRoad and rail projects will have to be cut to deal with cost blowouts and take the heat out of inflation, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has warned ahead of a delayed release of the government's infrastructure audit

Well there nothing much to cut as there are only two major rail projects in the pipeline and one tram project. Sunshine Coast Rail and Quad Rail from Kuraby to Beenleigh. Both need to start ASAP to be finished by the Olympics.

They could just do the line straightening between Kuraby and Woodbridge as well as the new station at Loganlea and the widening at Beenleigh to 4 tracks to cut costs and see enormous benefits in the interim.

They also should commit to stage one of the Sunny Coast line in the interim as well up until Caloundra.

They could also cull some of the promised train manufacturing ideas and have some more trains built in Korea to ensure they are on the tracks by 2026.

Quote from: ozbob on October 30, 2023, 06:50:24 AMhttps://x.com/ozbob13/status/1718731816818118979?s=20

More roads!!!!

Inland Rail (Qld) 

DSCRL to Maroochydore (Birtinya maybe)

I think the half-baked Beerburrum to Beerwah upgrade will probably survive.

Kuraby to Beenleigh upgrade will probably survive.

The QTMP is nothing to do with the Feds.

The plethora of recent studies, strategies and the like are unlikely to produce any real concrete actions.

But the pacific highway will be widened to 12 lanes!!!

Quote from: Jonno on November 05, 2023, 15:52:12 PMBut the pacific highway will be widened to 12 lanes!!!

36 !!

https://x.com/SteveMinnikinMP/status/1721054584792334572?s=20

Yeah, I think Inland rail would be the least 'painful' to cut.
It was an LNP project through and through and was demonstrably mismanaged.

Would be nice if DSCRL got all the way to Maroochydore, but it's a project where going to even Caloundra will deliver a lot of benefits.

As for roads. Probably Coomera Connector stage 2, and any major ones in regional Qld.

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1721234302439150064?s=20

Infrastructure pipeline review: a quick guide

https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp2223/Quick_Guides/InfrastructurePipeline

https://twitter.com/GuardianAus/status/1721336482005393566?t=MMJ8IFWu8CsBhaPeth7D1Q&s=19

Couriermail --> Albanese government won't rule out cutting Queensland roads and rail projects $

QuoteQueensland roads and rail will not be exempt from the looming cuts to projects, after Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said she had "a mess to clean up" and need the state's help to do it.

In a bad sign for the future of the Sunshine Coast rail extension to Maroochydore, Ms King flagged that heavy rail projects were "very expensive" and accused the former Coalition government of funding "rail projects that can never be built". ...

Sounds like we can kiss goodbye to Sunny Coast rail. You really have zero clue Albo. Biggest con job going around. Too busy worrying about the inner city, latte sipping greenies to worry about the real issues facing this country.

From Catherine King in the CM.

In a bad sign for the future of the Sunshine Coast rail extension to Maroochydore, Ms King flagged that heavy rail projects were "very expensive" and accused the former Coalition government of funding "rail projects that can never be built".

The olympic venues are exempt... damned shame the transport system will melt down and all the stadiums will be empty because the required transport infrastructure to actually get people there didn't get built.

Quote from: kram0 on November 06, 2023, 15:07:18 PMSounds like we can kiss goodbye to Sunny Coast rail. You really have zero clue Albo. Biggest con job going around. Too busy worrying about the inner city, latte sipping greenies to worry about the real issues facing this country.

From Catherine King in the CM.

In a bad sign for the future of the Sunshine Coast rail extension to Maroochydore, Ms King flagged that heavy rail projects were "very expensive" and accused the former Coalition government of funding "rail projects that can never be built".

Yet will happily attend a new freeway opening!! Blinkers are well and truly on!!!

https://x.com/SteveMinnikinMP/status/1721382749343473707?s=20

Queensland pipeline road and rail projects at risk
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/qld-politics/albanese-government-wont-rule-out-cutting-queensland-roads-and-rail-projects/news-story/821c115baa3972f78db328aeb2d7b833

Project   Total Cost ($M)   Fed Gov share($M)
Beerwah to Maroochydore Rail Extension (Investment Planning)   6.00   3.00
Centenary Motorway Upgrade   20.00   10.00
Beerburrum to Nambour Duplication Study   6.30   5.00
Brisbane to the Gold Coast (Kuraby – Beenleigh Faster Rail Upgrade)   2,242.00   1,121.00
Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast (BeerwahMaroochydore Rail Extension)   3.20   1.60
Gold Coast Rail Line Capacity Improvement (Kuraby to Beenleigh) - Preconstruction   356.20   178.10
Ipswich to Springfield Options Analysis   2.50   1.00
Ipswich–Springfield Detailed Business Case   7.50   3.40
Relocation of Loganlea Station   95.00   50.00
Townsville Eastern Access Rail Corridor - Planning and Preservation   12.50   6.30
Beenleigh Station commuter car park   30.00   15.00
Loganlea Station commuter car park, Loganlea   30.00   15.00
Beams Road Open Level Crossing   209.30   50.00
Brisbane Metro - Southbank Transport Study   1.00   0.30
Brisbane Metro - Woolloongabba Station   450.00   150.00
Centenary Bridge Upgrade   224.00   112.00
Currumbin Creek Road-Bienvenue Drive Intersection Upgrade   4.00   2.00
Gateway Motorway - Bracken Ridge to Pine River   1,000.00   800.00
Bruce Highway - O'Connell River to Proserpine Flood Immunity Upgrade (Goorganga Floodplain)   220.00   176.00
Bruce Highway - Goorganga Overtaking Lanes   15.00   12.00
Bruce Highway - Ginger Beer Creek Upgrade   10.00   8.00
Bruce Highway - Major upgrade/Gradeseparation of Gladstone-Mt Larcom Road Intersection   95.00   76.00
Bruce Highway - Construct 2 Overtaking Lanes from Benaraby to Gladstone - Mt Larcom Road   20.00   16.00
Bruce Highway - Construct 2 Dual (4 of) Overtaking Lanes from Gladstone - Mt Larcom Road to Bajool - Port Alma Road I   40.00   32.00
Bruce Highway - Construct 1 Dual (2 of) Overtaking Lanes from Gavial - Gracemere Road to Burnett Highway   20.00   16.00
Bruce Highway - Gavial Creek to Burnett Highway Upgrade   30.00   24.00
Bruce Highway - Pavement renewal (Gladstone - Rockhampton)   20.00   16.00
Bruce Highway - Safety reconstruction of the existing highway section at Bajool   26.00   20.80
Bruce Highway - Planning and preconstruction (various)   4.00   3.20
Bruce Highway - Burdekin Deviation - Plan and Preserve Corrido   48.00   38.40
Bruce Highway - Cairns Southern Access - Stage 5   225.00   180.00
Bruce Highway - Dallachy Road Flood Immunity Upgrade   11.00   8.80
Bruce Highway - Gateway Motorway to Dohles Rocks Road Upgrade   24.10   19.30
Bruce Highway - Ingham to Cardwell Ran   48.00   38.40
Bruce Highway - Innisfail Bypass - Plan and Preserve Corridor   9.00   7.20
Bruce Highway - Linkfield Road Overpass   125.00   100.00
Bruce Highway - Pine River to Caloundra Road Smart Motorways (Stage 2)   105.00   84.00
Bruce Highway - Pine River to Caloundra Corridor - Future Priorities   923.90   739.20
Bruce Highway - Rockhampton Ring Road   1,029.50   823.60
Bruce Highway - Tiaro Flood Immunity Upgrade   336.00   268.80
Bruce Highway (Anzac Avenue to Uhlmann Road) upgrade - Business Case   12.00   9.60
Bruce Highway (Buchanan Road to Caboolture Bribie Island Road) upgrade - Business Case   12.00   9.60
Bruce Highway (Uhlmann Road to Buchanan Road) upgrade - Business Case   10.00   8.00
Improved flood immunity at Gairloch Floodway   40.00   40.00
Upgrade Bruce Highway Between Gladstone and Rockhampton   250.00   200.00
Cunningham Highway - Planning (including Amberley Interchange)   20.00   16.00
Cunningham Highway - Safety Package   28.00   22.40
Cunningham Highway - Future Projects   139.50   111.60
M1 Pacific Motorway - Daisy Hill to Logan Motorway   1,000.00   500.00
Outback Way - Queensland Future Priorities   182.50   146.00
Outback Way - Donohue Highway Progressive Sealing Package 3   41.50   41.50
Warrego Highway - Future Priorities   469.60   375.60
Warrego Highway - Mt Crosby Road Interchange   5.00   4.00
Adavale Black Road   0.20   0.10
Beams Road upgrade, Carseldine   72.60   50.00
Beenleigh Connection Road - City Road Intersection Upgrade, Beenleigh   8.00   4.00
Beenleigh-Beaudesert Road Upgrade, Beenleigh   10.00   5.00
Boundary Road level crossing, Coopers Plains   TBD   133.00
Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games 2032 – Business Case Development   49.90   22.50
Brisbane Valley Highway Safety Upgrades   40.50   20.00
Burke Development Road   22.20   11.10
Caboolture – Bribie Island Road (Hickey Road - King John Creek) upgrade   20.00   10.00
Cairns Western Arterial Road Duplication   300.00   240.00
Captain Cook Highway, Cairns CBD to Smithfield, upgrade   359.00   287.20
Cavendish Road level crossing, Coorparoo   TBD   100.00
Chambers Flat Road upgrade, Park Ridge   28.80   11.30
Charters Towers Industrial Precinct Access   TBD   4.00
Coalbrook Road Culverts   0.70   0.40
Coomera Connector Future Stages Business Case   22.00   11.00
Gladstone Port Access Road Extension   125.00   100.00
Glasshouse Mountain Road (Steve Irwin Way) and Caloundra Street Intersection Upgrad   7.70   3.90
Gore Highway (Millmerran - Goondiwindi): Wyaga Creek Flood Improvemen   45.20   36.20
Granada Road Seal Extension   2.50   1.20
Gregory Downs to Camooweal Road   15.90   7.90
Gympie Road Planning Study   10.00   5.00
High Road and Easterly Street, Waterford Upgrade   5.00   2.50
Inland Freight Route (Mungindi to Charters Towers) Upgrades   1,000.00   800.00
Kenmore Roundabout Upgrade   25.00   12.50
Kuranda Range Road Upgrade   262.50   210.00
Loganlea Road Upgrade   56.00   22.50
Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade (Packages 1 and 2)   320.00   160.00
Nicklin Way-Third Avenue Connection, Caloundra   18.20   7.00
Palm Island - Kerb and Channel to Town Streets   0.50   0.50
Panorama Drive - Wellington St, Thornlands/Cleveland   36.40   15.00
Phillips Creek Bridge Replacement   18.00   14.40
Queensland Beef Corridors   TBD   400.00
Queensland - Future Priorities   12.40   6.20
Riverway Drive Stage 2 (Allambie Lane - Dunlop Street)   95.00   76.00
Youngs Crossing Road, Lawnton   83.30   32.80
Road Safety Program - Qld (Regional)   616.40   493.10
Road Safety Program - Qld (Urban)   56.50   28.20
Road Safety Program unallocated funding - QLD   0.60   0.60
Road Safety Program additional funding - QLD   261.00   261.00
Cairns to Northern Territory Border Corridor Upgrade - Burketown-Normanton Road Upgrade   20.00   16.00
Cairns to Northern Territory Border Corridor Upgrade - Gulf Developmental Road (Croydon – Georgetown) – Pavement Strengthening and Widening   12.10   9.60
Cairns to Northern Territory Border Corridor Upgrade - Ootann Road Upgrade (Mareeba Section)   3.30   2.70
Cairns to Northern Territory Border Corridor Upgrade - Ootann Road Upgrade (Tablelands Section)   4.10   3.30
Cooktown to Weipa Corridor Upgrade - Future Priorities   85.60   68.50
Mount Isa to Rockhampton Corridor - Yeppoon Road Upgrade   80.00   64.00
Mount Isa to Rockhampton Corridor Upgrade - Artillery Road and Greenlake Road Upgrades   7.70   6.20
Mount Isa to Rockhampton Corridor Upgrade - Bonnie Doon Road Upgrade   12.00   9.60
Mount Isa to Rockhampton Corridor Upgrade - Capricorn Highway - Pavement Strengthening and Widening (Package 1)   75.00   60.00
Mount Isa to Rockhampton Corridor Upgrade - Capricorn Highway - Pavement Strengthening and Widening (Package 2)   45.00   36.00
Mount Isa to Rockhampton Corridor Upgrade - Capricorn Highway - Pavement Strengthening and Widening (Package 3)   19.60   15.70
Mount Isa to Rockhampton Corridor Upgrade - Glenroy Road Upgrade   25.00   20.00
Mount Isa to Rockhampton Corridor Upgrade - Landsborough Highway - Upgrades at McKinlay River   25.50   20.40
Mount Isa to Rockhampton Corridor Upgrade - Landsborough Highway - Upgrades at Nora Creek   6.50   5.20
Mount Isa to Rockhampton Corridor Upgrade - Landsborough Highway - Upgrades at Rutchillo Creek   5.00   4.00
Mount Isa to Rockhampton Corridor Upgrade - Winton-Jundah Road Progressive Sealing   16.20   13.00
Tennant Creek to Townsville Corridor Upgrade - Cloncurry-Dajarra Road - Upgrades at Malbon Cree   7.50   6.00
Tennant Creek to Townsville Corridor Upgrade - Dingo Park Road Intersection Upgrade   10.00   8.00
Tennant Creek to Townsville Corridor Upgrade - Dotswood Road Upgrade   1.80   1.40
Tennant Creek to Townsville Corridor Upgrade - Flinders Highway - Bridge Replacement at Canal Creek   10.00   8.00
Tennant Creek to Townsville Corridor Upgrade - Flinders Highway (Hughenden - Richmond) - Progressive Upgrades   33.80   27.10
Tennant Creek to Townsville Corridor Upgrade - Flinders Highway (Richmond - Julia Creek) - Progressive Upgrades   22.50   18.00
Tennant Creek to Townsville Corridor Upgrade - Flinders Highway (Richmond - Julia Creek) - Upgrades at Alick Creek   30.00   24.00
Tennant Creek to Townsville Corridor Upgrade - Richmond-Winton Road - Progressive Sealing, Strengthening and Widening   13.00   10.40
Toowoomba to Ipswich - Future Priorities   75.00   60.00
Toowoomba to Seymour - Queensland - Future Priorities   45.50   36.40
Townsville to Roma Corridor Upgrade - Arcadia Valley Road Upgrade   6.00   4.80
Townsville to Roma Corridor Upgrade – Capricorn Highway and Gregory Highway Intersection Upgrade (Emerald)   7.90   6.30
Townsville to Roma Corridor Upgrade - Dysart-Clermont Road Upgrade   1.60   1.30
Townsville to Roma Corridor Upgrade - Eaglefield Road Upgrade   1.60   1.20
Townsville to Roma Corridor Upgrade - Future Priorities   0.50   0.40
Townsville to Roma Corridor Upgrade - Injune Road Upgrad   5.90   4.70
Townsville to Roma Corridor Upgrade - Myola Road Upgrade   1.90   1.50
Bargara Road Upgrade, Bundaberg   10.00   8.00
Burnett Highway - Gayndah Mount Perry Road - Wetheron Road Intersection Upgrade   0.90   0.70
Emu Swamp Dam Supporting Infrastructure, Stanthorpe   6.30   5.00
New England Highway upgrade, Cabarlah   5.00   5.00
Quay Street Upgrade, Bundaberg   32.00   32.00
Rosedale Road-Winfield Road intersection upgrade, Watalgan   TBD   0.70
Unallocated Northern Australia Roads Program - QLD   0.20   0.20
Unallocated QLD Bruce Highway - Contingencies   2.80   2.80
Unallocated QLD Investment Contingencies   0.20   0.20
Total   15,075.60   10,950.10

I think they will keep and postpone the Bne Metro station at the Gabba as this is part of a wider redevelopment and key to the Olympic precinct.

If federal funding is cut,  the Qld Government can reallocate funds and order more trains from Korea. If they get 15 trains built in Korea it could reduce the overall price tag of the train manufacturing project while at the same time meet the needs of Cross River rail operations from day 1.

Couriermail --> Axe the tax cuts, not roads and rail, Miles demands of Albo $

QuoteScrapping planned tax cuts for wealthy households would be a more effective way for the federal government to tackle inflation than axing Queensland road and rail projects, acting Premier Steven Miles has sensationally warned.

In a deepening of the first major conflict between the state and federal Labor governments, the Infrastructure Minister said slashing major projects – as the Albanese government's razor gang appears set to do – was a bad idea both politically and economically.

The stoush escalated on Monday as both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk were in China for historic trade talks.

Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King pleaded with the states to get on board, saying she had a "mess to clean up" and needed their help. ...

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1721546621731877024?s=20

https://x.com/JarrodBleijieMP/status/1721416627139613003?s=20

Well the first thing to note, this review which was originally meant to make the previous govt look bad, is sure making the current one look  bad.

The second thing to note is that it's not as simple as cut and paste road funding into PT.

There are a lot of projects there that don't have a good PT alternative like Cairns to NT border road upgrades.

https://x.com/theage/status/1721639277623382044?s=20

https://x.com/urbanizationist/status/1721463144131039413?s=20

The SRL has not been through IA, yet the Federal Labor Government is prepared to throw billions at it but de-fund other important projects, IA vetted, in other states.

Whilst I am in favour of it, I still don't know how a concert venue at Roma Street is more important than the Sunny Coast rail line.

F@&king ridiculous and politics at play on a mega scale. King is out of her depth and has already shown she has no clue with the Qatar Airways decision in favour of Qantas favouritism.

^ One thing I am curious about is the future of BEC. Once we have the Roma Street venue, could the BEC be replaced by a TOD?

Quote from: kram0 on November 07, 2023, 07:51:05 AM...

F@&king ridiculous and politics at play on a mega scale. King is out of her depth and has already shown she has no clue with the Qatar Airways decision in favour of Qantas favouritism.

Agreed, this is bumbling on a massive scale, with very significant impacts sadly.

Quote from: #Metro on November 07, 2023, 07:55:59 AM^ One thing I am curious about is the future of BEC. Once we have the Roma Street venue, could the BEC be replaced by a TOD?

I read something about redevelopment the other day. Might have just been a media article.

https://x.com/StevenJMiles/status/1721701509505888427?s=20

Ohhh breaking rank!

"Never get between a Premier and a bucket of money."

Certainly don't ask a Transport Minister "why he is prioritising road widenings when its known to induced demand and is self-defeating"!!!  Blocked quicker than a Go Card Tag On/Off Beep.

QuoteScrapping planned tax cuts for wealthy households would be a more effective way for the federal government to tackle inflation than axing Queensland road and rail projects, acting Premier Steven Miles has sensationally warned.

Sounds a bit like MMT/Bidenomics to me. Or maybe just buck-passing on the inflation front. I would think that high employment would be the biggest issue at the moment since there are so many infrastructure projects happening at the moment.

I'm all for state spending by the way, just in the areas that I think are important 

• Modern Monetary Theory - use deficit spending to maximise employment and achieve economic goals within productive capacity, use taxes to control inflation and distribute wealth
• Bidenomics - increased spending on infrastructure, green energy, healthcare and education to increase supply side equation in time, increase taxes on wealthy
• Mainstream Keynesian - use interest rates to control inflation, deficit spending during recession, and taxes for day to day spending

QuoteCertainly don't ask a Transport Minister "why he is prioritising road widenings when its known to induced demand and is self-defeating"!!!  Blocked quicker than a Go Card Tag On/Off Beep.

 

Couriermail --> Road and rail cuts risk 'international embarrassment' for Olympics: Liberal National MPs $

QuoteCuts and delays to Queensland's road and rail projects risk setting up the state for "international embarrassment" when the Olympics arrive, Sunshine Coast Liberal National MPs are warning ahead of the Albanese government releasing its infrastructure audit.

The runway to prepare for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games is getting shorter, and time to start vital road and rail projects in time for the event is shrinking, they warn.

But federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said another $33 billion would needed to be found in the budget to fund all the projects in the pipeline, accusing the former Coalition government of announcing projects that were "simply undeliverable". ...

https://x.com/JarrodBleijieMP/status/1721762827340505090?s=20

The Queensland Government would have been given a figure from the feds - about 20 per cent of the $33 billion cost blowout ($6.5 billion roughly) and been asked to nominate the projects not yet started that it would agree to cut AND the state would have been asked to rank future projects in order. Queensland would have responded (and indeed has) that not one project in this state should be cut and that all projects have equal priority -- BUILD THEM NOW.

That way, the Palaszczuk Government can say ... "It wasn't us. We didn't agree to cut anything. It's those bastards in Canberra who done it. We are going to fight on behalf of you, dear people who we hope will elect us next year. QUEEEEENSLANDEEEER!"

It is about as base as that

Hearing you Mr. Stillwater.  I think the States / Territories are probably well aware of what is on the cut list . 
Delays due to ongoing negotiations is my hunch.

The Federal Government is not impressing though.  They don't seem to be in timely control of much. Again politics is getting in the way of doing the right thing.