RAIL - Back On Track Forum

Couriermail --> Brisbane Lord Mayor's 'pork-barrelling' claim as Qld projects on chopping block $

QuoteLord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has sensationally accused the Albanese Government of "pork-barrelling" Labor seats in the southern states as the intergovernmental war over the federal infrastructure cuts heats up.

Mr Schrinner told The Courier-Mail with Brisbane's residents whacked this week with another rate rise courtesy of the Reserve Bank, "now Federal Labor's Christmas gift to them is a promise of more time in traffic".

"The sad irony is that while Federal Labor wants to build boondoggles in southern capitals, Brisbane is growing faster than any of them because their residents are moving here in record numbers," he said.

"The Federal Government's threat to ditch critical Brisbane road projects is just a blatant attempt to pork-barrel Labor seats in southern states." ...

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1722264434490638748?s=20

The Guardian --> As the federal government prepares to scrap road and rail projects – find out what is being funded in your area

QuoteThe Australian government has committed to hundreds of infrastructure projects around the country, mostly road and rail projects.

However, as many as 250 projects that have yet to begin construction may be scrapped or delayed as a cost-saving measure to pay for at least $33bn in cost overruns.

But any cut backs to planned projects won't come without a fight. While the Albanese government has its eye on the short-term budget bottom line, the states are looking further afield to burgeoning populations and an infrastructure pipeline already clogged with delayed projects.

Here, you can see the full list of infrastructure projects listed in the 2023-24 federal budget, excluding those that have already been completed. You can search the list by council name or local government area to see which projects are planned, or underway in your region. ...

Friday afternoons, right on the deadline for the TV evening news and when most newspaper reporters have knocked off and gone to the pub AND during the Christmas-New Year holidays when everyone is in Chrissy mode or at the beach with the mobiles switched off is the best time for governments to release unfavourable reports or bad news. Within government it has a name ... taking out the rubbish.

Catherine King is ready to release a dumpster of rubbish with the fed review of major infrastructure projects just before Santa shimmies down the chimney. There will be a lot of bad new for some communities, with the Sunshine Coast among those most worried. Many will be into the Christmas pud and probably won't notice. That's the idea.

https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/king-hit-on-roads-and-rail-sets-up-political-fight-for-labor-20231107-p5eia5

^ As a minor cog in the machinery of bureaucracy, I can confirm you're almost certainly right on the money, sir.

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1723859226769129612?s=20

Daily Telegraph --> Albanese Government to push states for 50/50 road and rail funding on major projects $

QuoteStates will need to pay at least 50 per cent of the cost of future road projects under an Albanese Government plan to share responsibility for transport infrastructure spending equally.

Fully funded or 80/20 splits between federal and state governments will no longer be the "default" option for infrastructure deals related to "nationally significant" road and rail projects or where the Commonwealth contribution is at least $250 million.

Infrastructure Minister Catherine King will tomorrow announce details of Labor's new priorities to guide Commonwealth spending, including that funding splits greater than 50/50 will only be considered on a case-by-case basis if a state or territory has less ability to raise revenue. ...

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1724163567681990918?s=20

https://x.com/bne_lordmayor/status/1724171373134655942?s=20

This is what you get when state infrastructure ministers announce billion dollar projects and plonk $200 million on the table and say: "I call upon the federal government to cough up the other $800m so that this project can proceed." States will have to have more skin in the game now and they will have to come up with realistic costings for major projects.

In future, if states say a project will cost $1billion and feds put in $500 million and the project cost goes to $2 billion, the fed contribution will stay at $500m and state will have to pay $1.5b.

About time projects were justified on merit, risks were shared fairly, and modal competition was introduced.

Quote from: #Metro on November 14, 2023, 09:07:01 AMAbout time projects were justified on merit, risks were shared fairly, and modal competition was introduced.

I wouldn't expect any improvement in the business cases... well not overnight anyway.  They have justified billion in expanding freeways irrespective of who is paying for it.  All based on fuzzy assumptions and reviews of previous business cases and not the actual outcomes on the grounds.  They would have stopped at the first business case and gone "We got that wrong" if they reviewed the actual outcomes. But 100's of business cases later and congestion still gets "busted" in their models.

Maybe a change in which business cases they put forward...maybe...and even then I doubt it.

The Qld Government will need to start selling non controversial assets to pay for projects now. Especially, in the lead up to the Olympic Games.

Quote from: Jonno on November 14, 2023, 09:31:44 AM

Quote from: #Metro on November 14, 2023, 09:07:01 AMAbout time projects were justified on merit, risks were shared fairly, and modal competition was introduced.

I wouldn't expect any improvement in the business cases... well not overnight anyway.  They have justified billion in expanding freeways irrespective of who is paying for it.  All based on fuzzy assumptions and reviews of previous business cases and not the actual outcomes on the grounds.  They would have stopped at the first business case and gone "We got that wrong" if they reviewed the actual outcomes. But 100's of business cases later and congestion still gets "busted" in their models.

Maybe a change in which business cases they put forward...maybe...and even then I doubt it.

The Gympie road tunnel is safe as this is privately funded. Although, they need to tie in some PT improvements, like a northbound tunnel section from Gympie Road Transit Way at Kedron to the Kedron Brook portion of the busway. In addition they also need to reconfigure Chermside bus station to an inline station adjacent to Gympie road.

Preferably, you wouldn't have a platform facing Gympie road, but ideally have an landscaped island buffer to seperate the bus station from the main road.

Quote from: ozbob on November 14, 2023, 07:15:36 AMhttps://x.com/bne_lordmayor/status/1724171373134655942?s=20

Regarding the funding with councils, isn't this a different arrangement? I can understand the 50/50 split with the states, but councils would never be able to meet those guidelines.

Quote from: verbatim9 on November 14, 2023, 09:40:21 AM

Quote from: Jonno on November 14, 2023, 09:31:44 AM

Quote from: #Metro on November 14, 2023, 09:07:01 AMAbout time projects were justified on merit, risks were shared fairly, and modal competition was introduced.

I wouldn't expect any improvement in the business cases... well not overnight anyway.  They have justified billion in expanding freeways irrespective of who is paying for it.  All based on fuzzy assumptions and reviews of previous business cases and not the actual outcomes on the grounds.  They would have stopped at the first business case and gone "We got that wrong" if they reviewed the actual outcomes. But 100's of business cases later and congestion still gets "busted" in their models.

Maybe a change in which business cases they put forward...maybe...and even then I doubt it.

The Gympie road tunnel is safe as this is privately funded. Although, they need to tie in some PT improvements, like a northbound tunnel section from Gympie Road Transit Way at Kedron to the Kedron Brook portion of the busway. In addition they also need to reconfigure Chermside bus station to an inline station adjacent to Gympie road.

Preferably, you wouldn't have a platform facing Gympie road, but ideally have an landscaped island buffer to seperate the bus station from the main road.

Private as in the State Super Fund Managers?  Doesn't sound private to me. It sounds like an instruction from the Govt via Investment Arm they are involved in.  The Clem 7 was always touted as a Private Investment but failed to mention the almost $1B the Council threw in. IT IS ALL WEASEL WORD BS!!

The Federal Government is likely to keep on funding everything for most states but under the condition that its 50/50 now. Therefore, the blame for insufficient infrastructure can be laid on the states rather than being the Federal Government's fault.

I guess the Olympic venues are exempt as previously mentioned.

It is interesting that the feds won't get out of bed for any 'nation building' infrastructure project under $250m. They would have to step up grants to local government for the smaller projects the councils usually provide (roundabouts etc.) That would be a pincer movement on the states, who will have to cough up more funds for worthwhile projects.

Brisbanetimes --> Palaszczuk 'not happy' with federal infrastructure funding overhaul

QuoteQueensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has called on her federal Labor government counterparts to "do what's right" for the growing state when overhauling major infrastructure funding.

Infrastructure Minister Catherine King announced states would be pushed to pay for at least half of new road and rail infrastructure after a yet-to-be released review of projects given federal support. ...

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/2023/2023_11_14_DAILY.pdf

Ministerial Statements

Federal Labor Government, Infrastructure Funding

Hon. A PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) (Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic
Games) (9.42 am): Our government will always stand up for Queensland's fair share. I have been
consistent on this from day one. Today I have again written to the Prime Minister regarding the federal
infrastructure review.

Opposition members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Order, members to my left!

Ms PALASZCZUK: This follows on from the letter I sent to the Prime Minister on the federal
budget in May this year. While I am yet to see the full—

Opposition members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Member for Surfers Paradise, member for Everton and member for Mudgeeraba,
you are all warned under the standing orders. Sorry, it was the member for Bonney, not the member
for Surfers Paradise.

Ms PALASZCZUK: I have seen the global figures and I am not happy. For a decade Queensland
was ripped off by the former coalition government.

Mr Lister interjected.

Ms PALASZCZUK: Facts!

Mr SPEAKER: Member for Southern Downs, you are warned under the standing orders.

Ms PALASZCZUK: That means our government has done more than our fair share of the heavy
lifting. On transport alone our government is investing over $21 billion over the next four years, which
is more than double the contribution from the federal government. The LNP told us that we had to sell
Queenslanders' assets to receive infrastructure funding in regional Queensland.

Mrs Frecklington interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! Member for Nanango, you will cease your interjections.

Ms PALASZCZUK: The federal LNP rejected any funding for Cross River Rail, so we went ahead
and did that ourselves. As a result, the latest Infrastructure Australia Infrastructure market capacity
report states that 70 per cent of projects are in New South Wales and Victoria. Cutting large
infrastructure projects in a growing state like Queensland would only increase inflation by lowering
productivity. More people within Australia are moving to Queensland than to any other state. The federal
budget papers alone state that over six years 170,300 are moving to Queensland, while 167,600 are
leaving New South Wales. People want to move to Queensland, and they are doing so in droves.
We are on the runway to 2032. I will be fighting to keep Queensland's Big Build on track, to
deliver the infrastructure that Queenslanders want and that Queenslanders need. Today I am calling
on the federal government and the Prime Minister to do what is right. Right now Queensland needs
more infrastructure, not less.

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/2023/2023_11_14_DAILY.pdf

Ministerial Statements

Federal Labor Government, Infrastructure Funding

Hon. MC BAILEY (Miller—ALP) (Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital
Services) (9.52 am): Since we were first elected in 2015, the Palaszczuk government has been doing
the heavy lifting when it comes to infrastructure investment in Queensland. This includes eight record
Queensland transport and road infrastructure programs that show a rolling program of investment
across the state nearly double the last 'cuts' budget of the Newman government. Queensland's road
and transport infrastructure program is strategic and responsible and responds to population growth
that exceeds the national average. The Palaszczuk Labor government has committed full funding to
making trains in Maryborough, the Cross River Rail project and several major projects that are well
advanced in the planning stages like—

Opposition members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Sorry, Minister. Member for Warrego, member for Gympie and member for
Chatsworth, you are warned under the standing orders. I can do this all day.

Mr BAILEY: We have committed full funding to making trains in Maryborough, the Cross River
Rail project and several major projects that are well advanced in the planning stages such as the Logan
and Gold Coast Faster Rail, which is in detailed design and early stages of procurement. However,
Queensland has already been subject to more infrastructure cuts from the federal government than
other jurisdictions.

I am very concerned to read reports today that the federal government plans to walk away from
80-20 funding on regional transport infrastructure. We have strongly urged the Albanese government
to remain committed to these principles when responding to the review; to ensure that regional and
South-East Queensland are no worse off; to maintain existing funding arrangements on corridors of
national significance; to quarantine Brisbane's 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games related
investment and across the state from deferral or cancellation; and to ensure Queensland receives its
fair share of funding, noting existing population share, current and future forecast growth and historical
underfunding in rail infrastructure.

Queensland is Australia's fastest growing, most decentralised state with the largest road network
of any jurisdiction. The economic contribution from regional Queensland through the resources sector
alone is $27.5 billion annually. Seventy per cent of all resources jobs are in regional areas, and these
regions rely on transport infrastructure for commerce, connectivity, access and productivity. Any
deviation from the currently agreed 80-20 funding split on regional corridors and 50-50 on urban
corridors will significantly disadvantage our regions, which are amongst the most decentralised and
road transport reliant in the nation. We are the only state with the majority of our population in regionalareas.

It is crucial that these investments continue so that Queensland supports our booming population
and decentralised economy and is ready to support substantial transport tasks for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032.

Couriermail --> State government: Albanese's sensational funding call risks lives on Qld roads $

QuoteQueensland lives could be put at risk if the federal government goes through with potential plans to cut $5bn from its share of funding for highway upgrades, the state government says.

Queensland lives could be put at risk after an extraordinary funding retreat by the federal government for future Bruce Highway upgrades, with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk declaring she was "not happy".

A cloud now hangs over $5bn worth of federal cash on the table for highway upgrades along "Queensland's spine" through to 2032, after the shock decision by the Albanese Government to withdraw the longstanding 80:20 split on major road and rail projects.

Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said funding splits greater than 50:50 would now only be considered on a case-by-case scenario with the states. ...

The Hon Catherine King MP

Setting our infrastructure priorities

> https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/c-king/media-release/setting-our-infrastructure-priorities

https://x.com/JarrodBleijieMP/status/1724212860920946995?s=20

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/qld-politics/parliament-live-war-over-albaneses-funding-cuts-escalates-as-steven-miles-heads-to-canberra/live-coverage/893f5c91678f178f706f9b77c447d163

Quote... Deputy Premier Steven Miles will lead a delegation of mayors to Canberra this month to fight the Albanese government's funding cuts to Queensland infrastructure. 

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk revealed on Wednesday morning Mr Miles, who turns 46 today, will lead the mayors later this month to meet with Infrastructure Minister Catherine King.

"My message to the federal government is clear, don't cut from Queensland," she said. ...

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/qld-politics/billions-in-roads-rail-to-be-cut-but-some-qld-projects-given-lifeline/news-story/0578ff27efde285bc9f2497ce6c844f3

Quote... Billions of dollars in cuts and delays to road and rail projects are expected to be unveiled on Thursday as details of the Federal Government's infrastructure audit are released, but a Logan-Gold Coast rail upgrade, $347m for the Rockhampton Ring Road and a Coopers Plains level crossing removal have been given a lifeline.

It still leaves question marks over other major projects including some upgrades to the Bruce Highway, the $3.2bn Sunshine Coast Rail, as well as upgrades to the Centenary Highway, Gateway Motorway and regional roads.

The full extent of the cuts will be revealed for the first time on Thursday when Infrastructure Minister Catherine King releases the updated infrastructure pipeline.

The report recommends 82 projects across the country to be cut and another 36 which should be delayed pending further planning. ...

Brisbanetimes --> Projects axed as government makes space for pricey bridges and roads $

QuoteOne in 10 promised major infrastructure projects across the country face the axe to make financial space for major road, rail and bridge works that have blown out in cost by $33 billion after an independent report found huge problems in the way governments plan key infrastructure.

Infrastructure Minister Catherine King will on Thursday release an overhaul of the 10-year, $120 billion pipeline of projects the government inherited when it took office, and map a new approach to how infrastructure is chosen in a bid to reduce inflation pressures across the economy. ...

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1724860114321145942?s=20

So far we know ..

Coopers Plains Boundary Road LX removal 

GCLFR (Kuraby - Beenleigh upgrade) 

You mean Coopers Plains Suburb Destroying LX removal!! Makes Geebung Overpass look like a small foot bridge!

Interesting - https://x.com/mytransit_mel/status/1724783712955486553?s=46&t=EDszjTErsxTIqAna7yuP-w

^  I disagree with federal funding for MEL Airport Rail.  $5 Billion that should be going to the financially starved states.  The Airport rail line should be built the same way it was in Brisbane - a BOOT.

Bad improper politics on show.

https://x.com/camerondickqld/status/1724885423351341101?s=20

Trouble in paradise lost !!

 

https://x.com/camerondickqld/status/1724923454867030371?s=20

Seems the new rules the feds have devised links major infrastructure projects with new housing. If that is the case, projects such as suburban passenger rail to Beaudesert and Maroochydore (via City of Aura) and maybe even any public transport initiative for Caboolture West would be looked upon favourably.

The feds should go further ... tell the states it is a 50:50 split for new roads and interchanges etc and a 60:40 split for big ticket rail, with Canberra paying the bigger share.

Ministerial media release:

https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/c-king/media-release/nation-building-infrastructure-better-australia

And here is the Review Report:

https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/department/media/publications

Here is the project by project analysis - what's in and what's out

https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/independent-strategic-review-iip-project-changes-summary.pdf

No rail projects scrapped! In even better news, the monstrosity of the Mooloolah River Interchange is being dropped!

The 1.5 billion dollar funding for the Sunshine Coast rail remains 

More funding for Beams Road LX removal, The Kuraby - Beenleigh Faster Rail Upgrade, and the Boundary Road LX removal.

Okay, the federal government has committed to Direct Sunshine Coast Rail - $160m for planning and $1.44 billion for construction.

Among the planning for projects:

Beerburrum-Nambour Duplication Planning Study - $5 million.

Ipswich to Springfield Options Analysis - $1 million.

And for the detailed Business Case - $3.4 million.

North Brisbane Bruce Highway Western Alternative - $10 million.

Business Case for Inland Rail Brisbane Intermodal Terminal - $10 million.

Salisbury to Beaudesert rail Business Case - $10 million.

Toowoomba to Brisbane passenger rail Business Case - $15 million.

Qld Regional level crossing upgrade fund gets $50 million.

Road Safety Program Additional Funding - $256 million.

The feds have announced they won't be putting any Commonwealth money into the Beenleigh Commuter Carpark.