RAIL - Back On Track Forum

Couriermail --> RNA Showgrounds site of new boutique stadium as Gabba rebuilt $

QuoteA boutique 20,000-seat stadium will be constructed at Brisbane's inner-city RNA Showgrounds under a state government plan to host AFL and cricket fixtures while the Gabba is redeveloped to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the government has offered almost $50m towards the estimated $150m construction cost – but with Brisbane City Council, the RNA and the two affected sporting codes being asked to pay the remainder for the project. ...

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1730234017440497769?s=20

RNA Showgrounds to step up for Gabba redevelopment

1st December 2023

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

. RNA Showgrounds' Main Arena identified as the best alternative venue for the Brisbane Lions and cricket during The Gabba redevelopment.
 
. The Main Arena will be upgraded to create a temporary 20,000-seat facility.

. The $137 million Main Arena upgrade will deliver a lasting community legacy for the city and the bush at the EKKA. 

An extensive South East Queensland-wide review has identified the RNA Showgrounds' Main Arena as the best possible temporary venue during The Gabba rebuild.

The RNA Showgrounds Main Arena will be upgraded to deliver a cost-effective, 20,000-seat alternative home for the Brisbane Lions, cricket and major events.

A permanent seating bowl below a temporary grandstand at Machinery Hill is proposed for a $137 million Main Arena upgrade to also create a lasting community legacy for bringing city and country together at the EKKA.

The RNA Showgrounds' inner-city location beside a Cross River Rail station and proximity to after-game entertainment precincts was assessed as the most appealing option for spectators and the community.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner's support for the RNA's Main Arena as a "no-brainer" for the relocation of The Gabba's main tenants was a key consideration of the review.

The Lord Mayor has commented an upgrade of the RNA for cricket and the Lions "just makes sense" and ensures "the significant economic benefits of hosting big AFL and cricket games isn't lost during this time".

The Brisbane Lions' contribution to Brisbane's visitor economy is estimated at $80 million a year.

Input from Cricket Queensland, Cricket Australia, Brisbane Lions and the AFL has been critical to the investigation of temporary playing venues for Gabba hirers.

It will be an historic homecoming for cricket.

In 1928, the Main Arena was where Sir Donald Bradman AC made his international debut at Queensland's first international test.

Up to $45.7 million has been committed by the Palaszczuk Government to the $137 million Main Arena fit out.

Brisbane City Council, the RNA and The Gabba's primary tenants have been asked to share the remaining $91 million cost for the Main Arena upgrade to proceed.

Work on the RNA Main Arena must begin by next year to be ready for the 2025-26 cricket season and the 2026 start of The Gabba redevelopment.

Main Arena seating will be scaled back to 12,000 seats after the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said:

"The Palaszczuk Government has worked closely with cricket and the AFL to find the best alternative venue for teams, spectators and the community while The Gabba is out of action.

"Upgrading the RNA Main Arena means keeping the big games in Brisbane and supporting the visitor economy while delivering an EKKA legacy for uniting city and country.

"I want to thank the Lord Mayor for his public backing of an upgrade to the historic Main Arena at the RNA Showgrounds to retain the economic benefits of sport and jobs here in Brisbane.

"Most Queenslanders acknowledge cricket and the AFL will need somewhere to play during The Gabba redevelopment.

"With many families facing cost-of-living pressures, the upgrade of RNA's Main Arena is a logical solution, representing the best value-for-money for Queenslanders."       

Couriermail --> Palaszczuk government and Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner clash over RNA stadium plans $

QuoteA civil war has erupted between the Palaszczuk government and the Lord Mayor after the state released a bombshell demand for the council and other stakeholders to fork out tens of millions of dollars to build a temporary Gabba replacement stadium.

The Courier-Mail revealed today the government has offered almost $50m towards the estimated $150m construction cost, with Brisbane City Council, the RNA and the two affected sporting codes being asked to pay the remainder for the project.

But the announcement caught Adrian Schrinner off guard, sparking a war of words between the Lord Mayor and Sports Minister Stirling Hinchliffe. ...

https://x.com/Reuters/status/1730817890754896089?s=20

Reuters --> Coates wants athlete numbers reduced for Brisbane Games

Quote... "We've now got a situation that we're going from 10,500 athletes in Paris (in 2024) to 11,242 in Los Angeles," the former Australian Olympic Committee president and member of Brisbane's Olympic organising committee told The Australian newspaper.

"That's the problem for the future of the Olympic Games because we have to continue to look at cost minimisation and efficiencies in running the games.

"But it's pretty clear to me with Brisbane, it's clear to our organising committee and certainly me, that we need to reduce the numbers and get back to a manageable number of 10,500." ...

https://x.com/DavidCrisafulli/status/1730835977084821637?s=20

https://twitter.com/bne_lordmayor/status/1731031783754637741?t=3rJKmr-wBvHc4bc8qrw83Q&s=19

https://twitter.com/bne_lordmayor/status/1731031789446254974?t=RCy1VIMcqtq4Hjm0pX49Jw&s=19

Statement:

LORD MAYOR RESIGNS FROM BRISBANE 2032 FORUM

https://www.adrianschrinner.com.au/lord-mayor-resigns-from-brisbane-2032-forum/

I will be resigning immediately from the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Intergovernmental Leaders' Forum.

Also, I will no longer fall into line and support the State Government's current Gabba plan.

This week it became very apparent that the Intergovernmental Leaders' Forum is a dysfunctional farce, a pointless talkfest established to placate key stakeholders while all the real decisions are made by the State Government behind closed doors.

It has also become clear that there must be better options than demolishing and rebuilding the Gabba.

The Games are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Brisbane and Queensland.

But unless the State Government's approach changes, this opportunity will be squandered through mismanagement.

I believe that the Government has completely lost its way on the road to the Games.

This has put the promised legacy for our city, our region and our state in serious jeopardy.

Ever since the Premier and I travelled to Tokyo together to secure the 2032 Games, I have been a committed team player, despite numerous setbacks and political differences.

I have done this because I strongly believed that only by working together can we stage the best-ever Games and deliver a legacy that benefits all residents.

However, it's clear that the Games have become more about over-priced stadiums rather than the promise of vital transport solutions.

The State Government's ham-fisted and foolish attempt to extort Brisbane ratepayers for tens of millions of dollars for a new RNA stadium was the final straw.

This truly bizarre approach was undertaken because I had the temerity to back local fans and say Brisbane teams should play in Brisbane while the Gabba is torn down and rebuilt.

How utterly absurd.

I will never be bullied out of fighting for Brisbane residents.

Minister Stirling Hinchliffe's blatant attempt to shake-down our Council with ridiculous demands for a sports stadium certainly won't stop me.

Hosting the Games is a privilege, but this sad episode is just the latest example of the State's determination to use the event as their own personal political plaything.

First was the State's last-minute decision, without consultation, to redevelop the Gabba for supposedly $1 billion and then every decision that has happened with the Gabba since.

Then came the State's decision to junk the promised independent coordination authority that was supposed to oversee Games infrastructure planning and delivery.

Friday's farcical demands over the RNA stadium aptly demonstrated that the State is not interested in team work and that the Gabba rebuild should be independently re-evaluated.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games are a huge opportunity.

But the future of our community must take priority over four weeks of sport.

Just as the future of the Brisbane Lions and Heat must also be made a priority.

If the State can't find them a proper home, then they should remain where they are.

I have no doubt there are good alternatives to the full demolition and rebuilding of the Gabba, but the State Government has never genuinely looked for them with an open mind.

If they won't do it, let's appoint an independent body that will.

We could even look at alternatives for the opening and closing ceremonies, such as events along the Brisbane River that are open to all.

I have consistently advocated for the independent Games coordination authority

That's what the International Olympic Committee was promised.

More importantly, that's what Queenslanders were promised.

Time is running out. Let's not squander this opportunity of a lifetime.

^ I wonder where this leaves the SEQ Council of Mayors ... 

Couriermail --> Brisbane Lord Mayor quits Olympic gig over Premier's 'ham-fisted' stadium $

QuoteLord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has sensationally quit the Brisbane 2032 Games delivery forum and withdrawn support for the $2.7bn Gabba rebuild, declaring the Palaszczuk government has "completely lost its way" on the road to the Olympics.

The Sunday Mail can reveal Mr Schrinner has resigned from the Olympic and Paralympic Games Intergovernmental Leaders Forum, declaring the state government's "ham-fisted and foolish attempt to extort Brisbane ratepayers" to build a new $137m boutique stadium at RNA was the final straw for the extraordinary schism.

He said the Games had become "more about overpriced stadiums rather than the promise of vital transport solutions".

The bipartisan bid from the LNP Lord Mayor and Labor Premier has been the cornerstone for the pitch to host the global event, but Mr Schrinner declared the government had "completely lost its way on the road to the Games". ...

 

Not surprised.  As we have pointed out a few times now there is no serious transport planning.

I highlighted the ' Fast Rail ' con in a recent interview.

[ Interview 28 Nov 2023 ABC Radio Brisbane Drive Host Steve Austin with Robert Dow RBoT discuss fast rail for regional Queensland.

Here --> https://backontrack.org/docs/abcbris/abcbris_sa_rd_28nov23.mp3 MP3  10.0 MB ]

The 'Gabba was never part of the original Olympics proposal. 
I doubt it will proceed if there is a change of Government.

Shambles, as is transport, health particularly in Queensland.  Add Brisbane 2032 to the list!

So we have a choice between transport ineptitude or privatisation. f**** me we really get the pick of the bunch here.

There is of course council and state elections next year...but AP and State Government have certainly given Schrinner plenty of ammo, which sets it up neatly now for LNP attacks at State level.

Quote from: ozbob on December 03, 2023, 06:28:53 AMThe 'Gabba was never part of the original Olympics proposal. 
I doubt it will proceed if there is a change of Government.

Shambles as is transport, health particularly in Queensland.  Add Brisbane 2032 to the list!

Labor will now be left arguing in 2024 elections to demolish the Gabba, against LNP and Greens.

The IOC themselves said don't spend the $1 billion and look for alternatives way back at early bid stage.

All politics! They all need to go!!

Quote from: ozbob on November 10, 2023, 21:34:10 PMSent to all outlets:

2032 Olympic Legacy Strategy, Elevate 2042 - Doubles Down on Transport Mess

10th November 2023

RAIL Back On Track has reviewed the Palaszczuk Government's 2032 Olympic Legacy Strategy, Elevate 2042 (1) and noted that the Connecting People and Places Transformation Theme reads just like every SEQ Regional Plan and Integrated Transport Plan since the late 1990's. The same plans that have had little effect on the State or Local Government transport budgets and projects and City Plans across the region.  Transport investments and City Plans that only resulted in more people stuck in ever worse congestion with active and public transport options hard to use, non-existent and/or not a viable alternative.

More of the same investment which created today transport's mess will certainly not fix it.

An about face on transport planning and investment is urgently needed if the 2032 Olympic Legacy is to be delivered including:

. Bus Lanes - Separate bus lanes on all major roads as a single bus lane can moved 4 time the number of people as a car lane.  Buses stuck in traffic also increases running costs as more buses are need to cover peak services. If a bus can complete it's run in half the time it can be made available for another route rather than an having to us an additional bus.  That bus can be used on another route to increase services/frequency at no additional costs.

. SEQ Bus Network Redesign - SEQ bus network is full of duplication, indirect and/or infrequent routes, is confusing and hard to understand and in many cases bus compete with rail lines and/or don't connect to the railway station. A complete redesign of the network using a BRT-style frequent service approach (building on the successful BUC/Glider Routes) was urgently required in 2013. 10 years later is more than overdue.

. Maximising Train Frequencies - The current rollingstock and network across SEQ can operate at much higher frequencies without additional infrastructure especially off-peak frequencies.  For the majority of the day/night the rollingstock should only be non-operational for servicing and cleaning.

. Cycling Facilities at Train/Busway Station and Major Bus Stops -  Integrating cycling and transit brings multiple benefits including, it puts mass transit within the reach of more people across a larger area  and provides users with greater flexibility including to adapt trips based on their individual needs

. Children and Seniors Free Travel - Ever noticed during school holidays that congestion is no where near as bad. Making trips for children, students and seniors free (all day every day) should not bee seen as a loss of revenue but rather as maximising the investment already made in buses, trains, ferries, trams and drivers. Over 70% of students are being driven to school rather than walking, cycling or catching public transport. The services are already running lets just maximise their use.

. Separated Bike Lanes - Physically separating bike lanes which are typically just painted lines on the road and/or placed on the road side of parked cars (the door zone) represents the single greatest return on transport investment (which is minimal if not over engineered) and results in not only significant increases in cycling but also increases in retail turn over in local communities

. Establish Public Transport Queensland (PTQ) - the above initiatives have been available to our governments for decades.  There is too much political name calling and not enough collaboration. It is clear we need a proper Public Transport Authority in Queensland to take over the administration and management of public transport in Queensland and work with local governments, and to properly integrate public transport and improve active transport infrastructure and facilities.

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

Reference:

1. The Brisbane 2032 Legacy Strategy, Elevate 2042
https://q2032.au/plans/games-legacy

Does anyone believe the $2.7b figure for Gabba rebuild after LGCFR cost doubling?

If we follow the general pattern so far, probable cost is double this at $5.4 billon.

The usual red players on social media are quiet at present.  Guess trying to work out a strategy to counter the Schrinner dummy spit.  It is a calculated political move by the LM, and will require some smart moves by the red mob to counter. 

Quote from: #Metro on December 03, 2023, 08:25:55 AMDoes anyone believe the $2.7b figure for Gabba rebuild after LGCFR cost doubling?

If we follow the general pattern so far, probable cost is double this at $5.4 billon.

^ nope!

Quote from: ozbob on November 25, 2023, 01:22:41 AMhttps://x.com/ozbob13/status/1728070985914486933?s=20

https://x.com/amymacsouthbris/status/1731090887617474923?s=20

Didn't take long https://x.com/camerondickqld/status/1731091279898095833?s=46&t=EDszjTErsxTIqAna7yuP-w

https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?msg=275391

To be fair, the transport proposals and going further back, SEQ 2031 plan cannot be delivered on time or in full, if at all.

Fares_Fair has discussed the improbability of delivering the DSCRL on time and in full based on Redcliffe Peninsula line construction. Whatever gets built is likely to be a staged, pared-back version.

Gold Coast fast (note, not the other faster) rail proposal dropped, along with Brisbane Subway etc. These were probably added to 'spice up' the plans knowing that a study could be used to knock them out and withdraw them later.

Ditto for air taxis, which on closer analysis are a non-solution, despite whatever narratives BCC and the LM might have spun.

Gold coast line probably won't be extended, as the govt is forced into a 'minimum viable product' approach.

GCLRT is the exception here. I speculate the extremely expensive bus station at The Gabba will suffer a cost increase before being 'delayed indefinitely' (read: cancelled).

There just isn't the money or labour to do it all.

If BCC and TMR want to deliver, their focus must shift to low or no infrastructure alternatives. Like bus reform, more BUZ and BRT metro bus offerings.

These are achievable well within the timeline and at a fraction of the cost of these other infrastructure heavy proposals.

Yep, that is the worst thing that they did abolishing the independent authority. We need compromise not infighting. Consider nothing getting done until after the Council and State elections this year.

Brisbanetimes --> 'Dysfunctional farce': Lord Mayor resigns from Olympics planning body $

QuoteLord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has resigned from a 2032 Olympic and Paralympic planning body, saying the Games had become more about "overpriced stadiums than the promise of vital transport solutions".

His announcement on Sunday follows the Queensland government's decision to redevelop the RNA Showgrounds as an alternative for major AFL and cricket matches while the Gabba was being rebuilt for the 2032 Games. ...

Quote from: ozbob on December 03, 2023, 06:15:53 AMCouriermail --> Brisbane Lord Mayor quits Olympic gig over Premier's 'ham-fisted' stadium $

QuoteLord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has sensationally quit the Brisbane 2032 Games delivery forum and withdrawn support for the $2.7bn Gabba rebuild, declaring the Palaszczuk government has "completely lost its way" on the road to the Olympics.

The Sunday Mail can reveal Mr Schrinner has resigned from the Olympic and Paralympic Games Intergovernmental Leaders Forum, declaring the state government's "ham-fisted and foolish attempt to extort Brisbane ratepayers" to build a new $137m boutique stadium at RNA was the final straw for the extraordinary schism.

He said the Games had become "more about overpriced stadiums rather than the promise of vital transport solutions".

The bipartisan bid from the LNP Lord Mayor and Labor Premier has been the cornerstone for the pitch to host the global event, but Mr Schrinner declared the government had "completely lost its way on the road to the Games". ...

Poll on the article:

Is Qld prepared for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games?

Yes 4 %
No 96 %

3298 votes

https://x.com/GuardianAus/status/1731081204664095043?s=20

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/dysfunctional-farce-lord-mayor-resigns-from-olympics-planning-body-20231203-p5eokp.html

QuoteSports and Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe says Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner's decision to resign from the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games advisory body is "bewildering".

In announcing his resignation on Sunday from the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games intergovernmental leaders' forum, Schrinner said improving transport links had been played down by two years of debate over large stadiums. ...

ABC News --> Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner resigns from Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games organising committee

QuoteBrisbane's lord mayor has resigned immediately from the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Intergovernmental Leaders' Forum, saying it's a "pointless talkfest".

The forum is made up of representatives from all levels of government and Games partners, designed by the state government to deliver the Olympics and create a legacy for Queensland.

In March, Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the forum and the state government would work together to "progress the significant venues, villages and transport infrastructure" for the Games.

But Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the group was only being used to "placate key stakeholders while all the real decisions were made by the state government behind closed doors". ...

Might be time for the IOC to give brisBANE the flick!

If Adrian Schrinner and blue team want better PT, they control the BCC bus network, they can fix it up with bus reform before the olympics.

Totally achievable before then.

What's the bet Schrinner wanted to use the Olympics to ram through a bunch of tunnel projects and decided to throw a tantrum when the state government didn't go along with his pork barreling for reelection.

Reinstate the independent authority and allocate more funds to the RNA upgrade from the Gabba rebuild budget. They have probably over budgeted the Gabba rebuild anyway.

We also need another boutique rectangle stadium, hence we also need a Perry Park upgrade for soccer and smaller league games.

Where are the plans for the new Gabba in line bus station and will it connect eastern services with a bus lane tunnel from Stanley St and Logan Road?

https://x.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1731223005244608659?s=20

https://x.com/10NewsFirstQLD/status/1731203263263871423?s=20

Brisbane's Lord Mayor quits 2023 Olympic Games body | 7 News Australia

Couriermail --> 'We don't need to help': Minister's stunning claim to Lions, cricket $

QuoteStirling Hinchliffe says housing the displaced Brisbane Lions and Queensland Cricket isn't the state's problem, despite Steven Miles just days ago suggesting it was.

Upgrading the RNA Showgrounds to give the Brisbane Lions and Queensland Cricket a home during the Gabba rebuild isn't the state government's responsibility, Sport and Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has sensationally declared.

An all-out war has erupted between the state government and Brisbane City Council over funding a $137m RNA Showgrounds upgrade to host the two major sporting codes displaced by the four-year Gabba demolition and rebuild.

Mr Hinchliffe declared the state had no role in solving the problems of sporting codes, but said state was generously stumping up cash to deliver long-term benefits. ...

Couriermail --> Editorial: Games should be quarantined from political ambition $

QuoteIt was always hard to understand why it was that Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk wanted sole control of the Olympic Games, considering the organising of the massive event is always so controversial – and fraught – in the lead-up to the glory of the opening ceremony that two former host nations have literally made sitcom-style mockumentaries about the inevitable mess of it all.

But Ms Palaszczuk still chose to name herself the Minister for the Olympics (tacking on a year later, after an outcry, "and Paralympics").

She also deliberately dismissed the usual convention of keeping at arm's length from government a co-ordination authority to work with the other 11 "Games delivery partners" on the delivery of the necessary Games infrastructure. Ms Palaszczuk instead set up that body within her own department.

But Ms Palaszczuk is now quickly learning that with all that power also comes the responsibility – and, from a political perspective when there is nobody else to blame, you wear it yourself. ...

Public Transport Queensland - Now is the hour!

See > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?msg=277697