RAIL - Back On Track Forum

Brisbanetimes --> Sports groups to formally reject sharing RNA $137m upgrade costs $

QuoteThe main cricket and AFL bodies will this week reject the Queensland government's highly publicised "request" they collectively contribute $91 million towards the $137 million upgrade of the RNA main arena.

This comes as Brisbane's lord mayor on Sunday resigned from a Queensland Government Games 2032 planning body, arguing it was now "political" and "dysfunctional" and "more about overpriced stadiums than the promise of vital transport solutions". ...

https://x.com/CrKristaAdams/status/1731435207201603846?s=20

Couriermail --> Premier to broker peace deal amid state, council Olympics war $

QuotePremier Annastacia Palaszczuk is attempting to broker a peace deal between the state government and city hall amid a bungle over the cost of Olympic Games infrastructure.

Relations between Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and the state government plunged to new lows over the weekend when Mr Schrinner accused the state of attempting to extort ratepayers for some $50m of the $137m needed to upgrade the RNA Showgrounds.

Mr Schrinner's subsequent resignation for an intergovernmental forum on the 2032 Games then prompted Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe to label the Lord Mayor's actions "bewildering". ...

It increasingly looks like Olympic and Paralymic planning in Queensland involves Ministers sitting around a map of Brisbane, while fingering a big pile of Lego blocks.

And it is easy to see why the feds are wary of this Queensland Government in negotiating budgets and details of major infrastructure projects. The federal government has signed up to a $2.4b contribution to a Brisbane Live venue to be built above the Roma Street Railway Station. That looks like it won't happen.

So, will Queensland demolish the Qld Police HQ and build Brisbane Live there. And will it be audacious and ask the feds to fund half the cost of a new police HQ as well as the (unknown) cost of a replacement for Brisbane Live? And where would the replacement go? At this stage, the federal government contribution is capped at $2.4b.

Couriermail --> Cameron Milner: Qld can no longer afford three-week 2032 Games 'vanity project' $

QuoteLike many Brisbanites, I was filled with pride when it was announced our city would host the Olympics and Paralympics in 2032.

After the gloom and social dislocation of the Covid lockdowns and having our lives so restricted, it was nice to see a global event being held in our city.

I remember what the Olympics did for Sydney, already a global city.

But two years later, the crippling effect of inflation and cost of living is hitting Queenslanders hard.

The world has changed and we've got to learn that indulgences like having a three-week sporting event in nine years' time might just not be that important any longer. ...

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

Or better still brisBANE give the IOC the flick!

Quote... It increasingly looks like Olympic and Paralymic planning in Queensland involves Ministers sitting around a map of Brisbane, while fingering a big pile of Lego blocks. ...

^ agreed Mr Stillwater. 

I no longer support the 2032 Olympics in the form that it seems to be at this time.

The temporary swimming pool idea is nuts.  If you have to build a new Olympic Pool it needs to be permanent and a true legacy of the games.

Gabba rebuild I doubt will happen now.  Opening and Closing ceremonies can be done at Milton (Lang Park).

They are also running out of time.  It is an omnishambles sadly ..   

https://x.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1731587208681841128?s=20

https://x.com/10NewsFirstQLD/status/1731570489854660938?s=20

https://x.com/abcnews/status/1731595879000252902?s=20

Couriermail --> 'End the vanity, fix the state': Ex-Labor boss unleashes on Olympics bungle $

QuoteLabor heavyweight Cameron Milner has demanded Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk end her Olympic Games "vanity project" and instead focus on fixing the government and tackling cost of living.

In another significant strike against Ms Palaszczuk's leadership, the former Queensland Labor state secretary and Right faction stalwart said it was time for Ms Palaszczuk to reflect on whether the Olympics were in the best interests of the state. ...

She should hand the Olympic projects to an independent Olympics Infrastructure Authority, leaving her to concentrate on her Premier job and running Queensland.

Quote from: Stillwater on December 05, 2023, 08:11:21 AMShe should hand the Olympic projects to an independent Olympics Infrastructure Authority, leaving her to concentrate on her Premier job and running Queensland.

Definitely.  They paid KPMG 800K $ to come up with the idea that they didn't need an independent infrastructure authority.  It's rort ^ rort  (rort to the power of rort) already.

It is our money being p%ssed  away ...

I don't often agree with Schrinner but sometimes he comes up with some good ideas. This move is excellent. Politically it puts him in good stead for upcoming elections, and it actually is a really good move from a moral standpoint IMO as he's actually standing up for what he believes in, and a large part of his constituents. I think the line he says that I most agree with is where he says that the Olympics were sold to us on the back of it being a transport infrastructure revolution, but none of those promises have actually transpired. All the big ideas (fast rail, etc.) have been wound back and all the focus is on the Gabba.

Asking council, RNA and the sporting codes to pay for their own alternative stadium when it was the State's idea in the first place to forge ahead with the Gabba rebuild (AGAINST IOC wishes) is insanity.

I'm interested to see the outcome of where this leads in the coming days.

Pity his signature transport project will be a disaster and not revolutionize transport in any way, shape or form.

He is all politics!

He not standing up for the people of Brisbane

Perhaps Palaszczuk can run for BCC Lord Mayor and Schrinner can run for Premier.

Couriermail --> Opinion: Gabba alternative that's right under the government's nose $

QuoteIn July 2021, when Brisbane was announced as host of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Annastacia Palaszczuk was firm in her commitment that this would be for all of Queensland.

She promised that the 2032 Games would be inclusive of all Queenslanders, with benefits to be shared across the state.

Last week we saw the first test of this commitment as the Queensland government decided where to relocate the Brisbane Lions AFL team during the redevelopment of the Gabba.

The plan to spend $137m to convert the RNA's main arena into a boutique oval stadium has been rejected by AFL, cricket and Brisbane City Council – which the government wanted to be the primary funder.

It's safe to say the community also rejects the idea of spending public funds on another stadium in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis.

The silver lining to the Queensland government's RNA announcement is an opportunity to rethink its approach to a cost-effective 2032 Games. ...

A very talented team of architects and 'place planners' have worked on the Brisbane Live concept, which probably won't go ahead now. The government paid these people for their talents and professional input. Money wasted?

https://www.archipelago.com.au/project/brisbane-live

Couriermail --> Opinion: How to organise Olympics if your IQ is less than your shoe size $

QuoteWe should ask the Americans if they'd mind holding the Olympic Games in 2032 as well as 2028, because it is becoming increasingly obvious that Queensland is incapable of hosting them.

The latest episode in the comedy that has become and was always going to be the preparations for the Games must worry even the staunchest supporter of the Queensland government.

It's late in the afternoon and you make an important business phone call that relates to preparations surrounding the Games and involves the expenditure of significant sums of public money.

The other party doesn't answer, so given its importance do you (a) wait until you can get a message to them or (b) proceed on a unilateral course of action that may be counter-productive and end in disaster? ...

    

Quote from: Stillwater on December 05, 2023, 21:27:45 PMA very talented team of architects and 'place planners' have worked on the Brisbane Live concept, which probably won't go ahead now. The government paid these people for their talents and professional input. Money wasted?

https://www.archipelago.com.au/project/brisbane-live

^

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/mike-oconnor/opinion-how-to-organise-olympics-if-your-iq-is-less-than-your-shoe-size/news-story/ee924a2d2c43b95cbcaa8bfbf238a788

Quote... Then there is the 17,000 seat Brisbane Live arena, complete with drop-in Olympic pool, to be built in Roma St with federal government money and set to be one of the jewels in the infrastructure crown.

It seems, however, that it did not occur to anyone that building such an ambitious project over the new Roma St railway station – which is part of the Cross River Rail project – would cause a significant increase in cost, meaning the $2.5 billion being provided by the federal government wouldn't cover it.

Who would pay for the cost blowout? Tricky one, that.

The state government is now casting around for other sites for the City Arena, one proposal involving the demolition of Queensland Police headquarters, also in Roma Street. Where would the coppers go and who would pay for it? Tricky one, that. ...

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1732028035631554673?s=20

As a group here at RAIL Back On Track we are well aware of the failings in the public transport area over the years. 

Half baked track amplifications, botched trains, compromised major rail  infrastructure projects (eg CRR), half baked ETCS, haphazard station upgrades (although lately starting to get back on track), a failure for administrative reform, lack of proper network reform, weird fare policy, rail fail. Neglect of the Sunshine Coast (locked into forever planning/business case cycles).  Bus rapid transit improvements masqueraded as a ' Metro ' 

Smart Ticketing is an exception.

A failure to drive service improvements. The ' fast rail Olympic con '. I could go on ...

Then is it really a surprise they have completely botched the 2032 Olympics so far? 

Nope, I am not surprised, I expected it to be honest.

Noted        ?

Quote from: ozbob on December 05, 2023, 10:14:30 AMCouriermail --> Opinion: Gabba alternative that's right under the government's nose $

QuoteIn July 2021, when Brisbane was announced as host of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Annastacia Palaszczuk was firm in her commitment that this would be for all of Queensland.

She promised that the 2032 Games would be inclusive of all Queenslanders, with benefits to be shared across the state.

Last week we saw the first test of this commitment as the Queensland government decided where to relocate the Brisbane Lions AFL team during the redevelopment of the Gabba.

The plan to spend $137m to convert the RNA's main arena into a boutique oval stadium has been rejected by AFL, cricket and Brisbane City Council – which the government wanted to be the primary funder.

It's safe to say the community also rejects the idea of spending public funds on another stadium in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis.

The silver lining to the Queensland government's RNA announcement is an opportunity to rethink its approach to a cost-effective 2032 Games. ...

Mayor Harding is referring to the football ground at Springfield. It is next to Springfield Central station. It is a full size AFL ground. Just needs more seating etc. which is what the Mayor is going on about. Cricket could be played there too.

See > https://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/springfield-central-stadium

Sent to all outlets:

Three-ring circus

6th December 2023

Greetings,

What a disappointment the three-ring circus surrounding the 2032 Olympics.

As a group here at RAIL Back On Track we are well aware of the failings in the public transport area over the years.

Half baked track amplifications, botched trains, compromised major rail  infrastructure projects (e.g. CRR), half baked ETCS, haphazard station upgrades (although lately starting to get back on track), a failure for administrative reform, lack of proper network reform, weird fare policy, rail fail. Neglect of the Sunshine Coast (locked into forever planning/business case cycles).  Bus rapid transit improvements masqueraded as a ' Metro ' .
A failure to drive service improvements. The ' fast rail Olympic con '.

I could go on ...

Smart Ticketing is an exception.

Then is it really a surprise they have completely botched the 2032 Olympics so far?

The RNA main arena fiasco could have been easily avoided.  Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding  made a great point yesterday in the Couriermail (  Opinion: Gabba alternative that's right under the government's nose  https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-gabba-alternative-thats-right-under-the-governments-nose/news-story/4028881bfc1db89d20f8267ea0870298 ).  In the article Mayor Harding is referring to the football ground at Springfield. It is next to Springfield Central railway station. It is a full size Australian rules football ground. Just needs more seating etc. which is what the Mayor is going on about in the article. Cricket could be played there too.

See > https://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/springfield-central-stadium

These are very despairing times sadly.  The level of political incompetence is staggering.  It is little wonder that many are now seriously doubting if Brisbane can actually manage to put on the Olympic Games in a cost rational manner or if at all. Transport seems to be missing in action.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Facebook ...

https://x.com/railbotforum/status/1732111172252692621?s=20

Imagine if you signed up to the house of your dreams and suddenly the builder says: "Sorry, we are going to dishonour the contract, but don't worry .... we are looking around for another plot of land ... and the design you thought would be built can't be. Just trust us. Oh, and your new home might cost more -- how much we can't say. But all's good, something will happen by 2032. Just hand over $2.4 billion and we might be hitting you up for some more.

Anthony Albanese signed up for $2.4 billion for the Brisbane Live arena. The Palaszczuk Government wants to blow the lot without having any real plans or strategy -- making it up as it goes along. Anna and Co. will ask for more because more Commonwealth funds will be required to rectify the botched planning.

Will a new police headquarters become a cost to the Olympic Games? The police housed there could always go to Carara Stadium, or Springfield.

Quote from: ozbob on December 05, 2023, 23:33:36 PMSmart Ticketing is an exception.

I don't agree. It should be an exception, but instead it's turned into more endless delays. Here we are at the end of 2023, and we don't have smart ticketing operational on a single bus operator in Queensland. The Smart Ticketing app isn't ready for launch. The promised go card alternative hasn't materialised. Overall, it's a shambles.

^ delays have been due to the equipment not arriving from overseas as planned. This was due to the pandemic impacts.  Working fine on rail and tram.  Once bus is finished we can look forward to the new accounts based back end and some new fare products.

Quote from: Stillwater on December 06, 2023, 06:04:59 AMImagine if you signed up to the house of your dreams and suddenly the builder says: "Sorry, we are going to dishonour the contract, but don't worry .... we are looking around for another plot of land ... and the design you thought would be built can't be. Just trust us. Oh, and your new home might cost more -- how much we can't say. But all's good, something will happen by 2032. Just hand over $2.4 billion and we might be hitting you up for some more.

Anthony Albanese signed up for $2.4 billion for the Brisbane Live arena. The Palaszczuk Government wants to blow the lot without having any real plans or strategy -- making it up as it goes along. Anna and Co. will ask for more because more Commonwealth funds will be required to rectify the botched planning.

Will a new police headquarters become a cost to the Olympic Games? The police housed there could always go to Carara Stadium, or Springfield.

I hope they leave Roma St station alone. They need to set up an Independent Olympic Infrastructure committee and start again. Politicians have poisoned it for now.  Might be a good idea to get some real transport planning underway as well.

^ That's how they do it elsewhere, to avoid complications. Can you imagine the chest thumping and jurisdictional land grab going on between transport and state development bureaucrats? BCC would be baby in the corner in that powerplay.

Quote from: Stillwater on December 05, 2023, 21:27:45 PMA very talented team of architects and 'place planners' have worked on the Brisbane Live concept, which probably won't go ahead now. The government paid these people for their talents and professional input. Money wasted?

https://www.archipelago.com.au/project/brisbane-live

My question to the professionals is why did the technical/engineering restrictions not be identified earlier??

I do hope they leave Roma St so it can have its own architectural presence and not be the basement of an arena!

I agree with the Gabba rebuild and temporary home at the RNA for cricket and AFL. Although I think that the sporting codes should contribute something, but not as much as first suggested.

Furthermore, if these decisions were taken under an independent authority we wouldn't have this infighting as we do now.

Quote from: Jonno on December 06, 2023, 08:21:09 AM

Quote from: Stillwater on December 05, 2023, 21:27:45 PMA very talented team of architects and 'place planners' have worked on the Brisbane Live concept, which probably won't go ahead now. The government paid these people for their talents and professional input. Money wasted?

https://www.archipelago.com.au/project/brisbane-live

My question to the professionals is why did the technical/engineering restrictions not be identified earlier??

I do hope they leave Roma St so it can have its own architectural presence and not be the basement of an arena!

Apparently, something to do with building over the rail line. Although they have managed to build over the rail line in Melbourne with Federation Sq at Flinders Street.

It could look alright by taking up the current Police HQ and courts as well as McCormick place. They could have raised public spaces to replace McCormick place with a new western entry to Roma Street station, which could be advantageous.

Quote from: verbatim9 on December 06, 2023, 11:23:57 AMI agree with the Gabba rebuild and temporary home at the RNA for cricket and AFL. Although I think that the sporting codes should contribute something, but not as much as first suggested.

Furthermore, if these decisions were taken under an independent authority we wouldn't have this infighting as we do now.

Yeah this is a big misstep from the government. They should have just done what every other government does and introduced an independent body and stack the board with ex-staffers. Amateur hour in QLD parliament.

I'm fine with the Gabba rebuild. It needs to be rebuilt soon anyway so it makes sense. Really underwhelmed by all the other projects getting the green light for the Olympics though.

All we have is the disappointing faster rail, mocking us with its name just like the metro. Sunshine Coast line still hasn't been approved and probably won't be completed before 2032. How does rail take so much time when we can spring up roads like shrooms after rain?

Does anyone remember when they were optimistic about the possibilities of infrastructure projects that might be built with the Olympics just around the corner?

Brisbanetimes --> It's time Queensland lived up to its Olympic pledge $

QuoteIt all could have been so different, so grown up. So competent.

Instead, the delivery of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games has descended into farce, and it can all be traced back to a broken promise.

That promise, made to the International Olympic Committee before Brisbane was awarded the Games, was for a cross-government Olympic Co-ordination Authority, a body that would – theoretically, at least – take the politics out of the Games' delivery.

"It is anticipated the OCA will be established as a government entity with Australian, Queensland and local government representatives," the Brisbane bid team assured the IOC in 2021. ...

^ Brisbanetimes is too kind.  It is a MEGA farcical three-ring circus !!! 

Couriermail --> Stadium stalemate: Fears Gabba replacement won't happen in time $

QuoteA political stalemate is threatening to delay the state government's controversial $137m RNA Showgrounds upgrade, raising fears the project won't be ready before the Gabba is demolished.

Negotiations between the state government, Brisbane City Council, AFL and Queensland Cricket over which organisations would contribute to the upgrade are understood to remain stalled.

Three of the four funding partners in the $137m project have indicated they won't provide their share of the $76.3m demanded by the state government, leaving the future of the development uncertain.

Treasurer and Acting Sport Minister Cameron Dick also declared this week the state would not increase its $45.7m contribution to the project.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner labelled the state's demand for cash to upgrade the showgrounds the final straw, and is continuing the push for an independent Olympic Games infrastructure authority. ...

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1732767686512312575?s=20

Couriermail --> Opinion: Moment Qld's Games planning descended into farce $

QuoteThe planning for the Olympics, less than nine years away, is now a complete farce beset by public bickering between officials, writes Matt Canavan.

After Anthony Albanese was elected prime minister last year, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk scrapped an independent committee that was organising the Brisbane Olympics.

The establishment of an independent committee had been a condition imposed by former Coalition prime minister Scott Morrison for providing financial support to the Games.

In place of the independent committee, Ms Palaszczuk centralised decision making for the Olympics in her own office and department.

Now the planning for the Olympics, less than nine years away, is a complete farce beset by public bickering between officials. ...

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1732770459421216996?s=20