RAIL - Back On Track Forum

Couriermail --> State gov data reveals new cost blowouts totalling more than $1.2bn have been identified $

QuoteTransport Minister Bart Mellish is set to reveal the latest cost blowouts across transport projects six months with 20 road and rail projects out to an eye-watering $1.28bn.

New cost blowouts totalling more than $1.2bn have been identified across road and rail projects in just six months, state government data has revealed.

Transport Minister Bart Mellish, reaffirming a commitment to increased transparency, is set to reveal the latest itemised list of cost blowouts across transport projects six months after his December update.

It can be revealed 20 road and rail projects have suffered cost blowouts worth a combined $1.28bn — 11 of those new while the price tag of nine projects have ballooned again since the December update.

The largest blowout was to the Coomera Connector, as outlined in March, of $863.3m. The federal government has come to the table to cover 50 per cent of the price increase, in a major relief for the state. ...

Couriermail --> Miles Government secretly asking CFMEU for advice on big projects $

QuoteThe state government is secretly referring businesses to the militant CFMEU for its "advice or concerns" about whether contractors should be allowed to work on major projects.

The Saturday Courier-Mail can reveal the government is asking members of its Building Industry Reference group to provide "advice or concerns" about businesses who have applied for a qualification to allow them to receive contracts. ...

Couriermail --> Call for minister's sacking in 'mother of all cover ups' $

QuotePremier Steven Miles faces calls to sack Energy Minister Mick de Brenni following extraordinary revelations about the explosion at the Callide Power Station, which the Opposition is labelling "the mother of all cover-ups".

Three years after the explosion and a months-long legal battle, CS Energy on Tuesday – following The Courier-Mail's front-page report – released a redacted version of forensic engineer Sean Brady's report into the catastrophic 2021 explosion that cut power to about 500,000 Queenslanders.

Mr de Brenni has previously insisted CS Energy did not put profits first and that the explosion did not occur due to lack of maintenance.

But Dr Brady's report revealed CS Energy faced pressure from the government in 2016 and 2020 to find savings and divert surplus cash to reduce debt, instead of investment in existing assets. ...

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1805635959180214494

The Miles' Government is starting to look very, very shaky now. 

A number of policy areas, including transport, are starting to look somewhat shambolic 

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1810698089801695310

Couriermail --> CFMEU's 'intimidating' protests to continue over $250k pay demands $

QuoteStalled negotiations over a CFMEU push for traffic controllers to be paid a $250,000 salary sparked tense protests on Tuesday with workers fighting to access Cross River Rail constructions sites intimidated and Queensland Police called to keep the peace.

A breakdown in days-long pay negotiations between the CFMEU and CPB Contractors, the Cross River Rail lead contractor, prompted the militant union to again picket construction sites on Tuesday.

People familiar with negotiations revealed the CFMEU asked for traffic controllers on sites to be paid the equivalent of an entry-level construction worker – some $250,000 if the union is successful in its call for a pay increase. ...

I would imagine this issue would be focusing a few minds in Government.
It is looking terminal for the Miles' Government unless quickly settled IMHO.

https://x.com/brisbanetimes/status/1813091151576215558

Couriermail --> 'Held to ransom': Premier warned union deal would bring cost blowouts and strikes $

QuotePremier Steven Miles and a senior state government minister were warned about soaring construction costs and industrial disputes under a CFMEU-friendly Best Practice Industry Conditions agreement.

The then-deputy premier was warned by a delegation of industry leaders in 2022 about how BPIC would affect productivity and send the cost of government projects sky-high.

There are claims the allowances are adding as much as 30 per cent to the cost of state government projects. ...

 

Couriermail --> CFMEU's Qld branch placed into administration, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirms $

QuotePrime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed the Queensland CFMEU will be appointed with an independent administrator.

Mr Albanese said the government was prepared to legislate the administration process to ensure administrators are quickly appointed to the New South Wales, Victorian and Queensland CFMEU branches.

"We've acted swiftly to ensure that administrators are put in if there's any challenge to that we're certainly prepared to legislate to ensure that that occurs," he said.

Mr Albanese would not be drawn on whether the CFMEU would be deregistered in future, saying "nothing will be taken off the table". ...

Couriermail --> Ruling on injunction to ban CFMEU from intimidating CPD staff to be made Thursday $

QuoteThe thousands of Queenslanders who usually catch the train to the Ekka next month may have to catch buses to the iconic event due to this week's tense CFMEU protests at the partially-built Ekka station as part of the Cross River Rail project, a court has heard.

In submissions to the Federal Court in Brisbane on Thursday, Shannon Moody, counsel for CPB Contractors Pty Ltd (CPB), the Cross River Rail (CRR) lead contractor, told Judge Berna Collier that the union's protests could also put at risk the plan to "test" the "first train" to travel under Brisbane on the new rail line on July 27 and 28. ...

Brisbanetimes --> Black hoodies, cameras and 'slurs' at centre of Queensland CFMEU case $

QuoteThe lead contractor on Brisbane's Cross River Rail project has told the Federal Court workers have been intimidated and threatened at the CFMEU picket line this week.

CPB Contractors has asked the court to impose new restrictions on the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union, warning any further delays to the project would push back train tests and keep the Exhibition station offline during the Ekka. ...

Couriermail --> Qld state of disunity as CFMEU flexes muscle in construction industry $

QuoteA months-long investigation exposes how the CFMEU has built its power in Queensland to now effectively write government policy, add billions of taxpayer dollars to major projects and freely abuse rivals who don't comply with its demands.

It was the most obvious of ruses, the worst kept secret in Queensland. ...

Couriermail --> Premier Steven Miles vows to stamp out CFMEU-linked violence after Cross River Rail worker allegedly assaulted $

QuoteSteven Miles has vowed to do "whatever it takes" to stamp out CFMEU-linked violence after a Cross River Rail worker was allegedly attacked outside their home.

Premier Steven Miles has vowed to do "whatever it takes" to stamp out CFMEU-linked violence and intimidation amid allegations of an off-site assault.

This includes urgent laws, to be ready within weeks, to ensure the Queensland branch of the CFMEU is put into administration.

It can be revealed a Cross River Rail worker embroiled in a brawl after attempting to break through a CFMEU picket line was allegedly assaulted outside his home in a separate incident. ...

Brisbanetimes --> Miles to push ahead with CFMEU crackdown, regardless of police findings $

QuoteQueensland Premier Steven Miles says he will leave it to police to determine whether CFMEU workers were behind an attack on a picket-crossing Cross River Rail worker outside his home this week, but will push ahead with proposed legislation to bring the union into line regardless. ...

Couriermail --> Kylie Lang: The CFMEU is holding the state hostage $

QuoteIf the CFMEU has a stranglehold on this state now, imagine how much more we'll have to bow down to it as the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games draw ever closer.

Key projects, independent of the Games, are already being delayed and budgets blown because of this militant and grubby union – with the Queensland branch, I'm told, the worst in the nation. ...

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1820495988345483287

See > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?msg=286132

Taking over BCC buses is an excellent idea. State-run servos, not so much.

Government owned petrol stations don't sound like a good idea.

With electric cars becoming more popular, it's an industry with little or no growth prospects.

Competitive neutrality also means that it would have to be provided on a commercial basis to existing service stations.

^^ I dare say it's not being seen an industry with growth prospects.

As for EV ownership, the EV market has taken a pretty big beating over the past 12 odd months, with a lot of people reverting to buying hybrids rather than pure EVs. On top of that, I don't know if the people who own EVs are the ones the Government needs to (or is aiming to) support through this scheme.

I'm not saying that I think this is a good idea though. I think the WA concept of reporting prices in advance would be an easier scheme to implement.

The public service stations are proposed to have electric charging also, so not entirely a stranded asset. And as pointed out above, hybrids are increasingly popular rather than pure EVs.

Quote from: achiruel on August 06, 2024, 12:49:57 PMThe public service stations are proposed to have electric charging also, so not entirely a stranded asset. And as pointed out above, hybrids are increasingly popular rather than pure EVs.

True, but the number of EV charging stations required in metropolitan areas will be significantly less than petrol stations due to the ability for at home charging.

I think that EV's will be the preferred choice once the charging infrastructure catches up.

^^ It's not so much the charging infrastructure that seems to be the issue. The early EV adopters are now reaching the point that their car's battery capacity is lessening, and they are dealing with the options of either replacing the battery pack (which in itself can cost as much as buying a car) or trying to resell their significantly devalued car.

I've seen surveys that show a significant number of EV owners would be going back to ICE cars after their experience with EVs. A lot of Government mandates regarding the phasing out of ICE new car sales around the world are being rolled back as well.

They must of done their research on what Germany or Japan are doing. It helps that both countries have a domestic car manufacturing industry too, but it can work in Australia. The traditional service station model of just petrol for ICE cars is looking to be re-invented.

Who says that only petrol companies can have service stations? Can you imagine the money the QLD Government will make selling petrol at current prices. They could undercut all competitors and still make money and call it "cost of living relief".

You think they are going to start charging you $x/kV to recharge their EV's. There is no global energy market for them to do so plus it just won't work given how much people pay for electricity.

Another benefit of state servos' is that these stations will eventually be used to roll out hydrogen across the state. The intention is to create a domestic hydrogen economy that will reduce natural gas usage. The race is on to see if either EV's PHEV's or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles come out on top.

Quote from: nathandavid88 on August 06, 2024, 14:37:54 PMI've seen surveys that show a significant number of EV owners would be going back to ICE cars after their experience with EVs.

Please state the source for this nonsense. I am a long time EV owner and have friends who still have their nine year old EV which works fine. Neither of us would go back to petrol cars if you paid us.

Quote from: RowBro on August 06, 2024, 12:57:33 PMTrue, but the number of EV charging stations required in metropolitan areas will be significantly less than petrol stations due to the ability for at home charging.

I think that EV's will be the preferred choice once the charging infrastructure catches up.

We have been EV drivers for nearly five years and have used a public charger within Brisbane only twice in that time. Fast chargers on long distance highways are much more important.

Quote from: OzGamer on August 06, 2024, 16:48:43 PM

Quote from: RowBro on August 06, 2024, 12:57:33 PMTrue, but the number of EV charging stations required in metropolitan areas will be significantly less than petrol stations due to the ability for at home charging.

I think that EV's will be the preferred choice once the charging infrastructure catches up.

We have been EV drivers for nearly five years and have used a public charger within Brisbane only twice in that time. Fast chargers on long distance highways are much more important.

Exactly. There still needs to be some in metropolitan areas for visitors from elsewhere, but the demand is nowhere near as high as it currently is for petrol stations. I foresee that 9 in 10 metropolitan service stations will shutter within the next decade or two (unless hydrogen personal vehicles gain in popularity).

$36 million proposed for 12 government owned petrol stations has had no research or analysis, according to a statement by the Opposition.

Hard to imagine the impact of this in a competitive market.
Would the govt then purchase fuel for their own ICE motor vehicles, from these outlets?

Would they sell milk, groceries, coffee?

It appears to have the same level of thought as the made-up cost for the Gabba redevelopment.

Perhaps start a government owned grocery chain?

Finally, look what a predominately state run electricity network has enabled?

Petrol rebates anyone?

At least one chain of petrol retailers I know of unofficially bases their business on the 3 C's - coffee, cigarettes and chocolate.  Petrol is a pretty low margin business that acts more like a hook than the core business.

Quote from: Fares_Fair on August 06, 2024, 17:16:31 PM$36 million proposed for 12 government owned petrol stations has had no research or analysis, according to a statement by the Opposition.

Hard to imagine the impact of this in a competitive market.
Would the govt then purchase fuel for their own ICE motor vehicles, from these outlets?

Would they sell milk, groceries, coffee?

It appears to have the same level of thought as the made-up cost for the Gabba redevelopment.

Perhaps start a government owned grocery chain?

Finally, look what a predominately state run electricity network has enabled?

Petrol rebates anyone?

Statements from the opposition about no research or analysis are laughable. They've barely released a grain of policy detail let alone any supporting evidence. They actively decry expert advice and analysis in favour of populist slogans.

The idea the petrol market is competitive is almost as laughable too. Where's the evidence of free market competition delivering better prices and services for the customer? Prices jump up 45c in a blink and almost market wide and yet crawl downwards again. Is there any real product or service differentiation in the market?

Miles already stated today that they'd contract out the convenience store side. It's not hard to foresee a contracted operation where fuel is sold at a regulated price and then the operator is free to sell other goods and services at market rate...

An existing example would be Council owned local pools where admission fees are set by Council (and recently heavily discounted by BCC in Summer) but are operated under contract by private companies that sell other goods and services...even coffee, snacks, swimwear, leasons...All without the need for a Council owned cafe, sportswear or learn to swim chain.

And the publicly owned electricity network has delivered huge rebates for households, so greatly reduced costs. Sure they could charge less to start and doing it as a rebate is partly a political stunt but they also operate in a National Energy Market so that likely complicates things. How are things going in states with privatised electricity networks?

Quote from: Fares_Fare$36 million proposed for 12 government owned petrol stations has had no research or analysis, according to a statement by the Opposition.

Agreed Fares_Fare.

It seems Red Team are just copying Green Team's formula of "Free / Government Owned [insert good/service here]" as their policy.

Government Statement

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/101029

7th August 2024

State of the State Address 2024

.... Today, I want to start with transport.

It's timely because we started 50 cent fares yesterday - did I mention that's something I've wanted to do since I was a teenager?

Today I want to tell you more about my plan for an affordable, efficient, accessible, sustainable and connected transport system for Queensland.

Transport

Great transport has the power to create communities, and opportunity, and productivity, and connection.

It drives economic growth and better environmental outcomes.

It is a powerful lever in creating the kind of Queensland I want us to be.

And 50 cent fares are just the start.

Yesterday, Queenslanders saved a about $1 million on the first day of 50 cent fares.

That's $1 million back in Queenslanders pockets today.

641,900 people used public transport yesterday across South East Queensland alone.

And patronage was up to 94 per cent on pre-COVID levels.

Sure, it's getting more people to use public transport.

Sure, it's freeing up our congested roads and sure, it's good for the environment and for people.

But what I'm really doing in this six-month trial is seeing...

... if every Queenslander who wanted to catch public transport could...

...where would the pinch points be? Where would we need extra services and more park 'n' rides? How can we make this network better?

Benefits of public transport

Everything we can do to make public transport a great option is a great investment.

We're investing billions of dollars to build, modernise and update our networks to deliver affordable, accessible, efficient and sustainable transport for all Queenslanders.

Why wouldn't we do everything we can to get people using it?

This investment supports our growing population now.

And it's an investment in the future Queensland which is being shaped by the mega projects which will be the legacy of the Brisbane 2023 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

We want to see Queenslanders spending less time in transit, and more time at their destination.

Because a better public transport system creates real productivity gains.

Productivity

When people spend less time commuting, they can be more productive as individuals, because they have more time for work, leisure activities, and rest.

The studies back this up.

Some studies show a GDP return of 1 to 5 for every dollar invested in public transport – a US study showed for every $1 billion invested there was a $5 billion return in GDP.

Investment

This government's $37 billion transport big build is the biggest road and transport investment in Queensland history.

And it includes $14 billion of investment in our rail network.

$14 billion – to create the connected rail network of the future.

From the Gold Coast, up through Logan, under the Brisbane River and the CBD and then up to the Sunshine Coast – that's almost 57 kilometres of new track connecting the spine of the South East corner.

Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3, Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail, and Cross River Rail.

As well as the Sunshine Coast Direct Rail to Caloundra and future stages are planned to get us all the way to Maroochydore.

All backed by the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program building 65 new six-car passenger trains in Maryborough.

The size and scale of the investment is incredible – and it's not by accident.

Our investments are bringing the Queensland rail network into the 21st century and improving efficiency.

Faster, easier, more comfortable journeys supported by high-capacity stations to move customers quickly.

Evolution of a disjointed system

Queensland's public transport system isn't what it could or should be.

It's a function of the way the system has evolved – with different levels of government controlling different parts of the network and different modes of transport.

Anyone who has been to Brisbane knows, your train arrives at the station and there's no bus to take you on the next leg of your journey, or vice versa.

We've made progress, don't get me wrong, it's better today than it used to be.

Over the last few months, the Brisbane Lord Mayor and I have been working hard together to get our capital city transport humming.

And I want to thank him for working with me to get it done.

As a result the Queensland Government is investing an extra $75 million to add 160,000 extra trips to the Brisbane bus network every year, and to get the Brisbane Metro up and running.

But proper integration is the remaining missing piece.

I'm determined to bring it together.

Independent Transport Authority

That's why if elected in October I will create an Independent Transport Authority for the South East.

The new Transport Authority will work in conjunction with our local government partners and Queensland Rail, to outline a longer term jointly agreed vision for the growth and evolution of our transport network.

And to set out the future of public transport planning and investment, including key routes, in the South East Queensland region all the way out to the 2032.

Translink will be a one stop shop for trains and buses and making sure they all work together.

Moving out from under the Department of Transport and Main Roads, Translink will have its own board and CEO and be empowered to ensure scheduling, services and planning across our transport system are synchronised.

And if elected we will set up a new all traffic management centre at Kedron.

In a truly multi-modal operations centre, road, rail, bus, light rail and ferry operations will be overseen together as part of one traffic management centre.

Sitting side-by-side at the new Kedron centre, state and local government staff will be able to work together to create a safer, more efficient, more effective and accessible network.

For our hardworking transport workers, this won't change their pay, conditions, or employment relationship.

What it will mean, is a better, more responsive service for commuters across our state.

Together these measures will create the integration that has been lacking from our public transport system in the South East.

Ultimately the winners are the passengers.

Passengers who will no longer have the state and council running duplicate services on one route and no services on another.

Passengers who will be able to get off their train and jump on the bus that takes them on the next leg of their journey in a seamless system.

Outside the South East, public transport will get a boost too.

We will review the public transport network in Mount Isa, Maryborough, Hervey Bay, Gladstone, and Rockhampton and Yeppoon in the next term of government to improve services, routes and service frequencies. ...

Quote from: Cleveland Line on August 06, 2024, 19:26:27 PM

Quote from: Fares_Fair on August 06, 2024, 17:16:31 PM$36 million proposed for 12 government owned petrol stations has had no research or analysis, according to a statement by the Opposition.

Hard to imagine the impact of this in a competitive market.
Would the govt then purchase fuel for their own ICE motor vehicles, from these outlets?

Would they sell milk, groceries, coffee?

It appears to have the same level of thought as the made-up cost for the Gabba redevelopment.

Perhaps start a government owned grocery chain?

Finally, look what a predominately state run electricity network has enabled?

Petrol rebates anyone?

Statements from the opposition about no research or analysis are laughable. They've barely released a grain of policy detail let alone any supporting evidence. They actively decry expert advice and analysis in favour of populist slogans.

The idea the petrol market is competitive is almost as laughable too. Where's the evidence of free market competition delivering better prices and services for the customer? Prices jump up 45c in a blink and almost market wide and yet crawl downwards again. Is there any real product or service differentiation in the market?

Miles already stated today that they'd contract out the convenience store side. It's not hard to foresee a contracted operation where fuel is sold at a regulated price and then the operator is free to sell other goods and services at market rate...

An existing example would be Council owned local pools where admission fees are set by Council (and recently heavily discounted by BCC in Summer) but are operated under contract by private companies that sell other goods and services...even coffee, snacks, swimwear, leasons...All without the need for a Council owned cafe, sportswear or learn to swim chain.

And the publicly owned electricity network has delivered huge rebates for households, so greatly reduced costs. Sure they could charge less to start and doing it as a rebate is partly a political stunt but they also operate in a National Energy Market so that likely complicates things. How are things going in states with privatised electricity networks?

I'll let the independent economists do the talking...

The state-owned servos would be owned by Energy Queensland, and likely lean on surplus Department of Transport and Main Roads land for sites.
But economists and peak bodies have labelled the plan bizarre. Independent economist Saul Eslake said the market intervention was akin to the era between 1915 and 1929 when the Queensland government owned butcher shops The wartime cost-of-living measure provided jobs and cheap meat, but was ultimately a significant loss- making economic failure "You would have to ask, is that really something that in the 2020s we legitimately expect governments to be doing,' Mr Eslake said "I just think it's a crude, populist low-rent gimmick that should be seen as such."

I think the world is kind of in a weird place at the moment.
Definitely growing up in the '90s. It seems economic times were good, you could comfortably meet your living expenses on an average wage.

But now it feels like things have become a bit broken... companies realised they could make easy extra cash by just turning the dial up on prices without actually doing anything.

And this has been particularly bad on essentials like energy and housing where you can't just choose not to use it.

So i dunno, is it a case of back to the future to get some balance back and artificially lower prices?

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1821209940901679343

Couriermail --> CFMEU Qld: 10,400 working days lost as state leads nation in strikes $

QuoteA staggering 10,400 working days were lost to industrial action in the June quarter, as Queensland extended its lead as the nation's strike capital.

The eye-watering figure is 1000 days, or 10 per cent, higher than in the three months prior.

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures for the three months to June 30 reveal the significant time lost to industrial disputes in Queensland above the rest of the nation.

The state's 10,400 days lost was significantly higher than the next worst, Western Australia, which lost 4500 working days to industrial action.

Remuneration and employment conditions were the key enterprise bargaining-related causes of working days lost, alongside health and safety concerns.

New South Wales and Victoria both lost 2400 days in the June quarter.  ...