2018 Commonwealth Games

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/985546224500523008

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/985559486122278912

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/985627559214723072

[ozbob]

Media release 16th April 2018

SEQ: GC2018 some transport observations

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has said the public transport for the Commonwealth Games has been a success for the Gold Coast.

Robert Dow, Spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track said:

"For the first time for many years in SEQ we have seen frequent line transport, properly supported by frequent shuttle (feeder) buses in support of high frequency rail between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, both light and heavy rail, for a sustained period (that is more than one single day event). Over two and a half million estimated passenger trips to and from Games.  This confirms what we have been advocating now for years.  People will use public transport if it is frequent, connected and accessible."

"Well done to all public transport operators, crew, bus drivers, support and administration staff.  You have all contributed to a positive result.  There was transport concern leading into the Commonwealth Games, publicly expressed by GOLDOC Chairman Peter Beattie no less.  We had said that with respect to the local Games public transport and the Gold Coast line itself that it would be generally fine. Only real problems were some initial teething issues with the shuttle bus delays particularly after major events, and some PWD access issues.  These were sorted as the Games proceeded.

"Our major concerns were always related to the wider public transport for SEQ with reduced service and very poor connections, both rail/rail and bus/rail. There were problems on the wider network, this can not be disguised.  The momentum gained for public transport for the Games should be now used to improve the rest of the SEQ network.  The SEQ public transport network apart from the Gold Coast, was reduced to  a  ' bare bones ' network, all the good bits gone to support the Games. This was more severe in terms of service reductions than would normally be the case due to the ongoing issues with ' rail fail '.

"Let's be frank.  While the Gold Coast Line had trains running every 7 minutes at times, the Sunshine Coast Line had trains running every two hours, with waits for bus connections up to 100 minutes! This made some journeys marathons in themselves. The rest of the wider SEQ rail network had similar issues. This sort of failure must be addressed from here.  Frequency and proper connections work, admirably demonstrated so well during the 2018 Commonwealth Games."

Contacts:

Steven Jamieson
Gold Coast Region Spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/kurtfearnley/status/985472437625077761

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> The key to get Gold Coasters out of their cars and on to public transport

PUBLIC transport has been a revelation at the Commonwealth Games, with more than two million trips taken on buses and rail during the two week event.

Many are calling the light rail system the most significant legacy to be left after the Games, but will Gold Coasters continue to buy into public transport when the dust settles and the athletes go home?

The expert consensus is that, yes, the community will get on board public transport, although there is a caveat: it needs to be quick, reliable and meet the needs of our commuters.

Figures show the stark increase in usage throughout the Games with 100,000 trips made by light rail every day.

Prior to the Games, there was a measly 27,500 trips a day.

There has also been about 200,000 passenger trips per day on local bus services.

RACQ spokesman Paul Turner said there appeared to be a cultural shift taking place.

"The light rail has been an unqualified success and really now what we're talking about is how quickly can we roll it out for the rest of the Gold Coast," Mr Turner said.

"The Gold Coast has the capability over the next few years to exponentially provide a public transport system."

He said for residents to buy into public transport, they need to have a reliable and constant service.

"Often people are blamed for not using public transport, but we find people will use public transport if it meets their needs, and unfortunately over the decades we've provided public transport that suits the needs of the authority ... not necessarily the commuter," he said.

"A lot of conversations around public transport these days is about what we call 'the last mile' ... people won't catch the train or the bus if they face a kilometre and a half walk to get from the bus or train stop to their home, it's the reason a lot of people drive.

"Whenever we do research into why people drive, congestion and public transport, it really comes back to convenience ... if you get the convenience factor right and meet the needs of the commuter, the whole city will turn to public transport.

"It's not that people don't want to use it, it's just that it doesn't meet their needs."

Associate Professor of Urban Planning at Bond University Daniel O'Hare said the public transport uptake during the Games caused significant easing of traffic congestion, but said people won't use it if it does not work for them.

"We've seen what happens when more people use public transport, there is a whole lot less traffic congestion on our roads," he said.

"Anywhere, where people have to change modes (of public transport) you lose people, because it is not as clear to them where they are meant to go and they know they lose time when they get off one and have to wait for another.

"As long as that's the case (time on public transport compared to driving) you're not going to be competitive, you've got to make it work well."

He said the way forward would be to link the major destinations and head inland in the next five years.

"I'm a big advocate for getting the loop going sooner rather than later, I tend to call it the 'knowledge loop' ... I really think it is a priority to loop back in land, south of Broadbeach, via Bond and back to Robina," he said.

"You'd then have two of the three universities on that link, as well as the two biggest hospitals ... you would have an enormous concentration of people who work or go to university off that line, as well as the major centres of the city.

"I am aware that this isn't the next stage, but I do think it needs to be moved up in priority, to have the Gold Coast to work more like a city that offers the convenience of linking some of our major destinations together.

"I would expect sometime in the next six to 12 months an announcement made on the next stage, which is likely to continue down the Coast to Burleigh, but then the next stage should be east to west ... that should be getting underway within five years."

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said the community has embraced and will continue to use public transport after the Games.

"One of the greatest legacies of the Games for the Gold Coast will be the Light Rail Stage 2 from Helensvale to the Gold Coast University Hospital seamlessly connecting light rail and heavy rail for the first time," Mr Bailey said.

"Throughout the Games people have embraced public transport in huge numbers as their preferred way to get around the Gold Coast.

"There is no doubt that this popularity will equate to greater confidence and an increase in public transport usage into the future."

GOLDOC Chairman Peter Beattie said he believed the public transport system established for the Games would be its biggest legacy.

"I think one of the big transformative things out of this Games is people using light rail and using public transport," Mr Beattie said.

"It's a mentality, I think the culture will change, if you said to me, what's the biggest legacy out of the Games, I think the biggest legacy is the improved public transport system.

"I think people who have used it will use it again."

[Stillwater]

Important observation from Paul Turner, RACQ: "Often people are blamed for not using public transport, but we find people will use public transport if it meets their needs, and unfortunately over the decades we've provided public transport that suits the needs of the authority ... not necessarily the commuter," he said.

[red dragin]

As I've said before, when a car focused organisation is promoting public transport, that's a significant sign of what needs to be done.

[Gazman]

Important observation from Paul Turner, RACQ: "Often people are blamed for not using public transport, but we find people will use public transport if it meets their needs, and unfortunately over the decades we've provided public transport that suits the needs of the authority ... not necessarily the commuter," he said.

Great observation, and agree with you red dragin... very telling that it comes from the RACQ

[Cazza]

I forgot to get around to posting this. Probably a bit late but oh well...

So I went to the rugby 7s on Friday night. Here are a *few* observations:
-Caught the 10:44am train (departing Central) to Helensvale
-Changed straight onto a tram (only a 3 min wait )
-The tram left Helensvale at about 60-70% capacity (most seats taken plus a fair few standees)
-Once we got to Southport, the tram was full (leaving many behind). Also, Kurt Fearnley boarded the tram here too! Just rolled straight on thanks to the level platforms.
-Travelling through to Cavill Ave, there were a few people being picked up and dropped off at the intermediate stops with at least half the tram emptying in Surfers.
-I got off there, did some stuff then caught a tram around 1:45 towards Broadbeach South. I think I must have missed one by a few minutes as the next one was 7 mins away. By the time it arrived, the platform was packed with people having to stand on the ramps up onto the platform. Only about half the people waiting could get on.
-Tram ran full to Broadbeach North (few people on and off between) and a fair load got on and off here (about 70-80% capacity on arrival into Broadbeach South)
-Headed south 2 stops on the 700 (leaving B. South with most seats taken). Driver left about 20 people behind at B.S (I assume he was already running late with another bus behind him)
-Quickly destroyed my mates at putt putt
-Had to wait about 10 mins for a 700 back to B.S (2 went past full then 3 arrived all within about 1 min of each other). A 777 also passed us. Looking back at the stopping pattern now, it should have stopped for us. Not happy Jan!
-When we hopped off at B.S, we saw the queue for the Robina Shuttle very long and in the sun. I then looked up and saw a 750 pulling into the station so we jumped out of the queue and raced onto that.
-Left B.S with all seats taken and about 20 standees. 750 took a while to get there but I much prefer sitting in air con than standing in the sun!
-Stadium emptied very quickly. Many people headed for the station. As I passed the shuttle bus queues, they were moving very well with plenty of buses arriving so that was pleasing.
-A surprising large amount of people got the train to Varsity Lakes. Good connections with 760/5 make the difference.
-A train left just as we were walking down the stairs. Next one 6 mins- no drama. Train boarded quickly, only a few standees in my car (last), from a quick passenger observation, other cars would be similar levels.
-I was surprised at the lack of people travelling to Brisbane. Coming into Beenleigh, most seats in our carriage were empty.
-Easy change at Roma St onto a 61 (loving the personal taxi every 15 mins at 11pm, hey Mt Ommaney )

Overall, heavy rail excellent, light rail excellent, improved TUAG Surfside network was a great move (shame it was temporary). Big thumbs up from me  

[BrizCommuter]

GC2018 - transport review, and looking to the future.
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2018/04/gc2018-review-and-to-future.html

[ozbob]

GC2018 - transport review, and looking to the future.
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2018/04/gc2018-review-and-to-future.html

Sent to all outlets and

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/985739883405717504

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/GCBulletin/status/986152152753061888

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/GetSet2018/status/986393919658364928

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/987732466252136448

[#Metro]

^ Don't need a sports carnival to build infra. Claim about light rail extension not happening without games is bogus. Purpose of a sports carnival is to showcase sports, not build tram tracks. Do we need an event to open Cross River Rail too?

[achiruel]

Agreed #Metro. If we spent more of the $ that was effectively wasted on Comm Games on infrastructure, maybe we'd be halfway to funding Stage 3 by now! 

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Rose McArthur interview: The brains behind Gold Coast's Commonwealth Games ghost town

THE transport planning expert for the Commonwealth Games says organisers should advise Gold Coast businesses on how best to make a profit from the next major event.

Several Coast businesses reported their worst Easter in five years and blamed "traffic chaos" alerts for trade being down by more than 30 per cent in the first week of the Games.

Traders have told the Gold Coast Bulletin their brief from organisers was to expect more foot traffic from venues in areas like the Southport CBD.

But in her first major interview since the event finished and in response to critics, Get Set for the Games Travel Demand Management technical director Rose McArthur:

* Strongly rejects that organisers got the transport plan wrong and turned the Glitter Strip into a ghost town.

* Is proud of the city's residents for using trams, buses and trains along with car sharing on different routes to the M1.

* Reveals the city carried more people during the 11 days of competition than ever before in its history.

* Denies the aim was all about transporting athletes and officials and not worrying about businesses.

When asked what she would have changed about the program, Ms McArthur suggests Get Set for the Games could be expanded to a trade program which helped businesses.

"What I would do is I would ask for the program Get Set For The Games or equivalent to be supported by a trade investment one as well to show people on the Coast how to make business from a major event," she said.

"Because that wasn't in my remit, it wasn't something I was responsible for. But I think it's something businesses probably could have actually benefited from.

"Learning about the commercial acumen that is needed for a Games — when to open your shop, when will the foot fall be outside if you're a coffee shop outside the swimming ... close on an Easter, open on the Games.

"You know there is a whole lot of commercial parts of this I think that the Coast would have benefited from."

Acting Mayor Donna Gates told the Bulletin: "Council would consider ideas such as a trade opportunity program, to assist businesses take advantage of major event visitors and patrons.

"We are acutely aware that small business remains our economic engine room.''

Southport Chamber of Commerce president Laird Marshall said businesses were not given specific information rather "there will be a lot of people in Nerang Street Mall".

"That was the reason I thought Chinatown would be a hive of activity. I went there a couple of times and it was dead," he said.

Transport and Main Roads estimates seven million trips were taken across the course of the event, with 5.5 million on the public transport network.

The G:link was a star performer with the trams carrying more than 1.1 million passengers. Rail estimated passenger trips to be more than 600,000 and Surfside buses conducted 2.3 million passenger journeys.

Asked how did organisers get the traffic predictions so wrong given warnings about a congested Pacific Motorway, Ms McArthur said the program of community engagement in the lead-up had worked.

The Get Set for the Games website had publicised maps with potential traffic hot spots but the congestion never eventuated.

"How did we get the transport situation so right," Ms McArthur replied.

"We carried more people in our history over those eleven days of competition. They used different routes, different times, different modes, they walked and cycled in their droves.

"The transport system functioned incredibly well, the traffic was dispersed really efficiently over every available network."

Ms McArthur said the overwhelming response from businesses since the Games finished was the traffic plan had worked.

She rejected suggestions that organisers knew there would be a mass exodus of the city or that it had occurred.

"We never gave commercial advice. We never ever, ever said you will have more trade, you will have more people," Ms McArthur said.

"What we said was this road is going to be closed and you might need to look at the diversion routes, this road is going to be busy, you might need to look at travelling earlier or later on a different road."

Q&A WITH GET SET FOR THE GAMES BOSS ROSE MCARTHUR

Gold Coast Bulletin: Glasgow, there was less time to prepare than the Gold Coast.

Rose McArthur: From a travel demand management perspective we had less time to mobilise and really support the business community to understand what the changes would be. We had a longer running period here which was super helpful. And that was the feedback, that people said it was so fantastic to be informed.

B: Traffic wise, what were the specific challenges that the Gold Coast posed in the lead-up to the Games compared to other cities like Glasgow.

RM: It is 91 per cent car mode share and a linear city with low levels of existing public transport use.

B: Was the situation changeable in terms of modelling and predictions – in other words, what did you know a long time out compared to just before the Games? Councillors were briefed just on the edge of the event that accommodation was down to 70 per cent, obviously much lower than expected.

RM: We knew what the Games transport overlay was, and therefore the information our community needed to know. As soon as we received new information, we shared it.

B: So looking at the interactive maps, what you predicted would happen and what actually happened – what was the difference?

RM: What we present was if nobody does anything differently this is the impact we are going to feel on the Coast. But if everyone just does their little something different ... we can keep the Gold Coast moving. That is exactly what happened. Could not be prouder. Could not be any more positive about how people of the Gold Coast took on board the message and what they did differently.

B: Was the aim always first the athletes and then spectators got to the venues, when you put together the transport plan?

RM: No, absolutely not. My focus has always been the business community and background demand – people who live, work and play on the Gold Coast. That's the whole purpose of our program. But we have to plan for spectator and athlete movements. Do you see what I mean? Do you see what that equation is?

B: Yes.

RM: So if the point you're trying to get to is – does traffic equal business? No. Traffic equals too many people trying to use a finite piece of road space all at the same time. We didn't have traffic. What we had was more people moving across the Coast but using different modes, different times and different routes.

B: So, is it unfair then and there were businesses – some businesses did well, some businesses didn't do well – is it unfair for a business which didn't do well to blame that lack of business on the traffic plan?

RM: There is no correlation between traffic jams on the M1 and levels of busyness in a shop in Surfers Paradise.

B: Because it's strange, from a non-expert outside perspective it looked like the Coast was very quiet. What you're saying is the same amount of traffic if not more was spread and people were using public transport.

RM: Yes. The Star got its freight deliveries overnight. A lot of businesses went for overnight deliveries to get their goods in – Coles, Woolworths, The Star. The movements were happening.

B: Did you get any get information suggesting there was a mass exodus from the city before the Games?

RM: Nothing at all ... it was not the experience nor was it what we ever promoted.

B: I think the only information that came forward was a Griffith Business study where they said it was very hard to predict what would happen with businesses and residents on what they do during that period, and there could be some that could have left.

RM: I agree completely. We're not a commercial entity. We never gave commercial advice. We never ever said you will have more trade, you will have more people. What we said was this road is going to be closed and you might need to look at the diversion routes. This road is going to be busy, you might need to look at travelling earlier or later on a different road. We actually sent out the Griffith University report to every single person who attended a workshop to say read this, it's excellent, it's got a really strong view of what hosting a major event looks like.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> 85 per cent of readers in online poll agree Games transport organisers got it wrong

MORE THAN eighty-five per cent of readers who took part in an online poll agree that Games transport organisers got it wrong.

Locals have hit out at Rose McArthur's earlier comments about the success of the Get Set For The Games transport plan, describing it as a "massive failure."

In the report, Ms McArthur rejected the idea that they had gotten the transport plan wrong and turned the city into a 'ghost town.'

But in an online poll conducted by the Bulletin today, readers strongly agreed that Games transport organisers had failed when it came to transport.

Of 396 votes, 41 per cent said they had left the city because of all the warnings, while nearly 45 per cent said they stayed during the Games, but businesses had missed out because there were so few people.

Just five per cent said transport hadn't been that bad, while about eight per cent said transport had been great.

Reader Peter wrote: "Initially I was excited by the games on the GC. But now looking back at the money spent and disruption it caused. I wished we never had it."

Cathy said: "Who ever created the Get Set for the Games is the creator of the mess that happened. It was wonderful from a locals perspective in that we had no problems getting a park at the beach and enjoying it with very few others.

"It was wonderful to be able to park at the major shopping centre in Coolangatta with hundreds to chose from in the middle of the school holidays. What was wonderful for me certainly wasn't wonderful for the majority of businesses on the Coast."

Marble simply said: "Massive planning failure, no doubt about it."

On social media, Paul Ziems broke his thoughts down into a number of points which many agreed with.

"Truth be that greed scared locals and tourists alike away from the Gold Coast this past Easter," he wrote.

"The traffic scare put the fear into everyone. Businesses closed up, locals left town like a disaster was about to hit."

While majority of locals were concerned by the lack of foot traffic and the 'ghost town' label, some relished in the peace and quiet.

John Thompson wrote: "Who cares I'm a local and I loved it. It was great had the beaches and roads to ourselves".

Rita Pearce agreed "Loved it, empty roads, reduced my travel time to work dramatically!"

[ozbob]

Defence media release

Defence Support to 2018 Commonwealth Games Concludes

27 April 2018

The Commander of the Australian Defence Force (ADF)'s support to the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games today thanked personnel for their efforts to ensure a safe and successful conclusion to the Games.

The ADF supported the Queensland Police Service and other state and federal agencies to search more than twenty-seven venues to ensure the public could experience a secure and enjoyable Games. 

Commander of the Joint Task Force, Major General Paul McLachlan, said he was immensely proud of the professionalism and dedication of ADF personnel who contributed to the security arrangement.

"Our highly trained personnel, including Army engineers,  Air Task Group, Navy clearance divers, and Army and Air Force Reserves,  trained and prepared to ensure athletes, spectators and the local community enjoyed a safe and secure Games," Major General McLachlan said.

"It has been a complex and complicated security operation characterised by genuine teamwork from a wide range of other government agencies."

"ADF personnel from all of the Joint Task Forces have done an excellent job, developed fantastic relationships and made important contributions to a highly successful whole-of-government security operation."

1,700 Navy, Army and Air Force personnel deployed to the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns as part of Operation ATLAS, the ADF codename for Defence's contribution; the largest whole-of-Australian-Government security operation in Australia since G20 in 2014.

Media Note:

Images of ADF support to the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth games is available on the Defence Image Library at https://images.defence.gov.au/S20180100 

A highlight video of ADF support is available on the Defence Image Library at http://video.defence.gov.au/play/5636#

[ozbob]

Parliament QT Summary

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/queensland-parliament-live-coverage-farmers-vent-anger-at-tree-clearing-laws/news-story/015b65aa31c7d16a8b5ba4a5aac7d96d

QR Games driver overtime defended

Transport Minister Mark Bailey has defended a $2 million overtime bill for Queensland Rail train drivers during the Commonwealth Games as "good management."
Following a question from the Opposition, Mr Bailey said the payments were justified because of the "extraordinary" hours that QR drivers were required to work over the two week event.There was 24 hour service on the Gold Coast line between Brisbane and the Gold Coast during the Games."We saw a record level of rail usage to the Gold Coast," Mr Bailey said."We were asking staff to do extraordinary things."The train drivers are an important part of that... reliability is key to big international events. We made sure we delivered a world class train service."

==================

Certainly wasn't  ' world class ' for the rest of the SEQ rail network hey what?

[ozbob]

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2018/2018_05_01_DAILY.pdf

Queensland Parliament Hansard

Ministerial Statements

Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Transport

Hon. MC BAILEY (Miller—ALP) (Minister for Transport and Main Roads) (10.01 am): <After
countless hours of hard work by dedicated transport workers, the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth
>Games Transport Plan delivered in spades. I am pleased to advise the House that more than 7 million
trips were made on the network during the games, with a massive 5.3 million trips being made on the
public transport network.

The Palaszczuk government delivered nearly $1 billion in transport infrastructure for the games
and for the Gold Coast which ensured the network ran smoothly and created a long-lasting legacy for
Gold Coast residents. For the first time, eight trains per hour ran to the Gold Coast. Why? Because the
Palaszczuk government duplicated the heavy rail line from Helensvale to Coomera to allow that to
occur, something ignored by the previous government. We funded the $119 million upgrade of the
Smith Street Motorway, Olsen Avenue and the connecting interchange and $160 million in road network
improvements at Southport-Burleigh Road, Ross Street, Olsen Avenue and Nerang-Broadbeach Road.
We also delivered the $74 million Exit 54 upgrade. Almost one million trips were taken to and from
games venues on the light rail, boosted for the games thanks to the $420 million stage 2 extension
project we delivered in a record 18 months, opening last December. The games would not have been
as successful as they were without the G:link light rail. The G:link light rail stage 2 would not have been
built without the Palaszczuk government.

Making transport during the games a success was so much more than building infrastructure, it
was about introducing games lanes for officials and athletes, it was about tripling heavy rail services
and running them 24 hours a day to and from the coast, it was about an engaging campaign
encouraging locals to consider using public transport for the first time ever—which many of them did. I
was very glad to go to the games with the Premier and the Minister for Sport and engage with the public
who were having a terrific time.

Opposition members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Members to my left, this is not an opportunity for a running commentary. I ask
you to keep your interjections to a minimum.

Mr BAILEY: Despite the negativity and the doomsaying of the opposition, the M1 flowed freely
throughout the games. It was proof of our campaign. The success of the games would not have been
possible without our incredible staff and volunteers. I particularly want to thank the 16,000 drivers,
control centre logisticians, engineers and customer service staff and volunteers. They went above and
beyond to make the games a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the 6,500 athletes and team officials,
1,000 officials, 3,000 media and, of course, the 1.5 million spectators. The games are now behind us
but their Gold Coast legacy lives on every day: the heavy rail, the light rail, the road upgrades. The Gold
Coast infrastructure this government built will continue to be used well into the future, including by many
who previously may not have used it.

In the week following the games I was very happy, along with the members for Macalister and
Gaven and federal minister Fletcher, to help turn the first sod for the M1 upgrade from Varsity Lakes to
Mudgeeraba with works at the M1 M3 merge also underway—two major M1 upgrades underway by
this government after not a single new dollar was spent on the M1 by the previous LNP government.
These are two huge upgrades kickstarted by the Palaszczuk government. It is good to see the federal
government following our lead with support for the M1 with its recent announcement of additional
funding. It is a good start but it needs to be more. The Palaszczuk government will always stand up to
Canberra to ensure Queensland gets its fair share.

Mr SPEAKER: Before calling the minister, can I remind all members that ministerial statements
are a time to provide public information. However, it is important that we can hear what the ministers
are saying. On the flipside, I would appreciate it if members could refrain from using the opportunity to
attack those opposite.

[ozbob]

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2018/2018_05_01_DAILY.pdf

Queensland Parliament Hansard

Questions Without Notice

Queensland Rail

Mr MANDER: My question without notice is to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads. QR's
train crew pocketed nearly $2 million in bonuses and turn-up-to-work payments just to do their jobs
during the Commonwealth Games. My question to the minister is: why do the minister's union mates
keep getting grubby deals from departments under his control?

Mrs D'ATH: Mr Speaker, I rise to a point of order. There are clear imputations in that question in
the terms that have been used by the opposition. They should know now how to word questions. We
ask that that question be ruled out of order.

Mr SPEAKER: Leader of the House, thank you for your point of order. What I noted immediately
was that there was some unparliamentary language in that question. I ask the member to withdraw. I
will give the member an opportunity to restate the question without said unparliamentary language and
I will give the minister latitude to answer the question in any way he sees fit.

Mr MANDER: I withdraw. I will restate the question. QR's train crew pocketed nearly $2 million
in bonuses and turn-up-to-work payments just to do their jobs during the Commonwealth Games. My
question is: why do the minister's union mates keep getting preferential treatment from departments
under his control?

Ms Grace interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! Member for McConnel, you are warned under standing orders.

Mr BAILEY: I thank the honourable member for his question. We remember the two or three
months of doomsaying by the opposition before the Commonwealth Games when they said that we
were going to be an international failure and that the trains would not run. They did everything they
could to undermine people using the public transport system. What happened? The trains ran at a
record level—eight trains per hour during the high-demand periods. They ran 24 hours a day, seven
days a week for the entire Commonwealth Games. I did not see the member for Everton on the system
or checking out what was going on.

We were making sure that there was a very high level of service delivery. We were asking people
to work 24-hour-a-day timetables. We were asking staff to do extraordinary things to move a significant
section of 5.3 million trips—600,000 trips on heavy rail. We ran eight trains per hour for the very first
time. We had to make sure that that was fully staffed at every stage. Despite the negativity of the
opposition for months beforehand, the trains were an outstanding success for the Commonwealth
Games—absolutely outstanding.

Mr Minnikin interjected.

Mr BAILEY: I rode the trains just about every day including the light rail and the buses. The level
of satisfaction from people using them was very, very high. We saw 600,000 train movements
throughout the Commonwealth Games on the heavy rail network. We saw a record level of train usage
to the Gold Coast throughout the Commonwealth Games because we did the preparation. The
opposition criticised our preparation when we did a lot of maintenance work leading up to the games
on the weekends to ensure reliability. Where was the reliability? It was there right throughout the games.
The train system did not miss a beat. The train drivers are an important part of that. They were working
24 hours a day. They were starting work at all kinds of hours. They had commitments to make sure
they worked every shift.

Reliability was key to hosting the biggest international event in Australia in the last decade. It was
the biggest sporting event in Queensland history. We made sure that we delivered a world-class train
service and that is exactly what we did.

Mr Minnikin interjected.

Mr BAILEY: We heard the doomsaying for two or three months before the games by the
opposition. Did their predictions work out? No, they did not. People stuck with the train system right
throughout. I talked to people every day. They kept coming back time and time again. Our staff were
getting to know the spectators because they were seeing them four or five times as they went back and
back because we ran a reliable system. It is called good management, after the LNP did not start
training a single train driver in the last year that they were in power.
(Time expired)

Mr SPEAKER: Before calling the next questioner, member for Chatsworth, I grow tired of your
consistent and repeated interjections. They are designed to disrupt the member on their feet. You are
warned under the standing orders

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/InclusionMoves/status/999910280279736321

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Gold Coast Commonwealth Games is over, but the gravy train rolls on

The Commonwealth Games might be over, but the minister, the statutory body GOLDOC and the board will remain in place until the end of the year.

GOLDOC chief executive Mark Peters will continue to draw his $714,000 annual salary until August 31, his contract end date.

If he remains in the role until then, he will be entitled to an additional $54,000 retention bonus.

In response to questions about the specific responsibilities and tasks still to be undertaken by the chairman, CEO and 100-strong staff to wind up GOLDOC, a government source would only say they were "working on new legacy outcomes on a range of new initiatives to ensure the government gets bang for buck out of [its] investment in the Games."

Fairfax Media understands GOLDOC chairman Peter Beattie, who is also chairman of the Australia Rugby League Commission, will continue to take GOLDOC Board meetings until the entity is wound up on December 31, 2018.

The next meeting of the board is scheduled for August 28.

A request for a copy of the most recent board minutes was declined by the Office of the Commonwealth Games on the basis they were "confidential and not publicly available".

It is also unclear when the Minister for the Commonwealth Games Kate Jones will be divested of her Commonwealth Games title and portfolio responsibilities.

A spokesman for Ms Jones said: "Any change in the minister's title is subject to an Administrative Arrangements Order that is yet to be determined."

He added that the Office of the Commonwealth Games, a separate bureaucracy located in the Department of Innovation, Tourism Industry Development and the Commonwealth Games, is also "currently planned to dissolve" on 31 December 2018.

Questions to clarify when the Premier plans to remove the Commonwealth Games ministerial title, and other remuneration information, were put to her office.

A spokesman for the Premier was apologetic and said he was unable to provide answers by Fairfax's publication deadline.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1033388820496973824

Couriermail --> Bid to stop Commonwealth Games bonus payments

THE State Government has called in lawyers to see if it can strip Gold Coast Commonwealth Games boss Mark Peters of a hefty bonus because of the event's disastrous closing ceremony.

Five top Games executives including Mr Peters stand to pocket bonuses totalling more than $650,000 just for staying in the job.

But in a dramatic move before Mr Peters finishes in the job this week, The Sunday Mail has learned that Games Minister Kate Jones has sought legal advice to determine if he should receive his full payout because of the shambolic closing ceremony where athletes were embarrassingly left out.

The intervention follows bitter tensions between the Palaszczuk Government and Games organising committee headed by former premier Peter Beattie, who has publicly defended the bonuses for Mr Peters and other executives.

The friction saw Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk sensationally snubbed for a speaking role at the opening ceremony and Mr Beattie blamed for an M1 congestion scare campaign which left the Gold Coast a virtual ghost town during the early part of the Games in April.

So-called "retention payments'' for Mr Peters and senior colleagues were introduced in 2013-14 by the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Corporation board, and rubber-stamped by the-then Newman Government, in a move aimed at stopping key executives from leaving before the Games.

They are calculated on 10 per cent of each executive's annual salary for every year of service.

Mr Peters, who was appointed Games boss by the Bligh Government in 2012, has earned more than $3 million in the role up and is set to collect more than $300,000 in retention payments when he finishes his contract this week.

But Ms Jones has now moved to try to dock his final payout.

She and the Government were furious after athletes were left out of the ceremony broadcast, sparking a massive public backlash and international ridicule. The ceremony was also criticised for self-indulgent speeches and lacklustre entertainment.

Ms Palaszczuk said those responsible should "hang their heads in shame" and Mr Beattie was forced to issue a public apology.

Games commentator Johanna Griggs, of host broadcaster Channel 7, also tore strips off organisers for the embarrassing athlete snub.

Ms Jones is understood to have sought legal advice from a top Brisbane employment law barrister about whether Mr Peters had hit key performance indicators required to receive his full retention payment.

Sources said the Minister had also asked for an opinion as to whether she had any power to veto the huge payout.

However, it is understood she may be hamstrung by Mr Peters' contract.

When News Corp revealed details of the bonuses in April after the Games, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate slammed the deal as "staggering" and said it would not pass the "pub test".

"In fact, you could get the whole pub drunk on just one of the bonus payouts," he said at the time.

Mr Beattie has defended the executive payouts, saying they are not bonuses but "handcuffs" to ensure Games bosses stayed in the job to delivered Queensland's biggest-ever event.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Gold Coast Commonwealth Games fall short of revenue target

COMMONWEALTH Games organising body GOLDOC delivered the event "on time, on Budget" but failed to meet its own benchmarks, according to its 2017-18 Annual Report.

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation document was one of 75 annual reports 'dumped' by the State Government on Friday.

While it trumpets the Games' success, it reveals GOLDOC fell short of its own service standard benchmarks for commercial revenue and target market engagement.

Despite a target of 65 per cent, GOLDOC says the level of target market engagement in the Games was 57 per cent.

The Games also fell short of its total commercial revenue target by 4 per cent, recording commercial revenue of $225,467,000 for the 'whole of Games' period from January 1, 2012 to June 30, 2018.

GOLDOC reported a net surplus of $37.314 million for its whole of Games performance (01/01/12 to 30/06/18).

"Subject to finalisation of outstanding contracts during 2018-19, GOLDOC expects to return in excess of $35 million to the Queensland Government. This is in addition to GOLDOC not requiring utilisation of the state held contingency fund of approximately $100 million," the report says.

GOLDOC's 'whole of Games' total revenue was $1,082,506,000, the majority of which ($841,283,000) came from grants and other contributions, with $225,467,000 in commercial revenue.

Employee expenses for the period were $214,841,000, with $781,606,000 spent on supplies and services.

The report says more than 1.2 million tickets were sold and issued — 98 per cent of the available number — to the Games' 274 ticketed sessions, 215 of which sold out.

More than 1 million of those tickets were sold in NSW or Queensland.

GOLDOC's staff headcount peaked at around 1800 employees, about 500 of them in short term, operational roles in the final three months leading into GC2018.

When the Games wrapped, 900 staff were culled on April 15, with more staff leaving each week since then.

By June 30, 44 staff remained on the books. From October 2018, GOLDOC's operation will be managed by one staffer, with the Office of the Commonwealth Games overseeing GOLDOC's dissolution on December 31.

The report estimates plant and equipment transferred to the State Government by GOLDOC was worth $3.4 million in foregone revenue. Once GOLDOC dissolves, any remaining assets or liabilities will be transferred to the State.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games worth $300m so far: report $

The economic legacy so far from the Gold Coast hosting the 2018 Commonwealth Games has been revealed in a new report.

A new report has revealed the sporting legacy of the Gold Coast's Commonwealth Games has already been worth an estimated $300 million to the region's economy.

The GC2018 Legacy: Beyond the Games report, compiled by leading consultants Ernst and Young, showed the value of permanent additions to infrastructure, such as indoor sports centres and upgraded outdoor facilities.

The report also analysed lessons learnt and potential considerations for Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics Games legacy planning. ...

https://x.com/ozbob13/status/1817939608237379650

[ozbob]

Government Statement

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games providing long lasting benefits to the Queensland community and economy

30th July 2024

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/100962

[ozbob]

Queenslanders more generous following GC2018 Games

https://www.dts.qld.gov.au/news/latest/2024/queenslanders-more-generous-following-gc2018-games