2018-19 Qld State Budget

[ozbob]

Not covered from my wish list is Manly 3rd platform, Cleveland duplication, Beenleigh station redesign/rebuild/3rd (maybe 4th) platform.

We need to start working on this as a campaign, as well as level crossing removals.

Honestly, Cross River Rail and duplicating the Sunshine Coast line comes before those infrastructure projects.  Cleveland duplication is pretty useless (except for bypassing broken down trains) at least until the Merivale Bridge is freed up of the Beenleigh and Gold Coast traffic.

When the Cleveland line duplication occurs, I'd probably look at expanding the Manly and Cleveland yards for additional stabling and reduce empty running.

With the Beenleigh line, I'd honestly look at quadding the line between Kuraby and Dutton Park/entry to CRR, and triplicating the track to Beenleigh (from Kuraby), to provide better separation between the GC and Beenleigh lines - this would also likely allow Beenleigh expresses to return with Kuraby all station starters - I'd run the Kuraby starters every 15mins) and run via the Merivale Bridge with the Beenleigh and GC trains running via CRR.

Of course CRR and SC need priority but Cleveland line needs to be ready for 2024.  The time to start pushing hard is now so that there is a chance it will be done say 2023/24.  A big improvement would be to sort out Manly, as per ICRCS recommendation in 2008 to have it done by 2012 ... still waiting ...

[ozbob]

[James]

Pre-RailFail, the Cleveland line ran every 15 minutes in the peak. I'm not sure how reliable this is, but projects such as duplication to Cleveland and a 3rd platform at Manly will assist in ensuring more reliability on the network - clearly an issue given all the 'operational issues' of late.

I agree with SurfRail though - the Beenleigh line between the CRR portal and Beenleigh is a compromised alignment most of the way - there needs to be adequate thought put into a solution which smooths out a lot of the kinks and curves - particularly the big one around Altandi and through Trinder Park/Woodridge. Beenleigh station is in dire need of a redesign, but that can come once everything is worked out upgrade wise.

What is most disappointing is the lack of action on LX removal. LX removals are easy wins for both rail and road commuters.

[SurfRail]

If you were going to put 4 tracks anywhere, they would be no further south than Kuraby, and combined with realignment work.

Dutton Park to Yeerongpilly is probably stuck with 3 tracks given space constraints and resumption expenses, but will have 3 platform faces at each platform and fully bi-di signalling.

Yeerongpilly to Coopers Plains should be able to accommodate 4 tracks.

Coopers Plains to Kuraby is where I would want to see some work done (and it needs doing anyway).  You would do a nice big package of works which includes the closure of 6 open LXs (Kuraby / Fruitgrove / Bonemill / Runcorn / Sunnybank / Coopers Plains), abandon the current alignment to a linear park in lieu of a more direct one under Beenleigh Rd with 4 tracks, build one new station and proper bus interchange facilities at Pinelands Rd, increase the amount of park and ride capacity at Kuraby / Fruitgrove / Coopers Plains and improve bus services to the areas in the walk-up catchment of Runcorn, Sunnybank and Banoon stations.  That gives you 4 tracks Yeerongpilly to Kuraby.

The other major realignment would be to get rid of the big kink around Trinder Park.  In theory you could end up with 4 tracks out of this as well, so maybe 4 tracks all the way to Woodridge, but Kuraby would probably be sufficient until the Gold Coast trains can be rerouted permanently off the Beenleigh alignment.

We can dream...

[ozbob]

Queensland Times 14th June 2018 page 8

Four-year parking wait for rail line commuters



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

Well, this does open the door nicely to get some bus network reform for Springfield hey what?

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2018/2018_06_13_DAILY.pdf

Ministerial Statements

Budget, Transport and Main Roads

Hon. MC BAILEY (Miller—ALP) (Minister for Transport and Main Roads) (9.54 am): For the third
year in a row the Palaszczuk government is delivering record spending in road and transport
infrastructure right across the state, with a $21.7 billion investment over the next four years. This
massive investment in roads, rail, marine, passenger and active transport infrastructure will also support
about 19,200 direct jobs in Queensland. In the month after Queensland's population reached
five million, this investment will help prepare our state for population growth well into the future.
In the 2018-19 financial year we will invest more than $4.4 billion in our road networks, boosting
productivity, creating jobs and fostering economic growth. Compared to last year, funding from the
federal LNP government has been cut, from $8.1 billion to $7.6 billion—a 6.2 per cent reduction by
Canberra. However, it has been offset in this budget by a 10 per cent increase by the state Palaszczuk
Labor government. In fact, the $700 million increase in this year's QTRIP is 100 per cent due to the
Palaszczuk Labor government's increased investment in infrastructure. Importantly, it delivers on our
election commitments.

From Pasha Road in Moranbah to the Newell Beach boat ramp, from Johanna Street on the
Mount Lindesay Highway to the upgrade of the Peachester and Old Gympie Road intersection on the
Sunshine Coast, this budget delivers on our election commitments right across the state. It
demonstrates our commitment to the busiest road in Queensland, the M1, with almost $900 million
committed to upgrades between Varsity Lakes and Tugun, and Eight Mile Plains and Daisy Hill,
following on from the two major upgrades that are currently underway. It also shows our ongoing
commitment to upgrading the Bruce Highway, from South-East Queensland to Far North Queensland.

We are also ensuring that important rail upgrade projects across Queensland Rail's statewide
network remain on track, with nearly $22 million committed next financial year to continuing the capacity
upgrade on the north coast rail line between Townsville and Rockhampton; and there is an additional
$50 million on the Mount Isa to Townsville rail line on top of the existing $20 million in 2018-19, which
will increase the productivity, reliability and efficiency of freight transport along this important rail line.
As part of our $300 million station accessibility upgrade program, $33 million is allocated this
financial year to progress detailed designs at Cannon Hill, Albion, East Ipswich, Fairfield, Dakabin,
Loganlea and Buranda stations, and we will continue to see progress on major construction already
underway at Morayfield, Strathpine and Boondall stations.

It is clear: the Palaszczuk Labor government is continuing to invest in and build the transport
solutions for Queensland, not just for today but also for the future.

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Council fails to secure Trad's cash for its major projects

NONE of the Ipswich City Council vital projects requiring support from the State Government to build have been funded.

At the 2017 state election Mayor Andrew Antoniolli revealed a list of eight infrastructure projects he wanted the next State Government to support.

Projects included; the $250 million Norman Street bridge, Cunningham Highway upgrade, extension to the Springfield rail line, a regional performing arts centre for Ipswich, the redevelopment of Willowbank motorsport precinct, Ripley Valley community infrastructure, Brisbane Valley Highway upgrade and Toowoomba to Rosewood transport improvements.

None of the projects received money in Treasurer Jackie Trad's first budget, which invested billions of dollars into Cross River Rail and an upgrade to the M1.

The State Government has previously demanded the Ipswich City Council provide a business case for its projects and how they would benefit the economy.

Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard said a business case was required before a second crossing over the Bremer River - the Norman Street Bridge - is funded.

The bridge is considered by councillors as a necessity to remove traffic and reduce congestion in the city's central business district.

Last month councillor David Martin called for the state to provide city-building projects within the Ipswich CBD area.

Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden said it was up to the council to explain to other levels of government why its projects should be funded.

Acting Mayor Wayne Wendt welcomed the government's support for education infrastructure, including two schools at Ripley.

He said the council would fight to secure money for its priority projects.

"We will continue to lobby strongly, on behalf of our community, for funding to support the planned Norman Street Bridge, Ipswich and Springfield Central passenger rail extension, Cunningham Highway Yamanto to Willowbank upgrade and to progress plans for a new Ipswich Performing Arts Centre," he said.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2018/2018_06_14_DAILY.pdf

Questions without notice

Transport, Funding

Mr POWELL: My question without notice is to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads. I table
a report in which the member for Ipswich West comments on the minister's petty squabbles over
federal-state funding splits, where he said, 'I think the State Government should accept the 50-50
proposal', and 'That's all the Shorten Opposition is offering too, there's nowhere else to go.'

Tabled paper: Article from the Queensland Times, dated 6 June 2018, titled '"Accept the feds' funds": MP urges'.

Why didn't the minister listen to his caucus colleague?

Mr Mickelberg interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Member for Buderim, you are warned under standing orders.

Mr BAILEY: I thank the honourable member for his question. There is a number of aspects that I
would love to address. For instance, it is the federal government's own rules—and let me quote from a
document from the Deputy Prime Minister of the country in 2014. This is his document; this is the LNP
federal government. It says, 'The Australian government has reintroduced the traditional 80-20 funding
split for new road and rail projects on the national network outside of metropolitan areas.'
The project that the member for Glass House is referring to, Yamanto to Ebenezer, is outside a
metropolitan area, so it should attract 80-20 funding. We see the federal government is happy to offer
$5 billion to Melbourne for an airport without a business case, but they come to Queensland with a
rip-off deal and expect us to roll over. We will not. We will stand up for a fair deal for Queensland every
single time. It is pathetic that those opposite will not stand up to their own party in Canberra.

Mr Crisafulli interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Resume your seat, Minister. Member for Broadwater, you will refer to people by
their correct title in this House. You are warned under standing orders.

Mr BAILEY: We will stand up for a fair deal for Queensland. It is pathetic that the opposition never
stand up to their own party in Canberra; they never do. They are patsies for Canberra. They will not
stand up for Queensland. They are not standing up for Queensland on this project. They are not
standing up for Queensland or the Sunshine Coast on the Beerburrum-to-Nambour upgrade.
I am glad it was the member for Glass House who asked the question, because he sat in the
Newman government for three years and did not even start the planning for the business case for the
Nambour-to-Beerburrum project. It was the Palaszczuk government that did that. It was us who got
going, got the business case done, submitted it and now there is $550 million in joint funding from us
and the federal government. We would like to see them give a full funding commitment of 80 per cent,
as they should under their own rules. They even put the Nambour-to-Beerburrum project on the NTLN
themselves and then they did not fund it.

What we want is a fair deal for Queensland. If the opposition really wanted to wear the maroon
jersey, they would stand up for our state and tell Canberra to get their act together. They will not fund
Cross River Rail; there is not a single dollar for Cross River Rail, yet those opposite will not stand up
for this state. They will not stand up for Queensland on Beerburrum to Nambour; and they will not stand
up for Queensland on Yamanto to Ebenezer.

On this specific project when I look at the federal government allocations, what do I see? Out of
their allocation of $170 million I see that $115 million is in the beyonds; it is in 2022-23. Members
opposite should not come to me and say that it is actually funded; it is two elections away.
When will the opposition stand up to Canberra? Never! They never do. They are jelly backs when
it comes to standing up for Queensland. This government will always stand up for Queensland.
(Time expired)

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1007407421898174465

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2018/6/22/budget-delivers-more-record-road-and-transport-spending-for-northern-queensland

Media Statements
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Friday, June 22, 2018

Budget delivers more record road and transport spending for Northern Queensland

The Palaszczuk Government will deliver $181.7 million in 2018-19 for Northern Queensland district as part of another record investment in road and transport infrastructure for the third year in a row.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the region was one of the many beneficiaries of a blockbuster budget as part of the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP).

"The funding for Northern Queensland district is part of the Queensland Government's record spend on road and transport infrastructure across the state for the third year running, with an overall investment of about $21.7 billion over the next four years," Mr Bailey said.

"We are planning to deliver $1.342 billion of works for this area alone, over the next four years.

Member for Mundingburra and Communities Minister Coralee O'Rourke said continuing works on the Bruce and Flinders Highways along with other key links are the main focus of this year's budget.

"The Palaszczuk Government is also providing $3.8 million in funding in 2018-19 to local governments in our region through the 50:50 Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) to help Councils deliver desperately needed local infrastructure," she said.

"We have reconfirmed the Palaszczuk Government's overall commitment to the TIDS with an allocation of $280 million over four years across the entire state."

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said the major projects for Northern Queensland district in 2018-19 included:

-     Riverway Drive Stage 1, continue duplication of Riverway Drive ($14.9 million in 2018-19)

-     Bruce Highway (Ayr to Townsville), start construction of bridges, cane tramway overpasses and intersection upgrades as well as 13.5km of the highway across the Haughton River floodplain for a total cost of $514.3 million (2018-19 $37.7 million)

-     Gregory Developmental Road, continue widening between Charters Towers and The Lynd for a total cost of $42.3 million (2018-19 $14.8 million)

-     Flinders Highway (Townsville to Charters Towers), start of pavement strengthening and rehabilitation works for a total cost of $17 million (2018-19 $8 million)

"Other works planned for Northern Queensland district include completing upgrades to two bridges on the Bruce Highway at Cattle and Frances Creeks and pavement widening on the Bruce Highway between Deep Creek and Bluewater Creek," Mr Harper said.

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said this budget showed the Palaszczuk Government's continuing commitment to delivery key infrastructure and create jobs for the people of North Queensland.

"The Palaszczuk Government's investment in roads, rail, marine, passenger transport and active transport infrastructure is estimated to support about 1110 local jobs," he said.

"This year's Budget includes $44.3 million in 2018-19 to upgrade capacity of the Townsville Channel, to allow larger vessels safe access and boost trade at the Port of Townsville, at a total cost of $193.5 million – a project the Palaszczuk Government has committed $75 million towards.

"We hope that the Federal Government will soon come to the table and match this funding to allow us to get going on this critical project."

Minister Bailey said rail infrastructure was also a priority for the Palaszczuk Government in building for the future of North Queensland.

"The Palaszczuk Government's commitment to rail infrastructure is forging ahead. Geotechnical works and early investigations are now under way for the $100 million North Coast Line Capacity Improvement Project, which will extend eight passing loops for services between Townsville and Rockhampton to improve freight capacity.

"In addition to extending the North Coast line's freight capacity, we have also fulfilled our election commitment of an additional $50 milliontowards our total spend of $380 million over five years in the important Townsville to Mount Isa rail corridor, to help upgrade and maintain this vital link to North West Queensland."

ENDS: