Queensland mayors take multibillion-dollar wish list to Canberra

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland mayors take multibillion-dollar wish list to Canberra

Brisbane's Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has jumped a plane to Canberra to deliver the city's multibillion-dollar wish list to the federal government.

Cr Quirk attended Parliament House on Wednesday as the chair of the Council of Mayors (SEQ) for two days of meetings with key government and opposition representatives to discuss infrastructure investment.

It was understood the mayors also intended to use the opportunity to pursue their push for the south-east Queensland region to be the next to partner with the Commonwealth and Queensland government on a "City Deal" funding arrangement.

"Relieving congestion and delivering a public transport system which works for the region remains the firm focus of the SEQ mayors," Cr Quirk.

"What SEQ needs is a long-term commitment to infrastructure funding and a solid delivery mechanism - an SEQ City Deal can achieve this.

"The Council of Mayors (SEQ) will be heading to Canberra looking for a solid commitment from the Commonwealth to work with the Queensland government and the councils of SEQ to establish Australia's largest City Deal."

The mayors had a prepared list of priorities where they want the big money spent.

The Council of Mayors asked the federal government to commit to funding and supporting, in part or full, the following infrastructure projects:
Public transport

Northern Busway - $2-3 billion

The busway project would have three main stages: Kedron to Chermside, Chermside to Aspley and Aspley to Carseldine.

Eastern Busway to Capalaba - $1.736 billion

The extension of the Eastern Busway to Capalaba would connect to the city rail and bus network and South East Busway. The 2017 Federal Advocacy Document to be discussed at the two-day meeting said the 18 kilometre busway would reduce travel times by up to 20 minutes.

Gold Coast light rail stage 3A - $700 million

Extending the "G" light rail from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads is high on the priority list. Gold Coast City is already undertaking a reference design and preparing a business case for this stage.

South East Busway extension - $250 million

The extension is proposed to connect two hubs and run from Eight Mile Plains to Loganholme.

Manly to Cleveland rail duplication - $180 million

Duplication of the rail line between Manly and Cleveland to allow more frequent services to Brisbane CBD and airport.

Springfield to Ipswich southern rail corridor - $150 million

On the back of the Darra to Springfield corridor it is proposed Springfield to Ipswich rail would further improve accessibility and growth for the areas.

Salisbury to Beaudesert passenger rail - $5 million

This project is in need of the funding for a business case. The 2017 Federal Advocacy Document said the timely delivery of passenger rail was needed to service future growth of areas in the corridor to the south-west of Brisbane.

Toowoomba to Rosewood Passenger bus/rail service - $2.5 million

Funding for a business case was listed in the 2017 Federal Advocacy Document for the proposal of a combination of bus connection to Withcott and fast diesel passenger rail to Rosewood.
Roads

The 2017 Federal Advocacy Document also listed 28 road projects for funding. This included the SEQ Regional Timber Bridge Replacement program. The Council of Mayors put a figure of $63 million on the program, with the report stating a more concerted region-wide program was required.

"The program will address council-managed timber road bridges – many of them over a century old – and will target upgrading of their structural capacity given the high maintenance liabilities associated with these bridges," the report said.

"An initial assessment shows that 72 timber bridges across the region require replacement urgently, at an assessed cost of approximately $63 million."

Other road projects listed included:

Bruce Highway - $6.7 billion over 10 years

The Council of Mayors (SEQ) seek delivery of the $6.7 billion over 10 years and clear commitment to include the Caboolture to Caloundra Road six-lane upgrade in the Bruce Highway Action Plan for delivery by 2025.

M1 Pacific Motorway Upgrades - $1.93 billion

This figure includes $1 billion for upgrading the road from Varsity Lakes to Tugun, $710 million for upgrades at Loganholme, $220 million for Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes.

East Petrie Bypass / East Strathpine Bypass - $1 billion

The proposal is designed to improve capacity to the southern section of the Moreton Bay Region while allowing more intra-regional trips to transfer from the Bruce Highway.

Centenary Motorway (Moggill Road to Ipswich Motorway) - $1 billion

Options for expanding the motorway and the Centenary Bridge to six lanes and to make provisions ultimately for eight lanes has been explored.

Ipswich Motorway, Darra to Rocklea, upgrade stage 1 - $558 million

The upgrade is proposed to reduce traffic congestion and improve travel times for motorway users between Brisbane and Ipswich.

Dohles Rock Road, Murrumba Downs, proposed signalised interchange - $500 million

A redesigned interchange that separates the Gateway Motorway and Gympie Arterial Road is proposed.

North-South Urban Arterial - $500 million

Expanding capacity in response to population growth.

Intra-Regional Transport corridor - four-lane urban arterial - $500 million

The proposed project includes Stage 1 ($180 million) of Coomera Marine to Gold Coast Highway, four-lane alignment. Stage 2 ($150 million) Gold Coast Highway to Nerang-Broadbeach Road, four-lane alignment; and Stage 3 ($170 million) Shipper Drive to Stapylton-Jacobs Well Road.

Redland City to Port of Brisbane corridor - $360 million

To link major residential areas to the Australia Trade Coast precinct.

Cunningham Highway (Yamanto to Willowbank) - $276 million

Delivering road safety and congestion reduction on the back of rapid development in the south-western corridor.

Norman Street Bridge - $250 million

A second crossing of the Bremer River for the Ipswich CBD.

Redland City to Gateway Motorway corridor - $196 million

To improve freight and transport corridors that join Redland City Council to the Gateway Motorway.

Mt Lindesay Highway Deviation (Woodhill to Bromelton) - $185 million

Construction of a north-south road corridor through the State Development Area site between the Mt Lindesay Highway at Woodhill and Boonah-Beaudesert Road at Bromelton to provide connectivity for heavy vehicles and freight.

Bruce Highway / Deception Bay Road - $175 million

A bridge duplication and improved motorway interchange.

West Petrie Bypass (Youngs Crossing Road) - $150 million

An upgrade over two stages, Stage 1 ($100 million) would cross Young's Crossing and link with the east-west Dayboro Road and Stage 2 ($50 million) continue north and link with Narangba Road at Kallangur. 

Freight

Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail Project - $4-6 billion

This money is proposed for the Gowrie to Port of Brisbane section of the Inland Rail Project.

Infrastructure projects were not the only thing on the councillors' agendas.

The 2017 Federal Advocacy Document also revealed the mayors would be seeking federal government support for the south-east Queensland Olympics bid.

An initial commitment of $3 million from the Smart Cities Infrastructure Planning funding pool to fund further studies was to be discussed.

The meeting would continue in Canberra on Thursday.

Sunshine Coast Line?

[Fares_Fair]

Serious! Not a mention of Sunshine Coast line rail duplication..    

[ozbob]

Encouraging discussions with Fed Ministers @AngusTaylor @PaulFletcher on #SEQ infrastructure & investment via #CityDeals. #TheFutureIsHere! pic.twitter.com/yRzJp68DQs

— Cr Mark Jamieson (@JamiesonMark) March 22, 2017

^

@JamiesonMark @angustaylor @paulfletcher G'day Mayor. Was the upgrade of the Sunshine Coast Railway (duplication etc.) mentioned?

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) March 22, 2017

[Cazza]

Please excuse my limited knowledge, but there would be a reason why CRR and the metro aren't on this list? Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought CRR was going to be funded partly by BCC, state and federal governments (mostly state) and metro just BCC and state. So, apart from SC duplication, why aren't CRR and metro on this list?

[dancingmongoose]

Please excuse my limited knowledge, but there would be a reason why CRR and the metro aren't on this list? Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought CRR was going to be funded partly by BCC, state and federal governments (mostly state) and metro just BCC and state. So, apart from SC duplication, why aren't CRR and metro on this list?

CRR is a state project, which is why it's not on there. I am also a little confused as to why the metro (and sunshine coast) were omitted. Maybe they intend to fund the metro themselves?

[Stillwater]

A possible explanation is that the SCL duplication is 'in the bag' for funding in 2017-18, with CRR to be funded, initially, using the $800m the state has set aside for it -- with the remainder (from the feds) coming in 2018-19 and subsequent financial years.

[kram0]

They also didn't mention the GC line extension to GC airport which is definitely planned to start in the medium term 5-10 years with land ready acquired.

[ozbob]

@Robert_Dow @angustaylor @paulfletcher Yes it is on the list and we continue to encourage the State Gov along with an effective PT solution

— Cr Mark Jamieson (@JamiesonMark) March 22, 2017

Note: original tweet wrong address for Paul Fletcher MP should be @paulfletcherMP

Also Angus Taylor MP should be @angustaylorMP

[ozbob]

@Jeffrey_Addison Definitely part of our Federal advocacy, also a big one for upcoming State advocacy. #SEQMayors are #2tracks supporters.

— Council of Mayors (@SEQMayors) March 22, 2017

[bcasey]

Public transport

Northern Busway - $2-3 billion

The busway project would have three main stages: Kedron to Chermside, Chermside to Aspley and Aspley to Carseldine.

While I personally would benefit greatly by this project, I have a feeling a lot of the other projects would get priority over this, especially for the stages after Chermside. Something does need to be done about the Kedron to Chermside corridor though, whether it is a proper Busway, or just a bus/transit lane.

[SurfRail]

It could be bus lanes virtually overnight, just that TMR/BCC are gutless.

[Stillwater]

It is interesting to read the tweets of Mayor Jamieson and also the response from the SEQ Council of Mayors re priority funding for SCL duplication.

Jamieson: it is on the list and we continue to encourage the State Gov along with an effective PT solution.

SEQ Mayors:  Definitely part of our Federal advocacy, also a big one for upcoming State advocacy.

It appears that the mayors see the State Government as being the principal source of funding for SCL duplication, with the feds playing a secondary role.

[Derwan]

When it comes to funding "state" and/or "federal" public transport projects, Moreton Bay is the only one I'm aware of that has "put its money where its mouth is" (so to speak) - and we now have MBRL.

When the councils start offering partial funding for state/federal projects, perhaps the state pollies/feds will actually listen.

Has the Sunshine Coast council offered any funding towards the Sunshine Coast line duplication?

Has the Redlands council offered any funding towards the Manly to Cleveland duplication?

Has the BCC offered funding towards any upcoming state/federal public transport projects?

[#Metro]

Has the Sunshine Coast council offered any funding towards the Sunshine Coast line duplication?

Has the Redlands council offered any funding towards the Manly to Cleveland duplication?

Has the BCC offered funding towards any upcoming state/federal public transport projects?

+1

There is a case for this. Infrastructure (at least well thought out infra) raises land values.

Local council rates are based on land values - when that rises, the council captures a portion of that.

GCCC has worked this out and has zoned accordingly. I think it is called "seed funding".

Did you have an idea of what a "reasonable proportion" of costs could be paid by local gov't Derwan??

[Derwan]

Did you have an idea of what a "reasonable proportion" of costs could be paid by local gov't Derwan??

To be honest, no.  And perhaps it would be different depending on what the project was and how much it would benefit the local constituents.  But offering more than a token gesture upfront would let the state/feds know that the council was serious about backing the project - and not just playing politics with their local constituents.

[Fares_Fair]

I don't see that the Council is playing politics with its' constituents.
The Sunshine Coast Council position is that public transport is a state government responsibility - and it is.
(I had a personal discussion with the Mayor Mark Jamieson on this issue)

That said the Council do have a transport levy (currently $27 per year, per ratepayer) to provide trial bus services, which if successfully trialled and allocated funding, become a Translink / TMR funded service.


Of the originally costed MBRL for $1.147 billion

The Moreton Bay Council contributed 9.15% of the cost, equating to $105m.
The Queensland Govt contributed $300m (including land), equating to 26.2%
The Federal Govt contributed $742m or 64.7% of the cost.

Footnote: the MBRL actually came in under budget at $988 million, the State Govt claimed that the reduction in the total cost was a result of Federal Govt *rehashing.
*(I cannot recall the exact term used by Jackie Trad in her response to this question on 612 ABC radio's Steve Austin morning show)

[Stillwater]

The councils have a bit of deal with the State Government over funding bus stops and bus interchanges.  Council have a role to play in such things as using their transport levy to fund new bus services that meet trains at stations, or precincts around stations that they might fund.  Town planning and TOD developments, as well as planning considerations are all part and parcel of transport infrastructure upgrades and the councils are willing to play their part in that regard.

https://www.noosanews.com.au/news/terminal-inertia-noosa-junction-bus-station/1383930

http://www.timberawards.com.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=208

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Quirk set to sign 'game-changing' funding City Deal with federal government

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk is set to sign off Australia's fourth City Deal, opening the door to hundreds of millions of dollars in "game-changing funds" from federal and state governments from 2018.

It could give indications of projects to be backed in next month's state budget.
Inland Rail: fly through

The proposed Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail will carry the equivalent of 108 B-Double trucks worth of freight.

City Deals – first developed in Britain by groups of councils – are seen by analysts as the newest form of long-term funding agreements between Australia's three levels of governments.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has already signed off on three City Deals: Townsville (December 2016), Launceston (September 2016) and Western Sydney (October 2016).

Each of these City Deals is a 10 to 15 years funding deal, attracting up to $200 million.

The City Deals mean hundreds of millions of dollars from three levels of government are directed towards priority projects, which are formally agreed to in memorandums of understanding.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk signed a general memorandum of understanding with Mr Turnbull in November 2016 to develop "tailored City Deals" for Queensland cities.

Now Cr Quirk, as chair of Queensland's Council of Mayors (SEQ), is set to "imminently" sign up Australia's fourth City Deal.

"The Commonwealth's budget commitment to develop a City Deals strategy for SEQ is a positive step forward," Cr Quirk said on Wednesday.

"The SEQ mayors would like to see a signed letter of intent between the federal government, Queensland government and the Council of Mayors (SEQ) once this strategy is agreed, with a view to commencing an SEQ City Deal in 2018."

Cr Quirk's comments follow a soft announcement in Tuesday night's federal budget where $100 million loan was provided for the University of Sunshine Coast's new Moreton Bay university campus.

Cities Minister Angus Taylor – responsible for running the City Deals program – on Wednesday night said his office was already working with the Council of Mayors.

Cr Quirk quickly jumped on the announcement saying it could be a "game-changer" for infrastructure funding in south-east Queensland.

"The Commonwealth's commitment to developing a City Deals strategy for SEQ is the first step in securing a comprehensive and long term plan to fund and deliver infrastructure in this region," he said.

"While we've currently only seen the City Deals model used on a smaller scale in Australia, the strong regional collaboration that exists in this region and the size and capability of our councils makes this the ideal location to establish a regional SEQ City Deal."

The City Deals model began in Manchester in 2012 where a group of councils banded together to formally lobby their national government for infrastructure funds.

There are now 20 City Deals in the United Kingdom including Bristol, Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester, Cambridge and the three City Deals in Australia.

They are signed as a contract between the region and the three levels of government and the region receives a share of additional money generated from improved land values and rates.

In Australia, City Deals are supported by Property Council of Australia and KPMG.

Toowoomba mayor Paul Antonio – who asked for new Brisbane to Toowoomba passenger rail line services on top of the new Melbourne to Toowoomba to Brisbane freight line given $8.4 billion in Tuesday's federal budget – said a regional City Deal deserved exploration.

"Local government around Australia, not just Toowoomba, is not in such a good space when you look at the money that comes our way from the total tax take," he said.

"... We clearly need another means of funding communities like Toowoomba that are growing rapidly, placing demands on us in terms of enabling infrastructure."

Meanwhile, the federal government confirmed the Queensland government would need to apply to the new $10 billion National Rail Program in order to secure funding for the long-awaited $5.4 billion underground Cross River Rail project in next year's federal budget.

The number of commuters using the inner-city rail link were tipped to double in 10 years.

Final documentation of the changes to the route of the underground rail project have only recently been finalised, although a business case was given to the federal government last year.