Joint Statement: Ipswich scores Queensland Rail's new-look passenger HQ

[Mozz]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whistle-stop_tour

I am pretty sure the acting CEO of QR is not a politician.

I am also of the belief that significant decisions such as relocating the HQ of an organisation from one city to another require a degree of planning including comprehensive consulation in most cases with those who are going to be impacted by the decision and generally prior to an actual decision being made in order to ensure a quality outcome cognisant of all input.

Is this media release telling us that this is the first time that the acting CEO of QR has actually been to the city in which he and 400 of his staff have to relocate?.... but it does sound like it as there isn't even a building location yet determined for the organisation....

Obviously there is ample office accommodation just sitting vacant located in the Ipswich CBD to accommodate 400-500 QR employees .... or maybe not, good question, who knows... nah let's worry about that later....

Then again maybe I have a lot to learn about how things work in the real world .... just make significant decisions which impact thousands of individuals without any prior consultation and then some months later spend some time on working out how it will work including the first steps ......

I suppose you could just as well insert, "hey let's raise the public transport ticket prices by 20 - 45% and see how that goes...... " then not really do too much and just sit around and see what happens ....

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times click here!

Nolan moved site for own benefit

Nolan moved site for own benefit

Zane Jackson | 16th January 2010

UNION officials have accused Transport Minister Rachel Nolan of moving Queensland Rail to Ipswich against the wishes of rail staff to gain favour in her electorate.

But the Ipswich MP hit back at the claims, saying smaller satellite offices around Brisbane was an option for disgruntled workers and that decentralisation plans were flagged more than a year ago.

Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) state secretary Owen Doogan said Ms Nolan had ignored the concerns of Brisbane-based workers in pushing ahead with plans to move QR Passenger to Ipswich.

"By uprooting QR Passenger headquarters and shifting it into her electorate, Ms Nolan is doing the QR workforce no favours – but is certainly doing herself some," Mr Doogan said.

"The bottom line here is that in order to keep their jobs, many workers will be forced into uprooting their kids from schools and moving further away from family support in order to keep their jobs."

He also accused QR of trying to score points for saying there'll be no forced relocations in the next two years.

"The current EBA, which runs another two years, actually makes any forced relocation impossible, so they're not offering that two-year leeway out of the goodness of their hearts by any means – workers have forgone pay rises for this condition," he said.

Ms Nolan said she was disappointed by the RTBU's opposition to the switch to Ipswich.

"There is no doubt that the move will be good for Ipswich because it will spur CBD redevelopment, but the overall change will also be good for QR workers," Ms Nolan said.

"I understand that this is a significant shift – that's why government has made it clear that we will stage the move over time with people who are keen to move first.

"We have also talked to workers about setting up smaller satellite offices on the north and south sides for people who commute already and for whom Ipswich will be difficult."

[mufreight]

While there is merit in moving some of QR's administration out of the Brisbane CBD and Ipswich is a good choice with its historical railway heritage it is obvious that the move is an attempt to bolster the public standing of an ineffectual Minister who is not even prepared to engage with the constituents of her own electorate over the asset sales and the future of QR.
Anothe miscalculation by her political advisers.

[#Metro]

I don't know. I think it is the opposite.
It sounds more like Ms Nolan shooting herself in the foot.
If disgruntled QR employees move to her electorate (Ipswich), then they will also be added to her electoral roll.
And that means lots of people who can vote her out from inside her own electorate.

[O_128]

Why not somewhere just a bit closer though

[#Metro]

A good question. Maybe they could have chosen Redbank?

[mufreight]

Possibly because Redbank is not in Minister Nolan's electorate, but more likely because the Ipswich city area has more infrastructure and services that will be needed to support such an administration facility alreay in place.
As for Redbank being closer, closer to what? the Brisbane CBD, the primary object of decentralisation is move such facilities out of the CBD so would that make Petrie, Beenleigh, Robina or Ferny Grove a better choice?
As for the move not all staff will be moved on a set date, it will be a gradual process over a period of years and even then not all railway staff will move to Ipswich, some staff would stay in the CBD, some would move to satelite facilities in other areas.
The move makes some sense even if the manner of its implimentation is sadly flawed, sadly another media release disaster from an desperate government and an inept Minister.

[Nightwriter]

I live in Ipswich, and a lot of people that I've spoken to have said that, if Minister Nolan's current performance continues, she has lost their votes.  I know that she has lost mine - very unimpressed with her.  I wrote a letter to her regarding Go Card and got a letter full of tripe in return.