3 June 2010: Queensland: 2010-2011 State Budget

[ozbob]

Media Release 3 June 2010

Queensland:  2010-2011 State Budget

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has said the state budget is an opportunity to move forward with sustainable transport options for Queensland.  The failure to properly fund public transport infrastructure for the long haul needs to be addressed in the forthcoming budget.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Proper pro-active public transport infrastructure has been sacrificed for a long period to sustain the greed of the road lobby throughout Australia, nowhere is this more evident than in south-east Queensland. It is now more then ever evident that a road centric transport system is a congestion and safety failure, as well as environmentally unsustainable."

"The 2010-2011 State Budget provides an opportunity to continue with the construction of the railway line to Springfield.  Construction to Richlands is ahead of schedule and it would make sound economic sense to continue with the present construction force.  Stopping and starting is very expensive.  The savings if construction continues now would allow full duplication to Springfield and construction of the stations at Ellen Grove and Springfield Lakes as well as Springfield."

"Rather than cutting back rail freight services, there needs to be an investment for the future.  The more bulk freight moved off the roads the better off society is.  The world is moving forward with the rail revolution, it seems it takes a bit longer in Queensland. Smart state or late state?"

References:

1. 29 Jan 2010: SEQ: Richlands next, keep going! http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3367.0

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times click here!

Springfield railway 2 years early

Springfield railway 2 years early

Brad Weier | 7th June 2010

THE $646 million Springfield rail line will be delivered two years ahead of schedule.

Part of tomorrow's State Budget announcement, The Queensland Times can exclusively reveal the move will fast-track one of the western corridor's major pieces of infrastructure.

State Member for Bundamba Jo-Ann Miller said the development would now be delivered in 2013.

"This result is a huge win for all the communities of Springfield, Springfield Lakes, Augustine Heights, Redbank Plains and Bellbird Park," Mrs Miller said.

"I've been telling (Treasurer Andrew Fraser) how important this project is for our area, and the impact it would have on sustainable public transport for families."

Mrs Miller said the 10-kilometre line was the next step in Springfield's evolution.

"It will provide a direct link between Springfield and Brisbane, which will mean a lot to the community. It will offer better access, cheaper travel, less congestion and fewer delays," she said.

"It's about giving these growth suburbs access to world-class public transport, significantly improving the way they travel, and a better work and family balance.

"It will also hopefully relieve the car-parking pressures at the Redbank, Goodna, Gailes and Wacol railway stations."

Mrs Miller said tomorrow's announcement was part of a commitment to public transport across Ipswich.

"We believe in public transport as a means to get people out of their cars, to cut congestion, reduce greenhouse gases and manage growth," she said.

"We've already invested almost $400 million to build a new line from Darra to Richlands, and getting the rail line to Springfield as soon as possible is really important.

"Tomorrow's State Budget announcement will also include $104 million to complete the rail line from Darra to Richlands and $25 million to complete the third track from Corinda to Darra."

The Budget will be delivered by Queensland Treasurer and Employment and Economic Development Minister Andrew Fraser tomorrow afternoon.

[ozbob]

2010-11 budget discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3934.0