Statement: Transport infrastructure hit list

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/1/24/transport-infrastructure-hit-list
Minister for Transport and Main Roads

The Honourable Scott Emerson
Thursday, January 24, 2013

Transport infrastructure hit list

A hit list of Queensland transport projects will be delivered to both Federal Labor and the Federal Coalition ahead of this year's election.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said Federal investment in transport infrastructure was vital to get Queensland back on track.

"For too long Queensland has missed out on crucial transport infrastructure," Mr Emerson said.

"It was clear even before we came to government that Queensland needed a significant injection of transport funding from the Federal Government.

"Federal investment in Queensland transport infrastructure has fallen well behind Victoria and NSW and we'll be making sure both Federal Labor and the Federal Coalition are aware of that.

"At the top of our list are projects currently before Infrastructure Australia, including the Brisbane Inner Rail Solution, the Bruce Highway Action Plan and Toowoomba's Second Range Crossing.

"We have also submitted a number of other projects such as the duplication of the Beerburrum to Landsborough rail line that was previously promised by the Bligh Government before the 2009 election and then ignored just 26 days after the election.

"I'll also be calling on Federal Labor to step up and match the Federal Coalition's $1 billion commitment to upgrade the Gateway Motorway between Nudgee and the Bruce Highway."

The Newman Government has already shown it can deliver these projects more cheaply than had been proposed under Labor.

In 2012 an expert panel audited proposals for a second Brisbane rail crossing and managed to deliver the same passenger capacity while saving several billion dollars – from $6.4 billion under Labor to currently $4.45 billion.

"Without the Federal Government stepping up with 80 per cent funding we won't be able to afford this vital piece of transport infrastructure," Mr Emerson said.

"I won't be letting a single opportunity pass in the next few months to remind both Federal Labor and the Federal Coalition of Queensland's transport infrastructure needs."

[colinw]

What a load of self serving twaddle.

Mr Emerson, we're not listening, and neither is Canberra.

If you think you're going to get my vote for the LNP member in my marginal electorate, you're going to have to do better than that, otherwise it will be "back to Labor in '15".

[Jonno]

aka "I spent all my money on more roads, made things worse and can't afford to invest in the right infrastructure. So Canberra you bail me out!!!"

[somebody]

aka "I spend my money on more roads, made things worse and can't afford to invest in the right infrastructure. So Canberra you bail me out!!!"

Well, yes.

[SurfRail]

Their reasoning on the CRR project cost would be like claiming the ALP was buying milk for $2 and they are buying it for $1, conveniently failing to report the fact the ALP was going to buy 2 litres and they are only going to buy one.  There is far too much cereal to deal with...