Article: Tony Abbott to unveil rail tunnel plan as Kevin Rudd flags navy move

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Tony Abbott to unveil rail tunnel plan as Kevin Rudd flags navy move

AN UNDERGROUND freight tunnel will be carved through Brisbane's southside as part of an ambitious $5 billion plan to build an alternative rail line connecting the Queensland capital to Melbourne.

The Coalition will today announce $300 million in funding over three years to finalise plans for the 1800km inland track which promises to revolutionise freight movement in the eastern states.

Central to the project is 25km of new track between Acacia Ridge in Brisbane's southwest and the Port of Brisbane - mostly underground ...

... Because of the geographical challenges and rapid advances in tunnelling technology, the State Government believes the best option is to put most of it underground, surfacing at the Gateway Motorway.

The $5 billion project - due to be completed by 2026 - includes updating existing train tracks, and building three new tracks from Yelarbon to Oakey, Rosewood to Kagaru and Acacia Ridge to the port.

For years the project has been on the drawing board, with the Port of Brisbane previously signalling interest in a freight line to Melbourne.

The Coalition funding announcement is also expected to take some of the heat off the Federal Coalition for its refusal to match Labor in allocating money for the Cross River Rail project.

The State Government has promised to contribute $467 million to the project.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson said the tunnel would have multiple benefits for southeast Queensland such as freeing up capacity for passenger services on the Ipswich and Beenleigh lines and taking controversial coal trains out of southside suburbs.

"Obviously the overall project has immense benefits in terms of getting trucks off our roads, getting more freight on to rail and alleviating some of the issues of having trains going through the suburbs," Mr Emerson said.

Planning will take up to three years followed by a 10-year construction period for a proposed delivery date of 2026.

Once completed, the line will be able to carry 25 million tonnes of freight a year - the equivalent of up to 812,000 B-double truck movements.

Federal Coalition deputy leader Warren Truss said there was already strong private sector interest in the $5.139 billion project spearheaded by the Port of Brisbane Corporation.

" Clearly this will mean a faster journey for freight between Melbourne and Brisbane avoiding the necessity to take trains in and out of Sydney," he said.

The funding announcement is also expected to take some of the heat off the Federal Coalition for its refusal to allocate any money for the Cross River Rail project.

"We acknowledge the Cross River Rail is an important project," Mr Truss said yesterday.

"The issue is whether the Commonwealth should be spending money on urban public transport or the interstate rail network and in particular the freight network.

Mr Emerson said the project had been around for many years but now was the "right time for it to be delivered" ...

[ozbob]

This has been in the wings for years.  Good stuff to progress it.  All over red rover ...

[ozbob]

Southern Freight Rail Corridor Study

--> http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/S/Southern-Freight-Rail-Corridor-Study.aspx

[ozbob]

With this now on the construction table.  CRR will not proceed for now, if at all.

I expect a signalling upgrade - ATP  will be the preferred option for the immediate upgrade plans.  This will allow an increase in peak linear train density.

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times 28th August 2013 pages 1 and 3

--> http://www.qt.com.au/news/coalition-to-stopipswich-coal-trains-coalition-pro/2000384/

COALITION TO STOP IPSWICH COAL TRAINS

[ozbob]

One of the very first radio interviews I took part in was on ABC Radio National ( circa 2006? ), and a chat about Inland rail, and the need to separate freight from the Brisbane suburban network.  There is one component missing that could be addressed, that is a northern freight corridor.  A road / freight rail western by pass I believe is inevitable ..  tunnelling is the way to go ...

Letter to the editor I wrote published CM 15 Dec 2007

Published Courier Mail December 15

The derailment at Petrie has again highlighted the increasing congestion problems of mixing freight and suburban passenger rail services.  As Citytrain services are ramped up it will become very difficult to provide around the clock access for freight trains on the present railway network through Brisbane.

Consideration should be given to building a western rail loop which could be used for freight trains, essentially independent of the suburban network.

A possible general route would be Caboolture, Dayboro, Fernvale, Ipswich, Bromelton.  Bromelton is ideally situated for a major freight interchange distribution centre as it is on the standard gauge railway from the south.  It is interesting to note that both Dayboro and Fernvale were once serviced by Queensland Railway branch lines.

Now is the time for the real big rail decisions and investment.

[ozbob]

^ a retrospectroscope is a very useful instrument ...   

[minbrisbane]

I have to admit, I read the headline and instantly thought CRR.

I believe this is still a good idea.  I ask the question though, once a M-B freight railway is built, will the traffic via the NCR (NSW) decrease enough to upgrade it for medium speed rail?

[Fares_Fair]

What impact will this proposal have on the North Coast Line freight wise?

[nathandavid88]

It's good to see the the Coalition is still prepared to invest in rail, even if its freight as opposed to commuter. Very much the same thinking of the LNP State Government, which while dragging its feet on suburban rail, has announced a few projects to improve freight services.

[ozbob]

What impact will this proposal have on the North Coast Line freight wise?

I think it highlights the need for a western rail by pass ...  probably going to generate more freight overall.

Clearly the northern line Caboolture - CBD is not going to get any better.  Long distance passenger services could also use a rail western bypass.

[ozbob]

http://www.ara.net.au/UserFiles/file/Media%20Releases/13-08-28-Inland-Rail-getting-the-attention-it-deserves.pdf

ARA MEDIA RELEASE

28 August 2013

Inland Rail getting the attention it deserves

The rail industry welcomes commitments from both parties to get the long anticipated Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail project moving.
Chief Executive Officer of the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) Bryan Nye welcomed this morning's announcement from Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Warren Truss on the Coalition's commitment to the project and stated that an Inland Rail will complete an economic missing link in our nation's freight network.

"This project will take seven hours off transit times from Melbourne to Brisbane, remove trucks from the Pacific, Newell and Hume Highways and boost regional development along the entire 1,700km route", said Mr Nye.

"Both parties have committed $300 million in funds going forward for the project, which is helped by Minister Truss' announcement today that, under a Coalition Government, the project will commence in 2016 with a completion date of 2026 and will also receive financial funding from the Queensland Government.

"The ARA have long been campaigning for this vital project so to see further progress is certainly encouraging", added Mr Nye.

"Reports that the Coalition are committing to a construction timeline are also encouraging- the sooner this project is completed the sooner the benefits to the economy can be realised", said Mr Nye.

ARA has recently launched its 2013 election advocacy campaign, outlining the rail industry's key priorities for now and the future. Inland Rail is a central pillar of this campaign, due to its potential to provide social, economic and environmental benefits all the way along the supply chain.

"The Inland Rail has the potential to unblock an infrastructure bottleneck that currently sees Brisbane to Melbourne freight unnecessarily travelling through Sydney, congesting road and rail networks alike," said Mr Nye.

"With a newly elected government's support, now more than ever we need to keep the momentum moving forward and not lose sight of this nation building project," Mr Nye concluded.

Other key priority platforms include Rail Manufacturing, High Speed Rail, Rail Technology and Carbon pricing. The '5 Platforms for Change' document is available on the home page of the ARA website www.ara.net.au. Whilst around half of the inland rail route has been completed, additional funding commitments will see the construction of the remaining sections commence- including the construction of a tunnel capable of taking double stacked trains through the Toowoomba range.

Total estimates of the project cost of the remaining sections are around $5 billion. Of the route, 41 per cent has existing track, 25 per cent has track that needs to be upgraded and 34 per cent requires new track.

-ENDS -

[ozbob]

News.com.au --> Coalition promises boom from rail plan

[ozbob]

...
Transport Minister Scott Emerson said the tunnel would have multiple benefits for southeast Queensland such as freeing up capacity for passenger services on the Ipswich and Beenleigh lines and taking controversial coal trains out of southside suburbs ...

Southern freight rail corridor and the Acacia Ridge <-> Brisbane Port link will need to be in place before we see these benefits.  Hopefully this will be done in the early stages.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Coalition backs Labor's inland freight rail plan

[ozbob]

Media release 28 August 2013

Australia:  Inland rail confirmed and welcomed

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has welcomed the LNP policy announcement of support for the inland rail project (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Getting bulk freight back on to rail is the way to minimise the freight transport task costs of a nation."

"Rail is cost effective - it is sustainable, it is safe, it takes thousands of trucks off the road network. Road trauma and road maintenance costs are reduced."

"The Inland rail has a lot of benefits for south-east Queensland. By removing freight trains from the suburban network this allows both modes, passenger and freight to operate independently and optimally.  This also improves cost effectiveness as less delays and more passenger and freight trains can be added to the network."

"The Southern Freight Rail corridor from Rosewood to Kagaru and the new rail connection from Acacia Ridge to the Port of Brisbane need to be a priority (2).  This will immediately shift coal trains from suburban passenger network to a dedicated freight connection."

References:

1. http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/tony-abbott-to-unveil-rail-tunnel-plan-as-kevin-rudd-flags-navy-move/story-fnihsrf2-1226705349641

2. http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/S/Southern-Freight-Rail-Corridor-Study.aspx

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[Cam]

Emerson's comment "alleviating some of the issues of having trains going through the suburbs" may not wash with residents along the standard gauge railway line in the suburbs of Acacia Ridge, Algester, Parkinson, Hillcrest, Forestdale & Boronia Heights or those around ventilation stacks between Acacia Ridge & the Gateway Motorway.

[Gazza]

How are long rail freight tunnels managed in terms of the transport of dangerous goods?

[johnnigh]

Tony promises a railway! Oh Frabjous Day!!

I think contain your joy - it's a non-core promise, of course. And it's only the first time it's been promised, or has it been announced a few times over the past decade or more??

2026 gives just enough wiggle-room for it to disappear, just like a second Sydney airport. I'll try to stay alive long enough to see it, but I suspect that, 2026 meaning 20 , I'll not make it.

[SurfRail]

This is very positive.  If we can't get him to invest in passenger rail we can at least get him to give the ARTC money.

It won't completely eliminate freight from the southside - still need to deal with:
- Cattle trains to Dinmore and Holmview (although these are only a very minor imposition and can be dealt with)
- Grain trains potentially running to Pinkenba
- Any and all freight from north of Brisbane to either Acacia Ridge or the Port

It will however completely get rid of the West Moreton coal traffic, which is most of the current problem.

This pretty much locks in Acacia Ridge as remaining where it is I suppose, so if they ever get Bromelton up and running it would be in addition - otherwise you would just run the line via the Gateway on a largely surface route.

[#Metro]

Why not elevated rather than tunnel?

And is there a way to get it over the Brisbane River near the Gateway and on to the Northside?

[SurfRail]

Why not elevated rather than tunnel?

My best guess is that it would take a fairly direct (ie faster) route, and you would be challenged finding a decent above-ground alignment to start with, let alone the fairly legitimate complaints people would have about an elevated freight line.

And is there a way to get it over the Brisbane River near the Gateway and on to the Northside?

I wonder if we could look at something like this:

- Ensure there is at least one dedicated freight track from Caboolture to around Virginia with passing loops as required
- Tunnel in a more or less straight line from Virginia under Toombul Road and the wetlands over to the new Gateway alignment
- Follow that under the river to a junction with the line coming up from the Ridge. 
- Provide for a connection to Pinkenba.

Freight gets to the Port without doing a massive loop through the Ekka and South Brisbane or Tennyson, and can bypass the city for points south and west.  Grain traffic coming down the range no longer needs to go via Eagle Junction to get to Pinkenba, and if bulk fuel traffic ever comes back it will be more competitive to send by rail this way.

That allows you to get rid of all freight off the City Network lines except for:
- North of Caboolture (not a problem)
- Limited amounts of specialised freight needing to go to special parts of the metropolitan network that can be worked around, such as cattle trains going to Dinmore and Holmview, fruit trains to Golden Circle etc

Moolabin presents a bit of a problem - it would still have the existing connection to the port (which could still be operated with no impact on the City Network other than Gold Coast trains in peak hour), but for PN to get trains in from the north would still require a trip via one of the approaches to Tennyson.  Perhaps the best solution is just to close it down and encourage PN to move elsewhere, like Bromelton or further west.  Long-term I'd like to see the metopolitan cattle traffic removed as well by getting the abbatoir sidings moved somewhere more suitable in SEQ where they don't eat up passenger train paths.  Maybe get Teys to move to a site near the port adjacent to the new line.

[#Metro]

My best guess is that it would take a fairly direct (ie faster) route, and you would be challenged finding a decent above-ground alignment to start with, let alone the fairly legitimate complaints people would have about an elevated freight line.

Just follow the Gateway Mwy?

[SurfRail]

My best guess is that it would take a fairly direct (ie faster) route, and you would be challenged finding a decent above-ground alignment to start with, let alone the fairly legitimate complaints people would have about an elevated freight line.

Just follow the Gateway Mwy?

You probably could for a fair stretch of it, depending on what they are planning.

If you were to run your tunnel from the northern edge of the yard and roughly follow Kessels Rd / Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Road (except probably a straight beeline running slightly to the north of them), then emerge somewhere around the back of Mansfield you could use the M1 corridor on the surface for more than half the length.  Put in a further tunnel dive between Wynnum Rd and the existing line, run one branch to run under the Cleveland and port lines which would then join up with the port line on the north side of the corridor, and keep one going under the river/Gateway north to eventually pop up at Virginia.

This should also get rid of a lot of freight forwarding movements by road between the Port and the Ridge if done properly, like the trains that go from Botany to Moorebank etc.

Maybe time to play around in Google Earth.

[ozbob]

http://www.liberal.org.au/latest-news/2013/08/28/inland-rail-future-freight

The Hon Warren Truss MP
Leader of the Nationals
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure & Transport

Scott Emerson
Queensland Minister for Transport & Roads

Inland rail – the future of freight

A Coalition Government, if elected, will kick-start one of Australia's most ambitious rail projects, the Inland Rail from the Port of Brisbane to Melbourne through New South Wales.

Nationals Leader Warren Truss said $300 million would be allocated by the Coalition to finalise plans and start delivering a rail line which will create a new future for freight movement in Australia's eastern states.

Mr Truss was at Acacia Ridge in Brisbane today to make the announcement with Queensland's Transport and Main Roads Minister, Scott Emerson and the LNP candidate for Moreton, Malcolm Cole.

"The Coalition has a vision for developing a stronger nation, and that includes a better and more efficient freight network supporting a five-pillar economy which includes the mining and agricultural sectors," Mr Truss said.

"This project will help ensure that our transport network is ready to do the heavy lifting required to meet Australia's growing freight transport task of the next 50 years.

"Under our plans, the standard gauge rail line that presently runs from Melbourne to Illabo (near Cootamundra) will finish its almost 2,000 kilometre journey at the Port of Brisbane."

The Australian Rail Track Corporation will be tasked to work with interested parties to establish a staged, 10-year approach to the construction of the Inland Rail, with construction to start within three years.

Infrastructure Australia will also be asked to evaluate the project's economic fundamentals and assess any private sector proposals.

Key tasks include:

    identifying a preferred corridor from Moree to the Port of Brisbane;
    delivering the preliminary engineering design and environmental assessment;
    land acquisition and approvals from Illabo to Toowoomba;
    establishing a corridor between Rosewood (west of Ipswich) and Acacia Ridge (south of Brisbane);
    investigating a rail tunnel linking the Port of Brisbane to Acacia Ridge; and
    a new 24/7 freight connection from Acacia Ridge Intermodal Terminal to the Port of Brisbane to free up capacity for the south-east Queensland passenger network.

Mr Emerson welcomed the investment into rail, and the Coalition's support for this important project.

"This project has been around for many years and now is the right time for it to be delivered," Mr Emerson said.

"Queensland's 10-year freight plan has forecast volumes to increase from 881 million tonnes in 2010 to 1,550 million tonnes in 2021.

"In order to meet the increasing freight volumes, freight services will need to be removed from the passenger lines through Ipswich and some of Brisbane's most populated suburbs."

The Newman Government has already committed $67 million to deliver two of the 10 stages, consisting of two passing loops and upgrades to 11 rail tunnels near Toowoomba," Mr Emerson said.

The project will bring huge benefits to industry as it will increase capacity, reliability and reduce the time it takes to move freight from Melbourne to Brisbane. It will significantly improve freight movements including agriculture and coal from the Western Downs and Surat Basin.

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/tony-abbotts-freight-tunnel-will-not.html
Tony Abbott's freight tunnel will not help peak commuters.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Rail tunnel to Port of Brisbane needed to ease increasing traffic congestion

[Jonno]

Freight contributes only 25 to 30% of traffic so to claim this will reduce congestion is hogwash.  The road capacity created will be filled within months if not weeks by passenger cars - the majority of congested traffic by a long shot. 

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Toowoomba range tunnel 'key' to inland railway success

[techblitz]

Southern Star Wed 04/09/13

[Old Northern Road]

Have any detailed plans of this rail tunnel been released? Will it be single or double track? What are its costs compared to CRR? Considering it doesn't have anywhere near as many benefits as CRR then its costs would have to be way lower which I strongly doubt. If CRR is built this tunnel would be completely unnecessary.

If this tunnel is built CRR probably won't be built for another 50years at least.

[Old Northern Road]

One of the very first radio interviews I took part in was on ABC Radio National ( circa 2006? ), and a chat about Inland rail, and the need to separate freight from the Brisbane suburban network.  There is one component missing that could be addressed, that is a northern freight corridor.  A road / freight rail western by pass I believe is inevitable ..  tunnelling is the way to go ...

Letter to the editor I wrote published CM 15 Dec 2007

Published Courier Mail December 15

The derailment at Petrie has again highlighted the increasing congestion problems of mixing freight and suburban passenger rail services.  As Citytrain services are ramped up it will become very difficult to provide around the clock access for freight trains on the present railway network through Brisbane.

Consideration should be given to building a western rail loop which could be used for freight trains, essentially independent of the suburban network.

A possible general route would be Caboolture, Dayboro, Fernvale, Ipswich, Bromelton.  Bromelton is ideally situated for a major freight interchange distribution centre as it is on the standard gauge railway from the south.  It is interesting to note that both Dayboro and Fernvale were once serviced by Queensland Railway branch lines.

Now is the time for the real big rail decisions and investment.

Extremely hilly around Dayboro. A line through there would cost billions.

[ozbob]

Have any detailed plans of this rail tunnel been released? Will it be single or double track? What are its costs compared to CRR? Considering it doesn't have anywhere near as many benefits as CRR then its costs would have to be way lower which I strongly doubt. If CRR is built this tunnel would be completely unnecessary.

If this tunnel is built CRR probably won't be built for another 50years at least.

Inclined to agree.  CRR is finished.  This freight rail tunnel is just a political way of killing  it.  Neither will be built.  A few passing loops on the range is all Queensland will get.

Roads will continue to be rolled out with the worsening congestion and so forth.  The electoral cycle will eventually change and I think what is more likely in the longer term is a true metro in Brisbane.  Congestion tolling is also inevitable

The LNP will find 'budget black hole' reasons for not advancing much in terms of proper transport solutions.  The other wild card is the looming oil price rises. 

Climate change cannot be dismissed. Adverse weather events will impact severely in the years to come.  The port of Brisbane may actually become unworkable with significant sea rises ..  likewise BNE.   A lot to look forward too ...   

[ozbob]

One of the very first radio interviews I took part in was on ABC Radio National ( circa 2006? ), and a chat about Inland rail, and the need to separate freight from the Brisbane suburban network.  There is one component missing that could be addressed, that is a northern freight corridor.  A road / freight rail western by pass I believe is inevitable ..  tunnelling is the way to go ...

Letter to the editor I wrote published CM 15 Dec 2007

Published Courier Mail December 15

The derailment at Petrie has again highlighted the increasing congestion problems of mixing freight and suburban passenger rail services.  As Citytrain services are ramped up it will become very difficult to provide around the clock access for freight trains on the present railway network through Brisbane.

Consideration should be given to building a western rail loop which could be used for freight trains, essentially independent of the suburban network.

A possible general route would be Caboolture, Dayboro, Fernvale, Ipswich, Bromelton.  Bromelton is ideally situated for a major freight interchange distribution centre as it is on the standard gauge railway from the south.  It is interesting to note that both Dayboro and Fernvale were once serviced by Queensland Railway branch lines.

Now is the time for the real big rail decisions and investment.

Extremely hilly around Dayboro. A line through there would cost billions.

sure would ...  but economic transport imperatives may eventually mean it is achievable.  I don't expect to see it though ..

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 2h

@TonyAbbottMHR 'Infrastructure PM' excited for the inland rail & rail tunnel to Port of BNE cobber! http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10175.msg130629#msg130629 ... #auspol #qldpol

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