Vic: Infrastructure ...

[ozbob]

Asset recycling is a common sense way to free up capital to invest in economy support transport infrastrucure https://t.co/8aj3vHySth

— TTF (@TTFAus) September 19, 2016

[ozbob]

This lease will deliver the transport projects Victoria needs to get people home safer and sooner everyday #springst pic.twitter.com/0wcrlGtVsz

— Jacinta Allan (@JacintaAllanMP) September 19, 2016

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Port of Melbourne sale hands Labor a $9.7 billion windfall

It is actually a lease ...

... Victoria will also get about $1.45 billion under the Federal Government Assets recycling scheme – far more than was set aside in the federal budget. ...

... Opposition Leader Matthew Guy welcomed the $9.7 billion lease, claiming the better-than-expected price had been achieved because the Port was a great asset. ...

[ozbob]

Victoria is buzzing.  Queensland is a bumble fumble cluster-fuk !

SHOW US THE MONEY !  Eerrrr  you have the ability to make your own in effect!  Looking terminal for the present mob here in banana-land.

[ozbob]

What a contrast ... Labor Victoria vs. Labor Queensland ....

Nothing of any real substance will happen in Queensland under the present mob.  They cannot even find the courage to convert Victoria Bridge to a green bridge. 

I bet that LNP will now come in strong with an infrastructure program policy based on asset recycling and do them over ..

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Port of Melbourne leased for massive $9.7 billion

MORE than $11 billion will be spent on road and rail projects in Victoria after the Port of Melbourne was leased for a higher-than-expected price.

The 50-year lease fetched a whopping $9.7 billion, with the State Government to pour all that money into the Victorian Transport Fund set aside specifically for infrastructure.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the state was also owed a further 15 per cent dividend – or about $1.4 billion – from the Commonwealth's asset recycling fund.

This brings the total amount of money to be spent on roads and rail to about $11.1 billion.

Mr Andrews said the big lease price was a "vote of confidence in the Victorian economy".

"All of this funding will go towards the vital transport projects that will create jobs and protect and enhance all the things we love about Melbourne and every community right across our state," he said.

The Lonsdale Consortium, comprising of the Future Fund, QIC, GIP and OMERS, signed the lease for the port's commercial operations.

The process has been approved by federal regulators.

Mr Andrews said: "We haven't yet determined where that additional capacity will go".

"This additional amount of money, this additional if you like Budget capacity, it will then inform decisions that we make in next year's Budget and the year after that," he said.

Treasurer Tim Pallas said the government had only expected to get $7 billion, but current market conditions had inflated that well above expectations.

"We couldn't have picked a better time to go to the market," Mr Pallas said.

Mr Pallas said there would be changes to the port as a result of the lease, but that there were strong protections for workers and community infrastructure.

The state will also retain responsibility for the Harbour Master, Station Pier, relevant safety and environmental regulation, waterside emergency management and marine pollution response.

Regional Victoria will also benefit from the transaction, with 10 per cent of lease proceeds owed to regional and rural infrastructure projects.

And the government said a new $200 million Agriculture Infrastructure and Jobs Fund has also been established to "boost exports and support Victorian farmers from paddock to port".

Opposition planning spokesman David Davis said the high lease price should enable the government to rethink Sky Rail projects and remove level crossings using more expensive methods.

"Daniel Andrews went to the 2014 election with a promise to remove level crossings from the proceeds of the lease of the Port of Melbourne which was expected to reap around $6 billion," Mr Davis said.

"Now that the Port of Melbourne lease has earned more than expected, Daniel Andrews no longer has the excuse of not building rail under road on the Frankston, Mernda and Hurstbridge lines."

[ozbob]

http://www.qic.com.au/knowledge-centre/gi-media-release-port-of-melbourne-20160919

QIC consortium acquires Port of Melbourne on 50-year lease

Melbourne 19 September 2016: The Lonsdale Consortium comprising the Future Fund, QIC, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) and OMERS was today named by the Victorian Government as the successful acquirer of a 50-year lease of the Port of Melbourne, Australia's leading trade gateway.

The Consortium said it was extremely pleased to be selected to acquire the lease and become custodians of Australia's largest container, automotive and general cargo port.

The Port of Melbourne is a strategic link between Australia and its major trading partners and the Lonsdale Consortium looks forward to working with government and industry to deliver world class facilities and ongoing growth to support future freight demand over the next 50 years.

The Consortium will bring significant operational expertise to the Port of Melbourne. To deliver this it has submitted a long-term development plan which is underpinned by a strong commitment to safety, governance, productivity and sustainability.

Peter Costello, Chair of the Future Fund Board of Guardians, said: "The Port of Melbourne is a high quality asset and an important link between Australia and its trading partners. We're delighted to invest in it and to add it to our portfolio of Australian and global infrastructure assets. It will be an important contributor to our long-term investment objectives as Australia's sovereign wealth fund."

QIC Global Infrastructure Head, Ross Israel said: "The Port of Melbourne is core infrastructure - it is a critical and strategic piece of the Victorian and Australian logistics supply chain. Our Consortium has developed a long term vision and business plan. Leveraging our global port and regulated asset experience QIC is focused on delivering long term stewardship and improvements to the port and for its users.

We look forward to working with the Victorian Government, port stakeholders and neighbouring communities to maintain, invest and grow Port of Melbourne into the future. We believe this investment brings significant diversification benefits for our clients as a landlord port with a well- defined regulatory regime in a globally scarce infrastructure subsector." Mr Israel said.

GIP Australia Partner Russell Smith said: "As a leading global, independent infrastructure investor, we are looking forward to supporting the future growth of the Port of Melbourne by applying industry best practice and utilizing our specialist knowledge.

"GIP looks forward to bringing to bear our strong port and rail industry expertise to drive forward the efficiency and capacity of the Port of Melbourne and focus on the necessary transformational change in the road/rail mix servicing the freight task moving through the port to the benefit of all stakeholders."

Ralph Berg, Executive Vice President & Global Head of Infrastructure, OMERS Private Markets, said: "We are confident that our global expertise in managing similar assets will see the Port of Melbourne continue to operate as Australia's leading container and multi cargo port and we look forward to working with port users and stakeholders to further improve the productivity of this important asset."

As part of its successful bid, the Lonsdale Consortium will invest substantial capital to expand the existing capacity of the port to service the freight needs of the State for 50 years. The Consortium is also committed to fostering close ties with industry and the local community.

Members of the Lonsdale Consortium hold significant infrastructure interests across Australia, including stakes in landmark Victorian assets such as Melbourne Airport, Iona Gas Storage Facility and EastLink toll road. The Consortium also brings extensive global and local port ownership experience with involvement in key assets such as Port of Brisbane, NSW Ports and Associated British Ports (the UK's largest port operator).

The Lonsdale Consortium was advised by Gresham Partners and Credit Suisse as its financial advisers and Herbert Smith Freehills as its legal adviser. The transaction is expected to close on October 31.

-  Ends -

[ozbob]

Isn't it ironic? 

QIC investing in a long term lease in Victoria, while major infrastructure in Queensland languishes ...

[#Metro]

It is also ironic because it is not really a privatisation then, but a takeover by a government controlled company, which is the opposite - a nationalisation.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Memo to Scott Morrison: you owe Victoria on sale of Port of Melbourne lease

Credit where it's due; the Victorian government has achieved an outstanding result for the state's taxpayers in selling the lease of the Port of Melbourne for $9.7 billion, about $3 billion more than expected.

This windfall will be rightly used to fund key infrastructure projects across the state, with 10 per cent of the proceeds, about $970 million, to go to regional and rural projects.

Where credit is certainly not due is in the petty politicking of the federal government. Treasurer Scott Morrison is short-changing Victoria by more than half a billion dollars, claiming that because the state's paperwork was not signed off by June 30, instead of passing on 15 per cent of the sale price, he need hand over just 9 per cent.

Under the federal government's asset recycling scheme, Victoria is entitled to 15 per cent of the sale price for public assets, provided the proceeds are reinvested in productive infrastructure. For the port deal, 15 per cent equals $1.45 billion.

If the sale of the port lease was a responsible means of monetising a state asset back in June, it is surely still a smart decision today. To withhold money on the flimsy excuse of a paperwork deadline smacks of party politics. Would the Sydney-based Mr Morrison try such a brazen clawback if the state in question were NSW, with its Liberal government?

Victoria Treasurer Tim Pallas is rightly furious, having long argued that this state is being short-changed on infrastructure funding. Too often, governments of all persuasions fail to take a long-term, bipartisan approach to infrastructure. The loser is the community. The Age argues Melbourne's growth has outstripped its infrastructure, costing its inhabitants in quality of life and harming the state's economic future. What is needed is a long-term, bipartisan vision which allows us to go beyond piecemeal adjustments. The port lease sale is an excellent opportunity for such a farsighted approach. ...

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/independent-infrastructure-report-leaves-matthew-guys-credibility-in-tatters/

Independent Infrastructure Report Leaves Matthew Guy's Credibility In Tatters

Minister for Major Projects 4 October 2016

Matthew Guy's credibility is in tatters following the release of a landmark report into Victoria's infrastructure needs for the next thirty years.

The independent Infrastructure Victoria (IV) has today handed down its draft 30-year Infrastructure Strategy, based on months of public consultation and thousands of pages of evidence.

It finds that Matthew Guy's favourite two infrastructure projects are costly white elephants that don't stack up and are not priorities for our state.

Infrastructure Victoria concludes that connecting South Yarra Station to the Metro Tunnel is not needed, is too costly, and would provide "no net benefit" to Victorians.

This evidence is in line with the Metro Tunnel business case, which Matthew Guy and the Liberals continue to ignore.

The report also confirms that the dud East West Link project is not a priority for our state and may never be needed at all.

Under new expert modelling, IV has found the project would lose 30-40 cents for every dollar of investment, with "Iittle effect overall on road and public transport demand".

The detailed analysis also finds that the project could actually increase congestion in Melbourne's eastern and northern suburbs.

Other road projects, including the proposed North East Link, were rated higher on almost every metric.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Major Projects Jacinta Allan

"Matthew Guy's credibility is in tatters, with independent experts confirming that his two favourite infrastructure projects just don't stack up."

"It's time Matthew Guy stopped being so reckless and started supporting projects that actually reduce congestion and get people moving."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan

"The Liberals must dump these costly and destructive plans, and rule out wasting Victorian taxpayers money on projects that don't stack up."

"Independent experts have confirmed that the East West Link is not a priority for our state, could actually lead to more congestion in Melbourne's eastern and northern suburbs, and may never be needed at all."

[#Metro]

All projects costing $100+ million should MANDATORILY go to assessment, and anything that pops out with BCR less that 1 should be banned, or otherwise go to a vote.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Southern Cross Station overhaul flagged after booming passenger numbers

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Infrastructure Victoria's wish list is the easy part ...

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Push to hit households with a new tax to help pay for future rail

Local households could face an extra $435 rate charge each to help underwrite a proposed new $19 billion train tunnel that would connect Clifton Hill with Newport , the state's key infrastructure adviser says.

In a report released on Thursday, Infrastructure Victoria concluded that the Melbourne Metro 2 project - a proposed train tunnel running from Clifton Hill to Newport via Parkville, Southern Cross Station and Fishermans Bend - could add about $20 billion to land values.

It warned that residential and commercial properties set to benefit from big infrastructure projects might need to get used to the idea of helping pay for them.

In a controversial approach to funding infrastructure known as "value capture", and which is championed by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, it concluded about one-quarter of the project costs could be funded by hitting those who benefit with a "betterment levy".

Under the most likely scenario, all residential and commercial properties within 1 kilometre of the rail corridor would pay the new tax. In the first year of operation, the average rate would be $435 for residential properties, or $21 and $10 per square metre for commercial and industrial properties.

The Andrews government has already ruled out such a tax to pay for the first $10.9 billion stage of the project, which will involve twin tunnels running from South Yarra to Kensington.

But Infrastructure Victoria has also placed the idea of a the second stage on the agenda as Melbourne struggles to cope with booming population growth. The second stage has been estimated to cost between $15 billion and $22 billion in today's dollars, with construction unlikely to start until at least 2034.

A spokesman for Treasurer Tim Pallas said Infrastructure Victoria's final recommendations were due in December and would be "fully considered" ahead of a five-year infrastructure strategy due to be released by the middle of next year.With infrastructure funding a major political issue, the idea of hitting households or businesses with higher taxes to help pay for it is already proving highly controversial.

Property Council deputy executive director Asher Judah said he was shocked at the proposal, warning the plan would increase house prices and rents, with many Victorians already struggling to cope with housing costs.

Mr Judah said under the proposal a 40,000 square metre office tower could face an increase of approximately $800,000 a year for 30 years.

"At the 2014 Election Debate the premier took a stand against the introduction of new taxes; we are calling on him to honour his promise now," Mr Judah said.

The idea of "value capture" - where the households and business that directly benefit from a project are required to help fund it - was heavily spruiked by Mr Turnbull. In April this year, he said major projects needed to harness the boost in property values that resulted from them, and called for a "cultural gear change in the way that we look at urban infrastructure".

But the details about how the concept could be put into practice to fund big projects have so far proved elusive. Infrastructure Victoria said methods of applying the concept could include "betterment" levies, developer contributions, and cashing in on property development around train stations.

It said there was evidence that certain types of infrastructure such as train stations increased near-by land values, providing "significant windfall gains to land owners".

"A park, for instance, is more readily enjoyed by those living nearby; a train service is most beneficial for those living and working near a station. Even state-wide services, such as hospital care, are most valuable to those with ready access to them.

The concept of value capture is not a new one. It was used to help fund Melbourne's City Loop, with a variety of levies and charges. It is also being used to fund London's Crossrail project through a levy on non-residential properties.

[#Metro]

They are doing it wrong.

They are cutting and pasting an idea from America and putting it in an Australian context and expecting it to work without modification.

Local councils already capture much of the land value increase because in Australia, council rates are based on land values.

You can take the money off the council, and let the council figure how to distribute the resulting rates, you can add a surcharge to council rates forwarded to the State Government or you can reform the land tax system and remove the exemption for owner occupied homes (would require other changes such as stamp duties to be abolished and possibly PAYG witholding from work income).

Property Council deputy executive director Asher Judah said he was shocked at the proposal, warning the plan would increase house prices and rents, with many Victorians already struggling to cope with housing costs.

The Property Council is quite happy to receive free windfall land value boosts courtesy of taxpayer funded infrastructure on which they do not have to lift a finger for.

Mr Judah's claims are outright falsehoods - house prices and rents are set according to market supply and demand, they are never ever set according to a cost plus principle. If they were, every time interest rates went down, rents and home prices would go down also. This never happens - they just pocket the difference as extra profits.

A landlord that raised their rents above market to chase a higher cost base would face a vacant rental AND still be liable to pay the tax! A home owner that raised their asking price above market and tried to sell would have major difficulty finding a buyer.

And in fact, I have hard proof that Mr Judah is talking nonsense, because the ACT has done the necessary reforms and mortgage payment on land taxed land have gone *DOWN*.

ACT land tax policies already cutting mortgage payments, report says

ACT moves to bring in a land tax have cut up to $2200 off annual mortgage payment costs and kept house price growth 20 per cent below what it would otherwise be after only three years, a report by economic think-tank Prosper says.

http://www.afr.com/real-estate/residential/act/act-land-tax-policies-already-cutting-mortgage-payments-report-says-20160911-grdrar

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/work-to-start-on-14-country-crossing-upgrades/

Work To Start On 14 Country Crossing Upgrades

Minister for Public Transport 4 November 2016

Work will start on 14 country rail crossings in North Eastern and Central Victoria to make them safer for motorists, passengers and local communities.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan announced today that Active Railway Signalling Pty Ltd (ARS) has been awarded the contract to deliver the $8.2 million in critical safety upgrades.

As part of the works, boom gates and flashing lights will be installed at 10 road crossings on the Seymour corridor and North East line:

    Racecourse Road, Chiltern
    Gravel Pit Road, Wangaratta
    Cemetery Road, Benalla
    Carroll Road, Benalla
    Palmerston Street, Baddaginnie
    Mahers Road, Violet Town
    Angle Road, Euroa
    Locksley Road, Locksley-Nagambie
    Beveridge Station Lane, Beveridge
    Rutherglen-Springhurst Road (Cannings Crossing), Springhurst

Four pedestrian crossings will also be upgraded – two in Broadford and two in Donnybrook. They will be upgraded with automatic gates that close when a train is approaching and won't open until it is safe to cross.

Emergency exit gates with electromagnetic latches will also be installed, to ensure people can get off the tracks if they get caught between the automatic gates when they close.

The upgrades are part of the Andrews Labor Government's $50 million Safer Country Crossings Program which will upgrade 52 road and 25 pedestrian crossings around Victoria.

The program has already delivered crucial safety upgrades at the Phalps Road, Tragowel Road and Sandy's Lane level crossings, as well as the Kilmore East pedestrian crossing.

The 14 crossings in this package of works will be managed by VicTrack, and will be complete mid-next year.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"We're upgrading these road and pedestrian crossings to improve safety for motorists, passengers and local communities in Central and Central Victoria."

"Work on each of the 14 crossings will start immediately and be finished by mid-next year – we're getting it done."

Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes

"These vital upgrades will make northern Victoria safer and reduce the risk of accidents along the north east line."

Quote attributable to Member for Yan Yean Danielle Green and Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria Danielle Green

"This critical investment will upgrade and make safer the level crossing on Beveridge Station Lane and two pedestrian crossings on Donnybook Road, which is so important with the growing population in these communities."

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Victoria being 'short-changed' on infrastructure funding by Turnbull Government, Public Transport Minister says

Victoria is still being short-changed by the Federal Government over infrastructure funding despite the Commonwealth's decision to release $1.5 billion originally set aside for the scrapped East West Link project, the state's Public Transport Minister says.

The Federal Government unlocked the money as part of a $3 billion package for about 40 infrastructure projects across Victoria, including the Monash Freeway upgrade and Murray Basin Rail Freight Project.

It had first promised the money to help build the East West Link but the funding was withheld when the project was abandoned.

Victoria's Public Transport Minister, Jacinta Allan, said the money always belonged to the state.

"Whilst it's pleasing that Malcolm Turnbull ... finally recognised that this money that should always have stayed in Victoria and should always be spent on Victorian infrastructure projects, it doesn't disguise the fact that Victoria is still receiving far less that its fair share in federal infrastructure funding," she said.

Ms Allan said the money fell under the 9 per cent of national funding Victoria received from the Federal Government and slammed the fact "not one cent" was put towards public transport. ...

[#Metro]

Read: "its fair share"

Translation: "Grab as much money as is humanly possible!"

Victoria has had some high cost major projects in recent years. I think it does quite well.

I don't think Tasmania or NT get much at all! Might be wrong on this point.

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Little joy for rail in $3bn infrastructure deal

A $3 billion infrastructure deal between Victoria and the Federal Government will mostly fund roads.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Tuesday announced his government and the State Government would each contribute $1.5 billion to the Victorian Infrastructure Package.

The announcement frees up the $1.5 billion in Federal funding that has been tied up since the state government cancelled the East West Link.

But very little cash will go towards rail, with most of the money reserved for roads.

"I am pleased the Victorian Government has matched our funding of $1.5 billion to deliver vital upgrades to 40 road projects across the State," the PM said.

"These projects will drive investment and innovation, improve freight efficiency, and business productivity.

"We are investing and building for our future by reducing congestion as our population increases."

Federal transport and infrastructure minister Darren Chester said commuters will experience the benefits in the long term with efficiencies – allowing people to do business or get to work quicker.

"We will be delivering Monash Freeway upgrades, M80 Ring Road upgrades, Murray Basin Freight Rail Project, an Urban Congestion Package, and a Rural and Regional Roads package," Chester said.

"Following our commitment to invest in an Urban Congestion package the O'Herns Road Interchange project has been included. The Australian and Victorian governments have also agreed to develop a comprehensive business case for the Monash Freeway upgrade to investigate and consider options to reduce congestion.  This will be oversighted by a joint Australian and Victorian government steering committee."

The Greens Party slammed the announcement, saying Turnbull "has let Victorian commuters down by redirecting East West Link funding to other roads".

"The state and federal governments need to stop playing games with infrastructure and start acting in the best interests of Victorian commuters," Greens senator and spokesperson for transport and infrastructure Janet Rice said.

"Victorians voted to dump the East West Link in favour of world class public transport, but all this announcement provides is more and more roads.

"Easing congestion by building more roads is like loosening your belt to cure obesity.

"The only way to solve Melbourne's congestion woes is to give people the choice to get out of the cars and free up our roads for those who need them.

"Transport planning needs to be evidence-based and transparent, not handed out to suit the whims of politicians.

"The Prime Minister must stop playing politics and get serious about investing in fast, frequent, reliable and safe public transport."

[#Metro]

"We will be delivering Monash Freeway upgrades, M80 Ring Road upgrades, Murray Basin Freight Rail Project, an Urban Congestion Package, and a Rural and Regional Roads package," Chester said.

The problem with these projects is that they don't do proper mode choice analysis.

A road upgrade should be compared against Bus Rapid Transit or LRT down the middle of the highway (like Perth) or building an alternative transit solution.

They don't do this. They just compare "road" or "no road" options, and that's it. Hopeless!

Roads only do around 2000 pphd. It's the lowest capacity option.

[ozbob]

We're pleased to present our 30-year infrastructure strategy for Victoria https://t.co/2zB9yvrQRF

— Infrastructure Vic (@infravic) December 7, 2016

[verbatim9]

^^The Youtube video didn't really say much about what is going to happen. But they did mention it's a good plan for the Government to respond too and that they need to update the plan every 3-5 years.

[Stillwater]

Transport Network Pricing on the table in Victoria. 

In Queensland, computer says 'no'

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> 'Uninviting, unsafe' Frankston station reborn in five shortlisted designs

[ozbob]

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/more-parking-for-passengers-to-ease-pressure-at-stations/

More Parking For Passengers To Ease Pressure At Stations

Minister for Public Transport 15 December 2016

The Andrews Labor Government will build up to 2,100 extra car parking spaces across Victoria to make it easier for passengers to find a park at local stations.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan today announced that Ace Infrastructure, Civilex and 2-Construct have been awarded the contract to upgrade 14 busy station car parks across the outer suburbs and regional Victoria.

New lighting, CCTV footage, line markings and signage will improve safety and access in and around the stations.

The 2016/17 Victorian Budget included $20 million to build more than 1,500 new car parks. Following detailed planning work that number has increased by up to 600 spaces.

The project will unlock land at stations to provide thousands of new sealed car parking spaces free of charge.

Increasing parking capacity at these stations will also help to reduce traffic congestion on local streets by encouraging more people to use public transport.

The sites were chosen following an extensive audit of more than 200 suburban and regional stations to determine the current capacity, future demand, available land, and population growth of each area.

A series of community information sessions were held this year to give local residents and passengers the chance to have their say and find out more about the car park concept designs.

The additional parking spaces will be completed by mid-2018. For more information about the project, please visit victrack.com.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"We're making it easier to drive to the station and catch the train – that's why we're creating up to 2,100 new car parking spaces at stations where they are needed most."

"These upgrades will help locals access the trains they rely on every day to get to work, school and back home safely." 

"We want to make it easier for people to park, encourage more people to catch public transport, and ease congestion on our local roads." 

[Stillwater]

The proposed designs for Frankston Railway Station makes Queensland station designs appear utilitarian.  The architectural competition shows what's possible when you lock the in-house design team in a cupboard and bring in teams of talented people with fresh ideas that see railway stations being central to urban renewal and integrated design.

One looks at the parsimonious upgrade at Nambour station and breaks into tears.  The station upgrade there could have been so much more imaginative, purposeful and functional.

Strangely, I don't blame TMR or QR.  Councils have got to get involved and 'pitch' and 'bid' for concepts around railway station upgrades to the state government.  Let's see some of this thinking around the CRR stations, or will there be strict adherence to the 'this is council land' and 'this is state land' and the two are developed quite separately while, in reality, they sit side by side.  The public interaction with the streetscape should be seamless, as they move from one to the other.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Victoria's $60 billion transport underspend

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Commuters call for massive V/Line car park at Geelong in $1b bid for rail cash

A 20-hectare, 4000-space car park should be built in Geelong, and more than $1 billion needs to be spent on rail across the state to speed up commuting from satellite towns, according to local lobbyists pitching for extra funding from this year's state budget. 

The new Corio Parkway railway station, the group says, would "be designed to overcome a chronic shortage of commuter car parking in the Geelong area". Melbourne Airport has about 24,000 public carparking spaces, while the biggest railway station car park in Victoria, at Tarneit, has 1000 spaces.

The Gippsland line, a "poor relation" of railways to other major Victorian regional centres, would receive a $170 million boost over two years to upgrade infrastructure and improve travel times, reliability and frequency, and the Geelong line would receive a $215 million boost, under the Rail Futures Institute's plan.

Metropolitan Melbourne's rail system would also be substantially upgraded under proposals contained in the lobby group's 2017-18 state budget submission, with $810 million requested for a range of projects including duplication of the Dandenong to Cranbourne track, Greensborough-Eltham and Ferntree Gully-Upper Ferntree Gully sections.

The Rail Futures Institute says the Corio Parkway station would attract Melbourne-bound commuters out of their cars and off the busy Princes Freeway. The group also calls for $215 million to be spent on duplicating the Geelong line between South Geelong and Waurn Ponds, and better signalling.

East of Melbourne it calls for four major projects on the Gippsland line:

    $95 million to duplicate the track between Bunyip and Longwarry.
    $40 million to build a second platform at Morwell and a crossing loop extension.
    $25 million to replace the Avon River rail bridge so that it can handle freight trains.
    $10 million for a major expansion of the Drouin Railway Station car park.

Secretary of the Rail Futures Institute Bill Russell said the proposed projects would significantly improve rail services and benefit residents of Melbourne and country Victoria.

"It's going to help regional people improve their access to jobs, education and health services in the city. It's going to help metropolitan people do their commuting into Melbourne and around the city more efficiently and with greater reliability," he said.

"If you take the regional suggestions first, we've got some marvellous improvements in our regional trains, particularly to Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo. But there are some poor relations, and the poor relations include places beyond Geelong, places beyond Ballarat, Shepparton and Gippsland," he said.

"The Gippsland railway has been the poor relation in the modernisation of regional railways in Victoria. There has been no improvement in journey times to Gippsland despite the regional fast rail project and the VLocity rail cars, and that is because the infrastructure there really needs to be upgraded," Dr Russell said.

"Currently, the average speed on the Gippsland line is around 75km/h on journeys to Melbourne, compared with about 105km/h from Ballarat and Bendigo. And that (speed) deficiency, means that a lower proportion of Gippsland people travelling to Melbourne use the train compared to their cars, as opposed to the share in the Bendigo and Ballarat corridors," he said.

Baw Baw Mayor Joe Gauci welcomed the proposed Gippsland projects, and called for more, including train stabling facilities at Warragul and Sale, an expansion of the Moe station car park and new signalling.

Cr Gauci said Gippsland people "need better" than the current Gippsland line. "The current condition of the line, as far as we're concerned, is totally inadequate," he said.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Why the Frankston line gets the royal treatment while everywhere else suffers

Fear of the revenge of the Frankston line voter is distorting public transport investment decisions in Victoria, and other parts of Melbourne are paying for it.

This week the Andrews government revealed the last piece of the puzzle in its series of 13 level crossing removals on the Frankston line.

The small seaside suburb of Carrum is in for a big change. Three crossings are due for the dustbin, not the promised two, as is the eyesore train stabling yard south of the station, which will be replaced by a new town centre. New local roads will also be built to make it simpler to get on and off the Nepean Highway. It's a big investment for a suburb of just 3500 people.

It's tempting to conclude all these extras have been included to sweeten the bitter pill of a new 900-metre rail bridge – some are calling it sky rail –which will be built, after engineering experts ruled out putting the rail line below ground. Community groups along the Frankston line have spoken overwhelmingly against sky rail, and the government has taken heed.

It's an about-face from the government's approach to the Cranbourne-Pakenham line, where the decision to build elevated rail to remove nine level crossings was made without meaningful consultation. But it's no surprise given the Frankston line passes through a string of marginal seats Labor will need to hold in 2018 if it is to be re-elected.

So at all but three of the 13 level crossing sites, the government will bury the rail line under the road, no matter the likely greater expense. Trenches will be dug in Edithvale and Bonbeach, where the line is on a former swamp and just 100 metres or so from the shoreline, and in Mentone and Cheltenham, where the compulsory acquisition of 32 properties will add millions to the project cost. A rail bridge would have involved just eight property acquisitions.

At Carrum this week, Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan declined to say if the government had already blown its $2 billion budget for the Frankston line works, but its decision to dig a trench wherever possible surely increases its prospects of doing so.

Which is better, rail under or rail over is up for debate, but bayside residents' determination to fight for the outcome they want, whatever the cost, is easy to understand.

Melbourne's growing pains as it stretches beyond 4 million are felt by everyone. But population growth hasn't altered the city's essential character, which is less heaving metropolis than a series of fiercely parochial villages, each stubbornly protective of its patch and disinclined to take one for the team when issues of wider city planning are concerned.

This is a wicked problem for government, which must take a holistic view about investing in a rail system experiencing growth in demand of almost 3 per cent a year, without riding roughshod over local interests. But it's increasingly apparent that the Andrews government has not got the balance right with the Frankston line, such is its anxiety about keeping its grip on four marginal seats it holds by margins as thin as 0.5 per cent.

Consider for example that Melbourne hasn't had a major update to the metropolitan train timetable since Labor was elected almost 2½ years ago.

The government has never publicly explained its reasons for deferring the update, although a leaked copy of what was planned revealed it involved removing several peak-hour Frankston services from the City Loop, which would have inconvenienced some commuters. The decision also meant the addition of badly needed peak-hour services for some of Melbourne's most overcrowded lines, including Werribee, Craigieburn and Sunbury, has been deferred.

The timetable update is an increasingly (and literally) pressing matter for commuters on those lines, which, as it happens, run through safe Labor seats. This is galling given the capacity to add extra services has been there ever since the $3.65 billion Regional Rail Link opened in mid-2015, freeing up dozens of train slots that V/Line used to need.

At least the Andrews government can argue it's not the first to squander cash on the Frankston line. The former Baillieu/Napthine Coalition government, also anxious to sandbag four newly Liberal Frankston line seats, spent $115 million on the so-called Bayside Rail Project, whose chief benefit was introducing X'Trapolis trains, the system's "newest, biggest and fastest" trains, to the line. 

It wasn't enough to stop voters in those seats swinging back to Labor in 2014, and any reference to the project has already been scrubbed from PTV's website, even though it was only completed late last year.

The need for bigger trains to Frankston was questionable, given the line does not have a serious overcrowding problem, while the trains' superior speed was moot given the Coalition had also padded out the timetable so it could get the trains to run on time.

So while commuters on the Frankston line have cause to reflect on the perks of living in a marginal seat, commuters on some other lines can only dream of ever getting a seat at all.

[ozbob]

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/new-train-station-for-melbournes-growing-west/

New Train Station For Melbourne's Growing West

Minister for Public Transport

The Andrews Labor Government will build a brand new train station at Toolern to service Melbourne's booming outer-western suburbs.

The new station between Rockbank and Melton will be funded by the Labor Government's Growth Area Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC) and ready to take passengers by late 2019.

Toolern is set to grow rapidly and needs a train station with its current population of around 1,000 expected to soar to 55,000 in coming decades. Around 2,000 passengers will use the station from 2021.

The new station will be located near Ferris Road in Melton South, and include car parking, a bus interchange, bike storage. Locals will get an opportunity to have their say on the station's concept designs in comings weeks.

The new station builds on the Labor Government's massive upgrade of the line through Melbourne's west, which will duplicate 18 kilometres of track, paving the way for future electrification to Melton.

Rockbank Station will be rebuilt with new facilities and more than 300 new car parks. Additional platforms and pedestrian links will also be built at Bacchus Marsh and Ballan, giving both stations a second platform to boost capacity and allow trains to easily pass each other.

A consortium of Lendlease, Coleman Rail and SMEC has been announced as the preferred bidder to deliver the project.

Early construction works kicked off last month, with station upgrades and track duplication to begin next year and the project to be complete by late 2019.

Quote attributable to the Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"We're delivering more frequent and reliable services for Melbourne's growing western suburbs  – helping passengers get to where they need to go." 

Quote attributable to Minister for Planning Richard Wynne

"We know the population in Melbourne's outer west is booming. That's why we're planning for and delivering the public transport options they need now and in the future as they grow."

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Suburban Development Lily D'Ambrosio

"Unlike the do-nothing previous government, we're getting on with delivering important transport infrastructure to help ease congestion in our growing outer suburbs."

[ozbob]

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/melbournes-first-dedicated-high-speed-busway/

Melbourne's First Dedicated, High-Speed Busway

Minister for Public Transport

25 November 2017

Melbourne's first dedicated busway will be built as part of North East Link – slashing travel times and delivering more services, more often to the north eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan today announced the Doncaster Busway – a Victorian-first, fully separated, high speed bus route that will run from Doncaster to Victoria Park.

Using the median in the Eastern Freeway, buses will be able to travel up to 100km/h unimpeded by traffic, slashing travel times by up to 30 per cent.

The new busway will include two separated bus-only lanes (one each way) that provide direct access to and from Doncaster Park and Ride and connect to the Victoria Park precinct.

The project will also provide more parking for commuters, with the opportunity to build a future Park and Ride in Bulleen.

The Labor Government's Streamlining Hoddle Street project will mean further time savings and increased reliability for bus commuters on Melbourne's busiest bus route.

Yesterday, the Labor Government announced the route for North East Link – the long-awaited missing link in Melbourne's ring road.

The project will start at Springvale Road with a massive overhaul of the Eastern Freeway. The Eastern will remain toll-free.

It will then connect through to the M80 Ring Road through twin tunnels, protecting environmentally sensitive and residential areas above.

North East Link will be Victoria's biggest ever investment in transport infrastructure and will take more than 15,000 trucks off residential streets in the north east. IT will also create an estimated 10,000 jobs.

The Labor Government has invested over $100 million to improve bus services across Victoria, introducing new routes and more services for Melbourne's growing suburbs and regional towns.

North East Link Authority will be running drop-in community sessions over the coming weeks. For more information, visit northeastlink.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"North East Link will not only take cars and trucks off local streets, it will provide a massive boost to public transport through our busiest bus corridor."

"Buses will no longer be held up weaving on and off ramps. The Doncaster Busway will create a true express ride down the middle of the Eastern Freeway."

"North East Link will make travel faster and easier for everyone – whether you drive, walk, ride or catch public transport."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/934373739814203400

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Our ridiculous frenzy of road construction will swallow up resources for two decades

Victoria's politicians have thrown away the benefits of the state's stamp duty bonanza and the proceeds from the Port of Melbourne sale over recent years by investing in politically motivated, badly conceived road projects.They have also delayed and dumbed down vital public transport projects.

All of this has been for purely political reasons, yet it hasn't even delivered political success: the last two state elections have been lost on transport grounds. The next could go the same way.

We in the real world have known for years that building more roads generates more traffic and worsens congestion. For this reason, Melbourne's growth and economic success is best served by putting public transport first, not last.

Last Friday, as the end of the year approached, the government released the heavily redacted contract with Transurban for the West Gate Tunnel. It will cost Victorians billions, unnecessarily, and yet it is just the latest in a string of foolish road projects this state has embarked on.

Over 18 months from 2001, I oversaw the Northern Central City Corridor Study for the Bracks Labor government. This major investigation by the state showed that investing in public transport properly would avoid the need for new roads in the north, including the East West Link.Then, in 2007, I was among those advising Sir Rod Eddington on his East West Link Needs Assessment.

Those of us advising Eddington argued strongly that the study had to consider public transport as well as roads if it was to come to any meaningful conclusions.

Eddington took that on board, and when his study came out it recommended building the Melbourne Metro ahead of the East West Link.

Neither of these studies' findings sat well with the ruling politicians of the day.

Another project proposed by Eddington, the Regional Rail Link, ended up being built before either. Funded by Labor, the incoming Baillieu government from 2010 tried to save time and money by reducing its scope and benefits.

When Denis Napthine took over as premier in 2013, he dreamed up an inferior version of the Melbourne Metro. Napthine's project (dubbed the Melbourne Rail Link) bypassed the CBD rather than servicing it.

The rail link was imposed on the transport department by Napthine and his ministers, keen to have a "non-Labor" project under way. So politicised had transport planning become that public servants were told to "make it work" when they advised him that it was a dud.

Napthine also fast-tracked the East West Link, signing contracts in haste for a project that had a benefit-cost ratio of 45 cents in the dollar. In doing so, he completely ignored the most recent research into the project – Eddington's 2008 study – and pressed ahead regardless. Again for political reasons.

When Labor returned to power, the Andrews government immediately dropped the Melbourne Rail Link and resurrected Melbourne Metro. However, they omitted metro platforms at South Yarra station, thus worsening the rail service at the busiest station outside the City Loop.

They also scrapped the East West Link and committed to removing 50 of Melbourne's many rail level crossings.

But Labor also did a secret deal with Transurban to build the West Gate Tunnel, going through a sham business case assessment – in which I was involved as a senior reviewer.

Labor used the same team of public servants and consultants as did the East West Link business case.

I was so deeply concerned about the traffic forecasting and economic analysis being carried out for the West Gate Tunnel business case I raised my concerns with Treasurer Tim Pallas.

My warning was ignored and I was removed from the project.

The deal to build the West Gate Tunnel will benefit Transurban through extended tolling on CityLink until 2046, as well as tolling on the new road.

We taxpayers are subsidising the project (to the tune of $1.6 billion, and rising) to give this toll revenue to Transurban.

I think this must be the first publicly subsidised toll road in Australia, in modern times.

Daniel Andrews says that if the opposition blocks the deal in the Victorian Parliament the project will still go ahead, but taxpayers will foot the bill. He is also trying to make badly needed reforms to the toll penalties dependent on the project. This kind of cynical, desperate politicking surpasses anything done by his predecessors and must rank among the worst pieces of transport "policy" in Melbourne's history.

Adding insult to injury, both the main parties now support the North East Link, and the Liberals want to resurrect the East West Link. Both will load up the Eastern Freeway, which I fully expect will then need widening – and tolling – as part of the deal. Thus we'll probably end up with tolls on CityLink, the West Gate Tunnel, the East West Link, the North East Link, the Eastern Freeway and EastLink.

This ridiculous frenzy of road construction will swallow up resources for two decades, preventing any more major public transport improvements after Melbourne Metro. We'll end up with even greater car dependency and road congestion.

The West Gate Tunnel fiasco could help tip the Andrews government out at this November's election – a supreme irony given Labor's fight against the East West Link.

Meanwhile, Matthew Guy has concocted a plan to "remove" 55 of Melbourne's busiest road intersections. This commitment comes with no business case or any planning context whatsoever. This latest, desperate attempt at "congestion-busting" is doomed from the outset.

In any sensible world, the undoubtedly bad outcomes from Guy's plan for the urban fabric, for public transport, for cyclists and for pedestrians would quickly put paid to such lunacy.

Not, I fear, in 21st-century Melbourne. As someone who has been involved at the highest level in Victoria as a transport planner for many years, I am thoroughly disgusted by the mess our politicians have created.

Efforts by planners like me over the years to engender some sanity in the process have been ignored. I feel as though my entire career has been in vain.

And so, although it makes no real difference to anyone else, I hereby refuse to associate myself with Victoria's state government any more. I strongly encourage my fellow practitioners to join me in revolt, and to stop selling themselves out to a dysfunctional system. Our energies as a profession should instead go to sorting out the mess.

William McDougall is a transport planner with 40 years' experience. He has advised Labor and Liberal state governments in Victoria on projects including Rod Eddington's transport plan; the Rowville, Doncaster and airport rail links; the Metro Tunnel; and the West Gate Tunnel.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> We can afford better public transport - if we stop building freeways

There was a time not so long ago when Melbourne's CBD was largely dead outside working hours. Nowadays, the CBD is booming every day.

This is reflective of the growth of Melbourne as a whole. We're becoming a big city by world standards. And we have important choices to make about how we want our city to develop.

Nowhere is the growth more obvious than in transport. Congested roads and crowded public transport have become the norm, seven days a week. The good news is, we can make the most of this. But we may have to question a few assumptions along the way.

First, more people doesn't mean we need more roads. After decades of emphasis on cars, Melbourne already has more motorway kilometres than London, and more per capita than New York City.

Efficient big cities don't rely on motorways; they rely on frequent mass transit, and good facilities for walking and cycling. We have to prioritise moving people and goods, not vehicles.

This simulation shows the movement through Melbourne throughout one day, the Melbourne Activity Based Model was developed to understand how the city will cope with transport demands in 2031.

Second, traffic congestion isn't a problem we should be trying to eradicate. All successful cities have congestion. It's inevitable. The issue is not one of congestion, but access.

Can people avoid the traffic and still access the jobs, education and other opportunities in our city?

And do employers have access to the biggest possible pool of talent? The key to making the most of our city's opportunities, and harnessing the demand for public transport, will be to accommodate that demand, and to let it flourish.

Large numbers of people make roads less efficient, but make the most convenient, frequent mass transit more viable.

The London Tube and the New York City subway are rightly revered by visitors, because you never have to wait more than a few minutes for a train. And where the trains don't go, there are plenty of buses.

Melbourne's growing population means fast, frequent and efficient mass transit is not only possible - it's essential. But how do we get there? In the short term, the key is boosting services on trains, trams and buses, all day, every day.

This is quick and easy, because the fleet and the track capacity are already available. This helps move trips out of rush hour by cutting waiting times, making off-peak travel more attractive.

Remember during the Commonwealth Games when they encouraged people to stay in the city after work, and ran extra public transport to help you do it? Let's do that every day.

It's not just a CBD issue. Suburban public transport needs boosting. A lot of inner-city traffic is coming from suburbs where there might be only one bus an hour. This has to change. Frequent services in every suburb are vital to provide real travel options.

In the medium term, there's more to be squeezed out of our public transport fleets, with better on-road bus and tram priority: dedicated lanes where possible, jump-start lanes where not, and smarter traffic lights that always give public transport a green light.

And the cars? In any city, there is limited space, which has to be targeted at moving people, not vehicles. And the faster and more efficient public transport becomes, the more people will use it.

Better walking and cycling facilities are also an important part of the mix. In the longer term, Melbourne's suburban train network needs to transition into the metro system that big 21st century cities need.

Metro 1 will open by 2025. There is a growing consensus that we should already be starting Metro 2 – the tunnel connecting Werribee to Mernda via Fishermans Bend and Parkville – to better serve growth areas in the south-west and north of Melbourne.

Beyond that, let's keep the ball rolling with further metro lines, to continue filling the gaps in our mass transit network. Can we afford all this? Yes, if we stop building motorways.

Infrastructure Australia recently asked: what type of city do we want Melbourne to become? Do we want to be like New York City (most development focused on a dense core), London (medium density all over) or Los Angeles (car-dominated sprawl)?

There are few people who want a car-dominated sprawl, but that's what we'll get if we keep building roads. This is because transport is supply led. History shows that if we build more roads, we get more traffic. If we provide more public transport, people will use it. Which means a better outcome for all. It's time to make smarter choices about how our city grows.

Daniel Bowen is the former president of the Public Transport Users Association.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Station platforms to be stretched for Melbourne's new high-capacity trains

Size will matter on Melbourne's busiest train line with platforms to be extended at 13 stations as part of a $660 million upgrade.

The longer platforms will cater for the new high-capacity metro trains that will first travel on the Cranbourne-Pakenham line. Work will begin to extend the platforms later this year.

In total, 18 stations on the line will have the longer platforms, including five stations being rebuilt as part of the level crossing removal program.

The new trains, which will be 20 per cent longer than the existing fleet, are currently being built.

The upgrades to the line include the rebuilding of overhead power lines and constructing or upgrading substations. A new depot in Pakenham East will also be built with maintenance facilities and stabling for up to 30 trains.

The Cranbourne-Pakenham line will eventually form part of the Melbourne Metro Tunnel project that will run through five new underground stations. It will join the Cranbourne-Pakenham and Sunbury lines.

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the new trains would initially run on the Cranbourne-Pakenham line but would travel to Sunbury when the Melbourne Metro project was completed.

However, similar upgrades will need to be carried out on the Sunbury line to accommodate the new trains.

"We will need similar platform extensions and power and signalling upgrades on the Sunbury part of the network," Ms Allan said.

Stations to receive extended platforms include South Yarra, Caulfield, Malvern, Oakleigh, Westall, Springvale, Dandenong, Merinda Park, Cranbourne, Hallam, Berwick, Officer and Pakenham.

Stations will be rebuilt at Carnegie, Hughesdale, Murrumbeena, Clayton and Noble Park as level crossings are removed.

Other stations on the Cranbourne-Pakenham line and the City Loop are already long enough for the new trains.

The new trains are expected to begin running in 2019. The government has promised that all 65 high-capacity trains will be ready for the opening of the Melbourne Metro tunnel in 2026.

Premier Daniel Andrews said it was impossible to "retire" old trains without building new models.

[#Metro]

Melbourne just gets on with the job. Here, platform reconstructions or raisings are a major drama.

[ozbob]

Melbourne just gets on with the job. Here, platform reconstructions or raisings are a major drama.

Sure do.  The sky rail between Caulfield and Dandenong is mind blowing in terms of the what they have achieved and have still managed to maintain a 10 minute service most times.

[ozbob]

https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/news-and-events/news/extended-hurstbridge-line-works-reimbursement/

Extended Hurstbridge line works reimbursement

Added: 27 April 2018

Passengers travelling on the Hurstbridge line bus replacement services on week beginning Monday 30 April, will be eligible for a goodwill reimbursement for their travel during the extended works period.

Following the announcement that Victoria's biggest ever works period is being extended beyond what was originally communicated, PTV is offering reimbursement for passengers travelling on the Hurstbridge line next week the equivalent of a daily fare for each day of travel.

This goodwill reimbursement will be processed directly onto their myki card.

If an eligible passenger is travelling using myki money their card will be credited with the cost of a daily fare for each day of travel ($8.60 for full fare, $4.30 for concession).

If an eligible passenger is travelling using myki pass, their pass will be extended for each impacted day of travel.

Passengers will only be eligible if they have touched on or off at a station on the Hurstbridge line beyond Clifton Hill (Westgarth to Hurstbridge) during the additional works period.

This applies from the first service on Monday 30 April through to the resumption of regular train services which is expected to be Monday 7 May.

Eligible Hurstbridge line passengers can apply for the reimbursement by contacting the call centre on 1800 800 007 or completing our online reimbursement form.

When filling out the form, passengers will need to enter their myki card number and select "Special Consideration" as the reimbursement request option, and provide their dates of travel.

Applications for reimbursement will be open until Thursday, 31 May 2018.

For more information on the works, see Hurstbridge line: Buses replacing trains from Friday 16 March to Sunday 6 May 2018

[verbatim9]

Big "Cash Splash" for Public Transport in the Vic Budget

https://twitter.com/tennewsmelb/status/990853582470590465