BRIZtram

[ozbob]

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/documents/about%20council/sept07_appendixes_brisbane_mass_transit_investigation_lmt.pdf

BRIZTRAM: proposed alignment  page 5 

=======

BRIZTRAM
In 1997 the Queensland State Government announced plans to develop a light rail system in
Brisbane to further revitalise inner Brisbane and deliver major benefits for business, tourism,
the community and the environment. The announcement corresponded with the Federal
Government's announcement of a 'federation fund' to provide start-up grants for successful
projects of regional or historical significance.
The proposal was submitted for start-up funding as a heritage project to revive Brisbane's
trams. To be eligible for these funds the proposal, named BRIZTRAM, needed to become
operational during 2001 and had to include an historical element. This was to be achieved by
refurbishing old Brisbane trams from the local tram museum and implementing a local
training program for tram refurbishment and maintenance. The proposal was supported by
the Federal Government and received a $65-million start-up grant.
The proposal was costed at approximately $250 million, would carry some 45,000
passengers per day, and would be built, owned and operated by a private consortium under
contract to the State Government. The project was to help the Integrated Regional Transport
Plan achieve its aggressive mode-share targets set some 5 years previously.
BRIZTRAM was promoted as both a sustainable transport solution and a historical tramway.

Community reaction to the proposal was mixed. Many residents supported the concept but a
degree of resident opposition emerged in the West End precinct where the proposal was
seen as destroying the local-village atmosphere of the West End. The BRIZTRAM proposal
also included a bridge across the river to the university which was strongly opposed by a
local group. The difficulty in co-locating a light rail alignment with a proposed busway in the
Cultural Centre precinct in the South Bank area also presented difficulties.
Additionally, the Brisbane City Council was not included in the proposal, and at that time
opposed any additional river crossings. When the incumbent State Government was
unseated in an election in 1998, the project was shelved.

Oh dear,  the West End has turned into a bus precinct.  Pity, what might have been ..

[#Metro]

Oh dear,  the West End has turned into a bus precinct.  Pity, what might have been ..

Its ironic because later there were complaits about the noise of the buses, and too many buses in the bus bay near the ferry, high frequency buses outside houses. Being a restaurant district, diesel exhaust every 5 minutes past outdoor diners can't be very good. Then the bus turning circle came along (completely not needed if it was LRT) resulting in a house being demolished.

Be careful what you wish for--- you might just get it!

[ozbob]

I lived in West End during the 70s for a while.  Tram there would have been great.  Reminiscent of inner Melbourne in some ways.

The light rail would have had minimal impact but huge gains in social amenity, not only for West End but for inner Brisbane generally.

I have said it before but will say again, I have little doubt that a light rail system will return to inner metropolitan Brisbane.  Who knows, it might be similar to the BRIZtram proposal in part. Certainly scope for extensions too ...

[somebody]

diesel exhaust every 5 minutes past outdoor diners can't be very good.

Not nearly as bad as car exhaust every 5 seconds.

If you are really worried about this, you could make Bowen Hills a gas fueling depot.

[colinw]

The irony of it was that West End's character as a suburb was defined during the period of Brisbane's history when the electric tram reigned supreme.

Far from being "out of character" and an "eyesore", BrizTram would have returned to West End and the CBD something that has been sadly missing since 1969.

Inner Brisbane is still haunted by the ghost of the vanished tramways.

[Set in train]

It's all theoretical now, but was Briztram proposed as shared running e.g. Melb or an exclusive alignment like much of the now operating Gold Coast tram?

Interesting that this project was shelved by an incoming govt 'desperate' to balance the books, history repeats with projects shelved or never being conceptualised by current first term govts at both levels. Same game whatever side of politics.

[ozbob]

I think it was some class A ROW with some street running.


FYI

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/Id/6368

Media Statements
Premier
The Honourable Rob Borbidge
Saturday, April 25, 1998

PREMIER ANNOUNCES BRIZTRAM ROUTE

Premier Rob Borbidge today released details of the preferred route for Brisbane's 21st Century Briztram light rail network.

The preferred network will link Fortitude Valley, Newstead, West End, the City centre, South Bank, the Royal Brisbane Hospital, Roma Street and the University of Queensland. The network will be about 14km long and cost around $230m.

"The selection of the preferred network is the culmination of extensive work and consultation," the Premier said.

"The Government has clearly listened to the community and we have ruled out some route options which were causing concern.

"These include the use of the Brunswick Street mall, crossing the Queen Street mall and the Dutton Park route.

"Now that we have one network to examine in more detail, we can look more closely at local issues and maximising benefits to residents and businesses."

Network alternatives were released on 25 February and since then considerable community interest has been shown and feedback has been received on all options.

"We have been delighted with both the level of support and interest in the project," the Premier said. "One of the key factors in choosing the preferred network was integration with other public transport modes."

"The network will allow scope for extensions and when we receive proposals from the private sector these may well receive further consideration.

"One of the attractive features of the network is the possible extensions by the option of joint use of busways by trams and buses."

The Premier said that the Government is well on track to meet the commitment to call expressions of interest on 1 May. This will ensure that the system will be operational by the end of 2001.

The Prime Minister's $65m commitment has given the project a real boost.

"In this lead-up to the expressions of interest process, we have concentrated on getting the detailed studies in place. The planning, demand forecasting and financial analysis all show that this project is a winner."

Apart from the 3000 jobs the project will create, the improved accessibility in the city will benefit shoppers, workers, tourists and residents. The demand forecasting work confirms that over 45,000 people will benefit every day from the system.

"I have said all along that Briztram is a land use/transport vision for Brisbane which will provide the city with a world-class integrated transport system and encourage urban renewal and redevelopment in the inner city."

"The private sector are chomping at the bit to put in to develop the system and in a week's time they will have their chance when we call for expressions of interest."

"Obviously the support of the Brisbane City Council is important as they will be a major beneficiary of this proposal, the Premier said.

"Despite the overwhelming support for the project so far from the community, business and industry, the Lord Mayor continues to criticise this visionary public transport solution to the Brisbane's increasing transport problems. I am hopeful that he will begin to see the light and recall his earlier commitment to light rail following his overseas trip."

The preferred network can be viewed and comments lodged until 26 May 1998 at:

The corner of Melbourne and Manning Streets, South Brisbane (between 8.30am and 5.00pm).

Shop Eight, TC Beirne Building, Brunswick Street Mall, Fortitude Valley (between 9.00am and 3.00pm) and

The Queensland Transport Customer Service Centre, Anzac Square, 202 Adelaide Street, the City (between 8.30am and 4.30pm).

Further information can also be obtained by calling 1800 809 972 or assessing the Briztram Internet site on www.briztram.qld.gov.au.

25 April 1998

[Stillwater]

Another project were the imperative is the announcement and the photo opportunity, rather than the project itself.  Queensland is a serial offender, no matter which side of politics is in power.

[Set in train]

I think it was some class A ROW with some street running.

Thanks Bob, most appreciated.

Whilst the technology would've been more rudimentary than the bells and whistles of Goldlinq's trams, at least it would've been much better than nothing i.e. the current bus jam.

[BrizCommuter]

I think it was some class A ROW with some street running.

Thanks Bob, most appreciated.

Whilst the technology would've been more rudimentary than the bells and whistles of Goldlinq's trams, at least it would've been much better than nothing i.e. the current bus jam.

Not really, the capacity of street running light rail is little different to the capacity of semi-segregated busway. The only difference is the that the light rail balances the loads better due to having fewer routes.

[SteelPan]

Imagine, if one day Brisbane had a working tram....oh, that's right we had hundreds of 'em....might be a plan or 2 they can dust off and use in the basement of City Hall, but nah 'ol Clem would have trashed them too!  Now, we'll talk and talk and talk some more and, for a few billion bucks build a shadow of what our forefathers built generations ago!   

[verbatim9]

I think the proposed route above is a good  idea and extended South West to Indooroopilly station and shopping centre and North East to Hamilton Port side then later to the new proposed Cruise terminal further up the river. This will cater also for the proposed new naval base being moved from  Sydney to Brisbane !?

Wonder if we will have coupled trams like Sydney in the future?  http://m.smh.com.au/nsw/sydneys-trams-to-be-the-worlds-longest-20141204-11ztba.html

[SteelPan]

  <<< proposed new naval base plan - it was a Dudd special! [Yes, Brisbane has a tidal river  ]

[SurfRail]

HMAS Tobruk and various other vessels used to live at Merthyr, so not completely out of the blue (although not especially sensible policy now).

[ozbob]

HMAS Tobruk and various other vessels used to live at Merthyr, so not completely out of the blue (although not especially sensible policy now).

OT,  I sailed on the HMAS Tobruk from Sydney to Port Alma in the 1980s ...  army exercise ...

[SteelPan]

HMAS Tobruk and various other vessels used to live at Merthyr, so not completely out of the blue (although not especially sensible policy now).

OT,  I sailed on the HMAS Tobruk from Sydney to Port Alma in the 1980s ...  army exercise ...

Ohhh dear....sorry to tell you this, but YES, somethings canNOT be done and you canNOT base a blue sea warship fleet - or what passes for one in Australia - in a tidal river system  ask the ghost of Horatio Nelson or better still, the ferry master on a city kittycat!      

[SurfRail]

^ Not sure who you are disagreeing with.  There is a reason why HMAS Moreton was closed.

[nathandavid88]

I didn't think the base would have been in the river proper, but on the bay side of the Port of Brisbane?

All academic now of course.

[ozbob]

From the Sunday Mail 2nd August 2015 page 21

Traps with Peter Cameron

Paris, you're not in race

[#Metro]

NOOOO!!!

They cannot even get the back door of the bus to open or rework the bus system and they want to go on a fantasy parade of trams and other hi-expense GLOSS for the run up to the election? PLEASE! Make the madness stop!!

Fix the bus network first! Don't even think about anything else!!

[verbatim9]

I liked the original idea of a Lightrail way from North Shore Hamilton (Could also originate at Nudgee Road Doomben Station) then built over the water following along Kingsford Smith drive driven tunnel under Tenneriffe Anne St then Adelaide St under the river then resurfacing again at Westend surface over the Green Bridge shared with busses Terminating at the University UQ
(It can be Sponsored by all the new High density Housing/Highrises from Hamilton to Westend).

[verbatim9]

Couriermail----> Peter Gleeson: Brisbane trams may return for 2032 Olympic Games

Peter Gleeson: Brisbane trams may return for 2032 Olympic Games
It hasn't been seen on Brisbane streets for over half a century, and it could make a return in time for the 2032 Olympic Games.

This is not surprising as the long term published plan was to reintroduce trams from West End toTenerife and New Farm via the city.

[kram0]

What a waste of money, it needs to be metro (real metro i.e Sydney/Singapore) and nothing else.

Let's stopping pi$$ing about and aim for generational infrastructure.

[verbatim9]

There was another publication a year ago that was up for discussion. Trams are to be used from West end to New Farm and City Loop. Metro will still go ahead as well as other forms but trams are to compliment the network.

I think trams are good for short distances especially in hight density areas where they can convey alot of people. It would work well for the city loop and replace the City Blue Glider when the time comes.

Portland has a good model for LRT.
It really has transformed inner Sydney as well, making it more pedestrian friendly.

[#Metro]

Oh no, not again!

[verbatim9]

If they are planning anything down Adelaide Street? It would be.best done together with the Adelaide Street revitalisation project.  Saves from digging up the street twice.

[Cazza]

I'm sorry, but light rail will be nothing more than a pipe dream. For the disruptions caused during construction, as well as the ever improving technology for either trackless trams, it really isn't the best option. Sure, I haven't completed any sort of research or study with multiple projects stacked up against one another, but we really should be pushing for some sort of underground metro (or high capacity rail subway kind of service) here (like you and others have said before).

[verbatim9]

If they design a city loop tram route it could just be a single oneway track stopping at the curb. They do this in Portland in some areas. It would replicate the city loop bus route, replacing the bus with a full time tram service.

It could also loop back from the Valley via Wickham, Ballow, Ann, Queen, Edward and Alice streets.  'Valley City Loop'

[#Metro]

Fix up the bus network!

HUGE amounts of air are being transported between city-valley, last thing needed is to put a tram on that.

[aldonius]

Reintroducing light rail solves precisely two, count them, two, actual problems.

(1) The (generally) higher capacity vehicles than buses, because there's always a point where it's worth going to a bigger vehicle rather than increasing frequency (I'd say 8-12 vehicles per hour).
(2) It gives political cover for reallocating car lanes (just as well, because trams in mixed traffic aren't worth it).

As far as (1) goes, we're only just now about to introduce artics on the Blue CityGlider.

As far as (2) goes, "good luck have fun" reallocating lanes on Montague Rd or on Brunswick St or similar roads.

[verbatim9]

^^True alot of construction work to be done. That's the beauty of an Olympic city.

Stabling near Mayne Yards? Albion?  LRT to the new Albion Olympic Stadium.and Aquatic centre?

[Old Northern Road]

Best place for a tram line in Brisbane is along Gympie Rd to Chermside. West End, City etc would be better served by a heavy rail metro

[ozbob]

Oh no, not again!

This has to be one of my all time favourites.   

Trams  along the river 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAREsLVnGak

[verbatim9]

Here is the 7News report referencing a tram comeback for Brisbane.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSb288DG0bk

https://youtu.be/BSb288DG0bk