Cross River Rail Project

[SteelPan]

Newman announces review to (hopefully) advance Cross River Rail - in what form, we should soon know!

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/river-rail-on-fast-track-to-avoid-disaster/story-e6freoof-1226356694472

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Newman Government appoints panel to review Cross River Rail project

Newman Government appoints panel to review Cross River Rail project

    by: Robyn Ironside
    From: The Courier-Mail
    May 16, 2012 12:00AM

THE Newman Government has finally broken its silence on the future of Cross River Rail, announcing an expert panel to review the project in the hope of heading off a looming rail capacity crisis.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said that after "seven years of Labor inaction" he wanted to ensure the state's next major investment in rail was affordable, and would meet the future needs of the southeast.

In less than four years, Brisbane's only inner-city river rail crossing, the Merivale Bridge, will be operating at its 20 train paths an hour capacity.

"The former Labor government has known about the capacity of the Merivale Bridge since 2005 and delivered nothing in seven years except glossy brochures and broken promises," Mr Emerson said.

"While a solution to the city's rail network must be found, the LNP Government will be absolutely sure the numbers stack up before committing to a multibillion-dollar project."

The expert panel will include Co-ordinator General Barry Broe, specialist rail adviser Mike Scanlan and PricewaterhouseCoopers' Economics and Policy Group partner Scott Lennon.

Mr Emerson said they would have just over four weeks to analyse and confirm the problems facing the rail system, consider the options available, assess the business case prepared for the project and provide recommendations to the Newman Government.

They will be expected to deliver their report on June 13, he said.

"This project has already cost $40 million, half of that contributed by the Federal Government to develop a business case and determine feasibility," Mr Emerson said.

"I have requested this panel be brought together to ensure we come up with a solution that we can actually pay for and deliver. This review is our first step towards solving a major congestion problem."

The original cost of Cross River Rail was estimated to be $8 billion, but that was revised down to $6.4 billion by the previous government before the election.

It was granted "ready to proceed status" by Infrastructure Australia earlier this year but failed to attract any Federal Government funding in last week's Budget.

However The Courier-Mail understands Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese is prepared to consider a significant contribution for what he considers the right project.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

16th May 2012

Cross River Rail review

Greetings,

We welcome the announcement that the Cross River Rail project is to be reviewed.

See Newman Government appoints panel to review Cross River Rail project ( http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/river-rail-on-fast-track-to-avoid-disaster/story-e6freoof-1226356694472 )

The rail system in south east Queensland needs a significant capacity increase to allow for the sustainable public transport for the future.

The radial bus system is already approaching capacity.  The real significant capacity growth will be gained from rail improvements.

Cross River Rail has had years of exhaustive evaluation and is at a ready to proceed status as determined by Infrastructure Australia.

Without Cross River Rail or equivalent south east Queensland is going to grind to a halt.

Best wishes
Robert

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

[Stillwater]

A review that take four weeks -- is that sufficient time?  It may be enough to go over and update the CRR proposal as it stands.  Anything new that departs from the current project, as approved by IA, would appear a bit flimsy by comparison because of the short amount of time this panel has to report back to the Minister - unless there are alternative plans sitting in someone's bottom drawer.

[#Metro]

Will they apply the same level of rigour and review to the City to Suburbs Bus Link? What about the massive cash burn in all that Brisbane Transport legacy routing?

[ozbob]

http://www.balanceresources.com.au/experience.html

Michael (Mike) Scanlan

BEng, Grad Dip Mgt, MBA, FAICD, FAIM, FCILT, FAMMI, MIE Aust
Specialist Advisor – Rail

Mike Scanlan is considered one of the Australian rail industry's key players and is highly respected for his depth of industry experience and his continued impact on the sector nationally.

Before joining Balance Resources Mike held a number of senior executive positions at Queensland Rail with management responsibilities for key areas including coal, passenger services, the rail network, two freight business businesses, coal and mineral operations and business development. He is known for his advanced understanding of supply chain operations and his ability to quickly assess rail businesses and operations from multiple perspectives and identify practical opportunities for business improvement.

Mike sits on a number of boards and has contributed nationally and internationally to the rail and public transport sectors. He has 12 years of experience as a company director. In his earlier career, Mike was a mechanical engineer involving maintenance and operations.

=========================

http://www.southburnett.biz/pdfs/newdeptheads.pdf

Barry Broe – Coordinator General

Barry Broe has been Divisional Manager, Brisbane Infrastructure with BCC since 2008. Prior to
joining BCC he was the London Director of Transport Planning and Policy for Transport for five
years and was responsible for developing the transport plan for London, and the transport
strategy for London's successful bid for the 2012 Olympic Games. He was also the Director of
Transport Planning for Queensland Transport. He holds a degree in civil engineering with first
class honours and a Masters in Engineering and Technology Management.

=========================

http://www.pwc.com.au/about-us/firm-partners/2006/scott-lennon.htm

Scott Lennon
Specialist area: Economic Advisory

    Scott leads the PwC Economic Group in Sydney which has strong skills in economic assessments, social and economic cost benefit analysis, regulatory impact statements, cost effectiveness and benchmarking evaluations, economic impact assessments and demand analysis.
    Since joining PwC in 1999, Scott has specialised in providing advice to infrastructure and government clients with a focus on the impacts of pricing on demand, project investment appraisals using triple bottom line basis and developing regulatory frameworks for 3rd party access to monopoly assets.
    Having worked for a number of years at an economic regulator, and for a rail company, he brings an extensive knowledge of both the commercial and policy issues related to infrastructure businesses. Scott has also completed a significant range of infrastructure advisory projects across the Asia-Pacific Region.

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
16/05/2012

Expert panel to review Cross River Rail

The Newman Government has today announced an expert panel will review the Cross River Rail project to ensure the next major investment in rail is affordable and meets the future needs of South-East Queensland.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said he wanted to deliver a realistic solution after seven years of Labor inaction on a rail capacity crisis.

"The former Labor Government had known about the capacity of the Merivale Bridge since 2005 and delivered nothing in seven years, except glossy brochures and broken promises," Mr Emerson said.

"Before the election Labor had an $8 billion proposal they couldn't afford.

"Three weeks out from the election then Transport Minister and current opposition leader Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was a $7 billion proposal they couldn't afford and finally just two weeks out from the election Labor had a $6.4 billion proposal they couldn't afford.

"While a solution to the city's rail network constraints must be found, an LNP Government will be absolutely sure the numbers stack up before committing to a multi-billion dollar project."

The expert panel will consist of:

·Mike Scanlan, Specialist Rail Advisor with more than 35 years in rail transport

·Scott Lennon, Partner of PWC Economics and Policy Group

·Barry Broe, Co-ordinator General

The panel will deliver a report on 13 June 2012 that will properly analyse and confirm the problems facing the rail system, consider the options available, assess the business case already prepared for the project and provide recommendations for consideration by the Newman Government.

"This project has already cost $40 million, half of that contributed by the Federal Government to develop a business case and determine feasibility," he said.

"I have requested this panel be brought together to ensure we come up with a solution that we can actually pay for and deliver.

"We will be a passenger-focused government improving frequency, reliability and affordability to ensure more people use public transport, and this review is our first step towards solving a major congestion problem.

"The Newman Government is committed to delivering its election commitments and paying down Labor's $85 billion debt legacy."

[ENDS] 16 May 2012

[Golliwog]

Newman announces review to (hopefully) advance Cross River Rail - in what form, we should soon know!

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/river-rail-on-fast-track-to-avoid-disaster/story-e6freoof-1226356694472

Do love that the image that they've put with the article is a map of the ridiculous Cleveland Solution...

A review that take four weeks -- is that sufficient time?  It may be enough to go over and update the CRR proposal as it stands.  Anything new that departs from the current project, as approved by IA, would appear a bit flimsy by comparison because of the short amount of time this panel has to report back to the Minister - unless there are alternative plans sitting in someone's bottom drawer.

I don't expect the plans to change drastically. I think this is just the LNP's way of saving face over the project. Have a dig at Labor for all and sundry (including for being initially cautious with their costings, like every project should be!) about the project, do a little review to make sure the numbers do actually add up, and then hey presto, you have a project they can support. I think he would also be well aware that any real changes could mean the project needs to be resubmitted to IA for approval.

[somebody]

Main change I could live with is a reversion to the original plan of Bowen Hills/Exhibition/Edward St/Gabba/Fairfield.  So long as Dutton Park is closed.  That removes conflicting moves at Park Rd.  I guess that does leave the question open of how will the subs be filled?

[Fares_Fair]

Looks like good expertise has been assigned to review it, in an incredibly short time span.

[colinw]

Reading the comments on the CM article, I cannot believe how many people are bagging the Albert St station.  Do people seriously think having a true downtown station rather than the current ones on the edge is a bad idea?

[SurfRail]

Main change I could live with is a reversion to the original plan of Bowen Hills/Exhibition/Edward St/Gabba/Fairfield.  So long as Dutton Park is closed.  That removes conflicting moves at Park Rd.  I guess that does leave the question open of how will the subs be filled?

If we go back to the original notion, then maybe:

Sector 1
Ipswich to Shorncliffe
Springfield to Airport
Doomben to Roma Street (maybe extend to Redbank)

Sector 2
Manly to Ferny Grove
Cleveland to Bowen Hills

Sector 3
Kuraby to Kippa-Ring
Beenleigh to Caboolture
Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Expert panel to probe Cross River Rail plan

Expert panel to probe Cross River Rail plan
May 16, 2012 - 9:50AM

An expert panel has been given four weeks to review the Cross River Rail project before the Liberal National Party government makes its intentions on the project clear.

The newly appointed three-person panel must report to Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson on June 13.

Mr Emerson last night announced he had asked the panel to review the costings and business case of the Cross River Rail project.
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Rail consultants in 2005 identified that Brisbane had a major problem with inner-city rail congestion because it has only one inner-city rail bridge across the Brisbane River, the Merivale Bridge at South Brisbane.

The previous Labor Government began planning an underground rail project, called the Cross River Rail project, and submitted a business case for funding to Infrastructure Australia.

The Bligh government anticipated funding in stages from the federal government, the state government and from the private sector to finance Cross River Rail.

The LNP has questioned whether the multi-billion dollar infrastructure project was worth the significant investment.

Mr Emerson said he wanted detailed information on the Cross River Rail project.

"While a solution to the city's rail network constraints must be found, an LNP Government will be absolutely sure the numbers stack up before committing to a multi-billion dollar project," Mr Emerson said.

"Before the election Labor had an $8 billion proposal they couldn't afford.

"Three weeks out from the election then Transport Minister and current opposition leader Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was a $7 billion proposal they couldn't afford and finally just two weeks out from the election Labor had a $6.4 billion proposal they couldn't afford."

The costs were fine tuned as Infrastructure Australia worked through the plan.

The three-man panel comprises:

    Mike Scanlan, a specialist rail advisor at Balance Resources;
    Scott Lennon, Partner of PWC Economics and Policy Group;
    Barry Broe, Co-ordinator General.

They would be charged with delivering a report that would properly analyse and confirm the problems facing the rail system, Mr Emerson said.

They will consider the options available, assess the business case already prepared for the project and provide recommendations for consideration by the Newman government.

"This project has already cost $40 million, half of that contributed by the federal government, to develop a business case and determine feasibility," Mr Emerson said.

"I have requested this panel be brought together to ensure we come up with a solution that we can actually pay for and deliver."

Mr Emerson said the LNP's first priority was paying down state government debt, which was on track to rise to an estimated $85 billion.

Infrastructure Australia meets at the end of May.

Its recommendations at the meeting go to its annual report which is considered by the Council of Australian Governments at the end of June.

Recommendations then go back to the federal government as it prepares its 2013-14 budget for next May.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/expert-panel-to-probe-cross-river-rail-plan-20120516-1yptl.html

[Stillwater]

It has been known for an incoming government to hijack a project of a previous government, change a few things, then rebrand it.  No longer Cross River Rail, but perhaps hello River Tunnel Rail. 

Example:  Their Service, Our Heritage
http://users.netconnect.com.au/~ianmac/service.html

versus

Saluting Their Service
http://www.dva.gov.au/commems_oawg/commemorations/grants/Pages/index.aspx

[somebody]

It has been known for an incoming government to hijack a project of a previous government, change a few things, then rebrand it.  No longer Cross River Rail, but perhaps hello River Tunnel Rail.

I'd expect something more like CBD rail capacity enhancement project.

[Jonno]

Or the Project Formerly known as the Cleveland Solution but not near the Cleveland Line anymore"

[colinw]

CBD Rail Alignment Project?

[SurfRail]

I think we really need to push the notion of continuing more trains past Bowen Hills and Roma Street in the am peak, and ramping up the peak earlier in the afternoon...

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Another tick for Cross River Rail

Another tick for Cross River Rail
May 17, 2012 - 3:00AM

Brisbane's Cross River Rail project, envisioned by the Bligh government but under review by the Newman government, was a vital piece of infrastructure and a national priority, according to a high-ranking Infrastructure Australia official.

IA national infrastructure manager Michael Deegan had a simple message to the Newman government about Brisbane's underground rail project.

"In our first round of projects we recommended 10 major projects across the nation," he said.
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"As of the last budget, each of those projects have been funded, so the government obviously takes our advice seriously, because 10 out of 10 is not a bad score."

Infrastructure Australia rates Cross River Rail "ready to proceed" after three years of research.

The Newman government yesterday announced an expert panel would review the $6.4 billion rail project and would report back by June 13.

However, Mr Deegan was still positive about the project, despite the cost.

"We think it will be a transformational project for Brisbane and that's a very important part of the nation," he said.

Mr Deegan said Infrastructure Australia believed Cross River Rail offered genuine growth opportunities for the city.

"It will provide opportunities for the growth of the Brisbane CBD and provide more work opportunities for the people of Brisbane and the southeast corner," he said.

"Clearly there are big growth issues throughout that area and it will unlock some of the blockages in the transport system."

Mr Deegan acknowledged the project was expensive, but said all levels of government were aware of the cost and the project staging opportunities that had already been discussed with the private sector.

On Tuesday night, Queensland Transport Minister Scott Emerson announced a panel of experts that would do a month-long study of Cross River Rail and other options.

Mr Deegan welcomed the short study by the infrastructure experts.

"I think it is sensible for a new government to come and do a short, sharp review just to check our view of it," he said.

"It think that is a very positive thing."

Mr Emerson said the expert panel must evaluate the costs and benefits of all rail options for Brisbane's CBD.

They will consider the options available, assess the business case already prepared for the project and provide recommendations for consideration by the Newman government.

"This project has already cost $40 million, half of that contributed by the federal government, to develop a business case and determine feasibility," he said yesterday.

"I have requested this panel be brought together to ensure we come up with a solution that we can actually pay for and deliver

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/another-tick-for-cross-river-rail-20120516-1yr60.html

[O_128]

This is very promising, let's start digging

[wbj]

A review that take four weeks -- is that sufficient time?  It may be enough to go over and update the CRR proposal as it stands.  Anything new that departs from the current project, as approved by IA, would appear a bit flimsy by comparison because of the short amount of time this panel has to report back to the Minister - unless there are alternative plans sitting in someone's bottom drawer.

It is only a fig leaf to provide some respectability for the final decision.  If LNP really want CRR, they will get some cosmetic changes recommended and a shaving of a couple of hundred $1 M by doing some things on the cheap or deferring some non-essential work.  If the LNP don't want it, there'll be an outcome saying the costing is too optimistic, the benefits are oversold and there are cheaper (unstated) solutions.

You'd have to be very concerned about the future of CRR because Newman has always been at the most luke warm about it and he's desperate to reduce expenditure during his first term.  If the pigeons come home to roost after his reelection then he'll deal with it then.

[SurfRail]

I'm convinced more and more that he will be a one-term premier, and that his government will go with him.

[Golliwog]

I'm convinced more and more that he will be a one-term premier, and that his government will go with him.

I was convinced of that before he even got in!

wbj: IIRC, when he was Lord Mayor, he was for it, then against it to clash with the then Labor State Government shortly-ish before announcing his run for Premier.

[Arnz]

I can't see Newman losing that huge advantage after 1 term unless if his government does something really really really bad to blow that 70+ seat lead.

At the most the LNP will survive two terms if their performance this term is less than stellar (My guess is LNP returned in the 2nd term at a severely reduced advantage - 2 or 3 seat buffer).

[colinw]

Unless the LNP stuffs up badly, it'll take 2-3 terms to correct to a competitive situation. Barring major scandals or instability, and assuming no snap polls, etc.

2015 election - ALP back to ~20 seats
2018 election - ALP back to ~30 - 35 seats
2021 election - first realistic chance of a change of Government.
2024 election - "its time" factor will see LNP struggle to hold on.

Queenslanders have overwhelmingly rejected incumbent Governments only 3 times since WWII. 1957, 1989 and 2012.  The 1996-1998 minority Borbidge Government doesn't count, as it was a freak result based on a by-election and two independents guaranteeing supply.

Of course if they stuff up public transport and it becomes a major issue in SEQ, the ALP could easily swing back quicker with a swag of inner Brisbane and commuter belt seats.

Its in the LNP's own interests to prevent a commuter backlash by building CRR and providing decent, frequent public transport!  For much the same reasons, I very much doubt they will welch on the Kippa-Ring line (as those seats could so easily revert to ALP).

[wbj]

Unfortunately Newman may be prepared to sacrifice long term solutions for short term political expediency.  If he doesn't sign on to the CRR in the next 12 months then the chance of majority Federal funding will likely be lost.  Don't think for a second that an Abbott government will be funding big ticket State infrastructure.

[Golliwog]

I'm convinced more and more that he will be a one-term premier, and that his government will go with him.

So you're expecting that in 2.5 yrs the LNP govt can pi$$ off the state more than ALP did in last 6 years? He's made a limited number of key promises, he's following a plan to deliver these and being very public about the plan. The CRR was never a promise it was find a cost effective affordable solution CRR or not. Average public doesn't give a rats arse about the CRR, they just want to be get to work and afford to pay their bills. If Newman deliveres a fleet of buses to do the job, then thats the tick he's looking for. I however highly doubt it will be anything but CRR in some form, maybe slightly cut back in complexity/cost, Newman likes it, but had to be anti cost for electrol purposes.

Don't mention the buses! There was a small mention of the Adelaide St bus tunnel in Des Houghton's section in the middle of the paper, suggesting the State and BCC were coming to some arrangement to do it. If this is what comes out of the CRR review....

[somebody]

I'm convinced more and more that he will be a one-term premier, and that his government will go with him.

He may well be a one term premier, but I cannot see his government losing the next election.

One after that though...

[Mr X]

I can't see him losing office any time in the next decade. Far too many people are p%ssed  off over 'Anna Bliar the Liar' to vote for them again and let's face it, none of their current MPs are future Premier material.

Though I can easily see the LNP losing their 'fringe' seats (Lytton, Logan, Ipswich, Sandgate + others) at the next election.

[ozbob]

Don't be surpised if Major (Ret'd) Newman moves to federal polyticks, it's in his DNA.  I am expecting him to do so, probably in about 4 to 5 years.

Back to CRR.  Premier Newman was a strong supporter of Cross River Rail, polyticks got in the way for a while.  He knows what is needed to get capacity on the system.  And upgrading Merivale bridge by itself won't do it. Still the capacity constraints CBD corridor.  Look for forward the review outcome ..

[Mr X]

I can't see CRR being completed any time before 2020 at the rate we're going.

[Golliwog]

In terms of the people getting tired of their leaders though, there is an argument that Brisbane-ites, having had him as Lord Mayor for a while, will tire of him sooner rather than later. I'd expect more Brisbane electorates to head back towards Labor or the Greens/Independants at the next election.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Island ferry plans on the Go

Island ferry plans on the Go
May 25, 2012 - 3:00AM

Southeast Queenslanders could soon use a Go Card catch a ferry to North Stradbroke or the southern Moreton Bay islands under a plan being developed by the Newman government.

But Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said he was not yet sure what fare people would pay to catch a mainland-to-island ferry and renewed calls for Redland City Council to help subsidise local transport services.

During an interview with brisbanetimes.com.au yesterday, Mr Emerson issued a broader request for more southeast councils to chip in funding to pay for services.

He also railed against waste by the previous government, saying it had spent $75 million paying out redundancies to more than 800 Department of Transport and Main Roads employees in a bid to save costs, only to have staffing levels increase by a net 100 workers.

Mr Emerson, who has been the minister for nearly two months, said he was keen to act on long-running calls for North Stradbroke Island and the southern Moreton Bay islands to be included in the TransLink system.

The ministerial charter set for him by Premier Campbell Newman included a requirement to begin negotiations on the move.

Mr Emerson said the issue was discussed at a meeting yesterday with TransLink, which would talk to Redland City Council about progressing the matter.

But he called on the council, along with other local governments in southeast Queensland, to contribute to funding transport services.

Brisbane City Council stumps up $68 million a year towards public transport services, while the Gold Coast's contribution is $7.5 million and the Sunshine Coast provides $500,000, but others in the region do not help subsidise services, according to the state government.

"I am very keen for councils across the southeast corner particularly to put more money into public transport," Mr Emerson said.

"I think you do see the Brisbane City Council doing that, you see some money coming from the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast councils, but I would like to see councils taking up part of the burden of providing public transport in terms of that."

The comments were in line with Mr Newman's stance, outlined when he was Brisbane lord mayor, that other councils should help subside public transport. Former premier Anna Bligh and her then transport minister Rachel Nolan made a similar call in 2010.

New Redland mayor Karen Williams said last night she would look for operational savings in her council's budget to free up funds for a public transport subsidy.

However, she called on TransLink to first bring the Redlands up to speed with other parts of southeast Queensland by including island communities in the Go Card system.

"I'm saying we've got about seven different communities ... that don't have any integrated ticketing but they're still 35 kilometres away from Brisbane, like other parts of southeast Queensland," Cr Williams said.

"We need to make sure we're on equal footing before we start contributing [to a subsidy]."

The Liberal National Party MP for Redlands, Peter Dowling, who has been calling for action for years, said extending the TransLink network would help address island communities' cost of living.

The move would involve TransLink taking over responsibility for ticketing on the passenger ferry services.

The authority would collect the revenue and government subsidy while paying the operators to provide the services, similar to its contractual arrangements with other southeast Queensland transport companies.

Mr Emerson also confirmed the government was pushing ahead with plans to ensure people could use their Go Card to access the Brisbane CityCycle system.

Mr Emerson, who previously criticised the former government's 15 per cent a year fare rises on the grounds of affordability, conceded prices would still rise under the LNP's policy of halving the next two increases to 7.5 per cent annually.

However, he touted the LNP's incentive of free travel after nine journeys on the Go Card in any one week, saying it would provide a real benefit to more commuters who travelled to and from work each day.

The initiative will replace the original Labor scheme, which provided free travel after 10 journeys in any Monday-to-Sunday week.

Mr Emerson argued the tweaked incentive, to kick in on June 25, would assist 100,000 more people than the previous government's scheme did, based on usage habits.

He guaranteed that the public transport spending that had been tied to the next two 15 per cent annual fare increases would be maintained despite the LNP planning to halve the fare rises.

"The challenge we had is that the Labor government spent the money already, so to halve those fares is a significant move for us," he said, stressing budgetary pressures.

"People understand we've got difficult financial times."

Mr Emerson said the state's finances presented a challenge for the government but he would seek to focus on affordability, reliability and frequency of services in a bid to drive better patronage.

He confirmed he had identified "a lot" of wasteful spending in his portfolio but declined to outline what may be cut, saying various savings were being detailed to the Cabinet Budget Review Committee.

But Mr Emerson went on the attack over the Bligh government's voluntary separation program, designed to reduce employee costs, saying it had failed to make an impact in the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

His spokesman said between July 1 last year and March 23 this year, the total number of full-time staff in the department rose by 100 to 8984.

This was despite 818 departmental employees accepting a redundancy package, costing the agency $75 million.

"So they had actually back-filled all those positions, so in the end after paying 818 people to take voluntary redundancies we had 100 more people than we started with," Mr Emerson said.

"It's just extraordinary to see."

Mr Emerson described his working relationship with his departmental director-general, former Liberal MP Michael Caltabiano, as "good", despite the state opposition questioning which of the two was really in charge of the transport and main roads portfolio.

"Michael is working very well, the department and the whole team are working together from ministerial office down to try to get the improvements we need to see," Mr Emerson said.

Asked about the prospect of cutting staff numbers, Mr Emerson said the government was looking "across the board" for savings and there were "no sacred cows".

"I think that there are ways we can deliver roads cheaper and more efficiently – better use of taxpayers' money – I have no doubt about that," he said.

"We're looking to find savings wherever we can."

In coming weeks Mr Emerson is due to receive two key reports on aspects of the rail system, one of which will be the result of an audit of the city train network's reliability.

The other will be the report of an expert panel Mr Emerson commissioned to assess the former government's cross-river rail project, an underground tunnel proposal estimated to cost more than $6 billion if built.

The former government long championed the project as being crucial to tackling the looming capacity woes over the Brisbane rail network's only inner-city river crossing, the Merivale Bridge, but the federal and state governments are yet to allocate funding for construction.

Mr Emerson has long questioned its affordability, but yesterday acknowledged any long-term solution would cost a significant amount of money.

"I don't think the solution's ever going to be cheap on this. It's a question of how expensive it is," he said.

Mr Emerson said one of the tasks for the expert panel would be to look at whether the 2016 estimate for the Merivale Bridge reaching capacity was still accurate, and what solutions could be pursued in the short and long term.

He said the panel would check the LNP's pledge, as an interim step, to add extra platforms at South Bank and South Brisbane stations and improve the rail signalling systems.

"I want to see what the expert panel says," he said.

"It's part of the mix, for sure, but there's no point appointing an expert panel if you've already decided what they're going to come back with."

The Newman government has not yet withdrawn the previous government's cross-river rail submission from the federal funding advisory body Infrastructure Australia, which earlier this year found the project was ready to proceed.

"I'll get the advice back from the expert panel, we'll look at what they have determined is the reality of the situation and if it comes back that the cross-river rail project is affordable in some sort of model, obviously we'll be talking to Infrastructure Australia again," Mr Emerson said.

"But the reality is whatever we do we'd want Infrastructure Australia to be involved in, because the challenge is not going away; we're going to have to do something. It's about what is an affordable something to do."

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/island-ferry-plans-on-the-go-20120524-1z7jv.html

[SurfRail]

I think those are the right noises, and gradually they will end up coming around as we predicted. 

[colinw]

This is exactly what a new Government with only one member who has any previous Ministerial experience should do. I am confident that if good advice is given we will get a sensible outcome.

Of course if crap or biased advice is given then all bets are off.

[Fares_Fair]

From Twitter feed: On Tonights news.

7News Brisbane ‏@7NewsBrisbane

RT @NeilWarren7: Mayors outline 'Cleveland to Ferny Grove' rail option as alt to cross river rail. Rule out trams. @7NewsBrisbane 6pm

11:21 AM - 7 Jun 12 via TweetDeck

[petey3801]

From Twitter feed: On Tonights news.

7News Brisbane ‏@7NewsBrisbane

RT @NeilWarren7: Mayors outline 'Cleveland to Ferny Grove' rail option as alt to cross river rail. Rule out trams. @7NewsBrisbane 6pm

11:21 AM - 7 Jun 12 via TweetDeck

Oh dear God, not this again...

[HappyTrainGuy]

From Twitter feed: On Tonights news.

7News Brisbane ‏@7NewsBrisbane

RT @NeilWarren7: Mayors outline 'Cleveland to Ferny Grove' rail option as alt to cross river rail. Rule out trams. @7NewsBrisbane 6pm

11:21 AM - 7 Jun 12 via TweetDeck

[Golliwog]

If that's what the audit reveals next week.... 

[SurfRail]

^ I hope the celebrity for the maiden voyage isn't Gallagher (or Leonard Nimoy)...