Cross River Rail Project

[dancingmongoose]

Why are we sending interstate trains through CRR?

[verbatim9]

Why are we sending interstate trains through CRR?

Didn't imply that but for future proofing and moving to the national standard down the track. May take a while with a sleeper replacement program but can be done over several years.

[SurfRail]

Why are we sending interstate trains through CRR?

It would be useful if we ever wanted to convert the Gold and Sunshine Coast lines to something capable of hitting 200kph without fear of derailing every time, but you would need to build the tunnel to some arbitrary future loading gauge which might not even be suitable later on.  Best to keep it simple I think.

[BrizCommuter]

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/inner-city-rail-capacity-study-where.html
Inner City Rail Capacity Study (2008) vs what has actually happened.
For those unaware- the Inner City Rail Capacity Study made recommendations on required rail infrastructure from 2008 into the 2020s.

[#Metro]

A good post, but remember recommendations are made with the expectation that many will not be adopted. It is simply not possible to fund everything.

Grade separation at park road and third track from Fairfield to Banoon - are these actually required if CRR is built, for example?

A similar approach to bus network reform needs to be adopted - what are the bare minimum upgrades required to make the system deliver better service?

A simple thing would be allowing more services in the off peak to run, that would only require buying more trains.

[ozbob]

Thanks Briz.  Nice work.  I have distributed your post.   

[Stillwater]

Excellent analysis.    A lot of these documents are prepared at the urging of politicians/parties, whose aim is to impress voters that things will be done, but the public service is then starved of the funds to achieve what's been planned.  Imagine being on the CRR design team, having to do the planning over and over again when once this was Australia's No.1 top priority project at 'shovel ready' stage.  Only in Queensland.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

11th February 2016

More evidence of public transport network failure in SEQ

Good Morning,

Interesting summary chart.  It shows heavy rail passenger journeys over a century for Melbourne and Sydney annually.  Brisbane has around 50 million heavy rail passengers annually at present.




Source: https://twitter.com/TRaw_SGS/status/697240455512076288

By those trends, Brisbane should have been over 100 million by now.  In Sydney and Melbourne the heavy rail network is used much more efficiently.  Instead of running buses in competition and parallel to heavy rail the various modes are optimised for their true utility.  In SEQ an absurd fare structure, poor frequency and poor connections is now seen as relative poor patronage, and much worsening congestion in and around Brisbane.

Not rocket science is it?   We need proper bus network reform.  We have shown how that can be achieved [ http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11047.0 ]

What is the hot topic in Brisbane City Council elections?  Grandiose ' gold ' infrastructure and free fares!  What a joke transport in Brisbane has become under a succession of mediocre State Governments and even more mediocre Councils.

Carry on ...

Best wishes
Robert

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

Reference:

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/inner-city-rail-capacity-study-where.html

How can Brisbane's transport meltdown be resolved?

    There needs to be bi-partisan support for Cross River Rail by both sides of Queensland politics in State Government and Brisbane City Council level. Rather than thinking about themselves, politicians need to think about Queenslanders.
    Funding needs to be prioritised for rail over poor value for money road and busway projects. Remember, just one 60% full train can take around 500 cars off the road, that is 15 minutes worth of one traffic lane! 
    The urban sprawl needs to be restricted, or at least be concentrated around existing transport corridors.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Lachlan Heywood ‏@LachlanHeywood 4h

Premier says it's time @TurnbullMalcolm showed Qld the money on Ville stadium and cross-river rail #qmcpremier

[#Metro]

I don't get it.

Townsville Stadium - what interest does a Federal Government have in that? I could understand it it were to hold the Olympics, but it does not.

Cross River Rail - The Queensland Government doesn't even have a basic design or alignment? How can you fund something that has no details?

[verbatim9]

Twitter

Lachlan Heywood ‏@LachlanHeywood 4h

Premier says it's time @TurnbullMalcolm showed Qld the money on Ville stadium and cross-river rail #qmcpremier

We can have the money if we deregulate retail and implement all the recommendations from the Harper Review. Its well known the States that are still over regulated will get incentive bulk payments to pay for infrastructure. Its a no brainer to deregulate and implement the changes. The work has been done independantly and should be accepted and implemented by the current governemt ASAP. This government is well known at the moment as a do nothing cautious government. I would like them to take on the  challenge of the Harper Review in exchange for infrastructure funds.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Departure of Warren Truss clears the way for funding to build second train route in Brisbane

HOPES are rising that Brisbane's desperately needed Cross River Rail project may soon get the green light.

Infrastructure Australia is this month expected to unveil its list of national priorities.

And sources suggest this week's retirement announcement by deputy prime minister Warren Truss will remove a major obstacle to Federal Government support for the $5 billion project.

The former Infrastructure Minister was a strong supporter of ex-prime minister Tony Abbott's insistence that states should be solely responsible for public transport infrastructure.

The Cross River Rail initiative to provide a second train route through central Brisbane – including a tunnel under the river and several underground stations – was number one on the last Infrastructure Australia list in 2013.

But the proposal was dumped by the Newman government in favour of the so-called BaT (bus and train tunnel) scheme.

The incoming Palaszczuk Government reinstated Cross River Rail as top priority.

Queensland Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe told The Sunday Mail yesterday that it took a change of prime minister to secure Commonwealth funding for stage two of Gold Coast Light Rail.

"I hope a change in the ministry will signal the Turnbull Government are on board with Cross River Rail," he said.

Transport minister Stirling Hinchliffe hopes to have the Turnbull Government on board with the Cross River Rail. Picture: Tara Croser

Public transport advocates have called on Brisbane's leading two mayoral candidates to commit funding to help ensure Cross River Rail goes ahead.

RAIL Back on Track lobby group spokesman Robert Dow said Lord Mayor Graham Quirk and ALP mayoral hopeful Rod Harding had lost the plot with expensive headline-grabbing proposals for unnecessary light rail or rubber-tyred subway Metro systems.

"We need to focus on the main game, which is the rail system,'' he said.

Cross River Rail is already nearly a decade behind schedule, having been the key recommendation of the Inner City Rail Capacity Study commissioned by the Bligh Government in 2008 to set priorities to 2016.

[#Metro]

Double deck tunnel please!!   

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Infrastructure Australia lists Brisbane's Cross River Rail project as 'high priority'

[Stillwater]

Business case, business case, business case .....

[verbatim9]

I wonder if it will be approved, built and completed by 2021 as recommended?

[SurfRail]

Not a chance, even if they started yesterday.

I suspect we might see it by 2024 at the earliest at the current rate.  2022 if they really pull their collective finger out.

[Stillwater]

^^Agree, SR.  What is so disappointing when you look at the IA list of projects is how far advanced other states are with their project bids.  I suppose the answer is formation of Infrastructure Queensland, a sort of local mini IA.  Queensland abolished the Major Projects Office within TMR that used to prepare business cases for big works.  There has been a vacuum that IQ will fill, but it is barely up and running.  Queensland is playing catch-up with the other states and territories.  Meanwhile, all the pollies can do is shout 'Show Me the Money' in the direction of Canberra.  Pathetic really.

[Arnz]

^ 

[ozbob]

I am struggling to take this latest IA plan seriously, particularly when the state doesn't seem to be hey?

CRR was number one in 2011.  It is now a ' high priority ' project.  That makes us all feel a lot better I guess.  Whether anything actually happens from here is a moot point I reckon.

[ozbob]

Consider this extract from the Hansard

" ... Cross River Rail remains the government's highest infrastructure project. The project is critical
to support economic growth, to combat congestion and also to boost economic productivity in our
region. A project team is working to finalise the preferred alignment and rail station locations, but I can
confirm that there will be no bus element included. The fundamentals of Cross River Rail are the same
as when Infrastructure Australia gave the project Ready to Proceed status, the highest ranking status
possible under Infrastructure Australia, in both 2020 and 2013. ... "

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2015/2015_10_13_DAILY.pdf

13 October 2015.

Are they really fair dinkum?

Footnote: I assume 2020 is a typo and 2010 was the intent.  It is now 2016, every 3 years  ... wow ... lol

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

17th February 2016

Infrastructure Australia confirms what we know ... fancy that!

Greetings,

RAIL Back On Track welcomes the Infrastructure Australia (IA) Plan.

With respect to Queensland, it confirms that Cross River Rail, and the upgrade of the Sunshine Coast Line are key projects.  A point we have made constantly for years.

It is concerning that IA is still waiting for a business case for CRR and for the Sunshine Coast Line upgrade.

The IA plan is a sad indictment on under performing Governments.   It is time now for action, not more plans and delays.

Best wishes
Robert

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

References:

1. Australian Infrastructure Plan

>> http://infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/policy-publications/publications/Australian-Infrastructure-Plan.aspx

2.  Infrastructure Australia: Queensland

>> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12015.0

[ozbob]

Meanwhile ...

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> IA says Cross River Rail a priority as it urges state to find new funding streams

[Derwan]

Brisbane Cross River Rail business case by midyear: Deputy Premier

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-cross-river-rail-business-case-by-midyear-deputy-premier-20160218-gmxagy.html

[verbatim9]

Alot of plans there in that article with no funding commitments.

[Derwan]

Alot of plans there in that article with no funding commitments.

As it has been all along so far.  Around in circles we go. 

[ozbob]

Brisbane Cross River Rail business case by midyear: Deputy Premier

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-cross-river-rail-business-case-by-midyear-deputy-premier-20160218-gmxagy.html

Cross River Rail: who's to blame?

Cross River Rail was the "best project in the country" but never came to fruition and both sides of politics blame each other.

A business case for Brisbane's multibillion-dollar Cross River Rail project will be submitted to the Turnbull government by the "middle of the year", Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said.

The federal government will then judge its funding priority from more than 90 projects listed by Infrastructure Australia in its 15-year plan released on Wednesday.

The multibillion-dollar project to provide an extra rail connection between Brisbane's northern suburbs and southern suburbs – and the Gold and Sunshine coasts - had previously been investigated by the Bligh and Newman governments.

The additional cross-river rail line was needed by 2015, but changes to CBD train scheduling prevented rail congestion, projected to become a serious issue by 2020.

The new business case will outline the underground alignment, underground stations and connections to the Star Casino entertainment complex which was in November 2015 approved for Brisbane's George Street precinct.

"After three wasted years of the Newman government chasing the crazy BaT tunnel idea, we are now getting Cross River Rail back on track with an updated business case," Ms Trad said.

"This will be submitted by the middle of this year to the Commonwealth."

The business case timetable was raised this week when Infrastructure Australia presented its 15-year Australian Infrastructure Plan to the federal government.

The plan says the project is needed within five years.

The Cross River Rail project had been one of Queensland's High-Priority Initiatives in the report, but was no longer a High Priority "Project" because a new business case was needed by Infrastructure Australia, before it went to the federal government.

The previous Campbell Newman-led LNP state government declined to push ahead with Labor's two-tunnel Cross River Rail and instead proposed a scaled-back, single tunnel Bus and Train tunnel, dubbed the BaT tunnel.

Comment has been requested from opposition infrastructure spokesman Tim Nicholls.

The BaT tunnel had a different underground alignment – it went under George Street – to Cross River Rail, which originally ran under Albert Street towards Roma Street and to the Exhibition Grounds.

The BaT tunnel instead proposed a single tunnel for buses and trains.

It was cancelled in March 2015 by the Palaszczuk government.

Ms Trad, who was at the formal launch of the Infrastructure Australian plan in Brisbane on Wednesday with Mr Nicholls, said the Queensland government welcomed the report, but not the privatisation recommendations.

"The report recommends that governments should privatise publicly owned electricity generation, network and retail businesses to private ownership," Ms Trad said.

"Let me make this very clear. The Queensland government does not support asset sales and will not support this recommendation," she said.

"The IA confirms projects like Cross River Rail, the M1 Gateway Merge and the Ipswich Motorway are nationally significant priorities," she said.

"Now we need the Commonwealth to get on help fund these."

"As Infrastructure Australia has identified, this is a 'rolling list' which will be updated periodically, and as we progress planning and business case development for projects, we will see more Queensland projects on this list."

Engineers Australia infrastructure spokesman Chris Warnock said the body was pleased to see the report finally acknowledge there was no Australia-wide national infrastructure plan in place until the 15-year plan was prepared.

"That is quite critical and indeed the reason why Infrastructure Australia has had to adopt their own planning framework is because there is no other planning framework at a national level," he said.

The Queensland Government will release its own State Infrastructure Plan in March 2016 after releasing the draft in October 2015.

[ozbob]

"  ...
A business case for Brisbane's multibillion-dollar Cross River Rail project will be submitted to the Turnbull government by the "middle of the year", Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said. ... "

Should have been done by now ... 

[verbatim9]

Show me the money!

[ozbob]

Show me the money!

Sorry, I spent it on good times, overseas jaunts and roads!   

[kram0]

"  ...
A business case for Brisbane's multibillion-dollar Cross River Rail project will be submitted to the Turnbull government by the "middle of the year", Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said. ... "

Should have been done by now ... 

And she then critisises Newman for delaying the project and not getting on with building CRR1. While we know he should of done that and not wasted time with BaT, how is what she doing any different? Just get on and build it. it should not take any longer then 6-9 months to tweek CRR1 plans to allow for changes such as the new casino etc. it will not get built under labor.

[Derwan]

And she then critisises Newman for delaying the project and not getting on with building CRR1. While we know he should of done that and not wasted time with BaT, how is what she doing any different?

Because BaT was a stupid idea.

[ozbob]

It has been clear since March 2015 that CRR was go.  Business case should have been submitted by now.

However, better late than never I guess.

The problem is of course they might get gazumped by the other states, as for previous projects. 

There is only so much moulah in the piggy bank ..

[kram0]

And she then critisises Newman for delaying the project and not getting on with building CRR1. While we know he should of done that and not wasted time with BaT, how is what she doing any different?

Because BaT was a stupid idea.

We all know that, but Newman did not think this was the case. The point I am making is progressive governments 'refining' the previous plans and taking too long to get the job done. Why is it taking her 18 months to update an already good design in CRR1?

[BrizCommuter]

Are there any references as to the sale of the properties around the portal in Yeerongpilly? I may beed a reference for an article. Thanks.

[ozbob]

Are there any references as to the sale of the properties around the portal in Yeerongpilly? I may beed a reference for an article. Thanks.

BINGO!

>> http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2014/6/30/labor-plan-to-destroy-100-homes-and-businesses

You're welcome!!

[verbatim9]

I sent a letter to my local MP hoping to prioritize! 

[BrizCommuter]

Are there any references as to the sale of the properties around the portal in Yeerongpilly? I may beed a reference for an article. Thanks.

BINGO!

>> http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2014/6/30/labor-plan-to-destroy-100-homes-and-businesses

You're welcome!!

Cheers!

[BrizCommuter]

The BrizCommuter Rail Capacity Study - a very long blog post!
Looking at what can be achieved pre and post Cross River Rail.
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/the-brizcommuter-rail-capacity-study.html