Cross River Rail Project

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Hinchliffe: State Opposition will be last aboard Cross River Rail

Queensland's Liberal National Party should follow the lead of its federal body and get behind Cross River Rail, the state's transport minister Stirling Hinchliffe has said.

Hinchliffe, appointed by Labor Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk late last year, said the state Opposition was now the last major party – state or federal – to oppose the project.

Listed by Infrastructure Australia as a high priority initiative, Cross River Rail would provide a north-south passenger rail line through Brisbane.

The Cross River Rail proposal is for a 10.2-kilometre rail link from north of the CBD at Bowen Hills, to south of the CBD at Salisbury.

The project would involve a 5.9-kilometre tunnel under the Brisbane River and CBD.

The current Cross River Rail is the third version of the rail link, after the Bus and Train (BaT) Tunnel proposal made in 2013, and the previous Cross River Rail originally launched in 2010.

Queensland's Labor Government on April 7 announced it would establish an authority to deliver the project, and will seek federal, state and local government co-investment and private sector participation in funding it.

Federal major projects minister Paul Fletcher has voiced his support for the project, saying on April 7 the Turnbull Government "stands ready to work with the Queensland Government" on the project.

"As part of [the business case] assessment, the Turnbull Government will be particularly interested in seeing if there are options for innovative funding and financing," he said.

The project has the support of the Federal Opposition, with leader Bill Shorten saying on April 7 that Cross River Rail is "Labor's number one infrastructure project for Brisbane".

With both sides of federal politics supporting the project, Hinchliffe on April 11 called on Queensland's Liberal National Coalition to join the rest of the parties in supporting the project.

"The Australian Government and Federal Opposition have reiterated their support for Cross River Rail, and both support the use of innovative funding and financing to deliver this critical infrastructure project," Hinchliffe said.

"It is only the Queensland LNP and Scott Emerson who refuse to get on board.

"Support is building for Cross River Rail because everyone acknowledges this is a time critical project that must be delivered to address capacity constraints identified in the Australian Infrastructure Audit.

"Scott Emerson and the Queensland LNP are the only ones who are out of the loop when it comes to support for a second river rail crossing."

[kram0]

I wonder what the 4th version will look like? Hopefully they will revert to the original plan, maybe even improve on it and not cut corners!!

[tazzer9]

Anyone heard anything about whether CCR and its stations will be built with future automation in mind and the possibility of platform doors? 

[ozbob]

Platform doors were part of CRR1, not sure what is planned for this version (CRR3) yet.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard Questions Without Notice 19th April 2016

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2016/2016_04_19_DAILY.pdf

Cross River Rail

Mr KELLY: My question is to the Minister for Transport and the Commonwealth Games. Will the
minister update the House on the government's commitment to the cross river rail project?

Mr HINCHLIFFE: I thank the member for Greenslopes for his question. He understands the
capacity constraints faced by our public transport system in South-East Queensland, which is why the
Palaszczuk government and Infrastructure Australia see cross river rail as Queensland's highest priority
infrastructure project. Recently, the Deputy Premier and I were pleased to announce the new cross
river rail concept alignment and station precinct locations. The cross river rail project is not just a
transport solution; it is a city-making project that will contribute to growing our state's economy. We
want to lead the way on how city-making transport infrastructure projects are delivered. That is why we
also announced plans to establish a delivery authority to lead the development, procurement and
delivery of this vital project and to support wider economic and social outcomes.

The delivery authority kicks into touch the political football that this project had been for too long.
The authority model, combined with the use of innovative funding solutions such as value sharing, has
been key to securing the support of both sides of federal politics for the project. Minister Paul Fletcher
has said that the Turnbull government stands ready to work with the Queensland government in relation
to the cross river rail project and Labor leader Bill Shorten has said that Labor's No. 1 infrastructure
project for Brisbane is cross river rail.

Despite this growing and bipartisan support from the federal government and federal opposition,
I have been very disappointed to see the same tired old football politics coming from the state LNP.
Quite frankly, over the last few weeks the Leader of the Opposition and his shadow ministers have been
an embarrassment to themselves on cross river rail—even more so than usual. Here is the reality: if
the Queensland people had $715 million for every time that the member for Indooroopilly said 'no' to
$715 million from the federal government, the tunnels would be being dug now. There are 715 million
reasons why cross river rail is not being built today and every one of them lies at the feet of the
opposition. There are 715 million reasons why the LNP should hang their heads in shame. They are
why we have a challenge around this project now.

This is a vital project for the future of our city. I call on those opposite to get on board with what
we are doing. I call on them to get on track, to make sure that we continue to see the development in
cooperation with the federal government, no matter what colour—

(Time expired)

[#Metro]

They're still playing games.

$0.7 BN is quite small for a Fed contribution to CRR. Especially when the project is $5-8 BN.

Secondly, the Queensland Government already has the money to build CRR itself.

It has funds locked up in its assets that would more than cover the cost of CRR six times over.

It could borrow against, sell or lease.

[tazzer9]

Feds shouldn't cough up more than that IMO.  its a passenger only, city building project.  Doesnt have much national interest.  If we had a proper CCR where the southern portals were around salisbury I would expect a substantial federal grant.  Because that free's up alot of space on current tracks for freight to and from the Port of Brisbane and the interstate rail yards and those are federal interests.

[ozbob]

Nothing is going to happen.  Queensland is now in an advanced state of political stalemate. Might be some political bribes by the Feds as they ramp up but post election, nothing will get up, " the budget bottom line is worse that we thought yadda yadda "

The present Queensland Government cannot even do the simple things.  I expect serious turmoil in the Queensland parliament and politics from here. Labor has gone back to the ' Bligh ' mode ... the sad thing is the LNP are just as bad - no policies, oppose everything ...

How far Qld Labor are now off the pace was well demonstrated in the BCC elections. They just don't get it ...

[SurfRail]

Feds shouldn't cough up more than that IMO.  its a passenger only, city building project.  Doesnt have much national interest.  If we had a proper CCR where the southern portals were around salisbury I would expect a substantial federal grant.  Because that free's up alot of space on current tracks for freight to and from the Port of Brisbane and the interstate rail yards and those are federal interests.

See I don't buy this.  Well functioning cities ARE in the national interest because they are where most of the country's economic output comes from - not from digging stuff out of the ground or growing or rearing things on top of it.  If you want higher income tax and GST revenue, you make cities work properly.

[#Metro]

Let's just see what is possible.

If Townsville Stadium can get up, pretty much anything goes. Could also throw in studies for Regional Rapid Rail or something like that.

I reckon Utopia is a pretty accurate model of what  goes on in the upper echelons of gov. 

Have to be in it to win it! 

[tazzer9]

See I don't buy this.  Well functioning cities ARE in the national interest because they are where most of the country's economic output comes from - not from digging stuff out of the ground or growing or rearing things on top of it.  If you want higher income tax and GST revenue, you make cities work properly.

I get what you're saying, but why bother even having state and local governments if building a city only benefits the entire nation.   Federal funding should only be used for extremely expensive but necessary projects which it would be impossible or unfair for state and local governments to pay for.    Or for projects which have a serious national interest and go through a large area. In the end, no body in Sydney or Melbourne is going to benefit from CCR.  Even indirectly.   so why should they fund it.  CCR doesn't meet the same criteria for national interest as say Inland rail or Sydney's 2nd airport. 

The state government receives enough funding every year and qld should be megarich if we bothered to have proper mining royalties.  Thats on top of of the other taxes, exports and speeding ticket fines the government get.  So we should be able to pay for CCR without having to resort to either selling assets or begging someone, (in this case the feds and the private sector) for money.   

BCC, LCC, MBRC, with the state government should be easily be able to pay for it.   

[#Metro]

Federal funding should only be used for extremely expensive but necessary projects which it would be impossible or unfair for state and local governments to pay for.

Absolutely agree here. States should be responsible to voters for their spending through State-imposed taxes.

Unfortunately, this is not the case right now. 

[verbatim9]

Good article

[red dragin]

I reckon Utopia is a pretty accurate model of what  goes on in the upper echelons of gov. 

Just like "the Games" turned out to be eerily accurate

[HappyTrainGuy]

The Gold Coast line was built with federal funding........

[James]

Nothing is going to happen.  Queensland is now in an advanced state of political stalemate. Might be some political bribes by the Feds as they ramp up but post election, nothing will get up, " the budget bottom line is worse that we thought yadda yadda "

The present Queensland Government cannot even do the simple things.  I expect serious turmoil in the Queensland parliament and politics from here. Labor has gone back to the ' Bligh ' mode ... the sad thing is the LNP are just as bad - no policies, oppose everything ...

How far Qld Labor are now off the pace was well demonstrated in the BCC elections. They just don't get it ...

Really not surprising. Labor did not spend enough time out of government to get rid of the institutional rot that was there and resurrected far too many candidates.

The fact is, state governments need to be given more powers to both tax and spend. Sadly whenever given the opportunity, the states howl the proposal down because they hate the idea of being forced to raise their own funds, because it is electorally unpalatable for them and means they can do more than simply whinging to the Feds for more money.

CRR deserves a federal funding commitment, but I think anything more than $1bn is plenty. The state of Queensland will be the major beneficiary of such a project, hence the state of Queensland should be doing most of the funding.

[STB]

They're still playing games.

$0.7 BN is quite small for a Fed contribution to CRR. Especially when the project is $5-8 BN.

Secondly, the Queensland Government already has the money to build CRR itself.

It has funds locked up in its assets that would more than cover the cost of CRR six times over.

It could borrow against, sell or lease.

That's very unlikely to happen with the ALP given that they've made deals with the unions and made a promise to the public not to sell off or lease assets and I know that they don't want a repeat of what happened under the Bligh Government when the Unions went into attack mode against the ALP when the Bligh Government sold off assets at the time.

I think they are going to hold on to the hope that the Feds will throw in a significant contribution to the project, especially given there's going to be a DD election coming up in July.  I wouldn't be surprised if there's quite a bit of whip cracking going on behind the scenes with the CRR team to produce a business plan to produce to the Feds prior to the election to try and whip up some funding promises from the Federal counterparts.

[#Metro]

That's very unlikely to happen with the ALP given that they've made deals with the unions and made a promise to the public not to sell off or lease assets and I know that they don't want a repeat of what happened under the Bligh Government when the Unions went into attack mode against the ALP when the Bligh Government sold off assets at the time.

Beliefs are tested when the results are out of line with expectations. I think the pain needs to increase a bit more before people start openly questioning whether self-inflicted funding shortages are a good idea.

It isn't necessary to sell assets either. Borrowing against them does the same thing (but increases debt on the balance sheet), and leasing is attractive as well because the asset comes back eventually. I guess they just painted themselves into a corner. There is a word for this - Phyrric Victory.

A Pyrrhic victory is a victory that inflicts such a devastating toll on the victor that it is tantamount to defeat. Someone who wins a Pyrrhic victory has been victorious in some way. However, the heavy toll negates any sense of achievement or profit. Another term for this would be "hollow victory".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrrhic_victory

So they won the election, but now in office, cannot do anything. Sound familiar? Sounds awfully like the Bligh years. There is only so long one can last on Autopilot mode.

I think they are going to hold on to the hope that the Feds will throw in a significant contribution to the project, especially given there's going to be a DD election coming up in July.  I wouldn't be surprised if there's quite a bit of whip cracking going on behind the scenes with the CRR team to produce a business plan to produce to the Feds prior to the election to try and whip up some funding promises from the Federal counterparts.

Maybe, but then they still need to find a few billion from somewhere. And they would need lightning to strike twice - they pulled it off for the Gold Coast Light Rail, but CRR is much more expensive.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> New pipeline of rail projects needed to improve Brisbane passenger train network

The multibillion-dollar project to create a second river rail crossing, which includes a 5.9km tunnel, has had several versions over the past six years but is yet to proceed due to a lack of funding.

What ideas and projects do you think will drive jobs and economic activity in Queensland?

Two major rail projects, the Moreton Bay Rail Link and the duplication of the Helensvale to Coomera track on the Gold Coast, are under construction and due to be completed by July and late next year, respectively.

Advocacy group Rail Back on Track says although the Cross River Rail is needed, there are other projects that could improve efficiency.

"There needs to be a whole new pipeline of projects that are achievable that the Government needs to get on and do," spokesman Robert Dow said.

Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said Cross River Rail was crucial to future projects.

"But none of these projects will be possible without the critical Cross River Rail to enable capacity as those lines bring commuters into the Brisbane CBD."

The duplication of the North Coast line between Beerburrum and Landsborough was promised by the Newman government through its controversial asset sales package and was estimated to cost $532 million, but Labor has committed to progressively upgrading it.

Mr Hinchliffe said a business case for duplicating the North Coast line was being developed and a decision expected next year.

Engineers Australia infrastructure spokesman Chris Warnock said the duplication of the North Coast line would improve both freight and passenger rail services.

"It is the Achilles heel for the whole freight rail network," he said.

Opposition transport spokesman Scott Emerson said duplicating the North Coast line was essential to improving passenger rail in the southeast.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Cross River Rail plan set to slash travel times by 15 minutes

COMMUTERS would shave up to 15 minutes off their daily trip to the CBD from southern suburbs if Cross River Rail was built, with northern area residents saving almost 10 minutes.

The Palaszczuk Government's ambitious $5 billion Cross River Rail project would also shave up to 14 minutes off trips from eastern suburbs such as Manly, while travel times for people heading in from areas such as Darra would be cut by up to four minutes.

The savings apply to commuters to the southern end of the CBD and take into account time spent in vehicles, walking in the CBD and interchange transfers.

The project would also mean fewer passengers having to stand. The Government estimates that as many as 300 people would be forced to stand on each express service from Petrie and Beenleigh by 2036 if the project was not completed by then.

The additional lines would mean a significant reduction in the number of people without seats.

It is also hoped the rail project would slash by 2000 the number of cars in the CBD during the morning rush hour.

The Government has been spruiking the potential economic benefits of the project as it fends off concerns about its funding.

Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has said all funding options are on the table. He has also pointed to the number of jobs the project is expected to create, as well as the benefits that would be delivered to businesses near new stations.

About 50,000 jobs in the southern and eastern ends of the CBD would be within 400m of the proposed Albert St station, while about 3000 people would live within that radius.

Meanwhile, the new station at Woolloongabba would also help clear crowds from sporting events at the Gabba.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads estimates Cross River Rail would be able to move at least 3800 people in one direction every 10 minutes.

The same volume of passengers would require close to 60 buses.

[#Metro]

The Palaszczuk Government's ambitious $5 billion Cross River Rail project would also shave up to 14 minutes off trips from eastern suburbs such as Manly, while travel times for people heading in from areas such as Darra would be cut by up to four minutes.

I think there is an element 'public relations fatigue' here - there is only so much one can wheel out the same project three times and crow about it.

It can understand GC pax benefit, but it is not clear how they came up with 14 minutes time savings for Cleveland line, or 4 min for Darra etc.

Transport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has said all funding options are on the table. He has also pointed to the number of jobs the project is expected to create

Actually, not all funding options are on the table. [BLEEP] Asset sales [BLEEP] or [CENSORED] leases [CENSORED] are two options that are OFF the table. 

The number of jobs created during construction is strictly not an economic benefit.
It is an economic cost because the gov't has to go out and pay to buy other people's time.

[Stillwater]

The government, it seems, is attempting a triple summersault and pike dive into creative finances while not actually selling assets ..... keeping the costs off government books, having overseas pension funds and the like invest in government-owned corporations (i.e. Queensland Investment Corp.) that will pay these investors a steady dividend (principle and interest) over time, and raiding the bucket of money created for CRR and other infrastructure.

[kram0]

We all know the benefits such as time saving, they were the same as 8 years ago when the project was first announced and was designed without cutting corners, unlike now. Stop talking and start building!! This won't get off the ground under Anna2's mob.

[#Metro]

Cross River Rail and Trouts Road compatibility

Will there be any provision for a future connection of CRR to Trouts Rd corridor? Some stub tunnels just after Roma Street perhaps?

The TRC will be essential in any future network upgrade as it will massively speed up trains to and from the Sunshine Coast.

It is also very expensive and disruptive to cut into an existing and operational tunnel to connect it at some point in the future.

[tazzer9]

COMMUTERS would shave up to 15 minutes off their daily trip to the CBD from southern suburbs if Cross River Rail was built, with northern area residents saving almost 10 minutes.

The Palaszczuk Government's ambitious $5 billion Cross River Rail project would also shave up to 14 minutes off trips from eastern suburbs such as Manly, while travel times for people heading in from areas such as Darra would be cut by up to four minutes.

Permanent cleveland express taking the full manly to park road express pattern and reintroduction of Springfield services via tennyson  all confirmed from this article.

Seriously, springfield to yeerongpilly via tennyson all stops then express to park road then city via CCR would save about 4 minutes compared to the current route.  So there may be some truth to this.   It is a cheap and easy stop gap measure for the crowded springfield services.

[SurfRail]

I suspect the timesavings for Cleveland involve people transferring between the surface Park Road and underground Boggo Road stations to get a train to the southern CBD, as opposed to remaining on the train until Central and then walking down to say Margaret St.  The timesaving is likely to be a bit less than that in practice.

God knows where the Darra timesavings come from.  Possibly involves something similar to the above (ie transfer at Roma St as opposed to walking from Central).

Tennyson is dead and buried and at this point I would be prepared to actively oppose its return given the implications it would have for the southern lines.

[#Metro]

God knows where the Darra timesavings come from.  Possibly involves something similar to the above (ie transfer at Roma St as opposed to walking from Central).

Yes, it sounds very concocted doesn't it? Time savings of 15 minutes from Cleveland? Really?

Tennyson is dead and buried and at this point I would be prepared to actively oppose its return given the implications it would have for the southern lines.

I agree. I don't understand the fixation with reopening Tennyson station, given that it is next to Yeronga Station, and that walk up is extremely limited to a very small residential area.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> We need to invest to give tourists best, Tourism and Transport Forum says

[tazzer9]

Tennyson station itself is dead, only chance of ever reopening is if they decided to waste some $$ for election votes and build another station or two along that line. But I still dont understand why they destroyed the platforms so it can't even be used for special services during tennis events.    But running passenger trains permanently via that route I do think will happen, and should be looked into.   Its a quick and cheap way of taking strain off the merging of trains at milton, and it does offer some serious connection capability.   Right now the thinking is no one on the ipswich line would want to access any of the southern or eastern lines.   Right now it forces those who do use everything south of the merivale bridge to go backwards, and get change onto heavily crowded trains at an extremely busy station. 

Once CCR is extended by tunnel south of yeerongpilly,  Corinda to city via south brisbane should be a permanent 15 minute service.  Even if it only a 3 car and really only adds to increase the frequency along the south bank and inner beenleigh route.     

[ozbob]

TMR and TransLink are anti-rail.  They botch and cruel most things related to rail.

It is time they got cleaned out.  TMR particularly, has caused a lot of mediocre outcomes with respect to rail.  There is a lot of conflict between Queensland Rail and TMR.  Add the political clowns, it is easy to see why things are just a festering mess in reality.

Grab some popcorn, sit back and enjoy ...

Connecting SEQ 2031 - An Integrated Regional Transport Plan only 15 years now! 

[kram0]

Nothing will happen with the useless government we currently have. We need a progressive governemnt to take the bull by the horns and make some real generational changes on policy and infrastructure. We really need the media to back this and shame the government just as the courier mail did to Brisbane Airport when they continued to stall on the second main runway to relieve congestion!! The paper were a major factor in pressuring BAC to finally get the project started.

[James]

Tennyson station itself is dead, only chance of ever reopening is if they decided to waste some $$ for election votes and build another station or two along that line. But I still dont understand why they destroyed the platforms so it can't even be used for special services during tennis events.    But running passenger trains permanently via that route I do think will happen, and should be looked into.   Its a quick and cheap way of taking strain off the merging of trains at milton, and it does offer some serious connection capability.   Right now the thinking is no one on the ipswich line would want to access any of the southern or eastern lines.   Right now it forces those who do use everything south of the merivale bridge to go backwards, and get change onto heavily crowded trains at an extremely busy station. 

Once CCR is extended by tunnel south of yeerongpilly,  Corinda to city via south brisbane should be a permanent 15 minute service.  Even if it only a 3 car and really only adds to increase the frequency along the south bank and inner beenleigh route.     

I believe Tennyson should never come back. In terms of walking distance, Yeerongpilly is only an extra 300m away, and has the enhanced connectivity of being able to keep extra services on the main line/stop GC services there for easy access like they do during the Brisbane International.

In terms of strain, the inner Beenleigh line and Merivale bridge will be forever under more strain than the Ipswich line until CRR (and tunnels) are extended as far as Yeerongpilly. The reason there are no Tennyson services is because the demand simply isn't there vs. serving Indro and the CBD, a more important destination for those in the west. If we want to revive a connection between the two lines, firstly upgrade the 104 and see if the demand is there. I concede that it is a nice shortcut, but a frequent bus would be a much better fit.

Post-CRR beyond Yeerongpilly, it may be worth considering. At this rate though, that won't happen until after 2030 and will need DDA anyway.

[verbatim9]

2030 omg! That's far away, We are not building subs here, Lol!

[Stillwater]

All those projects to be built in the final year -- 2031. 

[#Metro]

All those projects to be built in the final year -- 2031.

2030 omg! That's far away, We are not building subs here, Lol!

My head hurts. 

Bus reforms? Fare review? Concessions for unemployed? Anything??

[Stillwater]

Hey man ... just go with the flow.  Grab your transport strategy document and run your thumb along the edge of the pages, causing them to fan and release the pleasant spells of fresh paper, ink and varnish.  Breath in deeply.  There ... everything is all right.  Feel better?  Good.  Repeat in 10 minutes time and you will hallucinate that CRR Mk Whatever is operational.  Sniff some more ....  Go on, you know u cant resist.

[James]

2030 omg! That's far away, We are not building subs here, Lol!

It is 2016 now. All going well, CRR should hopefully be underway to Dutton Park by 2018, finishing construction by 2024. There will still be a need to separate the Beenleigh/GC line from freight and free up additional capacity, namely 4 tracks to Yeerongpilly and potentially 6 down to the Flagstone junction, just like in CRR1.

The 4 tracks to Yeerongpilly (i.e. an extra two underground) would likely come around 2030. Given the snail's pace government works at, the magnitude of the works being discussed (CRR1 is a once in a generation project) and the need to put 4 tracks to Yeerongpilly, I do not think the timelines I am suggesting are unrealistic.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane's worst chokepoints identified by the RACQ

... Mr Turner said investment from all levels of government was needed to keep expanding and widening major routes linking Brisbane with suburbs in the east, west, north and south.

"We also need Cross River Rail to provide a genuine alternative," he said.

"Rail is a genuine alternative to roads and people will choose it as an alternative to driving, whereas buses tend to be a grudge purchase for most commuters, according to our research." ...

[#Metro]

I am not aware of any large city (1 million plus) anywhere in the world that has achieved free flow traffic during peak hours by building more/widening roads.

This is the reality of peak hour.

[Derwan]

New funding method for Cross River Rail?

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2016/malcolm-turnbull-to-borrow-big-in-multibilliondollar-smart-cities-plan-20160428-gohbym.html

The Prime Minister plans to issue long-dated bonds – perhaps up to 30 years – to lock in historically low interest rates to part-fund projects such as Sydney's Badgerys Creek airport, Melbourne's Metro Rail and Brisbane's Cross River Rail.