Cross River Rail Project

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

13th June 2017

Cross River Rail underway ...

Good Morning,

Budget day.  Appears that the State will now commit to commencing Cross River Rail.  This is great news of course and we congratulate the State Government [ Couriermail --> Queensland Budget: $2 billion for Cross River Rail ].

" THE State Government will today signal it is prepared to go it alone on Cross River Rail by adding a further $2 billion towards the much vaunted project.

The Courier-Mail can reveal today's State ­Budget will allocate the extra $2 billion to kick-start the project, taking the state's contribution to almost $3 billion.

The massive funding ­injection still leaves a hole of about $2.5 billion to build the inner-city Brisbane rail link between Dutton Park and Bowen Hills, which includes three new underground stations.

The State Government will leave the door open for future federal contributions and deals with the private sector or a combination of the two. However, it is understood the Government will indicate that it is prepared to go it alone on the 10.2km link, which has been mooted for more than a decade. "

The Turnbull Federal Government is consigning themselves to the political scrap heap with their partisan infrastructure political nepotism, rather than putting all Australian States and Territories first!

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

10th June 2017

Goodbye Prime Minister Turnbull - Dig Queensland, dig!

Good Morning,

We welcome and note the Cross River Rail Project: Coordinator-General's change report June 2017.
[ http://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/resources/project/cross-river-rail/crr-cg-change-report.pdf ]

CRR is now ready to roll.  The State must commence this project immediately.  The intransigence and myopic stance of the present Federal Coalition Government will no doubt cost them dearly in an electoral sense in the days to come. The Queensland LNP State Opposition are in conflict with Brisbane City Council that rightly understands the synergy and opportunity for improved public transport not only for Brisbane but SEQ as a whole with CRR and Brisbane Metro. Both projects are integrated from an operational perspective, CRR and Brisbane Metro  should not be seen as competing projects, but as two elements of the single public transport solution.
[ http://www.dilgp.qld.gov.au/infrastructure/connecting-brisbane.html ]

This the correct path now to public transport resilience, capacity, and hence successful delivery and outcomes. Both projects will provide the economic stimulus that is needed.

It is sad that the  Queensland LNP Opposition seem to be the only major player that does not understand the need for Cross River Rail.
[ LNP Opposition Media release  STATEMENT: Brisbane Metro http://www.timnicholls.com.au/statement-brisbane-metro/ ]

The Queensland LNP has previously stamped their public transport credentials as very mediocre with such absurd proposals as the ' Cleveland Solution ' and the ' Bus and Train ' tunnel.  They are consigning themselves to irrelevancy once again unless they come on board with the integrated public transport solution that CRR and the Brisbane Metro now promise for SEQ and Brisbane.

We have waited long enough.  ' Now is the hour '. Goodbye Prime Minister Turnbull.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2034.msg193665#msg193665 ]

[Stillwater]

Start on CRR welcome, but one wonders what's left in the pot for projects such as Springfield Line extension and SCL duplication.

[#Metro]

Start on CRR welcome, but one wonders what's left in the pot for projects such as Springfield Line extension and SCL duplication.

Cheer up Stillwater! Cross River Rail is a mega win. It's not the full amount, sure, but 50% and the Queensland Government coughing it up is a MIRACLE.

HALLELUJAH! 

Song --->



I'm sure there are a few government-owned assets that can be thrown overboard if the decision is made to fund additional things and we need some extra $.

An excellent result today! 

[tazzer9]

Start on CRR welcome, but one wonders what's left in the pot for projects such as Springfield Line extension and SCL duplication.

Springfield Extension will likely be funded by Ipswich council and the qld government (along with every logistics company) will be screaming at the feds for SCL duplication funds.   

[OzGamer]

Great news if this really is the beginning of Cross River Rail. It's been a political and planning logjam for ten years now and we need to get on with it so we can start to think about other things.

Springfield Extension will likely be funded by Ipswich council and the qld government (along with every logistics company) will be screaming at the feds for SCL duplication funds.

While I'm very supportive of the Redbank Plains extension, I'm not sure this is really the place of local government. When you think that the major function of that rail line would be to get people out of Ipswich City to work in Brisbane, it seems like a strange thing for Ipswich City Council to fund.

What we really need (as most people here seem to agree) is a regional transport body that the SEQ councils all contribute to that builds things like this. The benefits of rail in SEQ really do spread around the region, and Brisbane gets at least as much net benefit from each line as the local governments that they pass through.

[kram0]

Let's hope all the contracts for the project are signed with construction due to start by the end of 2017.

[Mr X]

So is the state going to start building, build half of it and then wait for the feds to cough up more money or....?

[BrizCommuter]

^ exactly, contracts need to be in place before Tim Nicholls cancels it!

[ozbob]

I understand the State Budget being delivered now in Parliament will confirm that Cross River Rail will be fully funded by the State Government.  No doubt should Federal funds become available down the track this will allow even more projects.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Treasurer Curtis Pitt unveils pre-election jobs budget with Cross River Rail as centrepiece

TREASURER Curtis Pitt has unveiled his pre-election "jobs bonanza" budget with the Palaszczuk Government's $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project taking centre stage.

As revealed by The Courier-Mail today, Mr Pitt has declared the Government is ready to go it alone and fully fund the $5.4 billion major rail southeast Queensland project starting with a $1.95 billion commitment over the next three years, plus $850 million already allocated.

"I can confirm today that the Palaszczuk Government is prepared to fully fund the delivery of the State's highest priority infrastructure project — Cross River Rail," Mr Pitt told State Parliament in his third Budget speech to the House. ...

[tazzer9]

So is the state going to start building, build half of it and then wait for the feds to cough up more money or....?

Its a good plan, because if qld does run out of money to fund it, it would a political disaster for the feds not to finish funding it.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queensland budget 2017: Jobs, infrastructure spending and surpluses

...
Mr Pitt unveiled a $1.95 billion commitment over the forward estimates to Cross River Rail, in addition to $850 million already funded in previous budgets.

It brings the total funding for the project to $2.81 billion over four years.

While the Palaszczuk government has been lobbying the federal government to stump up cash for the $5.4 billion project, Mr Pitt said he could confirm Queensland would fully fund the "state's highest priority infrastructure project".

However, he said it was not too late for the federal government to make a contribution.

Ms Palaszczuk said Queensland would be sending Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull the bill for Cross River Rail.

"I am sick of having to go down to Canberra, begging for money," she said.

But the majority of the new money for Cross River Rail is budgeted for years down the track - and after the state election.

The government has committed $62 million from 2018-19, $1.06 billion from 2019-20 and $829 million in 2020-21.

There is also an extra $20 million in 2017-18 for the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said over the next 12 to 18 months' work would include talking to industry, tendering and procuring, with the height of construction in about two years. ...

[ozbob]

Just completed a live interview with ABC Brisbane Emma Griffiths Drive.

Also 4BC News, MMM News.

Thanks for the interest!

[ozbob]

13th June 2017

Media Release

JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Jackie Trad

Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment
The Honourable Curtis Pitt

Labor will build Cross River Rail

The Palaszczuk Government will deliver one of Queensland's biggest ever infrastructure projects, Cross River Rail, fully funding the $5.4 billion project in the State Budget.

The 2017-18 State Budget allocates $2.8 billion over the forward estimates, with a further $2.6 billion to be committed in future Budgets.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said her government will build Queensland's number one infrastructure priority Cross River Rail. 

"It has been almost a decade since Cross River Rail was first put on the agenda and I'm proud that I will be the Premier to build this project," the Premier said.

"The importance of Cross River Rail for the future of South East Queensland is unquestionable - industry experts and the community agree that we need this project and we need it now.

"That is why my government is fully funding the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project.

"However, we are not shutting the door on other sources of funding – the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority will continue to look at options to partner with the private sector and we expect to secure funds from future Australian Governments.

"The bottom line is my government will start construction on Cross River Rail this year – it will support more than 1,540 jobs each year and with a construction timeframe of five years, that's more than 7,700 jobs for Queenslanders."

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Jackie Trad said that Queensland needs Cross River Rail.

"This is a project that will transform the South East, taking thousands of cars off our roads and getting people home faster," Ms Trad said.

"Without it, we won't be able to build the future vital connections to our growing regions, including the Sunshine Coast, Flagstone and Springfield lines because we simply won't have the capacity across our one inner city river crossing, the Merivale Rail Bridge.

"Just last week, I joined with Lord Mayor Graham Quirk to launch the Connecting Brisbane strategy which demonstrates how vital Cross River Rail and Brisbane Metro are for an integrated public transport network.

"I'm also pleased to announce that John McEvoy will be joining the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority board as the Brisbane City Council nominee.

"We have no more time to waste. The Palaszczuk Government will build Cross River Rail."

Treasurer Curtis Pitt said that the project was a no-brainer due to its far-reaching economic benefits.

"Cross River Rail will deliver a significant boost to the economy in the South East and throughout the state, boosting the economy by $70 billion," Mr Pitt said.

"This project will deliver strong economic benefits for Queenslanders providing value for money.

"We will no longer wait for the do-nothing Turnbull Government. We are getting on with building Cross River Rail."

Since 2015, the Palaszczuk Government has re-scoped the project, published the new alignment, submitted the industry peer-reviewed business case to the Commonwealth and secured the necessary major state approvals from the Co-ordinator General.

Cross River Rail will allow the rail network to expand, offering faster travel times across South East Queensland:

    There will be four new underground stations at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street and Roma Street and two upgraded stations at Dutton Park and the Exhibition Showgrounds.
    Commuters will save up to 15 minutes if travelling from southern stations such as Beenleigh
    Commuters will save up to eight minutes if travelling from northern stations such as Petrie
    Commuters will save up to six minutes if travelling from western stations such as Ipswich
    Commuters will save up to 14 minutes if travelling from eastern stations such as Cleveland

ENDS

[Cazza]

Will provisional works be included to upgrade to 4 tracks later on down the track? (mind the pun)

[ozbob]

Will provisional works be included to upgrade to 4 tracks later on down the track? (mind the pun)

Don't know.  When things settle down the CRR Project team have said they would be happy to answer any further questions and have briefings etc. as things develop from here.

The CRR project team asked me today to thank you all for your engagement, feedback and support.  They too are pleased of course with today's outcome.  Been a very long haul for a lot of people.

[Gazza]

So is the state going to start building, build half of it and then wait for the feds to cough up more money or....?

Its a good plan, because if qld does run out of money to fund it, it would a political disaster for the feds not to finish funding it.

Two things.

The state can't really run out of money, well not at this stage anyway.

The only political disaster would  be for the State government "living beyond their means". Nobody would turn on the feds

[#Metro]

Labor will build Cross River Rail

The Palaszczuk Government will deliver one of Queensland's biggest ever infrastructure projects, Cross River Rail, fully funding the $5.4 billion project in the State Budget.

The 2017-18 State Budget allocates $2.8 billion over the forward estimates, with a further $2.6 billion to be committed in future Budgets.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said her government will build Queensland's number one infrastructure priority Cross River Rail.

LOCK IN THE CONTRACT ASAP!!  

You can get some money by rezoning around all train stations to automatic TOD zoning.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/874523656084389888

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/jackietrad/status/874494299861270529

[SurfRail]

Will provisional works be included to upgrade to 4 tracks later on down the track? (mind the pun)

If there is enough traffic to justify 4 tracks, there is enough traffic to justify another line altogether to some other part of the city. 

2 tracks is fine - last thing you want is trying to empty out up 80+ trains worth in a single hour from the same stations.

[Cazza]

Will provisional works be included to upgrade to 4 tracks later on down the track? (mind the pun)

If there is enough traffic to justify 4 tracks, there is enough traffic to justify another line altogether to some other part of the city. 

2 tracks is fine - last thing you want is trying to empty out up 80+ trains worth in a single hour from the same stations.

That's true. We need to get the thing built in the first place.

[#Metro]

That's true. We need to get the thing built in the first place.

Don't be greedy

Grab the loot and RUN!!

[James]

Just saw a report on CRR on 9 News. A bit disappointed to see the first lot of CRR funding coming through in 2019-20, especially given they're spending hundreds of millions porkbarrelling regional seats in the interim. The ALP could be out of power and Palaszczuk in the past by that point.

The moment I'll celebrate is the moment serious excavations start. Given how state governments have torn up contracts recently (Roe 8, East-West Link), honestly nothing would surprise me. Welcome news, but it's time to get stuck in and start signing contracts.

[300LA]

Will provisional works be included to upgrade to 4 tracks later on down the track? (mind the pun)

I'd imagine that four tracks would be extremely difficult, you  could almost say impossivle. The tunnel portals would need to be twice as large, and the proposed locations at Dutton Park and Normanby are already space confined due to a limited corridor, existing horizontal curves and contain existing alignments that need to remain open.  You'd also need to quad the track through the exhibition which would mean significant $ for the Bowen Bridge Rd and O'Connell road overpasses.

Also, for the underground stations, allowing for 4x track futureproofing would double the space requirements. It might be possible, but probably not when considering the $$ that's been shaved from the project already.

[SurfRail]

There's no money or votes in opposing this though, so I don't consider it will have the same kind of risk profile as other recent election debacles (EWL, Roe 8, Canberra light rail etc).  The LNP will be smashed if they come out against this, and there aren't enough regional votes to save them.

[Stillwater]

In the ping-pong politics around this project, state Labor is on the ascendency, having positioned the LNP/Coalition nicely without incurring major expenditure until 2018-19 -- so another year for the feds to come to the party and plenty of ammunition to hit the LNP with at the next State election.  Do you support CRR Tim, we do -- Labor will shout.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Bowen Bridge Rd and O'Connell road overpasses.

Oconnell road only. Pretty sure Bowen Bridge road has space for 5 lines. The current 2. The old exhibition station yard and the 2 access roads. Issues arise with the RNA Showgrounds.

[Cazza]

Will provisional works be included to upgrade to 4 tracks later on down the track? (mind the pun)

I'd imagine that four tracks would be extremely difficult, you  could almost say impossivle. The tunnel portals would need to be twice as large, and the proposed locations at Dutton Park and Normanby are already space confined due to a limited corridor, existing horizontal curves and contain existing alignments that need to remain open.  You'd also need to quad the track through the exhibition which would mean significant $ for the Bowen Bridge Rd and O'Connell road overpasses.

Also, for the underground stations, allowing for 4x track futureproofing would double the space requirements. It might be possible, but probably not when considering the $$ that's been shaved from the project already.

Yeah I am being optimistic, but I have mentioned somewhere earlier, 4 tracks from South portal to Normanby, then 2 tracks will follow normal Exhibition Loop and the other two to follow KG Rd to link up with Trouts Rd corridor.

I guess this idea would only really be applicable if the government won the Oz Lotto's $100B Super Draw this Saturday!!!

[James]

The major provisions for additional tracks post-CRR are four tracks between Dutton Park and Salisbury (with associated tunnel stubs) and tunnel stubs to connect to the Trouts Rd corridor and associated tunnel when that project proceeds.

Between Dutton Park and Yeerongpilly, the additional tracks will need to be underground. This is because the DG is heavily used for freight traffic between the Park Rd junction and where the Tennyson line branches off, the poor alignment of the existing track and lack of space for quadruplication. South of there, there's a lot more space and available land for four tracks.

Laying additional tracks around the Exhibition should be no great burden, the main issue seems to be around the Ekka, as there's four tracks around there otherwise.

[#Metro]

Sorry, where are the Trouts rd stubs in the plans and are they flat junction?

[aldonius]

There are no Trouts Rd stubs in the plans.

[BrizCommuter]

Will Cross River Rail finally become reality?
http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2017/06/will-cross-river-rail-finally-become.html

[300LA]

Bowen Bridge Rd and O'Connell road overpasses.

Oconnell road only. Pretty sure Bowen Bridge road has space for 5 lines. The current 2. The old exhibition station yard and the 2 access roads. Issues arise with the RNA Showgrounds.

Ah ok. serves me right for only have a quick look on google maps

[James]

There are no Trouts Rd stubs in the plans.

I dearly hope they have at least considered how CRR will connect with Trouts Rd - if the tunnel surfaces before Normanby then they won't be needed, you'd think you'd at least look into a way to connect the two tunnels and save the trains climbing up to the surface, only to go back down again.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

14th June 2017

Cross River Rail - gets a green light, finally

Greetings,

Well done Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk,  Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and Treasurer Curtis Pitt and all of Government.

Cross River Rail will now be fully funded, and with funding comes construction. This project has been on the books for far too long - it is the third iteration now. We just need to have the project built.

RAIL Back on Track has identified change of government risk as one of the largest risks there is to Cross River Rail. The LNP opposition has never ever declared their hand on Cross River Rail of late  and what they would do to it if they came to office, despite repeated requests from us over a long period of time. The LNP has previously sabotaged previous iterations of Cross River Rail, it is time they got on board.

Will Leader of the Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls now explain his party's policy on Cross River Rail, or will such requests be met with a wall of silence, as they are on many other issues? The time has come to lock in Cross River Rail for the benefit of all of Queensland.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2034.msg193827#msg193827 ]

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/874666047198052352

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/874667025783705600

[SurfRail]

There are no Trouts Rd stubs in the plans.

I dearly hope they have at least considered how CRR will connect with Trouts Rd - if the tunnel surfaces before Normanby then they won't be needed, you'd think you'd at least look into a way to connect the two tunnels and save the trains climbing up to the surface, only to go back down again.

It won't be a deal breaker - look at the Mandurah to Joondalup line connection in Perth.

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 14th June 2017 page 17

Cross River Rail funding great news

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/874745697257402369

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/874747378447769601

^

context.  Mr Nicholls was on 4BC radio this morning suggesting Cross River Rail was for the benefit of a single seat (South Brisbane).

Rather facile and dumb statement.  Governments do have their hands on the levers, but Cross River Rail has been on the burner for years and it is not a public transport ' thought bubble ' that the LNP is very fond of.