Cross River Rail Project

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_08_22_DAILY.pdf

Ministerial Statements

Cross River Rail

Hon. JA TRAD (South Brisbane—ALP) (Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport and Minister for
Infrastructure and Planning) (9.54 am): Cross River Rail is fully funded and moving full steam ahead.
Opposition members interjected.

Ms TRAD: I will take that interjection from those opposite—laughing—

An opposition member: All of us?

Ms TRAD: Yes, absolutely, all of you because there was not much content. I do not know if
members opposite noticed but there were a lot of voices raised but not a lot of content. There was a lot
of humour about delivering infrastructure in this state. We know that when they were in government
they cancelled infrastructure projects. They took money out of the infrastructure projects.

Ms Fentiman interjected.

Ms TRAD: I will take that interjection from the minister for child protection. Yes, the only project
they advanced was No. 1 William Street, a tower to their own vanity. Unlike those opposite, we want to
deliver infrastructure for the people of Queensland, not for politicians. Last week—

Mr Bleijie: You didn't mind moving into it, did you?

Ms TRAD: I will take that interjection from the member for Kawana, who was in no small part
responsible for the fact that they did not move into No. 1 William Street.
My agency took the message about Cross River Rail to the Ekka last week where we hosted a
stand to showcase the project's benefits to the people of South-East Queensland. More than 5,000
people—

Opposition members interjected.

Ms Jones interjected.

Ms TRAD: I say to the minister that I think they have had red cordial. I think they have had a
whole lot of red cordial this morning. That is why they are behaving like children.
More than 5,000 people visited the Cross River Rail stand and the message they delivered was
loud and clear: get on with building it. That is exactly what we are doing. It would already be under
construction if the member for Clayfield had not cancelled the agreement with the federal government
to get on and construct it. Our impressive 94,500 jobs created figure would be even more impressive if
those opposite had not cancelled the agreement with the then Gillard government to get this project
built. Today we are getting on and doing exactly that.

I am also pleased to announce that the Queensland government has appointed the Cross River
Rail Delivery Authority's new chief executive officer. Following an international open-market recruitment
process, Mr Graeme Newton has been selected as the successful candidate. Mr Newton is an
outstanding appointee. He has had more than 25 years experience in the infrastructure sector. He has
led large-scale, high-profile and complex infrastructure projects in the private and the public sector.
Under his leadership, projects worth billions of dollars have been delivered. With his appointment, we
are demonstrating that we are focused on getting on with the delivery of this transformative project that
the state needs. Now that we have appointed Mr Newton as CEO, we can quickly move forward with
the project's delivery. Getting on with the delivery means creating thousands of jobs for Queenslanders.

Mr Seeney interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Member for Callide, I was about to counsel your colleague the Deputy Leader of
the Opposition.

Ms TRAD: More than 1,500 jobs will be created each year during construction and more than
3,000 jobs in the most intensive years of construction. Importantly—

Opposition members interjected.

Ms TRAD: Mr Speaker, clearly their intention is to disrupt this parliament consistently.
Opposition members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Thank you, members. Member for Cleveland, all right. Member for Redlands, you
are warned. I also give the member for Beaudesert and the member for Gaven notice that if you
continue you will also be warned. You are warned under standing order 253A.

Mr SEENEY: I rise to a point of order. The member for South Brisbane has used her ministerial
statement opportunity to bait the opposition continuously. Opportunities are provided in this parliament,
quite rightly, to ministers to make ministerial statements about government business, and when
ministers stray from that and use it to bait the opposition—

Mr SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Callide. Resume your seat. There is no point of order.

Mr HINCHLIFFE: I rise to a point of order. The Leader of Opposition Business is failing to draw to
your attention the number of interjections that came from those opposite as soon as the Deputy Premier
stood to her feet. That provided the opportunity for her to respond to those interjections.

Mr Seeney interjected.

Mr HINCHLIFFE: I know. I accept the proposition the Leader of Opposition Business is making—
that ministerial statements need to be about providing information—but there must be some allowance
for a minister on their feet to be able to respond to interjections that come from the opposition.

Mr SPEAKER: Members, I have tried to be tolerant. When I have thought the minister has made
provocative comments I have allowed interjections from those who felt offended. When I have thought
the minister has not made provocative comments I have tried to rule accordingly. That is the basis of
my ruling.

Ms TRAD: Importantly, hundreds of apprentices and trainees will also be employed on this
important nation-building project. In addition, thousands of new jobs will be created in and around new
station precincts. Next week we will take the next steps in procuring this project. Tomorrow week an
industry briefing will be held in Brisbane to provide construction and engineering companies with
information about the procurement process—

Mrs Frecklington interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Deputy Leader of the Opposition, you are pushing the boundaries. If you persist
you will be warned, and it may be under standing order 252. You know the rules. You are a senior
member of the House.

Ms TRAD: As I was saying, tomorrow week an industry briefing will be held in Brisbane to provide
construction and engineering companies with information about the procurement process for the
project's delivery. This important step signals the start of the delivery phase of this project, and when
we open formal expressions of interest in September our Buy Queensland policy will be in force. That
means there will be more opportunities for Queensland businesses to be involved in winning work as
part of this $5.4 billion project.

Cross River Rail is vital for Queensland because it will unlock 40 years of ongoing economic
development. Most importantly, it unlocks economic growth in the outer suburbs and regional
South-East Queensland, especially the Gold Coast, Ipswich, Caboolture and the Redlands. Even more
importantly, it will mean that commuters in outer suburbs and regions can live where they want and
know that they have an efficient, world-class public transport system to get them to work and home to
their families.

[ozbob]

22nd August 2017

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

Permanent Cross River Rail Delivery Authority CEO appointed

Graeme Newton has been appointed as the permanent Cross River Rail Delivery Authority CEO following an international open market recruitment search.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Jackie Trad said he was the right man for the job.

"Graeme Newton is an outstanding appointment – he has more than 25 years' experience in the infrastructure sector and has delivered large-scale and complex infrastructure projects in both the public and private sector," Ms Trad said.

"The Palaszczuk Government fully funded Cross River Rail in our State Budget and with this appointment, we are demonstrating that we are focussed on getting on with building it.

"Cross River Rail will create more than 1500 jobs during each year of construction and more than 3000 jobs in the most intensive year.

"Next Wednesday, an industry briefing will be held in Brisbane to provide construction and engineering companies with information about the procurement process for Cross River Rail's delivery.

"And when we open formal Expressions of Interest in September, our Buy Queensland policy will be in force.

"That means more opportunities for Queensland businesses and workers to be involved in winning work as part of the $5.4 billion project.

"Cross River Rail is vital for Queensland because it will unlock economic growth in the outer suburbs and regions, especially the Gold Coast, Ipswich, Caboolture and the Redlands.

"But even more importantly it will mean more trains, more often and commuters throughout the south east will have easy access to a 'turn up and go' world class public transport system."

The industry briefing will outline the procurement approach, details of major work packages, delivery strategy, commercial considerations and governance. It will be held at the Pullman Hotel, King George Square, Brisbane from 2:00pm, Wednesday 30 August 2017.

Ends

[#Metro]

Hon. JA TRAD (South Brisbane—ALP) (Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport and Minister for
Infrastructure and Planning) (9.54 am): Cross River Rail is fully funded and moving full steam ahead.
Opposition members interjected.

Steam alright, that's what we will be using in the tunnel when all the rollingstock breaks down.

[Stillwater]

Those words .... world class ... are creeping back into government rhetoric re our standard of rail service.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ShaneDoherty9/status/900504201242877952

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/stevenwardill/status/900505613968392192

[ozbob]

Cross River Rail

The Cross River Rail Business Case provides a rigorous assessment of the challenges and opportunities facing South East Queensland's rail network.

As directed by the Minister for Transport and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, the Business Case can be viewed on our website.

Commercially sensitive information has been removed to protect the state's commercial position during future project stages.

View the Cross River Rail Business Case in full.

Alternatively, you can view the Business Case by chapter:

>> http://buildingqueensland.qld.gov.au/business-case/cross-river-rail/

Page 4

Quote:

... All transport users across SEQ will benefit.
Passengers will access faster, less crowded and
more reliable services. Car users who spend less
time in traffic jams will enjoy faster and more
efficient trips. Road freight operators will share in
the benefits of future congestion relief.

Cross River Rail is an economical and efficient
transit solution. With a benefit cost ratio (BCR)
of 1.41, for every $1 of total expenditure Cross
River Rail is expected to return $1.41 of benefits.
The benefits of the project exceed costs by $1.9
billion in net present value terms. This does not
take into account $1.2 billion (present value) of
wider economic benefits, such as greater density
of economic activity, reduced transport cost
for business or more people participating in the
workforce. Cross River Rail is expected to generate
about 1,500 jobs a year during construction and
500 jobs a year during its operation.

With a procurement and delivery timeframe of
seven to eight years, and rail demand forecast to
almost double in this time, there is justification
to invest in Cross River Rail now to ensure SEQ's
transport infrastructure network can meet the
demands of expected future growth. ...

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Cross River Rail business case released for scrutiny

The business case for Brisbane's Cross River Rail has finally been released for public scrutiny.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the business case presented a "compelling case for action".

"It says population and employment growth in the south-east will be very strong over the next 20 years," she said.

Ms Trad said the majority of employment opportunities would still be in the Brisbane local government area, which would put increasing pressure on our rail and bus services and road networks.

"Bus passenger numbers will almost double from 77,800 to 149,700," she said.

"Train passenger numbers will more than triple from 51,700 to 160,300.

"So we must act now before we reach a crisis."

It comes after Infrastructure Australia claimed the benefits of the $5.4 billion, 10.2km link was "significantly overstated".

That assessment prompted Ms Trad to slam IA's analysis as based on mistakes and assumptions.

The LNP has repeatedly criticised the government for not releasing the business case, with Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls stating previously: "If the project stacks up they should release the business case".

In the 2017-18 Queensland budget, Labor committed to fund the $5.4 billion project alone, after the federal government failed to allocate any money in its budget.

The document, prepared by Building Queensland, is more than 240 pages long.

More to come ...

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

24th August 2017

Public release of Cross River Rail Business Case

Greetings,

RAIL Back On Track welcomes the public release of the Cross River Rail Business Case ( albeit minus the commercially sensitive information ).

Initial appraisal of the business cases suggests a sound strong case.  We are confused why the Federal Government and Infrastructure Australia has not supported this project.  The business case does expose the crass politics being played by the LNP (Queensland) and the Federal Government in our opinion.

The good news is that project is strong in terms of BCR and NPV and truly is a transforming project for SEQ.

Cross River Rail Business Case  >> http://buildingqueensland.qld.gov.au/business-case/cross-river-rail/

In depth analysis will take time.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/900519849197051904

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/couriermail/status/900519080603549696

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> New Cross River Rail business case shows improved benefit cost ratio

CROSS River Rail would deliver a $1.41 return for every $1 invested, the latest business case for the project has revealed.

Lower fares, a better train signalling system and higher population growth has led to an improved benefit cost ratio for the $5.4 billion project.

The findings from the updated business case by Building Queensland will renew the political debate over the project which has been talked about for more than a decade.

Labor has committed to fully fund the 10.2km inner-city link project that will connect Dutton Park to Bowen Hills with four new underground stations.

However, the LNP are yet to commit to the project after Infrastructure Australia questioned the 2016 business case's patronage growth forecasts.

According to the latest business case, the benefit cost ratio has improved from $1.21 to $1.41.

"Factors such as increased public transport patronage due to lower fares, the rollout of a new rail signalling system prior to Cross River Rail and updated Queensland Government demographic data led to this improvement in the BCR," the report states.

"This is a positive result, comparable with BCR's for Sydney Metro and Melbourne Metro."

The figure does not include a forecast $1.2 billion increase in wider economic benefits.

According to the report an extra 23,000 trips a day will shift to public transport by 2036.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said document laid out a "compelling case for action" and "the time for argument is over".

"We must take action now to keep the southeast moving," she said.

The report forecasts that 83 per cent of the southeast corner's population growth will be outside Brisbane over the next 20 years however 45 per cent of the jobs will be in the city.

[ozbob]

24th August 2017

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

Compelling Cross River Rail business case urges action on tackling rail capacity

The Cross River Rail business case released today demonstrates it will create jobs, bust congestion and be the catalyst for a world-class turn up and go public transport system.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Jackie Trad said the Cross River Rail Business Case 2017 details the challenges and opportunities facing South East Queensland's (SEQ) rail network.

"The Palaszczuk Government has fully funded Cross River Rail and we are getting on with the job of building it," Ms Trad said.

"The business case demonstrates what we have already known for a decade – we need another rail crossing to increase rail services in the South East and the solution is Cross River Rail.

"Our rail network has a key choke point at its core preventing extra train services being brought into regions like the Gold Coast, Logan, Caboolture and the Redlands.

"Nearly 2 million people will move into SEQ over the next two decades and with some lines, like the Gold Coast, already operating at 100 per cent capacity during peak periods, we need to build Cross River Rail before we reach a crisis point.

"It will remove the bottleneck, meaning the entire network can grow to benefit all public transport and road users.

"It will provide the capacity we need to build the connections to the Sunshine Coast, Ripley and Flagstone.

"It will unlock smarter integration of rail and bus networks, providing quick turn up and go services and positioning SEQ for a more sustainable and competitive future

"The business case specifically states the full benefits of both Cross River Rail and the Brisbane Metro can only be completely realised once both projects are constructed and are operational.

"The release of the Cross River Rail business case draws a line in the sand – you are either for this project or against it."

Ms Trad said the business case incorporated the latest information on the impact of policy and demographic changes over the last 12 months.

"The BCR for the project is now 1.41, up from 1.21 in the 2016 Business Case. This means that for every $1 invested in the Cross River Rail project, $1.41 is returned to the people of Queensland," Ms Trad said.

"The benefit cost ratio (BCR) has in fact improved due to the inclusion of additional factors such as the European Train Control system (ETCS), the introduction of Fairer Fares and updated demographics.

"I'm pleased Queenslanders can now see the factual evidence underpinning our decision."

The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority will conduct an industry briefing next Wednesday which will outline the procurement approach, details of major work packages, delivery strategy, commercial considerations and governance. It will be held at the Pullman Hotel, King George Square, Brisbane from 2:00pm, Wednesday 30 August 2017.

To register visit https://www.crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/cross-river-rail-industry-briefing/

To view the business case visit http://buildingqueensland.qld.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Building-Queensland-Business-Case-LR.pdf

CRR Business Case Key Findings include:

    For every $1 invested in the project it returns $1.41 to the people of Queensland
    The project will generate an average of 1500 jobs each year over the construction period, with a peak of 3000 in the most intensive year
    CRR will provide capacity for 'turn-up-and-go' services for South East Queenslanders
    CRR will help reduce pressure on the region's roads, freeing them up for commercial vehicles and commuter buses
    It will enable greater integration of bus and rail services which will help to maximise the State Government's rail network investments and Brisbane City Council's investment in Brisbane Metro and improved bus services
    Total daily public transport trips (bus & rail) will climb from around 510,000 to more than 880,000 in 2026 and to more than 1.1 million by 2036

Ends

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/RACQOfficial/status/900556008539340801

[ozbob]

4BC News and ABC Radio Brisbane have followed up on CRR.

About to do a pre-record with Emma Griffiths (Drive) for after 5pm today ..

Thanks for the interest!

[#Metro]

Excellent news, we asked for release, and they did! 

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/QldOppMedia/status/900552558631976960

[ozbob]

LNP > http://www.betterqueensland.org.au/12-months-later-and-labors-cross-river-rail-still-doesnt-stack-up

12 months later and Labor's Cross River Rail still doesn't stack up
   

• Palaszczuk Government releases sanitised business case for Cross River Rail that shows project costs are still likely to exceed benefits to Queenslanders
• Labor still misleading Queenslanders about an extra $10 billion of project costs
• Instead of addressing criticisms about trumped up patronage figures, Labor's simply bumped them up and cooked the books for its rail project

After 12 months of hiding the true costs of its controversial Cross River Rail project from Queenslanders, the Palaszczuk Labor Government has finally released a sanitised summary that still exaggerates the benefits of the project.

Deputy LNP Leader and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Deb Frecklington said Labor was still misleading Queenslanders about an extra $10 billion of operating and associated project costs.

"It's taken more than a year for Jackie Trad to release a sanitised summary of the Cross River Rail business case and instead of addressing the concerns of the independent body, Infrastructure Australia, about trumped up patronage projections, Labor has simply bumped patronage figures up even further," Ms Frecklington said.

"Instead of addressing the concerns that they've over-estimated the benefits, no critical analysis has been undertaken and Labor's still cooking the books to make its rail project look good.

"Worse still, the Palaszczuk Government is still hiding over $10 billion of operating and auxiliary costs associated with the project."

Ms Frecklington said the facts remain:

    Infrastructure Australia has said the costs of the project are likely to exceed the benefits.
    The actual patronage data shows there were 10 million fewer people on trains last year compared to 2008.
    Further, the estimated passenger load on the Merivale Bridge is only 65 per cent of the seated capacity and 41 per cent of the design capacity.
    Labor's alleged cost of $5.4 billion doesn't include the cost of trains, the operating costs or the other upgrade works needed across the South East Queensland network.
    The real cost of the project is over $15 billion.

"This project is too expensive to get wrong," Ms Frecklington said.

"The LNP has always said it supports another heavy rail crossing across the Brisbane River, but we need to get the infrastructure solution right."

[ozbob]

The LNP don't seem to understand what Cross River Rail is really about.

Pretty clear that should they be returned to Government, nothing will happen yet again for the duration of their term.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_08_24_DAILY.pdf

Ministerial Statements

Cross River Rail

Hon. JA TRAD (South Brisbane—ALP) (Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport and Minister for
Infrastructure and Planning) (9.43 am): Cross River Rail will transform South-East Queensland. It will
deliver—

Honourable members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Thank you, one and all. The Deputy Premier has the call. You will have a chance
soon, Deputy Leader of the Opposition.

Ms Palaszczuk interjected.

Mrs Frecklington interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Thank you, members!

Ms TRAD: Welcome to Thursday, Mr Speaker. Cross River Rail will transform South-East
Queensland. It will deliver turn-up-and-go public transport services. It will help bus congestion for
commuters from the Gold Coast, from Moreton Bay, from Logan and beyond. It will help reduce
greenhouse gases by shifting more people onto public transport, and it will deliver jobs now and jobs
for our future.

Mrs Frecklington interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Deputy Leader of the Opposition, you will have a go soon.

Ms TRAD: It is fully funded with early works starting later this year. Since coming to office, the
Palaszczuk government has got this vital project back on track after it was cut by the member for
Clayfield when he was treasurer in the Newman government. In the last 2½ years we have completed
the detailed business case on the rescoped project. We have established the Cross River Rail Delivery
Authority, an independent statutory authority to drive delivery. We have worked with Brisbane City
Council to fully integrate Cross River Rail with metro, obtained all major environmental approvals and,
most importantly, secured full funding for the project in this year's state budget. By any measure, this
is rapid progress for a major project—

Opposition members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Thank you, members!

Honourable members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Members, you are pushing my tolerance at the moment.

Ms TRAD: By any measure, this is rapid progress for a major project of Cross River Rail scale.
Today we complete the planning phase with the release of the Building Queensland business case
supporting Cross River Rail. I now table a copy of this document for the benefit of the House.
Tabled paper: Building Queensland: Cross River Rail Business Case, August 2017.

It is a compelling case for action. It tells us categorically that we must take action now to keep
the south-east moving. It says that population and employment growth in the south-east will be very
strong over the next 20 years. The region's population will increase by 1.9 million, with 83 per cent of
this increase outside the Brisbane local government area. The Brisbane local government area will be
home to 30 per cent of the region's population but it will also be home to 48 per cent of the jobs. The
majority of the employment opportunities will still be inside the Brisbane local government area.
This will put increasing pressure on our rail and bus services as well as our road networks. Bus
and train travel in the am peak will grow rapidly. Bus passenger numbers will almost double from 77,800
to 149,700. Train passenger numbers will more than triple from 51,700 to 160,300 so we must act now
before we reach a crisis.

We have rejected the view that we should wait until a crisis to take action because we know that
Queenslanders deserve better. The region should not have to burst at the seams and grind to a halt
before action is taken. One in three passengers should not have to stand on morning peak-hour trains
all the way from the Gold Coast, as Infrastructure Australia has advised it wants to see. The case to act
now could not be more compelling.

It will mean 18,500 fewer car trips every day by investing in Cross River Rail now; a future in
which turn-up-and-go services transform the choices people have when planning their daily commute;
and a 40-year horizon of new economic development opportunities being unlocked right across the
South-East Queensland region. That is what this landmark investment means.
The release of the Cross River Rail business case draws a line in the sand. You are either for
this project or you are against it. On this side of the House, we are for it. We are investing in it and we
are getting on with building it. The Cross River Rail business case was developed with the support of
expert advisers including PricewaterhouseCoopers, Jacobs and KPMG. It was peer reviewed by
experts. This is a project more than a decade in the planning and the time for argument is over. We are
getting on with the delivery of Cross River Rail so we can bust congestion, create jobs and deliver the
future infrastructure that South-East Queensland needs.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2017/2017_08_24_DAILY.pdf

Questions without notice

Cross River Rail

Mr MADDEN: My question without notice is to the Deputy Premier. Can the Deputy Premier
update the House on construction industry interest in the Cross River Rail project?

Ms TRAD: I acknowledge the interest of the member for Ipswich West in building infrastructure
that the South-East Queensland region and the whole of Queensland need. We are getting on with
delivering Cross River Rail. As I advised the House only two days ago, next week we will be hosting an
industry briefing. This will be the first opportunity for construction and related firms to hear first-hand
about the procurement process and the time frames around the delivery of this project. It has been just
two days and already we have had more than 400 people register their interest in attending. In two
days, 400 people from construction and associated firms have said they want to turn up to the briefing
session next week. That shows how much interest and support there is for this game-changing project.

However, it is not just industry that supports it; we know that others support it. As I have said in
this place, Graham Quirk has put on the record that he will not say a bad word about the project,
because he knows it is needed, along with metro. I was also impressed by the comments made by the
LNP Deputy Mayor of the Brisbane City Council, Mr Adrian Schrinner. He said—
Ultimately we've got to get this locked in and just got to get cracking on it and I know that's what's happening now, which is
fantastic.

He could not have said that when those opposite were in charge. He could not have said that when the
member for Clayfield was treasurer and cancelled the project. He could not have said it then.
It is clear that it is only those opposite who stand in the way of delivering this project. The member
for Clayfield has waged a relentless campaign to white-ant this project. He has cut it once and I believe,
as does every person on this side of the House, that if he were to return to this side of the House he
would cut this project again. If that is the case, he needs to stand in this place and tell all of those
industry and construction firms that if they vote for him at the next election he will axe this project. He
needs to tell the thousands of Queensland workers who will work on this job, including all of the
apprentices and trainees that this project will employ into the future—those young workers who will see
their full qualification done throughout the five years of construction on this project—that he will cancel
it if he wins government. He needs to come clean with the people of Queensland around where he
stands on this project, because if he does not there will be a lot of disappointed Queenslanders after
the next election if he were to win, just like there was in 2012 when he came in to cut, sack and sell.

Mr SPEAKER: Before I call the member for Mansfield, I am informed that we have students from
St Mary's College in the electorate of Ipswich observing our proceedings from the gallery. Welcome.

[kram0]

Bob, does the CRR line heading in a southbound direction from Albion go under the main lines to Exhibition or is this an overpass? Reference map P84 of the business case.

[SurfRail]

The LNP don't seem to understand what Cross River Rail is really about.

Pretty clear that should they be returned to Government, nothing will happen yet again for the duration of their term.

Actually, I think they either do know or simply do not care.

It is quite transparently an attempt to suck up to the bumpkin vote outside SEQ. 

The next election is going to be disastrous whoever wins.  Time to go to Auckland.

[#Metro]

Check out the list of "government plans" in the report - there are over 20 plans.

Someone phone up Utopia!

Australian Infrastructure Plan
State of Australian Cities
Urban Transport Strategy
Smart Cities Plan
Queensland Government Objectives
State Infrastructure Plan
SEQ's Rail Horizon
Transport and Main Roads Strategic Plan
Queensland Rail Strategic Plan
Connecting SEQ 2031
ShapingSEQ
Connecting Brisbane
Brisbane City Plan
Brisbane City Centre Master Plan
Brisbane Vision 2031
Brisbane Economic Development Plan
Brisbane Long Term Infrastructure Plan
Shared Future Report
Public Transport in SEQ
Getting SEQ Moving

[ozbob]

Bob, does the CRR line heading in a southbound direction from Albion go under the main lines to Exhibition or is this an overpass? Reference map P84 of the business case.

I seem to recall flyover.  But not absolutely sure to be honest.  Someone may know. 

[ozbob]

Check out the list of "government plans" in the report - there are over 20 plans.

Someone phone up Utopia!

Australian Infrastructure Plan
State of Australian Cities
Urban Transport Strategy
Smart Cities Plan
Queensland Government Objectives
State Infrastructure Plan
SEQ's Rail Horizon
Transport and Main Roads Strategic Plan
Queensland Rail Strategic Plan
Connecting SEQ 2031
ShapingSEQ
Connecting Brisbane
Brisbane City Plan
Brisbane City Centre Master Plan
Brisbane Vision 2031
Brisbane Economic Development Plan
Brisbane Long Term Infrastructure Plan
Shared Future Report
Public Transport in SEQ
Getting SEQ Moving

I got a plan ... #FleeQLD

Mind boggling stuff hey what?  No wonder nothing much seems to happen in a proactive way ...

[kram0]

My email to Deb's office.

Dear Deb

As someone who used to have 100% confidence in the LNP, these games you politicians are playing by delaying cross river rail is ridiculous. You keep on stating Labor are hiding the true cost, but yet when Campbell Newman's LNP realised figures for the BAT project, there was only ever just a construction figure and NO total operating costs released.

Yet now you are in the opposition this seems to matter. For once it would be good for politicians to look at the big picture and start a project before the infrastructure hits crisis point. The public are over the games and can see politicians only care about themselves not the big picture.

Just get on and build cross river rail. I for one will not be continuing my support for the LNP without its 100% support to start the project immediately. We have waited long enough.

[ozbob]

 

[kram0]

Bob, does the CRR line heading in a southbound direction from Albion go under the main lines to Exhibition or is this an overpass? Reference map P84 of the business case.

I seem to recall flyover.  But not absolutely sure to be honest.  Someone may know.

P144 5.4.3.3 It seems to be an underpass if I am reading this correctly.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/NewsTalk4BC/status/900589452594094081

https://twitter.com/NewsTalk4BC/status/900589939837894656

[BrizCommuter]

CRR - ALP release business case, LNP clueless
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2017/08/crr-alp-release-business-case-lnp.html

[Stillwater]

So, Ms Trad has released a Business Case dated August 2017.  This is Business Case Mk What?  It is not the Business Case that the state government submitted to IA for its evaluation of CRR?  Why?  Why yet another Business Case with a BCR of 1.48?  From memory, the Business Case submitted to IA had a BCR of 1.21.  What's going on?

[#Metro]

This is what I understand the process to be:

1. They submit the business case (unseen) to IA. In parallel, they release "the summary" for the public.

2. IA rejects the business case (unseen) and raises concerns

3. Trad directs Building Queensland to plug the latest data into the business case to churn out new numbers in response to IA's concerns about patronage and so forth. In addition, "commercial in confidence" stuff is deleted/sanitised. It is clear that this is a new report because if it were the old original report, you would expect to see black censor bars over things, and this document does not contain that.

I have to say, the document is almost 250 pages. Quite a lot of it is waffle. If you have a solid case, you generally don't need to write so much about "strategic regional context" "strategic policy and planning frameworks" you get the idea - stuff that Rhonda from Utopia would be captivated by.

One of the things that I didn't understand was that IA rejected the business case, but they also concluded that the BCR and NPV were positive and in a good range. So whether or not the trains would be full during peak hour does not seem all that relevant - if the two numbers are OK, then the project is good to proceed IMHO.

I briefly read through the BaT tunnel justifications for not proceeding with that and regard those as very weak. Particularly the "we would need deeper escalators" I think that is nonsense, that was never raised when TMR was in favour of that project, and many subway systems such as Moscow, are very deep indeed. In an era of fast and modern escalators, this is a non-reason.

[BrizCommuter]

^ stations in Moscow are of completely different design (deep level bored). Deeper box stations a la BaT would cost more than slightly shallower a la CRR.

[ozbob]

CRR - ALP release business case, LNP clueless
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2017/08/crr-alp-release-business-case-lnp.html

Sent to all outlets & ...

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/900753972545245186

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/900758916279095296

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Cross River Rail business case describes new and upgraded train stations

Brisbane train stations will be transformed into trendy subtropical hubs, with new shops and cafes, cycling routes and accommodation as a result of Queensland's "number one infrastructure project".

The business case for the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project was finally released on Thursday, revealing more details of the new-look stations.

The project includes a 10.2-kilometre rail line from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills, with 5.9 kilometres of tunnel under the Brisbane River and CBD.

There will be new underground stations at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street and Roma Street and upgrades of Dutton Park and Exhibition stations, with the project due for completion by 2024.

The stations will become subtropical urban places, with structures set in green and featuring a small footprint, the business case explains.

Station buildings will contribute shade while allowing natural daylight into the concourse level.

Cool and shaded, the stations will be designed as places to interact, play, eat and relax, supported by active street frontages, outdoor dining, markets, performance space and multi-functional green spaces, the report says.

The Queensland government committed to fund the project alone in the 2017-18 budget.

Boggo Road station

This inner-south station will become south-east Queensland's second-busiest transport interchange, connecting to the existing Park Road rail and Boggo Road busway stations and future Brisbane Metro stations.

It would spark residential redevelopment around the station, with the precinct becoming a health, science and knowledge cluster connecting Boggo Road Urban Village, UQ and the Princess Alexandra Hospital to Brisbane's CBD and the Gold Coast.

Woolloongabba station

The station will take rail to The Gabba stadium, as well as connecting health precincts and entertainment areas.

The station will support the planned renewal of Woolloongabba Central, and allow high-density commercial and residential development on land used for the construction of the tunnel and underground station.

A nationally significant sport and events precinct will emerge around the station, with pedestrian pathways along all major roads including the northern side of Stanley Street, where people cannot currently walk.

During game days, a generous and central public realm would allow large volumes of people to move, while including venues such as market stalls.

Outside of game day, the area could contain a mix of retail, cafes and restaurants.

Stanley Street has the potential to become an important pedestrian and cycle link from Woolloongabba central, Kangaroo Point south to South Bank, South Brisbane and the CBD.

Albert Street station

This station - Brisbane's first new inner-city station in more than 120 years - will enliven the southern CBD and support the street's evolution into a subtropical boulevard, with generous public spaces creating welcoming meeting places.

Green spaces around the station will double as performance and dining spaces and trees will be planted within multiple public spaces within the station.

It will support the emergence of a vibrant mixed-use residential and employment precinct adjoining the City Botanic Gardens, and extend retail into new parts of the CBD.

High-density residential development would be enabled, with retail on land acquired for the station construction.

Commuters will save an average 10 minutes' walking time to the Queen Street Mall, Eagle Street Pier, QUT Gardens Point and Queen's Wharf.

Roma Street station

New Cross River Rail platforms support the revitalisation of Roma Street into a vibrant mixed-use precinct and grand transit interchange.

Roma Street will be enhanced as a subtropical boulevard that celebrates arrival into the city centre with a "distinctly Brisbane welcome".

The station would become a "landmark" public space, mixing gardens with cafes, retail, event spaces and possible new arts and cultural facilities.

It would assist in releasing the redevelopment potential of the Brisbane Transit Centre, and would connect to Brisbane Metro.

Easy access to venues including the Suncorp Stadium and the Kurilpa Bridge will support the planned expansion of the CBD across the river to West End and South Brisbane.

Exhibition station

The station, which serves the annual Ekka, will be upgraded to become fully operational and support the next redevelopment phase of the 108-hectare precinct.

It will become a busy transit hub, setting the foundation for a mix-used "urban village", and fix a critical missing link in the northern cycle network.

Located within walking distance of the new Herston Quarter development and close to sporting and entertainment venues, the upgraded station will provide thousands of residents with easy access to the CBD and connection to rail lines.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> New Cross River Rail business case shows improved benefit cost ratio

AN EXTRA 116 train services during morning peak periods will be needed within a decade to meet booming demand, according to the latest Cross River Rail business case.

Building Queensland has predicted 83 per cent of southeast Queensland's population growth will occur outside of Brisbane over the next 20 years, but 45 per cent of the jobs will be in Brisbane.

The imbalance will create a mass convergence into inner-city areas that cannot be met by the current railway network and spawn crippling congestion, according to the State Government's infrastructure experts.

The business case estimates that an additional 52,500 passengers will seek rail services by 2026 during the two-hour morning peak, enough to fill 116 six-car trains.

"This demand, if not carried by rail, will be forced to other parts of the transport network, primarily the already constrained road networks with associated congestion and lost economic opportunities," it states.

The new public business case was ordered after the Palaszczuk Government was criticised for not releasing a previous version last year.

It will inflame political tensions over the $5.4 billion project which Labor has promised to fully fund while the Liberal National Party has questioned the current construction timetable.

Cross River Rail, which includes four new underground stations, would double the system's capacity, alleviating the Merivale Bridge choke point.

The predicted explosion in passenger demand is based on year-on-year patronage growth of 6.9 per cent until 2026, a forecast that was rejected by Infrastructure Australia.

The 2011 Cross River Rail business case forecast a similar patronage explosion however it never materialised after fares skyrocketed, the economy slumped and road tunnels were constructed.

Infrastructure Minister Jackie Trad insisted the latest analysis on the project was a "compelling case for action".

Infrastructure Association of Queensland chief Steve Abson urged the Government to reconsider levies and charges on landholders that benefit from Cross River Rail.

"Because the project includes significant urban renewal and opportunity for major development at station precincts, value capture might create up to 10 per cent of the funds needed for it," he said.

However, Property Council Queensland executive director Chris Mountford opposed the use of value capture.

"A poorly designed 'value-capture' framework could end up as a tax on growth and undo the economic good that the project supposed to bring to the city," he said.

[ozbob]

Interview with Emma Griffiths ABC Radio Brisbane - Drive 24th August 2017

Click --> here! 6.7MB MP3

[Stillwater]

Yes, Rhonda from Utopia oversaw the Business Case that went to IA (or you could imagine her doing so).  What I am saying is this: "Did we put the best possible business case to IA, or is this latest Business Case a response to the Business Case rejected by IA, with the objections they raised covered off in yet another iteration?"  In which case, why wasn't this (August 2017) Business Case the version that was given to IA to evaluate?

[#Metro]

Let's face it: QLD Govt can't organise a BBQ.