Cross River Rail Project

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/900962773764497408

[ozbob]

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

Robert Dow: CRR, and then Door Open on GC train

Click --> here! 6.7MB MP3

Deputy Premier & Transport Minister Trad: Door Open on GC train, then CRR.

Click --> here! 6.1MB MP3

[ozbob]

 https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/900998769658839040

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Growing workforce from Gold Coast to cause rail crush crisis in Brisbane city

AT least 140,000 workers from the Gold Coast and Logan will travel to Brisbane for work each day with half of them forced to stand on trains from the Glitter Strip, warns a new study.

The Cross River Rail business case predicts the public transport system between the Coast and the city's CBD is headed towards crisis.

The tipping point less than four years away.

The Pacific Motorway is nearing capacity, the popular public bus system to the CBD a "work horse" struggling to cope with the traffic congestion. Upgrading rail is the only solution.

Queensland Treasury forecasts contained in the report show the Coast residents working in Brisbane will increase from 22,000 in 2010-11 to 45,000 in 2040-41.

"While forecast population growth is strongest in areas outside Brisbane, much of the employment growth is expected to remain in Brisbane, which will accommodate 45 per cent of SEQ jobs growth," the report said.

By 2041, the Brisbane CBD will be providing another 458,000 jobs, taking the workforce to 1.2 million — catering for almost half the employment in southeast Queensland.

Four out of five people who are currently commuting to work in the city during the morning peak hour use public transport, the report said.

But the SEQ rail network and the busway system are approaching capacity and the inner rail network — five lines from the southwest and six from the north merging into two — cannot cope as the demand for services will triple.

Forecasts show the initial pressure will be on the southern Coast to Brisbane line, followed by the Sunshine Coast to city corridor. Within four years, the network must work beyond maximum capacity to meet demand.

Under Translink's measure of "comfortable load", passengers should not stand for more than 20 minutes which on the Coast-Beenleigh line is "around Salisbury" — three station stops south before Beenleigh.

Crowding in carriages will occur on all but one route into the city by 2026, and 10 years later on average "50 per cent of passengers will be standing".

The solution is building twin 10 kilometre-long tunnels from the city's south and north along with four new underground stations at Woolloongabba, Boggo Road, Albert and Roma streets.

The $5.4 billion project will double transport capacity across the river into the Brisbane CBD from the south, providing ultimate capacity for 24 rail services per hour in each direction.

The CRR business case claims says the new tunnels will allow for 134 services into the city during the morning peak, improve network reliability and reduce overcrowding.

Less than a quarter of the passengers on the Coast line will be forced to stand, and those standing longer than 20 minutes will be less than five per cent.

The study looked at options like doubling the Merivale Bridge, putting light rail through Cleveland and building a combined bus and rail tunnel, but ruled all of them out.

The LNP remains unconvinced, accusing the Government of releasing a "sanitised" business case and hiding the real costs which could reach more than $15 billion.

"Instead of addressing the concerns that they've over-estimate the benefits, no critical analysis has been undertaking and Labor's still cooking the books to make its rail project look good," LNP Deputy leader Deb Frecklington said.

The Opposition contends that actual patronage data shows there were 10 million fewer people on trains last year compared to 2008.

The estimated passenger load on the Merivale Bridge was only 65 per cent of the seated capacity and 41 per cent of the design capacity, the Opposition said.

The CRR business case admits there was a "flattening of demand" in the three years to 2013 due to a 40 per cent increase in fares, slowing of the economy and road capacity to inner Brisbane being increased.

But since 2013 the demand had picked up and was expected to reflect the pre-2009 rates.

"The forecast growth in rail patronage of 6.9 per cent per annum between 2015 and 2026 is not without precedent in Brisbane or elsewhere in Australia," the report said.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the Government would begin next week hosting industry briefings which would be the first opportunity for construction firms to learn about delivery of the project.

She accused Opposition leader Tim Nicholls of "waging a campaign to white-ant this project" and called on him to put on record before the State election, later this year, whether he would axe it again.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/901134715414913029

^

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/901135929552781312

[Stillwater]

The politics and intrigue around CRR won't go away.

The LNP says the project is 'too expensive to get wrong', which becomes their excuse for not doing anything.  What is the LNP's congestion-busting public transport solution and how much will it cost?

It also seems that the Business Case is under constant review and that the Business Case put to IA for evaluation is not the same as the one released last week by the Minister, Jackie Trad.

Courier-Mail story: "The new public business case was ordered after the Palaszczuk Government was criticised for not releasing a previous version last year."

Somehow the BCR for the project has hit 1.41.  But how has this being arrived at?

Ms Trad is quoted as saying: "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."

So, in order to arrive at a BCR of 1.41, is Ms Trad saying that the $5.4b cost of CRR also now includes the expenses for installing the ETCS?  This has been a separate line item in the budget.  Or has the BCR been calculated on the cost of CRR ($5.4b) PLUS the cost of ETCS?

Building Queensland profers this explanation:

"In preparing the Detailed Business Case in June 2016, expert advisors were engaged to undertake
transport patronage modelling (Jacobs/PwC) and economic modelling (KPMG), which contributed
to the key findings of the Detailed Business Case.

"The transport patronage and economic modelling were subject to independent peer review by leading industry experts including Bitzios Consulting (transport patronage modelling) and Douglas Economics (economic modelling).

The same expert advisors and independent peer reviewers were engaged to review recent updates
to the modelling undertaken to account for policy and other changes that have occurred over the
past year. For example, government population and employment projections reflecting most
recent information from the Queensland Government Statistician have been updated; the capacity of the rail network is being increased through the European Train Control System – Inner City Project; and public transport patronage is up due to reduced fare prices introduced through the Fairer Fares package.

Related assumptions that previously underpinned the Detailed Business Case have been updated and have resulted in a stronger economic case for the project.

So Ms Trad is now criticising IA for rejecting the June 2016 Business Case her government prepared and provided on the basis of more recent information that was not included in that Business Case.  One wonders what would IA's evaluation have been had IA been provided with what is now a revised Business Case.

Can this be classed as bungled handling of the Business Case process, or a rushed handling of the process in order to intimidate the feds into providing money for CRR in the current federal Budget?  What would have been the result had the Queensland Government got the CRR Business Case right (by submitting this current Business Case) by delaying the preparation and submission a further year with a document containing a 1.41 BCR?

Ms Trad seems to be criticising the feds for making a decision she doesn't like based upon information she has denied them.  Is this a political bungle on Ms Trad's part that may have cost the state a billion or two -- simply so she could play the politics of CRR rather than the substantive issues around outcomes and results?

The waters around this project are as muddy as the Brisbane River itself.

[ozbob]

IA were given all the supplementary information. They choose to ignore it and based their assessment on the previous non-updated business case.  Crass politics I am afraid.

' Termite Tim ' has to do better than just white-ant CRR.  They (the LNP) are a policy vacuum.  We definitely do not need more ' Cleveland Solutions ' ' BaTs' ' 7 car trains ' and the like brain snaps.  CRR is ready to roll and it is rolling.

The LNP are now wedged between BCC's (who support CRR) Brisbane Metro, and Cross River Rail. 

If the LNP were smart (rhetorical question) they would be right behind CRR, and Brisbane Metro of course.

[ozbob]

The ETCS project is  separate from CRR. 

http://buildingqueensland.qld.gov.au/projects/european-train-control-system-etcs-inner-city/

It is just that CRR (and always has been) will be ETCS enabled.  The NGRs ( bless  ) are capable of ETCS ATP if and when they get into revenue service.

[ozbob]

The dumb politics by both the ALP and LNP have crucified this project for years.  Both have been grossly incompetent IMHO.

It is now however finally on the move and underway.   Both the major players need to just get on with it now.

The Feds (blue or red) will end up supporting the project, I have no doubt about that.

[Stillwater]

Yes, there will be a dollop of fed PT funding coming to Queensland, but it probably will have political strings attached to it -- like 'here is a billion dollars, provided only if Qld matches it dollar-for-dollar' .... that sort of thing.

[Gazza]

Going into the election before last the LNP said they didn't like how CRR was, and they would announce their alternative.
That deadline was missed, and eventually 3 experts reviewed it, first proposing CRR lite, then morphing into BaT.

This is 2012 all over again.

All the LNP are doing is bagging out the government with no plan of their own

[Stillwater]

^^That's politics.  It was also politics that Ms Trad was calling on IA to approve the 2016 Business Case two days after it was delivered to Canberra.  She said it was complete - IA had all the information they needed to evaluate the project.  IA took Ms Trad at her word, qualified as it was and dripping with politics as it was.  It is not IA's job to call for further scraps of paper with information so that it can re-write a state's submission.

With Queensland Government, close enough is good enough -- just as with the DAA specifications for the NGR trains.  What's a few millimetres here or there, what's a shifting BCR?  Queensland sees it as a game where political brinkmanship and a bit of fancy PR will get you over the line.  Other states get their projects up because they play by the rules and get it right first time.

[ozbob]

 

[#Metro]

Blue Team is on a misinformation campaign.

That's why they talk about aggregate patronage and seated capacity.

They are not dumb or misinformed. It's their game plan.

They are in full knowledge that a train will take up one train slot whether it

has 1 passenger or 1000 passengers onbord.

[wbj]

Yes, there will be a dollop of fed PT funding coming to Queensland, but it probably will have political strings attached to it -- like 'here is a billion dollars, provided only if Qld matches it dollar-for-dollar' .... that sort of thing.

Or, here's some money but it has to be privatised when it's finished.  You know it makes sense.

[Stillwater]

Cross River Rail - Just build it. http://governmentnews.com.au/2017/08/cross-river-rail-just-build

LNP warned about delays or playing politics.

[ozbob]

Cross River Rail - Just build it. http://governmentnews.com.au/2017/08/cross-river-rail-just-build

LNP warned about delays or playing politics.

Govt News
Cross-River Rail: just build it
> https://t.co/gnuFXwwxqV#qldpol #auspol

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) August 27, 2017

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Annastacia Palaszczuk confirms work has begun on rail project

CONSTRUCTION has begun on the transformative $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed heavy work started yesterday on the 5.9km tunnel to run under Brisbane River from Dutton Park to just after the Roma Street Station.

But LNP leader Tim Nicholls has left open the option of canning CRR if he won power.

Ms Palaszczuk said: "This is an important milestone as it marks the start of ­official works for this historic infrastructure project.

"Over the next few months, Queenslanders will see activity ramp up, with the demolition of the Go Print site and the relocation of electrical substations."

Bore drilling is expected to start at the Woolloongabba site within a month.

The announcement comes ahead of an industry briefing tomorrow to update stakeholders on the project, including details of major work packages such as tunnelling.

Ms Palaszczuk said the State Government would use the controversial Buy Queensland procurement policy — hailed by local producers, but scorned by the Federal Government — to ensure as many homegrown construction companies as possible were involved in Cross River Rail.

Asked directly whether he would rule out cancelling the project, Mr Nicholls said: "No, we'll look at the business case."

"We've said we want to see whether the business case actually stacks up."

More than 1500 jobs are expected every year during construction of the 10.2km train line between Dutton Park and Bowen Hills, peaking at 3000.

Infrastructure Minister Jackie Trad said the second rail crossing meant services could be more than doubled, possibly stimulating greater demand for public transport.

At its deepest, the rail line will plunge 33m under the city between Albert St and Roma St. Under the riverbed, depths will drop to about 28.5m.

As part of the landmark project, four new stations will be developed at Boggo Road in Dutton Park, Woolloongabba, Albert and Roma streets in the city, and Bowen Hills' RNA Exhibition showgrounds.

James Tuma, national director of city-shaping specialists Urbis, said the transport infrastructure would be a "major driver of private sector investment".

The new stations would attract development, ­including a health-focused science centre at Boggo Rd.

At the Roma St Railyards, entrepreneur Harvey Lister is planning a $2.5 billion entertainment and education precinct, including an arena as the area is transformed into a grand central interchange between buses, rail and the $944 million Metro project.

Mr Tuma said Metro stations such as Buranda were going to also benefit through major upgrades.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/902204577432256512

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/902255116887003136

[matlock]

Certainly this news can be used by Labor to shore up their support in Brisbane and SEQ.

I'm hoping that, if the LNP do win the election, Tim Nicholls sees that work has begun and decides to continue tunnelling. Opposing CRR leading up to the election might be tempting, but another temptation is actually delivering an infrastructure project.

[ozbob]

Certainly this news can be used by Labor to shore up their support in Brisbane and SEQ.

I'm hoping that, if the LNP do win the election, Tim Nicholls sees that work has begun and decides to continue tunnelling. Opposing CRR leading up to the election might be tempting, but another temptation is actually delivering an infrastructure project.

Welcome Matlock!  Yes, it is the best thing that this project proceeds for sure, either party.  The LNP are not being real smart at all IMHO.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ChrisWhitingMP/status/902328814843215872

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Early work starts on Cross River Rail, but it could still get dumped

Cross River Rail is a 10.2-kilometre rail line between Dutton Park and Bowen Hills.

    It would feature four new train stations at inner-city locations.

    The Queensland government will fund the $5.4 billion project, after failing to get federal money.

Construction work has started on Cross River Rail, but the uncertainty surrounding the project, which has been discussed for more than a decade, looks set to continue.

Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Jackie Trad said the Labor government was progressing construction work, but that did not mean it was immune from the chopping block.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad says Cross River Rail could still be scrapped, despite work beginning on Tuesday.

"After the next election, anyone can cancel any project they like," Ms Trad said.

"Construction companies are actually assembling their workforces as we speak and putting in their expressions of interest process.

"Industry out there is thinking about how they can participate in this game-changing project."

On Monday, Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls said he was "not convinced" the Cross River Rail project being proposed by the government was the right answer at the right time and said he wanted to see the complete business case.

Mr Nicholls announced a future LNP government would spend $2.5 million on a business case for a new "very fast train" network.

Ms Trad called on Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls to clearly outline whether he would stick with Cross River Rail if the LNP won government.

Former premier Campbell Newman dumped Cross River Rail in favour of the Bus and Train tunnel in 2013, with the BaT tunnel then scrapped by the Palaszczuk government in 2015, with a return to Cross River Rail.

This week, construction activity started on the new Woolloongabba station.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said, over the next few months, people would see bore drilling, the demolition of the GoPrint site and the relocation of electrical substations.

"Through our new Buy Queensland procurement policy, we want to ensure a significant amount of work is done by local construction companies and local workers," she said.

The Palaszczuk Labor government has pledged to fully fund the $5.4 billion 10.2-kilometre rail link, after failing to secure federal government funding in the latest budget.

The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority will hold an industry briefing on Wednesday, with more than 500 construction and engineering representatives.

The session will outline the procurement approach, details of major work packages, delivery strategy, commercial considerations and governance.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/RACQOfficial/status/902334155878313984

[ozbob]

29th August 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

Early works underway for Cross River Rail

Early works are underway for the historic $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project, fully funded by the Palaszczuk Government in the recent State Budget.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said construction activity at the site of the new Woolloongabba Station had started.

"This is an important milestone as it marks the start of official works for this historic infrastructure project for Queensland," the Premier said.

"Over the next few months, Queenslanders will see activity ramp up with bore drilling, the demolition of the GoPrint site and the relocation of electrical substations.

"Through our new Buy Queensland procurement policy we want to ensure a significant amount of work is done by local construction companies and local workers.

"Tomorrow, more than 500 construction and engineering representatives will attend an industry briefing to learn more about the procurement process for Cross River Rail."

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Jackie Trad said local construction companies had secured early works contracts.

"I'm delighted that we've engaged local companies to undertake the early works at the GoPrint site – this includes Advanced Temporary Fencing in Yatala and SEQ based Arbor Operations," Ms Trad said.

"Cross River Rail creates 1500 jobs every year during construction and 3000 in the peak and we're already seeing this project benefit local companies.

"Geotechnical investigations are also about to start along the Cross River Rail corridor.

"This project will ensure high frequency, turn up and go services for commuters with the major beneficiaries the outer regions like the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Redlands and Ipswich.

"Cross River Rail is too important for the LNP's petty political games. Tim Nicholls and the LNP have cancelled this project before and they can do it again.

"Tim Nicholls needs to come clean to industry and to the community and make his position clear – will he cancel Cross River Rail for the second time?"

The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority will conduct an industry briefing tomorrow 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, 30 August 2017.

Ends

[SurfRail]

This is site investigation work, not construction.  I won't be satisfied until there are TBMs in the ground.

[kram0]

My local LNP candidate (the seat is currently held by Labor) has started to advertise on Facebook regarding her petition to fix rail. Just more evidence politicians love games regardless of party.

See below my message to her.

Hi Belinda, I have recently had your advertisement appear on my Facebook. I am a Yeronga resident and up until recently a dedicated right voter. I have even in the past helped a federal LNP candidate on Election Day. What I admired about many politicians in the past is there ability to govern for the benefit of the city, state or country. What the public are sick of is politicians playing politics. I am strong believer that we need to start cross river rail and start now before we are at 100+% of slot capacity. Planning for the future population growth would mean we all support a project that will deliver jobs and infrastructure. Brisbane is so far behind on public infrastructure compared to many cities the same size it's embarrassing. Can you please outline your opinions on Cross River Rail and whether you and your LNP team support this project and commit to continuing the build that Labor have recently commenced? The CBD is in desperate need of another city station to relieve the pressure from Central and support all the additional infrastructure such as the Casino, 1 William St, QUT and many additional major apartment projects that are underway or about to commence. I look forward to your response.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/fel_caldwell/status/902754593276399618

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Government's right call on private partner for rail project

INFRASTRUCTURE Minister Jackie Trad has made the right call to deliver Cross River Rail through a public-private partnership.

It is a huge project. Valued at about $5.4 billion. And it could be a catalyst for urban development on a citywide scale.

Using the old "borrow and build" model, where public service mandarins make the calls, would lead to a bland result with huge potential for blowouts.

Signing up a private conglomerate to design, build, finance, operate and maintain Cross River Rail reduces the risk for taxpayers.

Contracts can be structured to penalise the private partner if they don't deliver on time.

They can also be incentivised through "availability payments" to build projects below budget, operate infrastructure efficiently and develop secondary revenue streams.

With Cross River Rail's four underground train stations — Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert St and Roma St — the potential is limited only by the ingenuity of bidders.

This PPP model has been commonly used internationally to build schools, hospitals, roads and public transport systems.

One study found there was a 22 per cent chance of a blowout under this model compared to a 73 per cent probability through traditional procurement.

The key is in the contract and making sure the public isn't better off borrowing and building.

Under the wrong deal the benefits of Cross River Rail could be derailed.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/902931886002941952

[SurfRail]

This news is not particularly noteworthy in and of itself, but PPPs are not simple creatures you can put together quickly.  I am increasingly doubtful this is something that can even be "locked in" and much less started before the next election.  Really the only way it will continue is if they retain power.

[Monster]

This news is not particularly noteworthy in and of itself, but PPPs are not simple creatures you can put together quickly.  I am increasingly doubtful this is something that can even be "locked in" and much less started before the next election.  Really the only way it will continue is if they retain power.

When's the latest the election can be called? PPP's can be procured in 8 months if that's the desire of the govt. Doesn't mean it's a good contract (for the Govt), most likely it won't be, but it can be done.

PPP's are only successful if the Govt (The client) manages it correctly. And they don't. At least they aren't with the ones they have now. A set and forget mentality is the current approach.

Traditionally here's what happens:

Contract awarded to lowest bidder despite claims to the contrary that $ was only one factor.

Winning Project Co (and consortium members) attempt (with great success) to both claw back costs (through unnecessary variations) combined with modifying the agreed risk profile with the
State (through a "we won't get it built...." and other such threats)

State panics and throws extra $$ to mitigate risks that aren't theirs.

Should Project Co be called into account for under performance, they cry poor that the big bad State is being "too contractual, we've learned our lesson, we've taken that on board". Deductions waived for the benefit of improving the relationship.

State loses face, negatively re-inforces acceptance poor behaviour/performance by Project Co...... who "rinse.....repeat"

End result - Wasted Govt $$, Poor Infrastructure built/managed. All for a period of 25 to 30 years

Your're always going to pay "overs" for a PPP, but the real benefit to Govt is to focus on the management of them. Really make transparent the "client/contractor relationship" and hold firm as the client.

Just my 2 cents

[Monster]

Couriermail --> Queensland Government's right call on private partner for rail project

INFRASTRUCTURE Minister Jackie Trad has made the right call to deliver Cross River Rail through a public-private partnership.

It is a huge project. Valued at about $5.4 billion. And it could be a catalyst for urban development on a citywide scale.

Using the old "borrow and build" model, where public service mandarins make the calls, would lead to a bland result with huge potential for blowouts.

Signing up a private conglomerate to design, build, finance, operate and maintain Cross River Rail reduces the risk for taxpayers.

Contracts can be structured to penalise the private partner if they don't deliver on time.

They can also be incentivised through "availability payments" to build projects below budget, operate infrastructure efficiently and develop secondary revenue streams.

With Cross River Rail's four underground train stations — Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert St and Roma St — the potential is limited only by the ingenuity of bidders.

This PPP model has been commonly used internationally to build schools, hospitals, roads and public transport systems.

One study found there was a 22 per cent chance of a blowout under this model compared to a 73 per cent probability through traditional procurement.

The key is in the contract and making sure the public isn't better off borrowing and building.

Under the wrong deal the benefits of Cross River Rail could be derailed.

Yes but not well. At least not in Australia. Certainly not in QLD

[ozbob]

Advertisement Couriermail 2nd September 2017

[tazzer9]

Yes but not well. At least not in Australia. Certainly not in QLD

I personally think the airtrain in brisbane and sydney have been pretty decent.   Not perfect, but far from total failures.

[kram0]

Yes but not well. At least not in Australia. Certainly not in QLD

I personally think the airtrain in brisbane and sydney have been pretty decent.   Not perfect, but far from total failures.

I would have to agree. After a slow start, both operations are now very much in the black with descent passenger loads. Not to mention CRR would not have ticket levies attached to limited passengers

[Stillwater]

The man that Jackie Trad kicked off the CRR Delivery Authority Board, Mike Mrdak, is quoted in The Australian newspaper today as saying that right now, after 30 years working in the area of public policy and transport policy in particular, he knows of no other time where the environment is so toxic for advancing economic and other reforms.

He says 'it is very hard as a nation to take hard decisions on the way forward.'

Mr Mrdak is secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, was also Deputy Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and was Commonwealth Coordinator-General.  He is also close to retirement, so might think he has nothing to lose by stating his mind.

He was most frank when saying this: 'If you want to see a reform agenda killed off, hand it over to the Prime Minister's Office, PM&C, or the premiers departments and you will not see it come to fruition.'

He noted it was a bureaucracy's role to focus on long-term planning and evidence-based decision making to overcome the short focus of politicians and governments competing for the electorate's favour.

He had a particular concern about road pricing - pointing out that electric cars would not use petrol, a cost component of which is a hefty fuel excise.  Quite rightly, he asked how governments thought they would get their revenue in future.  Mr Mrdak favours a system whereby all owners of vehicles are charged according to the distance their vehicle travels each year, and they time of day they undertake that travel.

Politicians are not interested because pollies fear the tabloid media will portray such a system as a 'big new tax.'

We are doomed when thinkers like this are pushed aside due to the short-term interests of politicians such as Ms Trad.

[ozbob]

I too have long been of the view that the present roads pricing policies cannot be sustained. When I had the hybrid horseless carriage I often reflected on the fact the EVs do avoid the fuel excises which is the lifeblood of most tinpot governments in Oz land.

We are about to enter a most tumultuous time in Oz polyticks. The masses have had enough of mediocrity and graft.

[pangwen]

Yes but not well. At least not in Australia. Certainly not in QLD

I personally think the airtrain in brisbane and sydney have been pretty decent.   Not perfect, but far from total failures.

There's also GCLR Stage 1 which was done by PPP - generally regarded as a success (although I gather your comments were in response to the commercial nature of the project):

"The one bright star for public transport in this state." (http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=546.msg195564#msg195564)
"THE Gold Coast light rail has been declared a greater success than ever anticipated" (http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/traffic-reports/gold-coast-light-rail-system-celebrates-its-second-anniversary-as-figures-show-success/news-story/0b439dd3ab1507a76aa3e137e07c577d)

The only reference I could find was that the project did go over budget due to 'unexpected' utilities relocations.

Source regarding PPP nature of GCLR:
http://www.goldlinq.com.au/news-and-media/successful-bidder-named-to-construct-and-operate-gold-coast-light-rail

"The end result is a public private partnership with GoldlinQ that will deliver light rail to the Gold Coast and more than 6,300 direct and indirect jobs."

GCLR Stage 2 is also being delivered under a PPP agreement, and under very tight timeframes as well. As per http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=546.msg166051#msg166051, when it was awarded, GCLR Stage 2 was predicted to be delivered "just in time for the Commonwealth Games".