Cross River Rail Project

[Stillwater]

In the light of David Bannister's findings re CRR and its built-in capacity constraints, how can Mark Bailey/state government continue the spin that its construction will allow 'many more trains' from the Sunshine Coast to and from Brisbane? Minister Bailey has argued consistently that the key to enhancing SCL operations is the CRR project.  An illusion, it would seem.

[ozbob]

^ absolutely an ' illusion ' with a measure of duplicitous deception. 

The Government is clearly captured by the ' bumbling bureaucracy ' and  ' mates '.

[ozbob]

Let's consider this response:

It was reported yesterday that:

' A Cross River Rail Delivery Authority spokesman said the design had been extensively modelled by the Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland Rail and the private sector.

"Queenslanders can have a high level of confidence that the project's design and planning is robust because it has evolved and been improved over the past decade since the original concept was first floated," the spokesman said.

The spokesman however seemingly ruled out any further changes to the design.

"It is very important to understand that the Coordinator General has approved the Cross River Rail project to proceed in its final design," he said.'

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/designs-for-cross-river-rail-will-add-no-capacity-former-qr-infrastructure-manager/news-story/bf54b093d973c344ae43d41471d8dfa4

' A Cross River Rail Delivery Authority spokesman said the design had been extensively modelled by the Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland Rail and the private sector.

"Queenslanders can have a high level of confidence that the project's design and planning is robust because it has evolved and been improved over the past decade since the original concept was first floated," the spokesman said.

I am not concerned with the tunnel design per se, lack of tunnel stubs not withstanding, it is the operational service plan and the track layouts north and south of the portals which is the real issue at this time.

Has it really been improved?  CRR #1 had highest possible project status from IA in 2012 ' high priority project '.

The iterations through BaT and CRR #3 - current version resulted in the IA status being downgraded to only a ' high priority initiative ' in 2017, and remains at that level in 2019. 

Is this in line with a project that has " improved over the past decade " ?  It has in fact worsened.  The State Government should have resolved to work on the CRR Business case to regain ' high priority project ' status rather than just spit the dummy and announce it would be self funded - they are funding a version of CRR that is presently ' not fit for purpose '.

" "It is very important to understand that the Coordinator General has approved the Cross River Rail project to proceed in its final design," he said.' "

I am not convinced that the Coordinator General really can grasp the operational service plan in any real detail at all.

[BrizCommuter]

These three BrizCommuter articles show how fundamentally flawed the current design of CRR is:
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2019/10/cross-river-rails-achilles-heel.html
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2019/10/cross-river-rails-achilles-heel-part-2.html
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2019/11/preventing-cross-river-rail-fail.htm
CRR is now essentially creating a tunnel in-between two existing bottlenecks! Mr Bailey is out of his depth with no floaties. I doubt an auditor would have any idea about rail operations. 

=========

^ the last link seems to be a problem Briz.  This is responding > https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2019/11/preventing-cross-river-rail-fail.html

[verbatim9]

Crane installation on Roma Street this weekend for the demolition has been postponed.

[ozbob]

These three BrizCommuter articles show how fundamentally flawed the current design of CRR is:
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2019/10/cross-river-rails-achilles-heel.html
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2019/10/cross-river-rails-achilles-heel-part-2.html
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2019/11/preventing-cross-river-rail-fail.html
CRR is now essentially creating a tunnel in-between two existing bottlenecks! Mr Bailey is out of his depth with no floaties. I doubt an auditor would have any idea about rail operations.

It would be very prudent for the present Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development and Minister for Cross River Rail: Hon Kate Jones to engage an external review team of rail specialists and look at the rail operational plan.  This review should invite interested parties to make submissions.

The previous Minister for Cross River Rail has a long history of failure in rail related matters. 

The Queensland Audit Office is quite capable of running such a review, with the appropriate specialist support.  It needs to be external to the present CRRDA and its related agencies viz. TMR and Queensland Rail.

[ozbob]

This is interesting reading:

RTBU Policy Submissions

Cross River Rail Application for Change 4   

Letter sent to Barry Broe, Coordinator General on 14/6/2019

http://www.rtbu.com.au/_dbase_upl/CL_CoordGen_140619.pdf

" ...  potentially creating a similar situation to the NGR and Morton Bay Rail Line disaster which caused considerable
increased cost to the tax payers and representational damage to Queensland Rail and TMR. ... "

====

RAIL, TRAM AND BUS UNION
(QLD BRANCH)
Submission to the Cross River Rail
Request for Project Change
February 2017

http://www.rtbu.com.au/_dbase_upl/2017_CRR_RTBU_Final.pdf

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

24th November 2019

Cross River Rail Project - operating design flawed, call for a review by the Queensland Audit Office

Good Morning,

We believe that there is sufficient concern with the operational service plan for Cross River Rail that it is essential the present Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development and Minister for Cross River Rail: Hon Kate Jones engage an external review team of rail specialists and look at the rail operational plan.  This review should invite interested parties to make submissions.

The Queensland Audit Office is quite capable of supervising such a review, with the appropriate specialist support.  In our view a review needs to be external to the present CRRDA and its related agencies viz. TMR and Queensland Rail.

Best wishes,
Robert

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


References:

1. Interview on ABC Radio Brisbane with David Bannister 21st Nov 2019 --> https://backontrack.org/docs/abcbris/abcbris_db21nov19.mp3  MP3 28.1 MB

2. RTBU Policy Submissions

Cross River Rail Application for Change 4 - Letter sent to Barry Broe, Coordinator General on 14/6/2019
http://www.rtbu.com.au/_dbase_upl/CL_CoordGen_140619.pdf

" ...  potentially creating a similar situation to the NGR and Morton Bay Rail Line disaster which caused considerable
increased cost to the tax payers and representational damage to Queensland Rail and TMR. ... "

3.  Cross River Rail's Achilles Heel - Part 1 - Beenleigh Line Constraints
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2019/10/cross-river-rails-achilles-heel.html

Cross River Rail's Achilles Heel - Part 2 - Northside
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2019/10/cross-river-rails-achilles-heel-part-2.html

Preventing Cross River Rail Fail - Scorecard
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com/2019/11/preventing-cross-river-rail-fail.html

Sent to all outlets:

23rd November 2019

Re: Cross River Rail Project - operating design flawed, call for a review by the Queensland Audit Office

Good Morning,

Well worth noting that in 2015, we and others raised the fact there were design problems with the New Generation Rollingstock trains.
The transport authorities denied there were any issues. Two years later the transport authorities finally conceded that there were issues, and it is now costing around $335 million dollars to sort the non DDA compliant trains. Money that could have been used to progress the upgrade of the Sunshine Coast line north of Beerburrum for example.

It was reported yesterday that:

' A Cross River Rail Delivery Authority spokesman said the design had been extensively modelled by the Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland Rail and the private sector.

"Queenslanders can have a high level of confidence that the project's design and planning is robust because it has evolved and been improved over the past decade since the original concept was first floated," the spokesman said.

The spokesman however seemingly ruled out any further changes to the design.

"It is very important to understand that the Coordinator General has approved the Cross River Rail project to proceed in its final design," he said.'

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/designs-for-cross-river-rail-will-add-no-capacity-former-qr-infrastructure-manager/news-story/bf54b093d973c344ae43d41471d8dfa4

Confronted with in depth operational analyses by a person who understands well the operational situation with respect to Cross River Rail  the transport authorities are again in denial.

In a two years time we do not want an acknowledgement ' hey we got the service plan wrong, going to cost a lot of money to fix it '.

It is imperative that the CRR service plan be reviewed NOW.  Before more Queensland citizens money is wasted down the gutter of incompetence.

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

Sent to all outlets:

22nd November 2019

Cross River Rail Project - operating design flawed, call for a review by the Queensland Audit Office

Greetings,

Yesterday, the Director at Minerva Transport Planning Company Ltd, Mr David Bannister ( https://au.linkedin.com/in/davidmbannister ) was interviewed on ABC Brisbane Radio by host Steve Austin.  Mr Bannister is an experienced rail public transport planner who has previously been employed with Queensland Rail.

This was a lengthy discussion on the present iteration of Cross River Rail and why it is seriously compromised in terms of rail operations.  Mr Bannister has called for the CRR project  to be reviewed by the Queensland Audit Office, so serious are the issues raised. We strongly support this call.

Interview with David Bannister 21st Nov 2019 --> https://backontrack.org/docs/abcbris/abcbris_db21nov19.mp3  MP3 28.1 MB

This interview followed an earlier interview with Robert Dow RAIL Back On Track who raised generally the issues David Bannister expanded on in detail.

Interview on ABC Radio Brisbane Drive with host Steve Austin and Robert Dow RAIL Back On Track discussing Cross River Rail, network issues, and Gold and Sunshine Coast fast rail. 14th November 2019

Interview --> https://backontrack.org/docs/abcbris/abcbris_rd14nov19.mp3 MP3 21.4MB

Like Mr David Bannister, RAIL Back On Track wants the best outcome from Cross River Rail.  The present project's operating design is flawed.  It can be fixed and needs to be.

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1198321107553546240

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1198553704229560320

[Stillwater]

^With Mr Addison's permission, that letter should go to the Auditor-General as evidence of the State Government ignoring sound advice.  In recent days, CRR Delivery Authority and SG have not refuted David Bannister's findings ... they have merely said that the Coordinator-General signed off on the project, so they are building it. Essentially, they are wilfully proceeding to construct a dodgy project worth billions, against the advice that was given.

[#Metro]

Now is a great time to stop another potential Queensland Health Payroll, Redcliffe Peninsula Line, mass timetable cancellation, or NGR debacle *before* it happens.

Has anything been learned from these incidences, or not?

I think it should absolutely go out to external review. Call back Deutsche Bahn or similar to look at the service patterns and bottlenecks after

the proposed construction. A review can proceed as the initial stages of CRR construction proceed.

[Stillwater]

From the IA website:

"Infrastructure Australia evaluated the 2016 business case for the Cross River Rail project in 2017. In June 2017, the Queensland Government committed to fully fund the project. Should Australian Government funding be sought, Infrastructure Australia would welcome a revised business case with updated information."

[James]

It would be very prudent for the present Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development and Minister for Cross River Rail: Hon Kate Jones to engage an external review team of rail specialists and look at the rail operational plan.  This review should invite interested parties to make submissions.

The previous Minister for Cross River Rail has a long history of failure in rail related matters. 

The Queensland Audit Office is quite capable of running such a review, with the appropriate specialist support.  It needs to be external to the present CRRDA and its related agencies viz. TMR and Queensland Rail.

Unfortunately most of the major consultancies which would carry out this sort of work have been involved with CRR in one way or another - at least in the tender stage. I imagine a number of the 'Big 4' audit firms would have also been involved in work around CRR.

Surface works can always be fixed up at a later date, it is tunnelling (or providing for future tunnelling) where the serious issues exist. There is no room on the existing inner Beenleigh line for a fourth track without expensive resumptions and further track configurations. Provisioning for a tunnel down to Yeerongpilly would be adequate, but there is not even that. Given TBMs will be going into the ground in about 12 months (going by the Premier's latest update), there is limited time to fix such a significant issue, even less when you consider the potential for significant redesign in the area of the tunnel stubs on either end.

IMHO, I think it is too late. The ALP will cover the issues up to no end and the LNP seem incapable of attacking the government on what could cost billions to fix in the future. I hope I am wrong.

[achiruel]

If the TBMs aren't in the ground by the time of the next election, I reckon you can kiss CRR goodbye. LNP will cancel it and spend the money on something daft like an 8 line Bruce Highway to Cooroy and/or 6 lane Coomera Connector.

[ozbob]

If the TBMs aren't in the ground by the time of the next election, I reckon you can kiss CRR goodbye. LNP will cancel it and spend the money on something daft like an 8 line Bruce Highway to Cooroy and/or 6 lane Coomera Connector.

Contracts have been finalised  for the tunnels and the 4 underground stations ( https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/news/contract-finalised-with-pulse-consortium-to-build-cross-river-rail/ ).  Will cost too much to stop it.

If the LNP got in though I suspect they will want to go over everything with a fine tooth comb, beginning with the full (not public) business case and operational details etc.

Labor will no doubt force the LNP to state their intentions prior to #qldvotes.  I am not concerned.

[Gazza]

But they'll find some way to sh%t it up, even if its against the public interest, because the aim is to stick it to Labor.

[SurfRail]

If the TBMs aren't in the ground by the time of the next election, I reckon you can kiss CRR goodbye. LNP will cancel it and spend the money on something daft like an 8 line Bruce Highway to Cooroy and/or 6 lane Coomera Connector.

Not a chance, the deal is done.  If you thought Dan Andrews tearing up the East-West Link arrangements could be thought of as "nuclear", this would be a "coronal mass ejection" or "supernova" by comparison.

[James]

If the TBMs aren't in the ground by the time of the next election, I reckon you can kiss CRR goodbye. LNP will cancel it and spend the money on something daft like an 8 line Bruce Highway to Cooroy and/or 6 lane Coomera Connector.

Contracts have been signed, TBMs will be in the ground and boring by the time the state election comes around.

State Labor will have done the planning & will definitely be placing pressure on the contractor to have serious, irreversible works underway by the time of the next election. Labor will want its 'hardhat' moments in the lead-up to the election anyway, and if it does lose, entrench some form of legacy.

To compare it to East-West Link - it was only the design & a few early works which had been started, no mass excavations.

[verbatim9]

Plus LNP said months ago that it would honour the Cross River Rail project..

[achiruel]

Plus LNP said months ago that it would honour the Cross River Rail project..

Sure, that makes it 100% certain then. Their Federal colleagues have been doing an exemplary job of demonstrating their honesty and integrity lately, why wouldn't I believe the state LNP? 

[kram0]

Let's hope the LNP get in and listen to the experts, including David Bannister and spend the extra money needed to make sure this project can be built as well as expected to future proof it.

[Gazza]

Let's hope the LNP get in and listen to the experts, including David Bannister and spend the extra money needed to make sure this project can be built as well as expected to future proof it.

In reality, when they last got in they took what was the best CRR design we ever had, and instead did that BaT sh%t with 7 car platforms, no park road, no northern connection at all,  (Turnback on the ekka loop!) Ther mindset was very much along the lines of doing a bare minimum core and leaving other upgrades to be dealt with in the future.

I don't have any hopes they'd spend any more than is committed.

[kram0]

Let's hope the LNP get in and listen to the experts, including David Bannister and spend the extra money needed to make sure this project can be built as well as expected to future proof it.

In reality, when they last got in they took what was the best CRR design we ever had, and instead did that BaT sh%t with 7 car platforms, no park road, no northern connection at all,  (Turnback on the ekka loop!) Ther mindset was very much along the lines of doing a bare minimum core and leaving other upgrades to be dealt with in the future.

I don't have any hopes they'd spend any more than is committed.

Agree, BAT tunnel was a BAT $hit idea, so let's hope they have learnt there lesson. With Ozbob's work, i'm sure he will keep CRR corner cutting issues in the media so they have to address them.

[Gazza]

If they get into power the biggest narrative will be about state debt, and spending money in "nationals" areas, CRR will be completed reluctantly.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1201275711564083200

[BrizCommuter]

Let's hope the LNP get in and listen to the experts, including David Bannister and spend the extra money needed to make sure this project can be built as well as expected to future proof it.

They won't. LNP never listen to experts.

[Gazza]

RTBU Raised similar concerns about the project as David Bannister
http://www.rtbu.com.au/_dbase_upl/2017_CRR_RTBU_Final.pdf

[achiruel]

Let's hope the LNP get in and listen to the experts, including David Bannister and spend the extra money needed to make sure this project can be built as well as expected to future proof it.

They won't. LNP never listen to experts.

And seemingly, nor do Labor any more.

Any chance we could garner 500 members and enough money to run a candidate or two at the next election under the RBoT banner? 

[#Metro]

RBOT is non-partisan.

That said, nothing to stop someone running for office in their personal capacity as a rail issues candidate.

Sunshine coast and Cleveland come to mind.

[kram0]

Let's hope the LNP get in and listen to the experts, including David Bannister and spend the extra money needed to make sure this project can be built as well as expected to future proof it.

They won't. LNP never listen to experts.

And going on the advice given to the state government regarding CRR from various people and organisations and steps (or lack of) to correct the issues highlighted within the project, neither to Labor.

[#Metro]

Blue team appear to be completely ineffective; They need to stop being 'me too' in their policies and put in some points of difference.

For example, they could open up a point of difference by rejecting duplication of the M1 and getting behind the R1 proposal, but they are

too scared about losing the motorist vote to get serious about it.

Green team generally 'gets it' however often their good ideas are marred by key obsessions such as free PT for <insert the latest target

group/everyone>. They have realised that 'light rail everywhere' is not a good idea and have shifted towards mode-inclusive networks

instead, which is a good change.

[aldonius]

Any chance we could garner 500 members and enough money to run a candidate or two at the next election under the RBoT banner? 

It wouldn't be under the RBoT banner and it's more cost-effective to run for the Lord Mayoralty, but I'm vaguely considering a 2024 or 2028 run on a pro-urban platform. "Neighbours for more neighbours" and all that.   

[Gazza]

Any chance we could garner 500 members and enough money to run a candidate or two at the next election under the RBoT banner? 

It wouldn't be under the RBoT banner and it's more cost-effective to run for the Lord Mayoralty, but I'm vaguely considering a 2024 or 2028 run on a pro-urban platform. "Neighbours for more neighbours" and all that.   

I like the phrase "Abundant Housing"

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Cross River Rail: Asbestos safety guidelines ignored at Albert Street site

Workers at a Brisbane CBD Cross River Rail construction site have been sprung carrying out demolition work while ignoring asbestos-removal guidelines that were drawn up in order to keep themselves and the public safe.

WORKERS at Albert Street's Cross River Rail site have been sprung doing demolition work while ignoring asbestos-removal guidelines drawn up to keep them and the public safe.

The Courier-Mail has seen two improvement notices issued by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland finding contraventions, including not wetting down a site while removing 200 lineal metres of wall.

The most recent notice on Tuesday found workers' shoes weren't being decontaminated.

Another, from November 22, found workers weren't wearing appropriate personal protection equipment and appropriate training hadn't been provided to a worker.

"I formed a reasonable belief that workers were removing bitumen membrane from concrete parapet which I reasonably believe was contaminated with an asbestos-containing material known as neurolite," the improvement notice said.

"... The asbestos removal control plan requires your workers to wet the area, wear type 5 disposable overalls and P2 half face respirators," it says.

A Workplace Health and Safety spokesman said yesterday the office was continuing to monitor asbestos removal to ensure public safety but had no concerns involving public exposure to asbestos.

The contractor and Cross River Rail Delivery Authority (CRRDA) - in charge of delivering the $5.4 billion project - have been in the sights of the powerful CFMEU, who are angry over safety and enterprise bargaining issues.

Last week, the union marched on state Parliament and threatened to pull their support of the Labor party if key demands weren't met.

CFMEU national president Jade Ingham said there were major safety issues at the site, particularly around asbestos.

"That's what you get when you engage cheap and nasty contractors," he said.

"Unfortunately this Government was seduced by a cheap price .. corners have to be cut to accommodate that cheap price."

He said it was a disgrace.

"I don't think anyone in this state would accept that especially when their taxes are funding this."

A CRRDA spokeswoman said issues that were subject to the improvement notices had been immediately rectified and air quality monitoring, including for asbestos, had not identified any non-compliances.

"Therefore, there has been no risk posed our workers or to the general public," she said.

"The project is committed to the safety of our workers and the public, and will continue to work with Workplace Health and Safety Queensland throughout our activities."

Cross River Rail Minister Kate Jones said the Government expected every contractor to comply with the state's strict workplace health and safety laws.

[achiruel]

Cross River Rail Minister Kate Jones said the Government expected every contractor to comply with the state's strict workplace health and safety laws.

So why aren't WHSQ officers visiting the site to make sure that's happening, then?

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1201275711564083200

No real protection that I could see ...

[AnonymouslyBad]

If the TBMs aren't in the ground by the time of the next election, I reckon you can kiss CRR goodbye. LNP will cancel it and spend the money on something daft like an 8 line Bruce Highway to Cooroy and/or 6 lane Coomera Connector.

I don't think this is the case - it's already too far along - but this is also why I think some caution's required in "advocating" for a better CRR.

For sure Cross River Rail, as we know it today, is a half-baked project.

But what's the alternative? The money for CRR is committed. The money to future-proof it, and fix all the other bottlenecks, is not. There's only one way that money will be forthcoming: "Well it's built now, guess we better put up this 5 billion to make it work properly. Oops!" Sometimes, that's just how politics works. It's cynical and it's grossly inefficient but it finally got shovels in the ground didn't it?

Unfortunately it's not a realistic outcome that CRR will just be "fixed" in the next 6 months. The alternative is more delay, more "review", and the potential of an LNP government just killing it.

So, some caution is required

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/CrossRiverRail/status/1203902150675447808

[verbatim9]

The State Government wants cricket fans to help design the Woolloongabba Cross River Rail Station. 7NEWS has been given an exclusive look at the draft design plans. @TristanVorias7 https://t.co/VZ3A1cpmr5 #7NEWS https://t.co/fvc8grqzHw

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1204678412914184198