Cross River Rail Project

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Compliance strengthened in Cross River Rail project

A new governance structure for the Cross River Rail project will ensure that contractors deliver on time and to budget, announced Minister for Cross River Rail, Kate Jones.

Lead contractor, CPB Group, has been caught up in controversy in delivering the West Gate Tunnel in Victoria, and the Queensland government is attempting to avoid similar contractual disputes.

"It is clear to me and to Cabinet that now we have moved from the procurement phase to the construction phase of the project we need to beef up compliance," said Jones.

In a statement, Jones and the Queensland government outlined that the Delivery Authority will report to the Minister directly, a compliance unit will oversee contractor commitments, and the board will be restructured in April, when their current term expires.

"While the construction project is currently on track and on budget, it is early days," said Jones.

"I want to ensure I have the right people with the right skills to deliver this project and hold CPB and Pulse Consortium to account."

Jones also announced that local businesses will be able to get involved in the Cross River Rail project, with the Queensland government announcing a new website will go live today, February 27.

200 local companies are already providing goods and services to the rail project, however the new website hopes to provide further opportunities at various stages across the project.

The next wave of subcontractor opportunities will be in tunnelling and station works, said Cross River Rail minister, Kate Jones.

"This will be the one stop shop for anyone who wants to work on Cross River Rail," she said.

"If you're a local subby with the right expertise, we want you to apply to work on the biggest project in Queensland's history."

Jones visited the worksite at Woolloongabba to inspect progress on the rail project. Already, 140 piles have been sunk to stabilise the station box, 5m out of a total 32m have been excavated, and 8 of 132 piles have been sunk to build the ramp for the tunnel boring machines to access the site.

"Construction will ramp up in 2020 and locals will see more workers on Cross River Rail sites throughout the city," said Jones.

Contractors already involved in the project include local construction company Wagners, which won a $40 million contract to supply precast concrete segments.

Another company, Multhana Property Services, will provide cleaning and maintenance services at project worksites.

"Multhana is a great example of a proud Queensland company benefiting from Cross River Rail," said Jones.

"They're doing a great job and already have eight staff working on the project, with that number set to grow as more worksites are established."

Work on the Cross River Rail project is expected to be completed in 2024.

[ozbob]

Interviews ABC Radio Brisbane Drive with host Steve Austin 26th February 2020.

Minister for Innovation, Minister for Tourism Industry Development and Minister for Cross River Rail Kate Jones, then Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads Steve Minnikin.  Discussion on Cross River Rail.

Here --> https://backontrack.org/docs/abcbris/abc_drive26feb20.mp3 MP3 18.6MB

Further interviews:

Bit more Minister Jones, then Josh Bavas, ABC Journalist, then Jeff Addison Sunshine Coast Region Spokesperson for RBoT, then David Bannister Director Minerva Transport Planning Company ( extract December 2019 interview ).  More discussion on Cross River Rail.

Here --> https://backontrack.org/docs/abcbris/abc_drive2_26feb20.mp3 MP3 26.5MB

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/10NewsFirstQLD/status/1232562395417063424

[AnonymouslyBad]

^ Replacing some (admittedly overpaid) technocrats with a politician. What could go wrong??

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2020/2/26/minister-announces-one-stop-shop-for-contracts-on-cross-river-rail

Media Statements

Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development and Minister for Cross River Rail
The Honourable Kate Jones

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Minister announces "one stop shop" for contracts on Cross River Rail

Cross River Rail Minister Kate Jones announced today more than 200 companies across South East Queensland had already secured Cross River Rail contracts with hundreds more sub-contractor opportunities still up for grabs.

"Cross River Rail will create thousands of construction jobs over the next five years," she said.

"We're working hard to make sure that local subbies and workers benefit from the biggest infrastructure project in Queensland's history.

"Today's just the tip of the iceberg.

"We've already seen iconic Queensland company, Wagners awarded a $40 million contract to supply precast concrete segments and we want companies asking themselves 'could we be the next ones to win?'

"We're unashamedly putting Queensland companies first. The numbers here tell the story of us delivering on our commitment to make sure the benefits go to Queenslanders first and foremost."

Ms Jones today met with Multhana Property Services, a proud indigenous company from Eight Mile Plains, contracted to deliver cleaning and maintenance services at Cross River Rail project worksites.

"Multhana is a great example of a proud Queensland company benefiting from Cross River Rail," she said.

"They're doing a great job and already have eight staff working on the project, with that number set to grow as more worksites are established."

Ms Jones said another wave of sub-contractor opportunities related to the tunnels and stations works package would be released by the project's major contractor in coming weeks.

The Minister revealed a new website would go live tomorrow for companies to register their interest to apply for contracts.

"This will be the one stop shop for anyone who wants to work on Cross River Rail," she said.

"If you're a local subby with the right expertise, we want you to apply to work on the biggest project in Queensland's history."

The Minister made the announcement while inspecting construction on Cross River Rail's huge Woolloongabba worksite.

Progress to date includes:

More than 140 piles have already been sunk into the site to stabilise the station box during excavation
Excavation has already hit a depth of approximately five metres with another 27m to go before the station box base level is reached; and
Eight of the 132 piles have been sunk for the temporary ramp that the massive tunnel boring machines will use to access the tunnel site
"Anyone driving past can see we're making great progress," said Ms Jones.

"Construction will ramp up in 2020 and locals will see more workers on Cross River Rail sites throughout the city."

ENDS

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

1st March 2020

Cross River Rail - what is actually included in the $5.4 billion stated cost?

Good Morning,

Flagging the removal of the board of the Cross River Rail Development Authority was certainly a perplexing move this past week.

Of great concern too is the lack of a true public business case for the project.  What is actually included in the nominal $5.4 billion cost?  Do the station upgrades from Fairfield to Salisbury add to the cost of the project.  Is the full European Train Control System Level Two rollout included?  What about the necessary track upgrades that will be required to deliver the increased train service frequency such as track amplification from Kuraby to Beenleigh, improvements on the Cleveland line, the necessary level crossing removals south of Park Road.  There are lot of questions with very little detail or clarification.

What is the actual detailed train service plan for the SEQ rail network post Cross River Rail? This is critical of course as it will dictate what the real costs will be.  Is this why it is obfuscated?

Interviews ABC Radio Brisbane Drive with host Steve Austin 26th February 2020.

Minister for Innovation, Minister for Tourism Industry Development and Minister for Cross River Rail Kate Jones, then Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads Steve Minnikin.  Discussion on Cross River Rail.

Here --> https://backontrack.org/docs/abcbris/abc_drive26feb20.mp3 MP3 18.6MB

Further interviews:

Bit more Minister Jones, then Josh Bavas, ABC Journalist, then Jeff Addison Sunshine Coast Region Spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track, then David Bannister Director Minerva Transport Planning Company ( extract December 2019 interview  on ABC Brisbane).  More discussion on Cross River Rail.

Here --> https://backontrack.org/docs/abcbris/abc_drive2_26feb20.mp3 MP3 26.5MB

It is time Minister Jones was a lot more forthright with what is really going on with Cross River Rail.

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1233773180415827969

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/inmybackyardpls/status/1234188143991017473

[BrizCommuter]

Kate Jones steering Cross River Fail, a very scary prospect! The lack of associated infrastructure projects means that CRR is still on track to deliver the grand total of an extra 2tph in the am peak. All other capacity increases will be down to ETCS - well maybe not if there are any issues with Huawei too. Very concerned! 

[#Metro]

Formal information request?

[ozbob]

Kate Jones steering Cross River Fail, a very scary prospect! The lack of associated infrastructure projects means that CRR is still on track to deliver the grand total of an extra 2tph in the am peak. All other capacity increases will be down to ETCS - well maybe not if there are any issues with Huawei too. Very concerned!

This is a jurisdiction that couldn't manage to order DDA compliant trains!  What hope is there for interfacing ETCS L2 with the rest of the signalling network without much pain and overuns?  Buckley's ...

The only bright spot is things can only be improved with the decommissioning of the Board I have concluded after much reflection,  this no doubt a sign of some big internal problems. 

For the Minister to go out and lambaste the head contractor CPB Group ( ' weasels ' ) is hardly productive at this early stage in my opinion. 

[ozbob]

Formal information request?

The Government has held back the real details of the project on ' commercial in confidence ' grounds etc.

Requests and feedback are largely ignored.  RTIs are a waste of application fees as they just come back with the ' Cabinet in confidence ', or other nefarious reasons why things will not be made public.

It is difficult to have any real confidence in this project overall IMHO as it stands. 

Looking very much like another ' half baked ' Queensland classic!  Bravo !!

[ozbob]

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2020/101-2020.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 101
Asked on 6 Feb 2020

MR A POWELL ASKED THE MINISTER FOR INNOVATION AND TOURISM
INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT AND MINISTER FOR CROSS RIVER RAIL
(HON K JONES) ―

QUESTION:

Will the Minister detail (a) the current estimated delivery date for Cross River
Rail and (b) the current estimated cost of delivering Cross River Rail?

ANSWER:

Cross River Rail will allow more trains to run more often and will enable a
world-class public transport network that will benefit the whole of South East
Queensland.

Major construction works are now underway with construction due to be
completed in 2024.

Cross River Rail is being delivered in partnership with the private sector to drive
innovation and value for money for Queensland taxpayers.

The Palaszczuk Government investment is $5.4 billion.

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Cross River Rail builder questioned

Questions have been raised once again about one of the primary construction contractors for Queensland's Cross River Rail project.

CPB Contractors, a subsidiary of CIMIC Group has been asked to prove why it should be allowed to continue working on the project.

The call came in the form of a show cause letter from the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) to CPB Contractors after the company did not provide a Minimum Financial Requirement (MFR) report when its net tangible assets dropped below 20 per cent.

CPB Contractors has 21 days to provide the MFR report or QBCC will take regulatory action, which could include a number of options including the termination of the company's construction licence.

CPB Contractors is part of the Pulse consortium, which is led by CIMIC Group companies. The Pulse consortium is delivering the tunnel, stations, and development component of the Cross River Rail project. CPB Contractors is also part of the Unity consortium, which is delivering the rail, integration and systems works package. Combined, these works include four new underground stations, the tunnel from Dutton Park to Normanby, as well as operations systems and controls, signalling and communications and accessibility upgrades.

Last month, a new governance structure was announced for the project, partly due to concerns that disputes that occurred over the West Gate Tunnel in Victoria would spread to Queensland. The board of the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority were told that their terms would not be extended beyond April, a compliance unit will oversee contractor commitments, and the Authority will directly report to the Minister for Cross River Rail, Kate Jones.

"I want to ensure I have the right people with the right skills to deliver this project and hold CPB and Pulse Consortium to account," said Jones at the time.

CIMIC Group, the QBCC and the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority declined to comment.

[verbatim9]

Progress at Roma Street the other day

^^Some more pics taken 18 March 20

[verbatim9]

Roma Street closed today as I needed to detour with my bike. Lots of activity, they are really ramping up demolition now.

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Major works continue on Cross River Rail

Throughout April, works will be progressing on the Cross River Rail project.

The CBGU joint venture, made up of CPB Contractors, BAM, Ghella, and UGL, will be carrying out the design and construction works for the Roma Street, Albert Street and Boggo Road stations.

At Roma Street, works will continue on the demolition of Hotel Jen, East and West Towers. This involves, the disconnection of utilities, scaffolding work, and structural demolition. Additionally, the former coach terminal access ramp will be demolishing during April and May 2020.

Tunnelling work at Roma Street is also taking place, with the establishment of the site progressing. Works include constructing the tunnel access shaft, installing an acoustic shed, and bringing in tunnelling plant and equipment.

At Albert Street, work will increase during April as piling begins on the demolished Lot 1 site. Excavation of the tunnel shaft will begin at Lot 2, and during this time piling finishes and an acoustic shed will be constructed. These works involve traffic and footpath closures on Mary Street and Albert Street.

Excavation work in the heart of the Brisbane CBD work will involve rock breaking, removal of excavated material, and ground stabilisation and retention work.

The underground Boggo Road station will be where the Cross River Rail project at its southern terminus connects to the existing rail network. During April, major works will continue there as the excavation of the station box begins. Site office buildings will be constructed onsite, along with internal roads and paths. Utility services will be relocated and some pedestrian movements will be disrupted. The play equipment at Outlook Park will be moved closer to Dutton Park State School.

All work on the Cross River Rail project will follow Australian and Queensland government health advice in relation to coronavirus (COVID-19), however as an essential service, work will continue as planned.

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Planning instrument supports station development

Queensland Minister for State Development, Cameron Dick has declared an expanded priority development area (PDA) surrounding the future Woolloongabba station.

The declaration supports the development of a station-to-stadium precinct, said Dick.

"The PDA precinct will be transformed into a vibrant mixed-use place, linking commercial, residential and retail development with world-class public transport," he said.

"The new PDA includes all land within the former Woolloongabba PDA as well as land east of Main Street, including the Gabba.

"The inclusion of the Gabba enables the delivery of a dedicated pedestrian connection from the new Cross River Rail station to the stadium, providing easy access on game days and for events," said Dick.

The Woolloongabba station, part of the Cross River Rail project, is currently under construction, and site establishment works have begun this April.

The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority, the state government, and Brisbane City Council will prepare a development scheme for the site. Until the development scheme is drafted, an interim land use plan is in effect.

Minister for Cross River Rail Kate Jones said that the PDA would ensure the successful delivery of the Cross River Rail project.

"This about getting on with the job of building Queensland's largest infrastructure project," she said.

"Cross River Rail will create more than 7000 local jobs for workers. This is guaranteed employment and gives peace of mind to Queenslanders working on the project," said Jones.

Other stations on the Cross River Rail project have also had PDAs declared. Roma Street and Albert Street have PDAs surrounding the sites, to encourage and stimulate development in the station precincts.

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2020/4/4/new-woolloongabba-pda-drives-cross-river-rail-delivery

Media Statements

JOINT STATEMENT

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Cameron Dick

Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development and Minister for Cross River Rail
The Honourable Kate Jones

Saturday, April 04, 2020

New Woolloongabba PDA drives Cross River Rail delivery

A new priority development area (PDA) has been declared in Woolloongabba to support construction of the next inner-city train station for the Palaszczuk Government's Cross River Rail project.

PDAs are introduced across the state to identify land for development that offers significant economic and community benefits.

Once a PDA has been declared by the State Development Minister, the Queensland Government works with local council and industry stakeholders to plan, assess and deliver projects in the area.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the Woolloongabba Cross River Rail PDA will replace and extend the area's existing PDA, enabling the construction of a station-to-stadium precinct.

"The new PDA includes all land within the former Woolloongabba PDA as well as land east of Main Street, including the Gabba," Mr Dick said.

"The inclusion of the Gabba enables the delivery of a dedicated pedestrian connection from the new Cross River Rail station to the stadium, providing easy access on game days and for events.

"The PDA precinct will be transformed into a vibrant mixed-use place, linking commercial, residential and retail development with world-class public transport.

"It will create a better overall Gabba experience for spectators and locals alike, and with regular train services and a direct connection between the stadium and Woolloongabba's entertainment district it's going to support business growth and job creation."

To ensure the development of the new station remains on track, an Interim Land Use Plan is now in effect and will regulate development within the new PDA for up to 18 months while a development scheme is drafted.

"Over the next 18 months the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority will work closely with the state government, Brisbane City Council and the community to prepare a development scheme for the site," Mr Dick said.

"The community will then have an opportunity to comment on the Woolloongabba Cross River Rail PDA proposed development scheme when it is publicly notified."

Minister for Cross River Rail Kate Jones said declaring the new Woolloongabba PDA would increase investor confidence and certainty, helping to attract more development and business to the city.

"This about getting on with the job of building Queensland's largest infrastructure project," Ms Jones said.

"Cross River Rail will create more than 7000 local jobs for workers. This is guaranteed employment and gives peace of mind to Queenslanders working on the project.

"Today is a great milestone – ensuring we're forging ahead with one of the government's most important initiatives."

Cross River Rail is a 10.2 kilometre rail line from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills, including 5.9 kilometres of twin tunnels under the Brisbane River and city centre.

The project includes four new high-capacity underground stations at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street, Roma Street, providing direct access to business, retail, education and entertainment.

Three new stations on the Gold Coast line are also being built as part of the project, while eight above-ground stations will be upgraded, including Exhibition, which will become a year-round station offering every-day services from RNA Showgrounds.

For more information about the Woolloongabba Cross River Rail PDA declaration and Interim Land Use Plan visit edq.qld.gov.au or crossriverrail.qld.gov.au.

ENDS

[verbatim9]

A few pics of the new pedestrian crossing at Roma Street in conjunction with the project.

[verbatim9]

Cross River Rail----> Pedestrian Bridge demolished

^^I didn't notice this when I took my pics the other day.

[verbatim9]

Cross River Rail----> Pedestrian Bridge demolished

^^I didn't notice this when I took my pics the other day.

Today @ 1500





^^Pedestrian overpass free

[City Designer]

Bye Felicia to another piece of DDA non-compliant infrastructure.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/katejonesqld/status/1253476975986929664

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1254572790260219904

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> New Cross River Rail board appointed quietly after last month's axeing

The state government has quietly appointed a new board to oversee the largest infrastructure project in Queensland's history after the old board was publicly given its marching orders earlier this year.

The 10-member board overseeing the Cross River Rail project was sacked in April as Minister Kate Jones took control to give herself more oversight ahead of the construction phase.

The contracts of most of the 10 current board members were due to expire in April. They were told in February their contracts would not be renewed.

Brisbane Times understands the previous board, headed by former Labor deputy premier Paul Lucas, was dumped because Ms Jones was unsatisfied with its ability to manage industrial relations disputes.

No public announcement was made when the new board, made up of public servants, was appointed on April 14.

The board, still named the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority, includes three previous board members.

Ms Jones would not go on record about the function of the new board or how it was different from the previous one.

Her office confirmed that the project remained on time and on budget and that board members were not being paid any extra money for working on the Cross River Rail authority.

Deputy Opposition Leader Tim Mander said Queenslanders could not trust the government to deliver the project if it could not figure out who was meant to be running it.

"When it comes to Cross River Rail, the Palaszczuk Labor government is more interested in media stunts than getting the project back on track," he said.

"It's also another reason why Queensland needs a state budget, so Queenslanders can see how their taxes are being spent."

The appointment of the new board came as the powerful construction union hit out at the project's contractor CPB, alleging it had racked up more than 50 breaches of workplace health and safety laws in the past six months.

The alleged breaches include failing to manage asbestos contamination and providing inadequate access and egress to work areas.

"Under CPB's mismanagement, this project is a disaster for both workers and Queensland
taxpayers," CFMEU assistant secretary Jade Ingham said.

"CPB are behind schedule, under financial pressure, and putting workers' lives on the line as
they cut corners at every opportunity.

"If this was a motorist behind the wheel of a car, you'd strip the driver of their licence and impound the vehicle in the interests of public safety."

Ms Jones would not comment on alleged workplace health and safety breaches, however a new compliance unit has been set up to act as a watchdog of the project.

CPB Contractors would not comment.

Cross River Rail, the Palaszczuk government's signature infrastructure project, will cost about $5.4 billion and will be finished in 2024.

It will be a 10.2-kilometre stretch of rail track stretching from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills and include twin tunnels running under the Brisbane River and CBD.

[ozbob]

https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/about/our-people/

The Cross River Rail Delivery Board

The current Cross River Rail Delivery Board was appointed on 14 April 2020. Membership of the Board is:

Mr Damien Walker, Director-General, Department of Innovation and Tourism Industry Development (Chair)
Mr Dave Stewart, Director-General, Department of the Premier and Cabinet
Mr Frankie Carroll, Under Treasurer, Queensland Treasury
Mr Neil Scales OBE, Director-General, Department of Transport and Main Roads
Ms Rachel Hunter, Director-General, State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning
Ms Liza Carroll, Director-General, Department of Housing and Public Works
Dr Sarah Pearson, Deputy Director-General, Department of Innovation and Tourism Industry Development.
Mr Matthew Longland, Deputy Director-General, Department of Transport and Main Roads

====

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1258409446369161218

[timh]

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/tunnelling-has-begun-for-brisbane-s-new-underground-railway-20200514-p54szo.html

"Tunnelling has begun for Brisbane's new underground railway"

Tunnelling has officially begun on the Cross River Rail, one of the largest infrastructure project in Queensland's history.

A tunnelling machine has been assembled at the bottom of an 18-metre-deep shaft below Roma Street Station and will excavate about 50 tonnes of rock and soil each hour.

The machine will dig twin tunnels to run from Roma Street to Woolloongabba, underneath the Brisbane River.

The tunnelling site is covered by an enormous "acoustic shed" designed to minimise noise and contain dust.

Next door to the tunnelling site, the Hotel Jen is being pulled down at a rate of one floor each week.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk inspected the site on Thursday.

"Above ground, demolition has also been underway for several months at the site of the new station – but today is a huge milestone for this project as we start tunnelling for the first time," she said.

"This is just the beginning of the underground works, with 5.9 kilometres of twin tunnels and four underground stations to be excavated in total."

Both buses and trains will arrive at Roma Street Station underground once the project is complete.

Once Cross River Rail is operational, 36,000 passengers were expected to use Roma Street every day to transfer between buses and trains.

Cross River Rail Minister Kate Jones said the start of tunnelling signified the beginning of a new phase of the project.

"Coronavirus has had a huge impact on our economy. But we won't let it derail Queensland's largest infrastructure project," she said.

"We're not only building a new train station and digging tunnels, Cross River Rail will also generate billions of dollars of new private sector investment in the city as we redesign the precinct around the new station."

Cross River Rail will cost about $5.4 billion to build and will be finished in 2024.

Note the line "Both buses and trains will arrive at Roma Street Station underground once the project is complete."

I know we were debating whether that was still the case a few weeks ago as there was some speculation that plans had changed here for an open-air busway. Looks like Brisbane Times at least are still reporting that busway will be underground.

Also tunnelling has started! Woohoo!

[verbatim9]

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/tunnelling-has-begun-for-brisbane-s-new-underground-railway-20200514-p54szo.html

"Tunnelling has begun for Brisbane's new underground railway"

Tunnelling has officially begun on the Cross River Rail, one of the largest infrastructure project in Queensland's history.

A tunnelling machine has been assembled at the bottom of an 18-metre-deep shaft below Roma Street Station and will excavate about 50 tonnes of rock and soil each hour.

The machine will dig twin tunnels to run from Roma Street to Woolloongabba, underneath the Brisbane River.

The tunnelling site is covered by an enormous "acoustic shed" designed to minimise noise and contain dust.

Next door to the tunnelling site, the Hotel Jen is being pulled down at a rate of one floor each week.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk inspected the site on Thursday.

"Above ground, demolition has also been underway for several months at the site of the new station – but today is a huge milestone for this project as we start tunnelling for the first time," she said.

"This is just the beginning of the underground works, with 5.9 kilometres of twin tunnels and four underground stations to be excavated in total."

Both buses and trains will arrive at Roma Street Station underground once the project is complete.

Once Cross River Rail is operational, 36,000 passengers were expected to use Roma Street every day to transfer between buses and trains.

Cross River Rail Minister Kate Jones said the start of tunnelling signified the beginning of a new phase of the project.

"Coronavirus has had a huge impact on our economy. But we won't let it derail Queensland's largest infrastructure project," she said.

"We're not only building a new train station and digging tunnels, Cross River Rail will also generate billions of dollars of new private sector investment in the city as we redesign the precinct around the new station."

Cross River Rail will cost about $5.4 billion to build and will be finished in 2024.

Note the line "Both buses and trains will arrive at Roma Street Station underground once the project is complete."

I know we were debating whether that was still the case a few weeks ago as there was some speculation that plans had changed here for an open-air busway. Looks like Brisbane Times at least are still reporting that busway will be underground.

Also tunnelling has started! Woohoo!

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2020/5/14/brisbane-digs-its-new-underground

Media Statements

Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Brisbane digs its new underground

Tunnelling has begun at the site of one of Brisbane's new train stations heralding Queensland's largest job-creating infrastructure project – Cross River Rail.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said boosting employment and busting congestion were the twin focus as the first road header starts tunnelling at the project's Roma Street site, where a large station cavern is also being excavated as part of Brisbane's new underground line.

"Above ground demolition has also been underway for several months at the site of the new station – but today is a huge milestone for this project as we start tunnelling for the first time," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"Cross River Rail will create more than 7000 local jobs.

"This is just the beginning of the underground works, with 5.9 kilometres of twin tunnels and four underground stations to be excavated in total.

"That means more jobs and more economic stability at a vital time for Queensland."

Treasurer and Minister for Planning and Infrastructure Cameron Dick said construction was one of a number of traditional industries that had helped insulate Queensland from even greater impacts caused by COVID-19.

"So many Queensland families and businesses have been hit hard by something they could not have imagined just a few months ago," the Treasurer said.

"But some of Queensland's traditional strengths like mining, agriculture and construction have weathered the storm better than other areas."

"As our economy reopens, we will be supporting jobs in these sectors, as well as jobs in new and emerging industries."

State Development Minister Kate Jones said the start of tunnelling signified the beginning of a new phase of the project.

"Multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects like Cross River Rail are vital to Queensland's economic recovery following COVID-19," Ms Jones said.

"Coronavirus has had a huge impact on our economy. But we won't let it derail Queensland's largest infrastructure project."
The Road Header at Roma St has been assembled at the bottom of an 18-metre-deep shaft and will excavate approximately 50 tonnes of rock and soil per hour.

The tunnelling site is covered by an enormous 'acoustic shed' designed to minimise noise and contain dust, while demolition of the Hotel Jen building immediately adjacent is also progressing with floors being removed at a rate of one per week.

Demolition will then move on to one of Brisbane's least loved buildings, the Brisbane Transit Centre.

"We're not only building a new train station and digging tunnels, Cross River Rail will also generate billions of dollars of new private sector investment in the city as we redesign the precinct around the new station," Ms Jones said.

Roma Street roadheader fast facts:

Roma Street station cavern will be approximately 27 metres below ground and 280 metres long
The roadheader is 22 metres long end to end and weighs 115 tonnes
The machine arrived at the site in pieces which were lowered into the shaft and assembled at the bottom of the shaft
The machine will also be used to excavate parts of the Roma Street service tunnels
A second roadheader will begin work at Roma Street later this year (September tbc)

ENDS

[verbatim9]

In Queensland---What lies beneath: The hidden works that are set to transform Brisbane

The tunnelling machines have started beneath the old Roma Street train and bus station. What will rise up once Cross River Rail is complete in 2024? Sean Parnell reports

On a day when Queensland's unemployment rate for April was confirmed at 6.8 per cent and rising, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk led key ministers to a Roma Street worksite that is part of the government's $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project.

Their message, delivered in hardhats and high-vis vests, was simple: the Labor government was focussed on jobs, and Cross River Rail alone was expected to create more than 7000 of them.

"This is just the beginning of the underground works, with 5.9km of twin tunnels and four underground stations to be excavated in total," Palaszczuk told journalists on Thursday.

The Government, councils and various Queensland organisations have proposed other infrastructure projects, all over the state, for federal funding to fast-track efforts to stimulate the economy. Decisions on that front are imminent.

However, the economic crisis has put a cloud over the nature, and level, of any private co-investment. Roma Street is still seen as a jewel in the crown of Cross River Rail – the site is informally referred to as Brisbane's Grand Central – and any buildings will certainly look better than the tired black boxes now being torn down. Yet there are little more than artists' impressions at this stage and even they are only indicative.

Entertainment guru Harvey Lister has been pushing for a new venue, Brisbane Live, at Roma Street – a precinct flanked by Suncorp Stadium, South Bank and the CBD. An Auditor-General's report was last week critical of some of the numbers, yet it remains under government consideration and the clincher could be its role as a tourist and consumer drawcard. The question is when, and how, live music and events resume.

Residential towers – with city, river and garden views – are likely, but will again depend on the economic climate once the pandemic and associated restrictions have eased. The central location might also suit a university, with students and staff taking advantage of the unparalleled public transport connectivity, with trains, buses and the Brisbane Metro.

"Griffith University is considering its options in the Brisbane CBD for a high-rise campus," a spokesman said.

"The university is also taking into account its financial constraints due to coronavirus pandemic."

Cross River Rail Minister Kate Jones remains confident the mammoth infrastructure project will help revitalise several station precincts, including Roma Street.

"Coronavirus has had a huge impact on our economy but we won't let it derail Queensland's largest infrastructure project," Jones said.

"We're not only building a new train station and digging tunnels, Cross River Rail will also generate billions of dollars of new private sector investment in the city as we redesign the precinct around the new station."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/SteveMinnikinMP/status/1262625328716869632

[Golliwog]

Has anyone else gone through Roma St since the buses transitioned out of the busway? I've only been through on a 385 and seen it out the window.

The Cultural Centre bound set of stops look exceptionally narrow with hardly any room for people to move along the footpath if people are waiting for a bus.

It might be able to cope currently given the much lower patronage currently on the network, but if there's any serious return to work in the CBD I can see this being a massive problem.

[City Designer]

There are a lot more services going through Roma Street than before the city section of the busway opened.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/SteveMinnikinMP/status/1262625328716869632

Queensland Parliament Hansard
https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2020/2020_05_19_DAILY.pdf

19 May 2020

Matters of Public Interest

Cross River Rail

Mr MINNIKIN (Chatsworth—LNP) (2.45 pm): I rise today to outline concerns in relation to the
Labor government's so-called significant infrastructure project, the Cross River Rail. This will be
south-east Queensland's biggest infrastructure project for over a decade. However, with Labor's poor
track record of project delivery, the Cross River Rail is certainly deserving of very careful oversight
before it becomes yet again another failed Labor project. Right from the beginning, this project got off
to a disappointing start and the hits have just kept coming, more recently courtesy of the state's former
'let me be perfectly clear' treasurer.

The business case for this project was released in August 2017. In its assessment of this project,
Infrastructure Australia concluded that the benefits of the proposal were significantly overstated and the
costs of the project as presented were likely to exceed its benefits. More specifically, Infrastructure
Australia considered that the estimates of the growth in rail patronage were too high and that the
network's capacity constraints could take longer to materialise. For most agencies, that kind of
assessment from the nation's independent adviser on infrastructure investments would have set off the
alarm bells, however not for this inept Labor government. Although they were encouraged to go back
and work with Infrastructure Australia in order to review the business case, the Labor government chose
to simply ignore these findings and go ahead despite the misgivings.

In February 2018, it was indicated that tunnelling work was set to begin in the second quarter of
2019; however, this was subsequently pushed back to mid-2020. Then, in 2019, the investment
property saga emerged leading to the former deputy premier and treasurer, who had carriage of the
Cross River Rail, being removed from all dealings with the project. Accordingly, the responsibility for
delivering the Cross River Rail project was shifted to a new minister, with construction works eventually
beginning in September last year. However, early in the construction phase workplace health and safety
officers identified various contraventions involving contamination from asbestos-containing material
occurring at the Albert Street site of Cross River Rail. The contraventions included—not wetting down
a site while removing 200 lineal metres of wall; workers' shoes not being decontaminated; appropriate
protection equipment not being worn (type 5 disposable overalls, P2 half face respirators); and
appropriate training not being provided to workers. While progress has been slow, tunnelling has finally
started with a road header excavating the first part of the project's Roma Street site.

The Rail Supporters Association of Queensland recently reviewed the current Cross River Rail
project and provided a report on its conclusions. Many issues were raised including—significant
capacity and operational limitations with the project which will impact the people of Queensland for
generations and which cannot be fixed except at massive cost; the project provides little or no additional
usable capacity overall to that currently available; and massive investment for capacity expansion is
required. Furthermore, it identifies serious deficiencies in the economic assessment of the Cross River
Rail as the estimated cost of delivery has been significantly and systematically understated. For any
government, let alone one with a dubious reputation for project delivery, this surely must have been
cause for review; but, again, evidently not!

Due for completion in 2024, there are growing alarms about cost blowouts and the uncertainty
surrounding this project. To add to the pressure, the Auditor-General's report No. 11 for 2019-20 relating
to Queensland government state finances highlights right on page 1 that the financial performance of
the Queensland government has reduced over the last two financial years. The report goes on to state
that debt is expected to rise over the next four years as the government commences a program of
capital works and highlights that the delivery of major infrastructure projects like CRR needs to be
closely monitored. Evidently, despite introducing nine new or increased taxes, Labor was still spending
more than it earned, and this was all well before the COVID-19 crisis arrived and not because of it.
Under Labor, public transport users have already endured the costly 'rail fail'. Queensland cannot
afford yet another project disaster with 'Cross River fail'. In terms of transparency, Labor has again
failed miserably. It has failed to release the business case for the project and failed to provide any
revised train service plan. It has underestimated that Cross River Rail is contingent on further network
improvements, including layout issues north and south of the new tunnels as well as upgrading lines
such as Cleveland and replacing level crossings. Just like the state budget, the full cost of all of the
components associated with this project continues to be hidden. In response to a recent question on
notice about the full costs, it was stated to be $5.4 billion. It has not been made clear what further costs
will be incurred with the delivery of this project. What will it cost?

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1262766336389738496

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/CrossRiverRail/status/1262850670404796416

[BrizCommuter]

I'm writing a half-yearly CRR score card. Has there been any progress on:
- Ordering new trains?
- Employing sufficient drivers?
- ETCS?
- Associated infrastructure projects (e.g. Beenleigh Line, Cleveland Line)?
Thanks