Cross River Rail Project

[ozbob]

Why would the government duck-shove additional projects to be part of Cross River Rail?  It is a wonderful way to make the add-ons not subject to scrutiny and not able to be accountable because anything to do with their operational functions (as CRR components) are not subject to RTI requests. And all overseen by a board of public servants whose No.1 priority is total loyalty to the government. If you are a controlling government, it's absolutely perfect.

On a mission Mr Stillwater we are ... chip chip chipping away ... 

> Citizens Inquiry into Operational Deficiencies with CRR

Strap in lurkers!  We be coming for you ...

[Gazza]

 So for things like the station upgrades and Clapham yard, how do you categorise them?

Station upgrades are necessary under human rights laws and clapham would be needed given new trains would be needed anyway.

[ozbob]

... In 2021–22, $1.5 billion has been allocated to the continued construction of the $6.9 billion
Cross River Rail project in Brisbane. ...

Page 14 https://budget.qld.gov.au/files/Budget_2021-22_Highlights.pdf

This is the nuts of the issue.  Treasury through the budget process costs Cross River Rail now at $6.9 billion.

No amount of spin can change that.  To continue to refer to CRR as a $5.4 billion project is just giving free kicks in the front of goal to the Opposition.  I can recall the Premier has referred to the cost of the project in Parliament as $6.9 billion on occasion too.  They are all over the shop. 

The illusory costings are one thing.

The more important issue for me is the operational opaqueness ...

The report by 7 News is a good one in my view.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1420446144803442689

[SurfRail]

Yeah, nah.

He's not an expert in whether these things should be built, how to build them or whether its a good idea.  As an economist, his only value is to assess costs.  He at least doesn't pretend to say ridiculous things like buses are better because they are cheaper, like some do.

[verbatim9]

In Qld ----> Green 'Grand Central': Cross River Rail unveils changes to parklands vision

[verbatim9]

This is a much better outcome in regard to development.

[Stillwater]

Looks like a gentle push for Roma Street Station to be renamed 'Grand Central Station'.

The word 'grand' seems a bit boastful. What about if Roma Street became 'Central Station' and the current Central Station became 'Anzac Square Station'?

Would Brisbanites warm to that?

It seems a bit absurd if Central Station retained that name and the next station along (Roma Street) became Grand Central Station .... potential for lots of confusion among Olympic Games athletes and visitors about where to get on and off a train/bus.

[ozbob]

^ just for interest.  Roma Street station was first known as Brisbane Terminal Station. It was a terminus, opened 1875.

When the line through to what we know now as Central Station opened in 1889 it changed to Roma Street station,  and the new station nearer to the centre of Brisbane was named Central Station.

Some photographs > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=14168.0

Grand Central is just a wank agreed, but hey we are going to be an Olympic City .... 

If they do rename Roma Street station " Grand Central " then Central Station must be renamed.  I favour ANZAC Square Station.

[ozbob]

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/92863

Roma Street transformation takes shape
4th August 2021

JOINT STATEMENT

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning
The Honourable Dr Steven Miles

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Brisbane's Roma Street precinct is set to become Queensland's chief transport hub, offering easy access to a key Olympics venue, new housing, and expanded park lands.

A new underground train station being built for Cross River Rail will connect to bus services to create the state's busiest public transport interchange.

Just to the north, more than two hectares of new publicly accessible open space will be added to the Roma Street Parklands, around new residential buildings that will include social and affordable housing.

New cycling and pedestrian paths will be built through the precinct, connecting to a new indoor arena built to host events for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the finalised scheme for the Roma Street Priority Development Area (PDA) presented exciting opportunities for the coming decade.

"Brisbane is now an 'Olympic City' along with global destination-giants Paris, Los Angeles and Tokyo," Mr Miles said.

"Hosting the 2032 Games will mean a 10-year pipeline of construction jobs, trade and investment opportunities, and legacy projects that will benefit Queenslanders for decades to come.

"The Roma Street precinct will include a new indoor arena, as well as more publicly accessible open space for people to enjoy."

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said Roma Street Parklands would be protected and expanded under a finalised development scheme for the area.

"The Palaszczuk Government is building the infrastructure and drawing the blueprints now to support jobs as part of Queensland's COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan and set our state up for success in 2032," Mr Bailey said.

"The 11 hectares of publicly accessible open space within the Roma Street Parklands will be protected forever and expanded by more than two hectares.

"The scheme also provides for new residential buildings parallel to the rail corridor, close to existing apartment complexes along Parkland Boulevard.

"Grace Grace campaigned incredibly hard to protect and expand the parklands, so this is a great community outcome."

Member for McConnel Grace Grace said creating more public open space and including social and affordable housing requirements for future development would provide greater access to the parklands for the community in the long term.

"Not only will the development scheme protect and expand the Roma Street Parklands, but it will allow more people to enjoy this amazing location as their 'backyard' and all the benefits that come with inner-city living," Ms Grace said.

"This scheme identifies opportunities to help us renew one of Brisbane's most underutilised inner-city locations while protecting and enhancing the beautiful natural features that already exist there.

"It's also helping us get Olympics ready now, by including provisions for a new Brisbane indoor arena within the PDA."

Mr Bailey said the new Roma Street station and precinct would be an integral part of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with a proposed arena likely to host swimming and water polo events.

"The huge underground cavern for Cross River Rail's new Roma Street station is almost fully excavated," he said.

"Crews have been working up to 33 metres below ground to excavate the 280-metre-long cavern.

"More than 130 workers have been involved in this part of the Cross River Rail job, getting the site ready for the arrival of the project's mega machines – TBMs Else and Merle – which are currently making their way beneath the CBD.

"The progress underway at Cross River Rail's Roma Street site is a terrific example of how we're getting Olympics ready, already."

To track Cross River Rail's TBMs, visit the project's website https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/construction/guide-to-tunnelling/tbm-tracker/.

ENDS

[SteelPan]

Over to you Premier, Deputy Premier and Transport Minister!
You have made the statements...Olympic City and all!   
Personally, I'm rather skeptical...you better have something better than blue plastic bucket seats!!!!

This is current tech, what can we look forward to, from Team Queensland, in a few years to come!   

[kram0]

And still nothing on the busway being underground as promised. 

[Gazza]

Controversial opinion.

The underground busway isn't necessary for the project to work or even for passenger amenity, and could be deferred to the future once they develop designs for Brisbane live etc.

[SteelPan]

The problem in "Brissy" with "deferred to the future" is, in 50yrs time......it still hasn't happened!   

[Gazza]

Yes but even if it doesn't happen for 50 years is it a problem? Doesn't improve safety, disabled access or capacity it's basically "cosmetic"

[BrizCommuter]

And still nothing on the busway being underground as promised. 

I don't think it's actually been promised, it was just a concept drawing.

[ozbob]

^

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/87421

Published Friday, 24 May, 2019 at 12:00 PM

JOINT STATEMENT

Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
The Honourable Jackie Trad

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Roma Street Station's busway interchange will undergo a $250 million underground transformation to create a seamless connection to the Palaszczuk Government's Cross River Rail Project.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the undergrounding of Roma Street's busway interchange would be delivered by the Cross River Rail team as an additional public transport infrastructure project.

"We know the Palaszczuk Government's $5.4 billion Cross River Rail will unlock much-needed extra capacity for the entire South East Queensland rail network and generate 7,700 jobs," Ms Trad said.

"Value-adding a new, $250 million high-capacity underground interchange for the Inner Northern Busway to the Cross River Rail Project will support 480 jobs and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape the Roma Street Station precinct.

"The integrated Roma Street underground busway interchange will be part of a new turn-up-and-go transport network for the South East, made possible by the Palaszczuk Government's investment in Cross River Rail."

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the high-capacity, 650-metre long busway would be located directly under the Roma Street station plaza, making it easier for commuters to change bus or trains at Queensland's busiest public transport hub.

"Queenslanders are backing public transport, with a record 182 million trips taken across the south east last financial year, including an average of 19,000 people using the current Roma Street bus station each day," Mr Bailey said.

"Once Cross River Rail is operational, 36,000 passengers are expected to use Roma Street every day to transfer between buses and trains, which is why we're upgrading this important hub, taking hundreds of cars off the road and easing congestion.

"Having the Roma Street section of the Northern Busway underground will mean better integration of bus services with the new underground train station, which will make it more convenient for commuters.

"Through the Cross River Rail project, the Palaszczuk Government is not only investing in public transport and jobs, but also revitalizing the Roma Street precinct by replacing the tired transit centre and creating opportunities for an attractive entertainment and cultural hub."

Member for McConnel Grace Grace said the new street frontage station plaza would be built on top of the busway interchange with underground train and bus and plaza levels linked by lifts and escalators for easy passenger access.

"The existing above-ground Inner Northern Busway interchange at Roma Street will be demolished to make way for the new underground terminal," Ms Grace said.

"Removing the current above-ground interchange has the potential to create exciting opportunities for the Roma Street precinct including new community space.

"Cross River Rail and the plans for the Roma Street Station precinct will deliver unprecedented convenience for our community."     

The $250 million underground busway interchange at Roma Street will be funded separately by Transport and Main Roads.

Cross River Rail early works are already underway in Woolloongabba with contractors expected to start on Roma Street Station's underground busway interchange by late-2019.

ENDS

====

[Stillwater]

Perhaps they could better pay for it if they cut the annoyingly frequent CRR ads on TV.  Are we yet to see any details of the big new Stadium, to become a concert and event venue after the Olympic Games? ... That's got to be integrated somehow. Hopefully that won't make Roma Street/Grand Central staion one giant underground cavern

[ozbob]

The underground bus station at Roma St station was dropped because of the cost.  It was considered not to be value for money essentially as proposed in the 2019 Statement by Ms Trad.

They are struggling to round up enough loose change to light a candle in Saint Stephens Cathedral, so no great surprise is it?

Controversial opinion.

The underground busway isn't necessary for the project to work or even for passenger amenity, and could be deferred to the future once they develop designs for Brisbane live etc.

Not controversial to me Gazza.  Aligns with the facts ... this is what is happening now.

[kram0]

Just yet another example of the project being trimmed. I would rather the $250m went towards fixing Mayne and Southern track layouts.

Over promise and under deliver is there speciality however!

[Gazza]

Indeed, 250m would easily pay for flyovers.

[Cazza]

Perhaps they could better pay for it if they cut the annoyingly frequent CRR ads on TV.  Are we yet to see any details of the big new Stadium, to become a concert and event venue after the Olympic Games? ... That's got to be integrated somehow. Hopefully that won't make Roma Street/Grand Central staion one giant underground cavern

The ads around the Gabba during footy games are relentless. You don't need to tell people how their commute will be improved to/from the Gabba, just build the thing and show them. I'm sure plenty of dosh could be saved there.

[paulg]

There is a statement just now that includes commentary on the Roma St Busway station:

"Meanwhile, Mr Bailey also announced further upgrades were slated at Roma Street station following a decision to keep the Inner Northern Busway (INB) at Roma Street on its current alignment.

"We'd initially proposed putting the busway underground, but further assessment and consultation with the property sector showed commuters were more likely to change between above ground bus and rail services rather than the rail services arriving underground, and that leaving the INB at grade would not compromise future development in the precinct," he said."

See https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/92908

[ozbob]

It was the cost that sank it, cost vs benefits did not stack up.  I was informed by official sources.  That statement extract is just spin.

[ozbob]

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/92908

Cross River Rail breaks through at Roma Street

10th August 2021

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

The first of Cross River Rail's two massive Tunnel Boring Machines has broken through a rock wall into the huge underground cavern beneath Roma Street.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said Cross River Rail's future Woolloongabba and Roma Street stations, key to securing the 2032 Olympics, were now connected by a tunnel that ran beneath the Brisbane River and CBD.

"Everything about Cross River Rail is big, but this is the biggest milestone yet for this transformation project which is an important part of the Palaszczuk Government's COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan," Mr Bailey said.

"Having this tunnel stretch more than two-and-a-half kilometres from the future Woolloongabba station all the way to Roma Street is a really tangible reminder of just how transformational this project will be for Queenslanders travelling to, from and through Brisbane in the future.

"The fact that a proposed indoor arena at Roma Street would likely join The Gabba as a key venue for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games makes the milestone even more special.

"The very same section of tunnel, that this 1350-tonne mega machine has just finished excavating, will be used in the future to take sports fans between athletics and swimming events during the Games.

"With 14 active worksites already underway, Cross River Rail is a perfect example of how we're getting Olympics ready.

"Sadly, many worksites in other parts of the Australia have shut down because of the COVID-19 threat, but this mega project is still surging ahead thanks to Queensland's strong health response.

"Pumping more than $4 million a day into the economy, this critical project is helping drive Queensland's economic recovery from COVID-19

"When trains start running through the twin tunnels in 2025, more than 7700 workers, including 450 trainees and apprentices can boast they had a hand in building the project which will re-define peoples journeys across SEQ and into parts of the inner city.

"Already, more than 2900 people have worked on the project since it started, including more than 370 directly involved in tunnelling."

Mr Bailey said additional health and safety measures had allowed workers to stay on the job throughout lockdown.

"We know it's been a tough time for South East Queensland during lockdown, but it hasn't slowed our crews under and on the ground.

"We put additional safety measures in place, including segregated work teams with work 'zones', only project critical face-to-face meetings occurring, strong social distancing measures, and all non-essential travel between or to site ceasing."

Meanwhile, Mr Bailey also announced further upgrades were slated at Roma Street station following a decision to keep the Inner Northern Busway (INB) at Roma Street on its current alignment.

"We'd initially proposed putting the busway underground, but further assessment and consultation with the property sector showed commuters were more likely to change between above ground bus and rail services rather than the rail services arriving underground, and that leaving the INB at grade would not compromise future development in the precinct," he said.

"As part of the Roma Street Station rebuild, we'll therefore upgrade the busway, including extending the length of bus Platform 1, and refurbish the existing subway that connects all 10 of Roma Street's above ground platforms,

"Those refurbishments will bring it in line with the look and feel of the new underground station and the main station plaza, which will be a win for commuters and a better value for money outcome."

Mr Bailey said TBM Merle was also expected to breakthrough at Roma Street in the coming weeks, with both continuing through to the project's northern portal at Normanby and emerging by the end of the year.

To track Cross River Rail's TBMs, visit the project's website.

Roma Street breakthrough fast facts:

TBM Else launched from the Woolloongabba site in early 2021 and tunnelled 2,580 metres beneath the Brisbane River and CBD before breaking through at Roma Street;

The Roma Street cavern is 280-metres long and about 15 metres high;

About 91,000 cubic metres of spoil was excavated from the cavern ahead of TBM Else's arrival – equivalent to more than 36 Olympic-sized swimming pools;

TBM Else excavated around 105,000 cubic metres of spoil between Woolloongabba and Roma Street, while between them both TBMs will generate 315,000 cubic metres of spoil as they make way for Cross River Rail's twin tunnels;

Each TBM weighs 1,350 tonnes and is 165 metres long;

A crew of up to 15 people work in a TBM at any one time;

TBMs work at a rate of 20 to 30 metres per day;

TBMs excavate the bulk (about 3.8km) of Cross River Rail's 5.9km of twin tunnels;

The TBMs will install over 27,000 concrete segments weighing 4.2 tonnes each along the tunnel walls as they go;

The two TBMs are named in honour of two ground breaking Queensland women – trailblazing engineer Else Shepherd AM and pioneering feminist Merle Thornton AM.

Enhancements as part of the Roma Street rebuild will include:

extending the length of the new busway Platform 1;

upgrading architectural finishes of existing Platform 2 to complement new Platform 1;

modernising existing Roma Street subway's finishes to a similar standard to the new Cross River Rail station;

new temporary finishes to busway wall facing Roma Street.
ENDS

[verbatim9]

There is a statement just now that includes commentary on the Roma St Busway station:

"Meanwhile, Mr Bailey also announced further upgrades were slated at Roma Street station following a decision to keep the Inner Northern Busway (INB) at Roma Street on its current alignment.

"We'd initially proposed putting the busway underground, but further assessment and consultation with the property sector showed commuters were more likely to change between above ground bus and rail services rather than the rail services arriving underground, and that leaving the INB at grade would not compromise future development in the precinct," he said."

See https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/92908

Re Busway - Hopefully it will blend in, look great, and be functional as per the statement?

[kram0]

So the subway and busway will be modernised, but the existing platforms and buildings located on the platforms will remain in the 90's as there is no mention of this?

FFS. Half baked yet again.

[paulg]

So the subway and busway will be modernised, but the platform and building located on the platform will remain in the 90's as there is no mention of this?

FFS. Half baked yet again.

At the end of the statement they do refer to upgrading architectural finishes of Platform 2.

extending the length of the new busway Platform 1;

upgrading architectural finishes of existing Platform 2 to complement new Platform 1;

modernising existing Roma Street subway's finishes to a similar standard to the new Cross River Rail station;

new temporary finishes to busway wall facing Roma Street.



Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

[verbatim9]

It was the cost that sank it, cost vs benefits did not stack up.  I was informed by official sources.  That statement extract is just spin.

Yeah it would be good of Government just says the way it should. In this case the cost!?

[kram0]

So the subway and busway will be modernised, but the platform and building located on the platform will remain in the 90's as there is no mention of this?

FFS. Half baked yet again.

At the end of the statement they do refer to upgrading architectural finishes of Platform 2.

extending the length of the new busway Platform 1;

upgrading architectural finishes of existing Platform 2 to complement new Platform 1;

modernising existing Roma Street subway's finishes to a similar standard to the new Cross River Rail station;

new temporary finishes to busway wall facing Roma Street.



Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

I was more referring to upgrades of the existing rail platforms. For starters, they only provide level boarding for a small area of the entire platform length.

[nathandavid88]

Considering that Roma Street will be the main access point for the Olympic venue hosting one of the most important Olympic sports (the swimming at Brisbane Live), I think it's practically inevitable that the entire station will be upgraded in time for 2032.

[verbatim9]

Considering that Roma Street will be the main access point for the Olympic venue hosting one of the most important Olympic sports (the swimming at Brisbane Live), I think it's practically inevitable that the entire station will be upgraded in time for 2032.

[verbatim9]

In Qld---> Hole lot of nothing: Plans for $250 million underground busway scrapped

[verbatim9]

Source - Brisbane Times - Artists Impression of the extended above ground busway.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1425106745463087108

Good Morning Lurkers! 

Can you buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight?

[ozbob]

[ozbob]

Cross River Rail Breakthrough

====

[ozbob]

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2021/2021_08_10_EstimatesTRC.pdf

Page 40

Mr MINNIKIN: Mr Chair, may I ask another couple of questions to Mr Easy, this time in relation
to the Cross River Rail project, please?

CHAIR: Certainly.

Mr MINNIKIN: Based on the existing infrastructure and enhancements plan as part of the Cross
River Rail project, was the original promise of a train from Cleveland every 5 ½ minutes achievable?
Mr Easy: I cannot comment specifically on the promise you are referring to. Perhaps I could seek
guidance from the chair as to the question to me.

CHAIR: Sorry, I was discussing something. Was it about timing of Cross River Rail? Sorry, I
missed the question.

Mr BAILEY: Point of order, Chair, I think the question is a hypothetical.

CHAIR: Can I ask you to rephrase the question, member for Chatsworth, please?

Mr MINNIKIN: It was in relation to information that was published in government literature at the
time. It was also in relation to a two-minute average during peak on the Gold Coast Beenleigh line.
Mr Easy, during the development of the Cross River Rail business case, was Queensland Rail
consulted about the frequency commitments to the various passenger lines? Did Queensland Rail point
out that it was not physically possible to deliver what was being promised, for example, on the Cleveland
line?

Mr BAILEY: Point of order, Chair: this is about the to 2021-22 budget. The honourable member
is going back a long way here. It is clearly not related to the budgetary estimated measures here.

CHAIR: Thank you for your point of order.

Mr WATTS: Point of order, Mr Chair.

CHAIR: Can I just deal with one point of order at a time, please, member for Toowoomba North?

Mr WATTS: This is relevant to that point of order, Chair.

CHAIR: Minister, thank you for your point of order. I was just going to say to the member for
Chatsworth can you tie it to this year's estimates that we are currently going through?

Mr MINNIKIN: I take my lead of wanting to revisit history from the minister himself. He seems to
have a bit of a penchant as a thespian of revisiting the past. I will move on.

Mr WATTS: Point of order, Chair.

CHAIR: We have a point of order from the member for Toowoomba North.

Mr WATTS: My point of order is quite specific. This year's budget is all about making sure the
commitments that the government have made are met. This was a commitment the government made
in writing to the people of Queensland and therefore if that is not achievable in this budget, the minister
and Mr Easy should outline that.

CHAIR: Are we talking about this year's budget? I believe we were talking about the past there.
Thank you, member for Toowoomba North, I believe the member for Chatsworth was asking a question.
You are wasting his time.

Mr MINNIKIN: Thank you, Mr Chair. Mr Easy, what is the current capacity of the inner city rail
network in the morning peak? How many trains per hour can travel through the CBD currently?

CHAIR: I understand the question. There are several lines there. Mr Easy, I will give you latitude
to answer that question.

Mr Easy: Obviously the capacity of the network varies across and depending whereabouts on
the network you are talking about. I think the best way for me to answer the question in terms of Cross
River Rail is to say that the service plan that ultimately will be developed for Cross River Rail will identify
the timetable, the services, the frequency and the stopping patterns. That service plan will be developed
prior to the commissioning of Cross River Rail and will be published and made available to customers.
That is the best place that I would refer to in terms of what the service pattern will look like when that
project is commissioned and opened.

CHAIR: Member for Chatsworth, did that help illuminate your question?

Mr MINNIKIN: A further question of Mr Easy: that work has not yet been discussed at length with
the Cross River Rail Authority. Is Queensland Rail actually talking with the Cross River Rail Authority
about the end needs, as the end user, with the passengers in mind?

CHAIR: There were a few questions there, member for Chatsworth.

Mr Easy: Of course we talk very regularly with our colleagues at Cross River Rail Delivery
Authority and with the Department of Transport and Main Roads. We work very closely, we talk
regularly, we are very engaged and we are very involved in the successful delivery of that project.

Mr MINNIKIN: In relation to Cross River Rail, we hear the Premier say $5 billion, the minister
$5.4 billion and plus, plus, plus, plus add another bit here, bit there, et cetera—whatever it is at, the
reality is that it is a signature infrastructure project for the Palaszczuk Labor government; everyone at
least acknowledges that. Mr Easy, again, given that this is a multibillion-dollar project, from a
Queensland Rail perspective, in between now and 2025, how many trains per hour will be able to travel
through the CBD once Cross River Rail opens? There must be at least some idea, surely?

CHAIR: Mr Easy, I understand Cross River Rail are not here to confer with, but if you have an
answer, you can give whichever answer you choose.

Mr Easy: Yes, the delivery authority would be best placed to answer the details with respect to
that. Clearly, the communication, the advice, is that that will enable 24 trains per hour on the network.

Mr MINNIKIN: Just to be clear, that was 24?

Mr Easy: That is right.

Mr MINNIKIN: Mr Easy, the Cross River Rail request for project change 11 submission says—
Further design work has been carried out in relation to the final configuration of Clapham Yard, in response to the technical
requirements of key stakeholders (Queensland Rail and the Department of Transport and Main Roads), to improve the
operational efficiency of Clapham Yard.
Can you please advise what those technical requirements are, when they were provided to the
CRRDA and why they were not provided to the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority prior to the awarding
of a contract?

Mr BAILEY: Point of order, Chair: this question seems to be more for the delivery authority rather
than for Queensland Rail?

CHAIR: That is why I was saying to Mr Easy that if he can answer that question do so. We
probably do have a partial answer. The director-general would also like to furnish an answer. Whether
Mr Easy or the director-general—

Mr MINNIKIN: Or Mr Newton.

Mr Scales: I partially answered this before on Clapham Yard. Part of the changes were to include
another two stabling roads. There was also the increase in the level of the stabling roads to meet
Queensland Rail's flood immunity. I think to answer the question directed to Mr Easy which went to the
Cross River Rail Delivery Authority and then to the Coordinator-General is that those changes were
built into the design to make it more flood resilient. I think I mentioned that in an earlier answer to
Mr Crisafulli.

Mr MINNIKIN: That part you did, Mr Scales.

Mr Scales: I think that is what it is. It is the QR flood resilience that was built in. That went through
the Coordinator-General and then came back as an approved change. Mr Easy would have been aware
of the flood resilience because it is something that we try to build in on the network. For the benefit of
the committee, if we are building any roads in Queensland we try to do a one-in-100-year design. We
are building them for future flood resilience. It is no different on the rail. At Clapham Yard we decided
to raise the tracks. I think that is where the member for Chatsworth may be going. I hope I have helped
clarify that.

[verbatim9]

Some updates from the Normanby portal entrance, this afternoon, July 12.

[Stillwater]

Mr Easy: "The service plan that ultimately will be developed for Cross River Rail will identify the timetable, the services, the frequency and the stopping patterns. That service plan will be developed prior to the commissioning of Cross River Rail and will be published and made available to customers."

It 'will be developed' NOT 'it has been developed'. Note also: 24 tph 'on the network' comment.  Wonder what's meant by 'on the network' and is that 'through the tunnel'?