Budget 2009! Queensland rail public transport perspectives

[ozbob]

Tonight is the night!

My guesses are:

*  Eastern busway - funding

*  Gold Coast Light rail - funding

*  Inner City rail expansion - funding for detailed preparations for construction commencement 2012

*  Level crossing upgrade funds

*  Possible funding for acceleration of Richlands to Springfield, with further funding for early works Springfield to Ipswich.

There will be other bags of money for roads and ports too I suspect.

The Inland railway will impact on south-east Queensland.   Still work to be done on  best route from North Star.  This may be a major project commencement/announcement. 

Time will tell ...

[ozbob]

Media Release 1st April 2009

SEQ:  Brisbane Inner City Rail Upgrade needed urgently

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport users has said that there is need for an acceleration of the proposed inner city rail upgrade to ensure an efficient rail network.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The Inner City Rail Capacity Study was listed in the initial Queensland submission to the national infrastructure audit. It is listed as an 'urgently needed urban congestion project'. The reason it is an 'urgently needed urban congestion project' is that the 4 tracks that currently carry QR Citytrain services through the CBD axis are nearing their capacity. Currently the suburban and main tracks carry up to 19 and 13 trains per hour (tph). Theoretically around 6 more tph could be added on each track. However the reality of the current infrastructure constraints makes this increase impossible to operate."

"Even with the inner city tracks running at full capacity, the increasing patronage on QR Citytrain will mean that the existing inner city tracks will soon be insufficient for the required number of train services. As the patronage increases the system will slow down effectively reducing capacity due to extended station dwell times."

"New inner city rail lines will need to be built across under the city, linking with the existing rail network at each end. The first new line should be built from Dutton Park to Exhibition - Bowen Hills to take pressure off the services that currently cross the Merivale Bridge - currently the busiest section of the QR Citytrain network."

"The construction of the Dutton Park - Exhibition line connection will not only provide relief for cross river and CBD rail operations but would also relieve the demands on the road network for destinations such as the Gabba, Gardens Point/Parliament House area of the city and Royal Brisbane Hospital/Exhibition."

"An essential and pivotal part of the concept if it is to be effective is a rail to rail interchange between the new line and the existing rail system at Central."

"Examples of other current infrastructure constraints include the single track sections on the Cleveland and Ferny Grove Lines. Infrastructure projects are urgently required to remove these constraints to allow the existing inner city tracks to be used at their maximum."

"Queensland, we need to get cracking or we will be a failed transport state!"

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

==========================

Media Release 7 October 2008

SEQ:  Inner city rail plan to add capacity is very welcome

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has said the announcement today of the inner city rail plan is very welcome, and is very time critical.  The expected capacity saturation point will be reached long before 2016 at current increases in passenger loadings by Citytrain.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The options for increasing the inner city rail capacity are urgently needed.  In a joint statement the Premier noted that in 2006 more than 44,000 people used the Citytrain services in a 2 hour peak period.  Anyone who regularly travels on the Citytrain services knows that since 2006 there are a lot more people on the trains. It is probably more like 55,000 to 60,000 today in the 2 hour peak period."

"This reinforces why we need the increase in inner city rail capacity. It will allow all lines to continue to be ramped up in frequency and in so doing transport citizens in an environmentally sustainable manner. This will in turn help ease road congestion."

"Some of the individual route plans released today will provide rail services new inner city areas.  They will help relieve pressure on buses.  A high frequency rail service can be fed by local buses with many more lateral bus runs.  This in turn takes pressure of the key radial bus routes and busways.  Buses are too approaching capacity in Brisbane.  Rail gives the bulk capacity.  A six car suburban set can carry 800 passengers with some comfort, 1000 passengers for shorter distances."

"Plan A gives additional north-south capacity but with rail services to new areas.  For example the 'Gabba, CBD  (near the Botanical Gardens and QUT Gardens Point/Parliament) and the Exhibition precinct.  There is a new commercial and major residential development planned for the Exhibition precinct and when you put that together with the Herston Medical Campus which includes Royal Brisbane Hospital, this will be very useful."

"We congratulate the Queensland Government on the release of this plan but call for consideration of expediting the next stages of implementation.  It is becoming very critical."

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

=============================

Media Release 18 September 2008

SEQ:  RAIL Back On Track supports the State Governments call for funding for rail

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has said that it strongly supports the Queensland Governments call for more than $14 billion for a massive rail upgrade.  The Queensland Government has written to the Federal Government.  RAIL Back On Track has previously written as well.  It is clear that a sustainable transport future for south-east Queensland hinges on a significant ramp up of rail; heavy and light.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"RAIL Back On Track has previously called for Federal Funding from the Building Australia Fund (1, 2)."

"Auto mobile  and bus-centric transport policies pushed as short term expedient solutions are falling apart in Brisbane.  The CSIRO Report Fuel for thought (3) has highlighted the looming problems for buses, although bus commuters in Brisbane can describe the failures today clearly enough."

"We still have time to ramp our rail networks, light and heavy for a sustainable transport future. Rail will cope with the loads, buses are not trains!  Line mass transit is best provided by high capacity rail - light and heavy, fed by local integrated buses."

"We call on the Federal Government to expedite funding to allow the critical infrastructure upgrades to commence!"

References:

1.   Media Release 31 August 2008
SEQ:  A classic example of what is wrong with transport planning in Queensland http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1281.0

2.  Media Release 22 August 2008
SEQ:  Light rail the sustainable solution for the Gold Coast - A Building Australia Fund project? http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1257.0

3.  CSIRO Report Fuel for thought
http://www.csiro.au/resources/FuelForThoughtReport.html

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Media Release 31 January 2008

Brisbane:  Springfield railway, better late than never!

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport has welcomed the commitment from the Queensland Government to commence works for the railway to Richlands and then Springfield, although the completion date has been put back to 2015 for the Richlands to Springfield section.

Robert Dow said:

?Today?s confirmation of the railway line to Springfield is great news for all Queenslanders.?

?This is the beginning of a smart rail renaissance in Queensland.?

?We are disappointed that the line to Springfield itself will not be completed till 2015 but we are grateful for the commitment made today by Minister Mickel and the Queensland Government.?

?RAIL Back On Track has strongly supported the calls for the railway line to Springfield and we suggest that all four railway stations be built as the line is rolled out (references 1, 2).?

?A double line to Richland is a great start, and with the triplication of the line from Darra to Corinda high frequency services will be able to be introduced from Ipswich as well as Richlands and finally Springfield.?

?This line is important as the western regions of Brisbane are some of the fastest growth areas in Australia.  Looming fuel price increases and environmental costs require that rail infrastructure is lead out now.  The railway to Richlands and Springfield is very necessary.?

?As a nation we need to continue to think rail.  Adding a second 3?6? gauge line to the standard gauge corridor to Bromelton is smart!?

?Building the long awaited railway from Petrie to Kippa-Ring is essential.?

?Rail is the sustainable transport solution for the future!? said Robert Dow, spokesman for RAIL Back On Track.

References:

1. http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=246.0

2. http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=321.0

Contact:

Robert  Dow

Administration
admin@backontrack.org RAIL Back On Track
http://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Media Release 22 August 2008

SEQ:  Light rail the sustainable solution for the Gold Coast ? A Building Australia Fund project?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has congratulated the Queensland Government, Queensland Transport, and the TransLink Transit Authority on the announcement today by Transport Minister Mickel that the preliminary business case for the Gold Coast Rapid Transit is recommending light rail as the solution to keep the city moving into the future.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

?Today is a very significant day in public transport.  The announcement that light rail is the preferred solution for the Gold Coast rapid transit is one of vision.?

?RAIL Back On Track has consistently put forward light rail as the most appropriate sustainable and capable solution for the Gold Coast rapid transit.?

?We call on the Federal Government to consider funding the Gold Coast rapid transit project from the Building Australia Fund.  On the 13th May 2008 the Hon Anthony Albanese MP Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government said in a statement that in part the Building Australia fund (1) would be used to improve the functioning of and quality of life within our major cities and major regional centres (2).?

?Modern light rail will become an iconic feature of Australia's premier holiday destination. Sustainable, environmentally friendly, high capacity, safe. It is clearly the optimum mass transit solution for the Gold Coast.  It is the type of project that the Building Australia fund should support.?

References:

1.  http://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/

2.  http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2008/May/budget-infra_15-2008.htm

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Initial:  Brisbanetimes here!

...Infrastructure

Infrastructure will also be boosted, with major road, rail and port projects, "action that will see 35,000 building sites spring up around the nation", Mr Swan told Parliament.

Rail projects include $3.2 billion for a dual rail link from Werribee in Melbourne's west to Southern Cross Station in central Melbourne, $365 million towards a light rail corridor for the Gold Coast and $236 million towards the central city section of the Perth to Fremantle rail line.

Road freight corridors will also receive a fiscal boost. There will be $1.5 billion for the Hunter Expressway in NSW, between the F3 and the New England Highway near Branxton, $618 million towards a dual carriageway bypass of Kempsey and Frederickton to the east of the Pacific Highway and $884 million to upgrade Queensland's Ipswich Motorway from Dinmore to Goodna...

[ozbob]

http://www.budget.gov.au/2009-10/content/bp2/html/bp2_capital-09.htm

The Government has made provision for a possible equity contribution of $365.0 million in 2009‑10 in relation to the Gold Coast Light Rail project. This project has been recommended by Infrastructure Australia. The Government's contribution will be made subject to negotiations with the project proponents and the establishment of an appropriate equity vehicle. This project will provide a light rail public transport link between Griffith University (Gold Coast Campus) and Broadbeach via Southport.

[ozbob]

http://www.budget.gov.au/2009-10/content/bp2/html/bp2_expense-19.htm

The Government will provide $317.0 million over six years (including $32.0 million in 2008?09 and $37.0 million in 2013?14) as contributions towards three projects in Australia's major cities. The funding allocated to the projects is as follows:

    * Brisbane Inner City Rail Feasibility Study (Brisbane, Queensland): $20.0 million in 2008?09 towards a detailed feasibility study of additional river crossing capacity and cross city capacity for the provision of a rail loop that services the major stops north and south of the Brisbane River to cater for future growth;

    * O‑Bahn Track Extension (Adelaide, South Australia): $61.0 million over four years (including $5.0 million in 2008‑09) towards dedicated tracks and associated improvements for the final 4.5 kilometres of Adelaide's high speed O‑Bahn dedicated corridor. The proposed works include provision of on‑road priority along Hackney Road and Dequetteville Terrace by providing a single reversible lane in the median, including traffic signal improvements; a two‑way dedicated corridor along Rundle Road; and two‑way dedicated lanes in Grenfell and Currie Streets; and

    * Northbridge Rail Link ? the Hub (Perth, Western Australia): $236.0 million over six years (including $7.0 million in 2008‑09 and $37.0 million in 2013‑14) towards the sinking of the central city section of the Perth‑Fremantle railway line and construction of a new rail platform. This will make available new land to develop above the rail line and is the first stage required for the Hub urban redevelopment project.

[ozbob]

http://www.budget.gov.au/2009-10/content/bp2/html/bp2_expense-19.htm

The Government will provide $3.9 billion over six years (including $263.0 million in 2008?09 and $1,034.0 million in 2013?14) as contributions towards five major rail projects that have been recommended by Infrastructure Australia. The funding allocated to the projects is as follows:

    * West Metro ? preconstruction work (Sydney, New South Wales): $91.0 million in 2008?09 towards engineering and design work to further develop the West Metro project. When completed, the project will provide a 25‑kilometre metro system from Central Station to Westmead Hospital and will link up with the proposed CBD Metro from Central Station to Rozelle;

    * Regional Rail Express (West Werribee to Sunshine, Victoria): $3,225.0 million over six years (including $150.0 million in 2008?09 and $1,034.0 million in 2013?14) towards the separation of V/Line (regional) and metro rail services between West Werribee and Southern Cross Station via Sunshine. This will improve the capacity of lines operating on four corridors. The project involves an extension of platforms and other capital works to enable eight car trains to operate on the Geelong and Bacchus Marsh lines; and a new station at Tarneit. Construction will also include duplication of existing tracks between Sunshine and Kensington and the utilisation of disused tracks from South Kensington to Southern Cross Station;

    * East West Rail Tunnel ? preconstruction work (Melbourne, Victoria): $40.0 million over two years from 2011?12 towards for a rail tunnel from Dynon to St Kilda Road;

    * Gawler Rail Line Modernisation (Adelaide, South Australia): $293.5 million over five years (including $14.0 million in 2008?09) towards the acceleration of renewal projects (re?sleepering, electrification and station enhancement) on the Gawler line. The line is 43 kilometres in length and has 24 stations; and

    * Noarlunga to Seaford Rail Extension (Adelaide, South Australia): $291.2 million over five years (including $8.0 million in 2008?09) towards a 5.5‑kilometre dual‑track, electrified extension of the existing rail line from Noarlunga to Seaford in the south of Adelaide, including a 1.2‑kilometre viaduct and bridge over the Onkaparinga River. The project cost includes new rail lines and electrification, two new stations and train stabling.

Funding for this measure will be provided from the Building Australia Fund.

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Light Rail

http://www.budget.gov.au/2009-10/content/glossy/infrastructure/html/infrastructure_overview_07.htm


Metro Rail Links

http://www.budget.gov.au/2009-10/content/glossy/infrastructure/html/infrastructure_overview_04.htm


Sydney and Brisbane Metro Rail

http://www.budget.gov.au/2009-10/content/glossy/infrastructure/html/infrastructure_overview_10.htm




http://www.budget.gov.au/2009-10/content/glossy/infrastructure/image/page1_table.gif

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Brisbane inner-city rail gets green light

Brisbane inner-city rail gets green light
Tony Moore
May 13, 2009 - 7:30PM

Brisbane's inner-city rail study has got the green light in tonight's federal budget with a $20 million investment to work out an underground route and a preferred way of funding the ambitious $14.2 billion project.

In a federal budget in which Treasurer Wayne Swan acknowledged a 2009-10 deficit of $57.6 billion or 4.9 per cent of Australia's gross domestic product, a $22 billion infrastructure hit in 2009-10 is the Federal Government's big push to save jobs.

The Gold Coast has won $365 million for the $850 million light rail project, which it hopes to be running by 2013.

Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese tonight said the Gold Coast project was chosen by the Federal Government because it added to local productivity.

The Gold Coast is the largest growing major city in the country, it is the fifth largest city in the country, Mr Albanese said.

"I also make the point that in the last week, the $365 million put aside for the Gold Coast light rail is added to the $36 million we contributed last week to the Carrara Stadium project for the Gold Coast's 17th AFL team.

"And that will now ensure that that project will go ahead."

Mr Albanese said the decision to invest $20 million in Brisbane's fledgling underground rail project came after talks with the State Government.

That was the request in discussions with the Queensland Government, Mr Albanese said.

"That is enough to do a proper feasibility study and we are very interested in dealing with urban congestion with metro rail projects in Brisbane."

That study will be finished in 2010.

Brisbane's Eastern Busway Project through Coorparoo missed funding, meaning the Queensland Government might have to find further money for this project.

Queensland will receive $884 million to cover the cost blow-outs in the Ipswich Motorway's Dinmore to Goodna stretch to take the bill to date to $2.5 billion.

The fatality-prone stretch of the Cooroy to Curra stretch of the Bruce Highway near Gympie receives a further $488 million.

Treasurer Wayne Swan warned bluntly that unemployment would reach 8.5 per cent by June 2011.

Mr Swan predicted the budget's strategy would take the edge off rising unemployment and put the pressure on the Opposition to pass the budget measures.

"Our actions are expected to support up to 210,000 jobs and reduce the peak in the unemployment rate by 1.5 per cent below the double digit peak it would reach if we listened to those who said we would do nothing," Mr Swan said.

Defence spending in Queensland totals $450 million in 2009-10, which includes $60 million for new facilities at RAAF Base Amberley for the new F/A-18F Super Hornet, with construction work to finish in 2010.

A further $60 million will be spent at RAAF Base Amberley in 2009-10 as part of the $330 million upgrade of the base, the traditional home of Australia's soon-to-be replaced F-111 fleet.

The $60 million this year means new trainee facilities, live-in accommodation, medical and working accommodation, maintenance facilities and a new fuel farm.

Three Brisbane projects have received significant grants from the $3 billion Education Investment Fund to build new higher-education facilities.

The Queensland Institute of Medical Research receives $50 million to expand; the University of Queensland receives $50 million for an Advanced Engineering Building, while QUT receives $75 million for a new Science and Technology Precinct.

There is no money for Queensland ports, though $389 million was invested in new ports in Western Australia and in Darwin.

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Queensland's slice of the pie

Queensland's slice of the pie
May 12, 2009 - 7:49PM

Queensland - what we get in the Federal Budget 2009-10

Infrastructure - Building Australia

- Ipswich Motorway: extra $884 million, work to start 2009 and finish 2012

- Gold Coast Light Rail: $365 million, work to start in 2011, finish 2013

- Two further projects put on Infrastructure Australia's future projects pipeline

- Cooroy to Curra/Bruce Highway: $488 million, start 2009 and finish 2012,

- Brisbane's Inner City Rail Feasibility Study $20 million for future planning.

Roads funding

- Robina and Varsity Lakes interchanges on Pacific Motorway, start 2009, finish 2010

- extra $55 million for Douglas Arterial Road near Townsville:

- Banora Point Upgrade near Tweed Heads: $210 million

- $28.5 million for boom gates to improve 66 high risk level crossings

- $24.3 million for black spot road projects

- $182 million to local councils for local roads: money to local councils.

Environment

- new weather forecasting radar unit at Mt Isa, one of four Australia-wide for $48 million over seven years.

Defence

- $60 million for new facilities at RAAF Base Amberley for the new F/A -18F Super Hornet, estimated to cost $110 million

- $60 million for Stage 3 of RAAF Base Amberley's $331.5 million redevelopment

- $18 million for RAAF Base Amberley and RAAF Base Townsville for Heavy Airlift Capability Project. This includes a new headquarters and simulator at Amberley.

- $42 million to continue $80 million Enoggera Base redevelopment.

- $45 million for new helicopter facilities at Enoggera, Oakey and Townsville.

- total defence spend in Queensland of $537 million in 2009-10

Health spending

- $250 million to expand Townsville Hospital

- $104 million for the Oral Health Centre in Brisbane

- $76 million to expand Rockhampton Hospital

- New rural health clinics at Cairns ($131,632), Charleville ($398,200), Chinchilla ($227,779), Inglewood ($500,000), Nebo ($454,545) and Roma ($55,389).

Higher Education

- $55 million for the expansion of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR)

- $50 million for the Advanced Engineering Building at University of Queensland, St Lucia.

- $75 million for the Science and Technology Precinct, Queensland University of Technology.

[pangwen]

One glaring omission appears to be the Melbourne->Brisbane inland railway? Or did I miss something?

[ozbob]

Wasn't mentioned Pangwen. 

[SteelPan]

I still believe the Inland Rail's hour will come - and is probably closer than ever - remember, ARTC only released their perferred corridor report last week.  I do not understand the N1 major road concept really at all - more turcks on the roads, not environmentally friendly either. Yucky poo...

Now my annual post budget rant: Dark sunglasses ("ear muffs") and popcorn are available for purchase at BackonTrack Candy Bar!  Here we go....

1. Good to see some serious (long term) commitments to rail across the nation - Inland Rail commitment would have balanced it up nicely with something for the bush though.

2. Alot of what was announced as "nation building", is really just catching-up with long overdue "capital works" programs for metropolitian rail.  Again, an Inland Rail announcement would have been true nation building, along with bringing say some northern water to the southern major population centres.

3. Most of the announcements, whilst welcome, are still very long term, we really need that inner-city rail capacity - at least now it will happen - but the trains will just get more crowded and crowded until it does!

4. Also, sticking "education" and "social science" hardware programs in as "infrastructure" spending - a bit wacko to me...but it makes their figures look better I guess.

5. My support for the Inland Rail is total, we need to develop rail that will open up NEW WEALTH sources for this nation - we no longer manufacture, we no longer set the pace in sugar, wheat or wool - the one thing the world wants from us is resources - our "nation building" must be, to give them a standard gauge, unique in the world - North/South Transcontiential Railway, cutting through the heart of, or linking with feeder tracks from, places like the Surat Basin, Galilee Basin, North West Minerals Province, Northern Territory etc.  Wealth Generation maintains lifestyle and dare I say it National Sovereignty  - NO, I'm not bringing up "perils" of any kind, but we must surely except we are blest as 21m people to hold an entire continent - a blest lifestyle - let's keep it rich and strong and hand it on, in great shape, to our children and their children (tissues are also available at the candy bar).  RANT Over.
(Running Sheet: Commence Massive Fireworks Display - ahhh, post budget speech, a $2 pack of sparklers from Woolies - maybe!)

Thanks to the Production Team...
When in town we usually find some bridge to sleep under or a park bench can be nice...
Dressed by whatever's cheap this week...
Guest's would have received chocolates..but I knocked 'em all off last night...

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Mixed response on Queensland budget spoils

Mixed response on Queensland budget spoils
Daniel Hurst
May 13, 2009 - 12:00PM

Queensland developers and real estate agents have welcomed the six-month extension on the boosted first home buyer grant included in last night's Federal Budget, but commuter advocates are disappointed important Brisbane projects missed out on funding.

State-based interest groups today gave Treasurer Wayne Swan mixed feedback his second budget.

Welfare and seniors organisations hailed the Federal Government's decision to lift the single age, carer and disability support pension by $32.50 a week.

However, they slammed moves to increase the pension age from 65 to 67 in future and said the jobless had also been forgotten at a time of rising unemployment.

Industry groups said efforts to reduce costs for businesses amid the global recession were "glaringly absent".

Here, the groups give their budget verdicts:

Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland

BUDGET MARK: C-

Policy general manager Nick Behrens said the $22 billion infrastructure investment was "a solid foundation for recovery", but the budget had failed to ease the costs of doing business and this would delay the recovery as the private sector was "doing it very tough".

He said the business community wanted the Federal Government to outline a clear plan for dragging the budget out of the red sooner. The project deficit is $57.6 billion next financial year.

Housing Industry Association, Queensland

BUDGET MARK: B

Executive director Warwick Temby said the six-month phasing out of last year's increases to the $7000 first home buyer grant was a "sensible" approach.

The boost, which pushed the first home buyer grant to $21,000 for new homes and $14,000 for established homes, was due to expire at the end of June.

It will now be phased out over six months, remaining at the current levels for contracts signed by the end of September, when the total grants will drop to $14,000 for new homes and $10,500 for established homes. Both grants will return to $7000 for contracts signed in the new year.

Mr Temby said the extra three months at the full boosted level was "extremely helpful" to the housing industry and the announcement provided certainty to homebuyers.

Urban Development Institute of Australia, Queensland

BUDGET VIEW: PLEASING

Chief executive Brian Stewart said the infrastructure funding included in the budget was "very positive" for the development industry and would create jobs.

Mr Steward said he would have liked to see the boosted first home buyer grant remain in place for a further 12 months, but the six-month phase-out plan was a good move.

Real Estate Institute of Queensland

BUDGET VIEW: GREAT NEWS

Managing director Dan Molloy also welcomed the first home buyer grant boost extension, saying the grants had pushed up the share of first home buyers in the market.

"It's great news for first home buyers and gives them confidence for the rest of 2009," he told brisbanetimes.com.au.

Rail Back on Track

BUDGET MARK, QLD: C-

The Queensland-based commuter group's spokesman, Robert Dow, said he would give the budget a mark of B+ if he were looking from a national perspective for its investment in infrastructure.

However, he said the budget seemed to be biased towards the southern states.

Mr Dow questioned why the Eastern Busway missed out on funding and said numerous other rail projects should be accelerated.

He welcomed the budget's allocation of $365 million in funding towards the $850 million rapid transit project on the Gold Coast, a "brilliant" modern light rail system expected to be running by 2013.

Mr Dow also welcomed the $20 million contribution towards the Brisbane inner-city rail study, but said he was concerned the actual construction of the underground system was a long way off.

Queensland Council of Social Service

BUDGET VIEW: MIXED

Director Jill Lang congratulated the Federal Government on its "historic" decision to increase the single age, carer, and disability support pensions by $32.50 a week.

But she said unemployed people receiving Centrelink's Newstart allowance would still be forced to survive on $227 a week, or only $32 a day, at a time when more people were losing their jobs and struggling to find a new work.

Ms Lang also said single parents receiving the sole pension had also been forgotten.

Australian Pensioners' and Superannuants' League, Queensland

BUDGET MARK: C

Policy co-ordinator Raymond Ferguson welcomed the $32.49 increase to single age pensioners, saying the payment previously was "completely inadequate".

He said the combined age pensioner rate remained inadequate despite the $10.14 rise in the budget.

The rise in the pension age for all people from 65 to 67 in 2023 would have a detrimental impact on seniors, families and the health system because of stress, Mr Ferguson said.

He said it was only 10 years ago that the female pension age was increased from 60.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Budget slashes $5.6 billion from Queensland revenue

Budget slashes $5.6 billion from Queensland revenue
Gabrielle Dunlevy
May 13, 2009 - 2:24PM

Queensland has lost $5.6 billion in GST payments from the federal government, but Premier Anna Bligh says the government will protect frontline services and capital works from cuts.

The federal budget revealed Queensland's GST payments in 2008/09 would be $7.97 billion, down more than $700 million from the $8.68 billion forecast in June.

Over the next four years, the state would be hit by a $5.6 billion writedown.

Ms Bligh told reporters in Brisbane this was equivalent to the entire four-year budget of the police service.

"A tough job just got even tougher with last night's federal budget," she said.

"A drop in GST revenue will put even more pressure on a growing state, particularly one that needs to keep funding schools and hospitals, roads and frontline services like police and emergency services."

But Ms Bligh said the June 16 state budget would keep the building program, frontline jobs and services as priorities, while charting a way back to a surplus.

"The next four to five weeks are going to be some of the toughest weeks we've faced as a government, and some of the decisions I as the premier and the cabinet will make will be some of the toughest we've have to face," she said.

Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek said he was concerned the federal government's commitments to Queensland infrastructure projects were "Clayton's" promises.

"Anna Bligh was claiming work on the $14.2 billion Brisbane inner-city rail corridor could start by 2011, but it is hard to see that happening when the only funding pledge in the federal budget was for a study," Mr Langbroek said.

But Ms Bligh said she was pleased Queensland had attracted more than its population share of federal infrastructure funding - about 21 per cent.

The state put forward 14 projects for consideration and got funding for four in the greatly reduced Infrastructure Australia fund.

The feasibility study for the inner-city rail project would make important progress, she said.

"You can't take that project further until you've done all that feasibility work. This is now the real, I guess, the grunt work that needs to be done," she said.

"I am pleased to see that Queensland has more than its population share for funds for nominated projects.

"This is the first time that we've seen, in more than a decade, a federal government spending money on infrastructure in the states."

The premier added the writedown in revenues would impact on wage negotiations, such as those with teachers, who will strike on Tuesday.

"Some of the wage claims that have been put forward to government are frankly just not going to be possible," Ms Bligh said.

"We will continue to make sure people get fair wages, we think we've got a very fair offer on the table (to teachers), but frankly even funding the offer that's on the table is going to be tough."

AAP

[ozbob]

QUT News: -->  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8isWcjvJQ9o&feature=channel_page

[ozbob]

From the Brisbane mX 13th May 2009 page 1

Subway project setback

[ozbob]

Media Release 13 May 2009

SEQ:  Time for Plan B,  Plan A is gone ?

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters  has said that we now face a public transport crisis in Brisbane with the present failing transport paradigms.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"As I travelled home on the 4.35 Ipswich Citytrain service from Central this afternoon, sandwiched by the seething masses in the heavily loaded lead carriage;  fortunately for me this time I had the luxury of a seat, I had cause to reflect on the abject planning failures that characterizes not only public transport in Brisbane, but most of the major capital cities of our nation."

"It is a national disgrace."

"Mumbo jumbo about green initiatives and sustainable transport is just spin for the gullible.  The reality is that governments are captive to roads, the road lobby, and short term expedient solutions.  The cost to the community of road transport in terms of deaths and injury is enormous.  Environmental costs are hidden."

"Time for plan B.  What is plan B?  Plan B is using what we have to the best advantage.  There are no pennies from heaven."

"The first thing we need to do is to broaden the peaks.  A combination of incentive ticketing practices; early, late and off peak fares is easily implemented using the Go card.  Introduce capping of fares on the go card to match or better the present paper tickets.  This will lead to a natural surge in uptake of the Go card, which in turn will improve the efficiency of our public transport network.  Real time load data will allow for proper matching of services with actual passenger loads."

"Actively encourage changes in employment hours where practical to allow travel at less congested times."

"We have rail assets that are not properly utilised.  For example the Exhibition loop line and the loop line from Yeerongpilly to Corinda/Sherwood.  There are opportunities to introduce passenger services via these loops to provide more novel transport options.   The Exhibition loop line can be effectively used during the Ekka, why not all year round?  With the announcement of the redevelopment of the Exhibition site today it would be logical to include the railway station in this redevelopment, and also restore a railway station at Normanby to provide access to QUT Kelvin Grove and an interchange with the Normanby bus station.  The Herston Medical precinct which includes the Royal Brisbane Hospital could be easily accessed from the Exhibition station."

"The major looming initial capacity constraint on the Citytrain network is the Merivale bridge.  Why not route some of the peak Gold Coast services via Sherwood and Tennyson?  There are 4 tracks from Sherwood to the City.  This would give some relief to the main southern line and the double line Merivale bridge."

"Continue the steady increase in rail rolling stock.  Review the bus routes, where possible consider more lateral or cross country routes to avoid the need for commuters to transit through the CBD."

"It will be many years, if at all, till underground rail extensions are constructed.  Some innovative practices will be required.  We simply cannot keep doing what we have been doing and expect the present transport systems to cope.  They won't."

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Budget funding will fuel cross-river rail study: Nolan

Budget funding will fuel cross-river rail study: Nolan
Tony Moore
May 14, 2009 - 6:24AM

A project manager will be appointed soon for Brisbane's cross-river rail project, Queensland Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said yesterday.

The Federal Governmment allocated $20 million in last night's Federal Budget to develop a detailed feasibility study for the project.

Projected rail passenger figures show the project is critical, with Citytrain services needing to double by 2016 to cope.

Ms Nolan yesterday welcomed the Budget funding.

"This is a small but important first step for this major project, which is so significant that it will remain a national priority for years to come," she said.

There are two suggested stages to the project, which aims to build several underground rail stations and a second path across the Brisbane River.

The cross-river feasibility study must finish next year and importantly identify how to fund the project, get it started by 2011 and have stage one running by 2016.

Stage One is an $8.2 billion rail link between the Gold Coast and Beenleigh lines and the North Coast line running through Caboolture.

Last year's Inner City Rail Capacity Study offered three sample routes coming into a large underground CBD station.

The study also produced the figures showing rail patronage figures accelerating.

Early morning Citytrain commuters will rise from between 52,000 and 53,000 today to between 70,000 and 80,000 people by 2016, and between 105,000 and 130,000 by 2026.

However, Queensland's Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek yesterday questioned whether the project would start in 2011.

"It is hard to see that happening when the only funding pledge in the Federal Budget was for a study," he said.

Mr Langbroek said he was concerned regional Queensland had missed out in the Federal Budget and questioned the lack of assistance for the state's ports.

"Our recovery from the financial crisis will be led by exports as demand for our resources increases globally, but there is no commitment from the State and Federal Labor Governments to address the bottlenecks and capacity issues that have long plagued Queensland," Mr Langbroek said.

"The future of the Abbot Point stage three upgrade, doubling export capacity to 50 million tonnes, remains in doubt as the vital Northern Missing Link rail project continues to be delayed and ignored by both State and Federal Labor Governments," he said.

[mufreight]

This project should be managed by the Government not a private company and recent successful projects although they have had their problems have shown the levels of expertice avaliable and have shown that such projects if less constrained by traditional public service type thinking work and work relatively well so take it out of the hands of SEQIP set up an experienced and proven competent project management team and give them the authority and support to get on with the job without any turf wars, the results might be astounding as well as worthwhile.
Seems like Minister Nolan is determined to get results with regard to her portfolio so how this develops will be watched with interest by many.

[SteelPan]

Re Oz Bob's "Plan B" Media Release of 13 May '09.

Ozbob, all the points you raised are good ones.  Personally, I'm not a fan of chopping and changing fare structures too much - but I accept we need flexibility.  You're 200% SPOT-ON, ALL we get from pollies is "BS Spin" (to be blunt) on public transport - walking, cycling...they love it, CAUSE IT'S CHEAP.  We do not get from them timely, real transport infrastructure - all our major cities are about 25yrs behind where they should be.  Mind you, in the case of Qld anyway, look back at our past "transport ministers" - it's, in the main, not an impressive history!  (why, it's probably one of the MOST IMPORTANT portfolios for people??).

What really gets my goat, as a taxpayer, is we're always playing catch-up and studying now, things QT should have a constant stream of plans on - what do all the bods that walk into their offices do all day?  We're only now (at $20m) conducting a full feasibility of an underground for Brisbane??? Surely QT has a room full of boffins with detailed plans, just waiting for the "GO" from the Govt???

I believe the underground will happen, but I've said it all along, I'll "really" believe it, when my backside hits the seat of the train at one of the underground stations!  Until then, Citytrain users are in for an increasingly cramped and probably late ride!  

[SteelPan]

This project should be managed by the Government not a private company and recent successful projects although they have had their problems have shown the levels of expertice avaliable and have shown that such projects if less constrained by traditional public service type thinking work and work relatively well so take it out of the hands of SEQIP set up an experienced and proven competent project management team and give them the authority and support to get on with the job without any turf wars, the results might be astounding as well as worthwhile.
Seems like Minister Nolan is determined to get results with regard to her portfolio so how this develops will be watched with interest by many.

So long as it keeps moving.....

[stephenk]

It's disappointing that only $20m for a feasibility study has been put in the Federal Government. There are plenty of rail infrastructure projects that are required before the opening of the new underground line. I doubt that the Queensland Government alone can (or want to) fund these required projects. These infrastructure projects would allow the existing lines to be used to their full potential, and our outlined in the Inner City Rail Capacity Study.

Examples of projects that according to the Inner City Rail Capacity Study require attention by 2010 are:-
Keperra-Ferny Grove duplication
Birkdale-Wellington Point duplication
Ormiston-Cleveland duplication
Thorneside stabling
Kuraby 4th platform
Kuraby-Kingston 3rd track

Construction work (and even planning work in some cases) has not even started yet. I would expect that none of these projects will be ready by the end of 2010. Yet, the growth in patronage is likely to be exceeding the expected growth in the study. Thus Brisbane's commuters are yet again being let down by poor infrastructure spending by the Federal and Queensland Governments.

[Jon Bryant]

Another quick win is to have the peak-hour services which stop at Bowen Hills or Roma Street continue on lines and/or loop through the Exhibition line.  It will require additional drvers but maximises the investment in the assets.  This will also help those of us who have to travel through the CBD to stations just beyond Bowen Hills or Romas Street to work.

Also does anyone know at what service frequency does the current system (assuming the current projects are fnished) reach maximum through-put?

[mufreight]

The main problem at this time is not actual track capacity but station dwell times and as passenger numbers increase they increase and the throughput in terms of numbers of trains drops which is why the construction of the additional tracks accross the river and through the CBD is imperative.
Construction could be accomplished in three years by which time on present commuter growth figures the present system will be beyond present capacity.
Each day that the scoping study takes is a day longer and a day closer to the collapse of the Public Transport system in South East Queensland, the big question is how long can the commuters and the State afford to wait.