New Generation Rollingstock

[ozbob]

Note: Major track closure - CBD and Southern lines for the weekend 17-18 Feb 2018  http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/forcustomers/trackclosures/12monthcalendar  Allow plenty of time. Trains will be running Corinda to Redbank (Ipswich).
If you haven't been to Redbank before well worth a look around. 

If the NGRs are moved by then, will still go through the motions.

Both the Kerwick and the Commercial Hotels are a short stroll from Redbank railway station.

[achiruel]

Pity there's no Route 104 Yeerongpilly<->Corinda on Saturday. Might not be a terrible idea to include considering all the other inconveniences passengers are having to endure on that day.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/963187221141471232

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/963308081357627392

[ozbob]

Joint Response by the State of Queensland and Queensland Rail to the Public Submissions Received by the Commission is now available

>> http://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/legal/exemptions/exemption-applications-under-disability-discrimination-act-1992-cth

NGR_joint_response_to_submissions20180209.pdf

NGR Response Annexure B

NGR_joint_response_to_submissions20180209_AnnexureB.PDF

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/963993628900179968

[ozbob]

Note: Major track closure - CBD and Southern lines for the weekend 17-18 Feb 2018  http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/forcustomers/trackclosures/12monthcalendar  Allow plenty of time. Trains will be running Corinda to Redbank (Ipswich).
If you haven't been to Redbank before well worth a look around. 

If the NGRs are moved by then, will still go through the motions.

Both the Kerwick and the Commercial Hotels are a short stroll from Redbank railway station.

I have heard that NGR 720 will be moved back to Wulkuraka tomorrow.  That will leave 3 NGRs there at Redbank for the weekend.

[ozbob]

Queensland: Call for a Commission of Inquiry into the New Generation Rollingstock 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 passengers has again called for a Commission of Inquiry into the botched New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) train project.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"It is disturbing that Queensland's transport authorities and a succession of under-performing Governments, have managed to order new trains, the New Generation Rollingstock trains, that are not compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) and the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (DSAPT). They now operating these non compliant NGR trains without the legal protection of a temporary exemption from the AHRC, although an application for temporary exemptions has been made.

"Equally perplexing is the fact that it took nearly two years for the Department of Transport and Main Roads to acknowledge that the trains are not compliant.  Disability Advocates have been pressing this for around two years now. Valuable time was wasted as the trains languished out at Wulkuraka, and Transport and Main Roads personnel remained in denial.

"RAIL Back On Track has previously made a request to the Queensland Auditor General (March 2017) to have this projected audited. This was declined.

"There is little recourse now other than a full Commission of Inquiry.  It is clear to us that the secrecy around this project is clearly designed to protect failure within the Government bureaucracy over a long period - many years.

"It is also clear that we are in a major rail meltdown with a resolution a very distant dream. There are now 25 non DDA non DSAPT compliant NGR trains in Queensland with more on the way we understand. Queensland Rail's service delivery is plagued by constant mechanical issues with the aging train fleet, which causes ongoing service cancellations and delays, let alone the timetable reductions in service already impacting severely in SEQ.  The situation is very, very grim as we approach the Commonwealth Games.

"Any reasonable observer can now understand why we requested an audit into this NGR project (albeit declined).  Our previous calls for a Commission of Inquiry into this project have been ignored.  Today we again call for a Commission of Inquiry into the NGR project.  RAIL Back On Track members will be gathering at Redbank on Saturday 17th February to acknowledge the fact that it has been two years since the first new NGR train, NGR 701 was delivered.  NGR 701 presently languishes with some other NGR trains in the front yard at Redbank Workshops.  Another sign of the deep trouble this project represents.

"We do not want a constant public blame game played out and dumb politics. We want the true facts and circumstances brought into the clear light of day so the monumental botch that this project represents is not repeated.

"This fact is clear: Non DDA non DSAPT compliant NGR trains were ordered under the previous Newman LNP Administration.

"DTMR and the former Palaszczuk Government reluctantly accepted that the trains are not DDA compliant around June 2017 (at least publicly), despite disability advocates raising concerns for years.  An application for a temporary exemption for the non DDA non DSAPT compliant NGR trains to the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) was finally made late September 2017."

"The exemption application has now gone to public consultation ( closing date was 15th January 2018 ). The AHRC then has to consider the consultation and then make a determination.  We expect the Australian Human Rights Commission will determine the outcome of the exemption application soon.

"Make no mistake, a series of Governments and DTMR have failed Queensland.  Let's have a Commission of Inquiry to get to the facts and truth!

"We again call on the Queensland State Government to form a Commission Inquiry into this major failure.

"The public deserve to know the real costs and the level of bumbling incompetence that is transport policy in Queensland."

References:

1. Media releases from Inclusion Moves - a number
https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3706.msg195056#msg195056

2. Interview Geoff Trappett OAM Inclusion Moves with Steve Austin ABC Radio Brisbane concerning DDA issues with NGR trains
https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=3706.msg195217#msg195217

3. Nine News Brisbane 20th October 2017


4. Acting QR CEO Neil Scales interviewed on 612 ABC about the rail crisis 2nd November 2016  NGR relevance from around 11.00 minutes


5. Call to build 12 Qld SMU260 trains to ease Brisbane rail crisis 1st Mar 2017


6. AHRC State of Queensland temporary exemption application
http://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/legal/exemptions/exemption-applications-under-disability-discrimination-act-1992-cth

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/964171917535059968

[MichaelJ]

https://www.humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/NGR_joint_response_to_submissions20180209_AnnexureB.PDF

Brendon makes some very good points. In Sydney, we are trained to introduce ourselves to any person and ask if they require assistance before acting (putting a ramp down, touching an elbow). It works well and reassures passengers that their needs will be supported.

[InclusionMoves]

Exactly right mate. What you are describing is called sighted guide training. We are told CCTV footage was pulled to show who Brendon thought was a member of public was actually a QR staffer. Not seen the footage myself so trusting them on this. Funnily enough when he got to his destination a QR staff member who was off duty actually did a better job than the person who was supposedly on duty :-)

The ability for QR to ensure their staff stick to procedures has to be called into question with both Brendon's case and yesterdays case of a person being left on an NGR at the end of their journey with no station staff nor guard in sight to assist deboarding. QR says they have many procedures they rely on these in their AHRC arguments but if they can not be reliably acted upon then there is no point them being written. Yesterdays case saw no one write in the log that a PWD entered the train despite them being assisted (as we have been told has been the procedure for ever) nor was a call made to their destination station as is procedure with NGR (this was meant to be the failsafe to cover for if the log was not used).
The result is still the same. Poor customer service outcomes for PWD at best and discriminatory outcomes which don't pass the principle of equality of access at worst,

Geoff   

https://www.humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/NGR_joint_response_to_submissions20180209_AnnexureB.PDF

Brendon makes some very good points. In Sydney, we are trained to introduce ourselves to any person and ask if they require assistance before acting (putting a ramp down, touching an elbow). It works well and reassures passengers that their needs will be supported.

[MichaelJ]

I always do everything I can to remember a person requiring boarding assistance. I must confess, I've forgotten two people in about five years. Thankfully, I've remembered not too far down the track and been able to rectify the problem without too much damage.

Our procedure in Sydney is, the station staff will be waiting at either the middle or rear to communicate the details of the passenger and their destination, then provide boarding assistance. The station staff call the destination station but if no station staff are available when the train arrives, the Guard must provide boarding assistance.

If I have to provide boarding assistance, I normally make an announcement like, "the man in the wheelchair, I'm coming down to help now." That's so the feel their needs are supported and don't attempt to just alight unaided.

The Guard is the Train Manager and that's who Station Staff should report to in Brisbane as well. We've got seven years with Guard at the rear now, they should listen to us.

I don't like QR's process as much, too many communication parties leaves the framework open to
Human error.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/964300962033582081

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/964303752512458752


https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/964315652965068800

[InclusionMoves]

That potential for human error is all I am on about MichaelJ I know no one means to do it. Man I stuff up work stuff all the time!! I get painted as anti guard all the time. Just not the case. Just wish the higher ups would realise that good independently accessible stations beat direct assistance with the potential for human error any day. Then we wouldn't be in the situation we are in,

Geoff 

I always do everything I can to remember a person requiring boarding assistance. I must confess, I've forgotten two people in about five years. Thankfully, I've remembered not too far down the track and been able to rectify the problem without too much damage.

Our procedure in Sydney is, the station staff will be waiting at either the middle or rear to communicate the details of the passenger and their destination, then provide boarding assistance. The station staff call the destination station but if no station staff are available when the train arrives, the Guard must provide boarding assistance.

If I have to provide boarding assistance, I normally make an announcement like, "the man in the wheelchair, I'm coming down to help now." That's so the feel their needs are supported and don't attempt to just alight unaided.

The Guard is the Train Manager and that's who Station Staff should report to in Brisbane as well. We've got seven years with Guard at the rear now, they should listen to us.

I don't like QR's process as much, too many communication parties leaves the framework open to
Human error.

[Stillwater]

Hey – the Qld Govt has commented on what people have said about them to the AHRC

https://www.humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/NGR_joint_response_to_submissions20180209.pdf

This is interesting:

"There are currently 25 NGR trains in Queensland. A further 13 trains are either in construction or are being transported to Australia, and construction of the remaining 37 NGR trains has commenced at the manufacturing facility. Storing these NGR trains, unused, for a length of time (between 18 and 36 months) is not desirable both due to the impact on network capacity (as outlined above) and the likely contractual impacts.

"As per the PPP contract, the State of Queensland pays the NGR train supplier a sum of money each month when they are 'ready and available' regardless of whether they are being used in operation or not. This may also extend to maintenance payments."

[#Metro]

and construction of the remaining 37 NGR trains has commenced at the manufacturing facility.

Would not surprise me if an order to accelerate production was sent to them.

Wasn't the construction of new trains suspended until the current ones could be accepted?

Some of the public submissions dispute that the design limitations imposed by the narrow gauge network impact on the toilet module design. The Applicants submit that these public submissions misunderstand the impact and physical constraints of the narrow gauge network.

^ But aren't the toilets on existing GC train services DDA-compliant AND narrow gauge?

Apparently, the explanation is below:

(c) Some of the public submissions compare the NGR design with other trains in Queensland Rail's fleet. However, there are some key differences between the trains which limit the value of any such comparison. Within Queensland Rail's existing fleet:

(i) for the trains with toilets (the IMU trains), the toilet module on these three-car trains is located directly next to the guard cab,
and there is no access path (as defined by the DSAPT) because only train crew use that passage;

What do you think IM?

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/964300962033582081

Unfortunately as befits the NGR project.  The cake got a little damaged enroute to Goodna.  Never mind.

I have followed the DTMR doctrine ' lets pretend it never happened ' so I have excised the damaged bits ...

Pity, the damaged bits of NGRs cannot be so seamlessly erased hey?

[BrizCommuter]

and construction of the remaining 37 NGR trains has commenced at the manufacturing facility.

Would not surprise me if an order to accelerate production was sent to them.

Wasn't the construction of new trains suspended until the current ones could be accepted?

Some of the public submissions dispute that the design limitations imposed by the narrow gauge network impact on the toilet module design. The Applicants submit that these public submissions misunderstand the impact and physical constraints of the narrow gauge network.

^ But aren't the toilets on existing GC train services DDA-compliant AND narrow gauge?

Apparently, the explanation is below:

(c) Some of the public submissions compare the NGR design with other trains in Queensland Rail's fleet. However, there are some key differences between the trains which limit the value of any such comparison. Within Queensland Rail's existing fleet:

(i) for the trains with toilets (the IMU trains), the toilet module on these three-car trains is located directly next to the guard cab,
and there is no access path (as defined by the DSAPT) because only train crew use that passage;

What do you think IM?

If the boarding point, guards, and toilets were all at the front or end of the train, the the problem would have been solved. Shame about QR's half-arsed platform raising during the last decade!

[InclusionMoves]

The design of the NGR currently does not meet the dimensions set out in the narrow gauge exemption thats the end of the story.

I love how they say the IMU toilet is different. Ofcourse it is and so it should be. The people who designed it realised they couldn't fit a pathway down beside it for passenger so they DIDN'T. So yes the IMU is different. Because it is better!!!

Geoff   

and construction of the remaining 37 NGR trains has commenced at the manufacturing facility.

Would not surprise me if an order to accelerate production was sent to them.

Wasn't the construction of new trains suspended until the current ones could be accepted?

Some of the public submissions dispute that the design limitations imposed by the narrow gauge network impact on the toilet module design. The Applicants submit that these public submissions misunderstand the impact and physical constraints of the narrow gauge network.

^ But aren't the toilets on existing GC train services DDA-compliant AND narrow gauge?

Apparently, the explanation is below:

(c) Some of the public submissions compare the NGR design with other trains in Queensland Rail's fleet. However, there are some key differences between the trains which limit the value of any such comparison. Within Queensland Rail's existing fleet:

(i) for the trains with toilets (the IMU trains), the toilet module on these three-car trains is located directly next to the guard cab,
and there is no access path (as defined by the DSAPT) because only train crew use that passage;

What do you think IM?

[ozbob]

I follow Bombardier and most major players ..

Just thought I would leave this here troops ...

https://twitter.com/railjournal/status/964451588273332224

[#Metro]

(a) Because the NGR is a fixed six-car unit, a thoroughfare is required between all cars. The requirement to fit both a toilet module and an adjacent path requires a balance to be struck between the proportion of the car width allocated to the toilet module's
circulation space and the proportion allocated to the adjacent aisle width.

How did they come to the conclusion that a thoroughfare is required as opposed to desired? Most of the trains in use on the network are 2x3car units and nobody complained that they could not walk from one unit to the next. So why is it a problem here?

Surely no path is required, even if it is a fixed 6 car unit?

[InclusionMoves]

Exactly Metro a bit of reverse engineering history to suit circumstance,

Geoff

(a) Because the NGR is a fixed six-car unit, a thoroughfare is required between all cars. The requirement to fit both a toilet module and an adjacent path requires a balance to be struck between the proportion of the car width allocated to the toilet module's
circulation space and the proportion allocated to the adjacent aisle width.

How did they come to the conclusion that a thoroughfare is required as opposed to desired? Most of the trains in use on the network are 2x3car units and nobody complained that they could not walk from one unit to the next. So why is it a problem here?

Surely no path is required, even if it is a fixed 6 car unit?

[ozbob]

 

https://twitter.com/railwaygazette/status/964468991262633984

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Canadian train builder smacks state of Queensland with a $100m claim

CANADIAN train builder Bombardier has hit the State Government with a $100 million damages claim over delays to Queensland's troubled $4.4 billion train-building project.

Transport sources have told The Courier-Mail the damages claim over the heavily delayed New Generation Rollingstock project related to claims Queensland Rail caused months of hold-ups in commissioning the trains for service.

The State Government signed off on the NGR project for 75 new trains in 2013 under the previous LNP administration, promising it would save millions of taxpayer dollars.

But the project is running more than a year behind schedule and is beset by design issues.

It is understood Bombardier has lodged a claim to claw back more than $100 million in liquidated damages costs over contractual delays it has blamed on the State Government.

Should the contractual dispute reach the courts, it would make for one of the most expensive legal battles involving taxpayer funds since the $1.2 billion Queensland Health payroll fiasco.

The claim is believed to specify hold-ups by QR in issuing engineering certificates to ensure trains were competent to run after the rail body baulked at minor issues, such as a missing window sticker. The ongoing driver shortage has also been blamed for constraining the number of drivers available for on-track testing of trains.

The Courier-Mail first revealed in 2016 that the project contract included penalties as high as $300,000 for each day of delay caused by either party.

Bombardier is building the trains in India under a public-private partnership between the Qtectic and the Government.

The claim is set to fuel calls by advocacy group Rail Back on Track for an inquiry. "The only way we can get to the bottom of the whole issue is a proper commission of inquiry," spokesman Robert Dow said.

[#Metro]

There goes all the so called  "savings". Blue team should be excoriated for this. No wonder that one of their first acts was to remove the auditor general from the QR board! A complete waste of time!

[BrizCommuter]

There definitely needs to be a commission of enquiry into this!
The lawsuit has been on the horizon for a long while.

By the way, can someone get a good photo through the fence showing the NGRs and the security tent at Redbank. Need it for a blog post.

[ozbob]

^ see what I can do ..

[InclusionMoves]

Does anyone know what the missing window sticker was by chance?

Geoff

Couriermail --> Canadian train builder smacks state of Queensland with a $100m claim

CANADIAN train builder Bombardier has hit the State Government with a $100 million damages claim over delays to Queensland's troubled $4.4 billion train-building project.

Transport sources have told The Courier-Mail the damages claim over the heavily delayed New Generation Rollingstock project related to claims Queensland Rail caused months of hold-ups in commissioning the trains for service.

The State Government signed off on the NGR project for 75 new trains in 2013 under the previous LNP administration, promising it would save millions of taxpayer dollars.

But the project is running more than a year behind schedule and is beset by design issues.

It is understood Bombardier has lodged a claim to claw back more than $100 million in liquidated damages costs over contractual delays it has blamed on the State Government.

Should the contractual dispute reach the courts, it would make for one of the most expensive legal battles involving taxpayer funds since the $1.2 billion Queensland Health payroll fiasco.

The claim is believed to specify hold-ups by QR in issuing engineering certificates to ensure trains were competent to run after the rail body baulked at minor issues, such as a missing window sticker. The ongoing driver shortage has also been blamed for constraining the number of drivers available for on-track testing of trains.

The Courier-Mail first revealed in 2016 that the project contract included penalties as high as $300,000 for each day of delay caused by either party.

Bombardier is building the trains in India under a public-private partnership between the Qtectic and the Government.

The claim is set to fuel calls by advocacy group Rail Back on Track for an inquiry. "The only way we can get to the bottom of the whole issue is a proper commission of inquiry," spokesman Robert Dow said.

[verbatim9]

Most likely Bombardier will be successful in their claim. Might even go to an out of court settlement? Let's hope an out of court settlement is the deal. No one wants to see a costly legal battle tarnishing future Government Corporate tenders and relationships.

[MichaelJ]

I don't see that you're anti-Guard, Geoff. Any person requiring boarding assistance would be 100 percent in support of a Guard for their own peace of mind.

Further to what I said about the procedure yesterday - a wheelchair boarded my train just now and it took a shade over 30 seconds. The station staff member was waiting down the rear of the train, told me the destination station and location of the passenger (I record this on my stopping pattern) and gave me an all clear hand signal at the conclusion of the process. At the destination, the station staff member provided assistance and again signalled all clear - and 'toot toot' off we went.

It's a simple and effective process, not convoluted like the QR one ... !

[ozbob]

Hey Brizcommuter

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/964683017531699200

[BrizCommuter]

^ Thanks. Where are the shepherds watching their flock?

(I was actually at Redbank yesterday, but got to the station 2 mins before the next train back to Brisbane , and didn't want a 29 minute wait in sauna conditions just to get a photo).

[Gazza]

Does anyone know what the missing window sticker was by chance?

Geoff

I'd laugh if it was the quiet carriage one.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Canadian train builder smacks state of Queensland with a $100m claim

CANADIAN train builder Bombardier has hit the State Government with a $100 million damages claim over delays to Queensland's troubled $4.4 billion train-building project.

Transport sources have told The Courier-Mail the damages claim over the heavily delayed New Generation Rollingstock project related to claims Queensland Rail caused months of hold-ups in commissioning the trains for service.

The State Government signed off on the NGR project for 75 new trains in 2013 under the previous LNP administration, promising it would save millions of taxpayer dollars.

But the project is running more than a year behind schedule and is beset by design issues.

It is understood Bombardier has lodged a claim to claw back more than $100 million in liquidated damages costs over contractual delays it has blamed on the State Government.

Should the contractual dispute reach the courts, it would make for one of the most expensive legal battles involving taxpayer funds since the $1.2 billion Queensland Health payroll fiasco.

The claim is believed to specify hold-ups by QR in issuing engineering certificates to ensure trains were competent to run after the rail body baulked at minor issues, such as a missing window sticker. The ongoing driver shortage has also been blamed for constraining the number of drivers available for on-track testing of trains.

The Courier-Mail first revealed in 2016 that the project contract included penalties as high as $300,000 for each day of delay caused by either party.

Bombardier is building the trains in India under a public-private partnership between the Qtectic and the Government.

The claim is set to fuel calls by advocacy group Rail Back on Track for an inquiry. "The only way we can get to the bottom of the whole issue is a proper commission of inquiry," spokesman Robert Dow said.

IM and I did interviews with 9 News and 7 News at Redbank this morning. 

I have since been informed that the assertions made in the article above re the $100M have been dismissed by Bombardier in a statement, in that there is no substance to claims.

I do find that all a bit odd ...  nevertheless it has allowed the idea of a Commission of Inquiry good coverage.   

[ozbob]

^ Thanks. Where are the shepherds watching their flock?

(I was actually at Redbank yesterday, but got to the station 2 mins before the next train back to Brisbane , and didn't want a 29 minute wait in sauna conditions just to get a photo).

Might have been on a wander.  One of the television news crews took footage of the NGR trains in the front yard at Redbank too. First news crew to do that I understand.

[ozbob]

We had a good day at Redbank acknowledging two years for 701.

Thanks to Darth for organising the cake, and for those members who came along.  The media support was great too, kicked along a bit by the article in the CM today.  We all adjourned to the Bistro at the Commercial Hotel for a nice lunch.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Canadian train builder smacks state of Queensland with a $100m claim

CANADIAN train builder Bombardier has hit the State Government with a $100 million damages claim over delays to Queensland's troubled $4.4 billion train-building project.

Transport sources have told The Courier-Mail the damages claim over the heavily delayed New Generation Rollingstock project related to claims Queensland Rail caused months of hold-ups in commissioning the trains for service.

The State Government signed off on the NGR project for 75 new trains in 2013 under the previous LNP administration, promising it would save millions of taxpayer dollars.

But the project is running more than a year behind schedule and is beset by design issues.

It is understood Bombardier has lodged a claim to claw back more than $100 million in liquidated damages costs over contractual delays it has blamed on the State Government.

Should the contractual dispute reach the courts, it would make for one of the most expensive legal battles involving taxpayer funds since the $1.2 billion Queensland Health payroll fiasco.

The claim is believed to specify hold-ups by QR in issuing engineering certificates to ensure trains were competent to run after the rail body baulked at minor issues, such as a missing window sticker. The ongoing driver shortage has also been blamed for constraining the number of drivers available for on-track testing of trains.

The Courier-Mail first revealed in 2016 that the project contract included penalties as high as $300,000 for each day of delay caused by either party.

Bombardier is building the trains in India under a public-private partnership between the Qtectic and the Government.

The claim is set to fuel calls by advocacy group Rail Back on Track for an inquiry. "The only way we can get to the bottom of the whole issue is a proper commission of inquiry," spokesman Robert Dow said.

I have discerned a little more on this.  Apparently Bombardier is saying the are not ' suing ' the Queensland Government.  They have not ruled out making a claim under the terms of the contract as I understand it however.  If you read the article carefully it is not talking about suing but is based on information that suggests the State may well be facing claims because of slow acceptance of the NGR trains.  It is known despite the  ' cloak of legal and commercial confidence ' that there are penalties for delays (at least $300K per day ).  The fact that the State has been forced to store trains at Redbank Workshops is really a sign of the desperation point they have reached. This project has been grossly mismanaged by the State.  Bombardier is a reputable train manufacturer, they can only build to the design the State signed off on.  A non compliant DDA and DSAPT design, with other design problems.

Slow acceptance may also be related in part to the lack of train crew (drivers) which is also well known and mentioned in the article.

Too much bungle duplicity and cover-up by the State with this project. A proper independent Commission of Inquiry is needed.

Nothing much surprises me anymore with this project botch.  They only thing that does surprise is the fact DTMR key personnel are still there bumbling along.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/964902745298763776

[ozbob]

This piece has some comments re NGR towards the end ..

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/964773001962053632