$200 million for station renovations

[ClintonL94]

From Media Newswire Click here!

The State Government will undertake the biggest upgrade of South East Queensland's train stations since services began in the 1860s.

Treasurer Andrew Fraser said $200 million would be allocated as part of the 2010/11 State Budget to upgrade almost one-third of train stations across South East Queensland

Around 50 train stations in South East Queensland will receive some form of upgrade with work to be prioritised in coming weeks.

"From this year Queensland Rail will be a dedicated passenger carrier for the first time and our customers will see better customer service as a result," Mr Fraser said.

"This station renovation will be the biggest clean up blitz ever seen on the CityTrain network, taking us from the steam age to the gleam age.

"The renovated stations are used by 90 per cent of daily passengers meaning most people will see and experience a brighter introduction to their daily commute.

"Our budget will pave the way for this massive modernisation program that will make our stations more accessible and customer-friendly.

"Upgrades will range from major works such as new lifts, escalators, ticket offices and expanded car parks to fixing up the basics like new toilets, passenger information, seating and LCD screens displaying service information."

Mr Fraser said LCD screens in particular would provide customers with the latest real time train information and would also communicate details of special events and other essential information.

"These new screens will help Translink and QR provide customers with easy-to-understand, up-to-the minute countdowns on train departures and arrivals," Mr Fraser said.

"By using the latest technology available we are able to ensure our services are of the highest standards to improve the customers' experience."

Clinton.

[somebody]

New stations - who cares?

What about a new timetable?

[Jon Bryant]

Not a cent should be sprng on car parking

[#Metro]

New stations - who cares?
What about a new timetable?

Many stations need a good cleanup/rebuilding/broom through the system, but I agree, somebody.

The State Government will undertake the biggest upgrade of South East Queensland's train stations since services began in the 1860s.

This line is nothing to be proud about. It shows the system has been under neglect for far too long.

#1 Priority above all others for me is frequency, frequency, frequency.

Unless there are major, major frequency upgrades resulting in 15 or 20 minute frequencies off-peak, then I am not interested.

[david]

Any chance these "upgrades" will include increasing platform heights?

[stephenk]

Not a cent should be sprng on car parking

Whilst I do support a ramp up of feeder bus services, I would disagree with your statement. Surely people driving a short distance to a station is better than them driving all the way into the CBD?

At this time, I would rather the $200m was spent on improving frequency. 

[Jon Bryant]

Can you show me the research that shows the provision of a park and ride instead of a TOD development including local feeder and cross-town network will result in lower ridership on the train.  Why settle for a short sighted not so cheap solution when the end game (a TOD) is in demand and can be easily achieved. Close enough is no longer good enough.

[Derwan]

This money is clearly needed.

Over the last few weeks, as set of stairs at Bindha has been blocked off with the yellow safety tape.  More recently the entire sheltered waiting area on the outbound platform at Nudgee has also been taped off, leaving absolutely no shaded area to wait in.

These have obviously been neglected to the point where they are no longer considered safe for passengers.

[somebody]

Not a cent should be sprng on car parking

Whilst I do support a ramp up of feeder bus services, I would disagree with your statement.

Unless they can get better bang/buck than what they have been getting, I would side with Jonno on this one.

[#Metro]

These have obviously been neglected to the point where they are no longer considered safe for passengers.

I'm sure that I've seen some of the shelter buildings rotting/termite damage. Dutton Park outbound.
This is unsurprising for the older heritage stations. I like the heritage buildings. Hopefully QR will not demolish
them into a pile of rubble but give them away or do something to preserve them.

Wooden, exposed to the elements bridges are not good either. I'm not advocating Taj Mahal stations, but I also
don't want to see stations look like something from a prison. Busway style stations like Coopers Plains and the newer
ones do look good.

But the biggest improvement is Frequency, Frequency, Frequency.
The station can look like the Taj Mahal but if there is only two trains per hour it won't be very useful.

[ClintonL94]

QueenslandRail has added this project to the 'SEQIPRAIL Infrastructure Delivery' click here

"It's time for a facelift

Queensland Rail is undertaking the biggest upgrade of South East Queensland's train stations since services began in the 1860s.

Around 50 of the most heavily patronised stations - almost one-third of all our train stations - will receive some form of upgrade in the $200 million station upgrade program"

"The upgrades will vary depending on need and will include:"

New lifts or escalators	New ticket offices
Expanded car parks	Station building painting
Access improvements to meet disability standards	Platform refurbishments
Restoration of historic buildings	Platform raising to meet the train floor level
Toilet upgrades	Car park extensions at 10 stations
LCD screens displaying service information	Other general refurbishments

"Stations selected for the upgrade were chosen according to a number of factors including patronage, their current condition and station accessibility."

"The stations below will have renovations or upgrades completed or commenced in the next 12 months:"

Alderley	Chelmer	Loganlea	South Bank
Bald Hills	Coorparoo	Morayfield	South Brisbane
Banyo	Corinda	Morningside	Taringa
Beenleigh	Deagon	Murarrie	Toombul
Birkdale	Dinmore	Narangba	Toowong
Bowen Hills	Eagle Junction	Newmarket	Woodridge
Bray Park	Enoggera	Ormiston	Wooloowin
Buranda	Graceville	Petrie	Yeerongpilly
Burpengary	Hemmant	Sandgate	Yeronga
Caboolture	Ipswich	Shorncliffe	Zillmere

--

Clinton.

[mufreight]

Having finally admitted that there is a need to raise platforms to carriage floor entry height one is curious as to which stations will see platforms raised bearing in mind that after spending $26.5 million on refurbishing Indooroopilly with total closure of platforms for refurbishment they were not raised when the opportunity presented itself, a fault that will now cost millions more to rectify.
The new platform 3 at Oxley was built at a substandard level with a vertical step up of some to 27 cm in one place with a similar height difference with the new platform 1 at Darra which is still under construction and still could have been raised at a minimal cost.  As for platforms 2 and 3 at Darra they have undergone a total reconstruction and closure but again have been left with a mountain climbers step up.
The big question here is why, the argument that these platforms could not be raised as freight services are operated through them and they are situated on a curve and if raised would foul freight rollingstock has been proven to be a spurious argument. 
Perhaps these experts designing the reconstruction or construction of these stations need to do a basic course on geometry and read the now current minimum disability access requirements rather than continue to waste many millions of taxpayers money to provide substandard and non compliant infrastructure. 

[Sunbus610]

Sadly, Bowen Hills station hasn't been included as part of the 'major' upgrade list. She is certainly starting to look rather shabby with the missing tiles off the station building on platforms 1 and 2.

[ozbob]

Goodna is another one ....

[#Metro]

What about Dutton Park?
The outbuildings/wooden shelters there are rotting away for everyone to see.
Perhaps when CRR comes through?

It should get a lift. Its a very ugly station.

[p858snake]

I wonder what they are planning to do at New Market and Alderly stations...

[Golliwog]

I'm hoping with the Alderley one they do something to help the station tie in with the Alderley Square (or whatever it's called) development across the road from the station.

[longboi]

I'm hoping with the Alderley one they do something to help the station tie in with the Alderley Square (or whatever it's called) development across the road from the station.

The developers are chipping in for an footbridge over South Pine Rd from what I have heard.

[Golliwog]

Yeah I heard about that. I just hope they build it so it continues over the rail line too (with access to Sth Pine Rd) so to get to the inbound platform you're not going to have to go up and down multiple unnecessary sets of stairs.

[ClintonL94]

The City Network Station Upgrade(CNSU) list has slightly changed, with the new list below:

Alderley	Deagon	Morningside	Woodridge
Banyo	Dinmore	Narangba	Wynnum Central
Beenleigh	Eagle Junction	Newmarket	Yeronga
Birkdale	Enoggera	Sandgate	Zillmere
Bundamba	Graceville	South Brisbane
Buranda	Loganlea	Strathpine
Coorparoo	Moorooka	Toowong

To my knowledge, the stations above that do not have a hyperlink have not started the upgrade.

Regards,
Clinton

Source:
http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/NetworkServices/SEQIP/CurrentProjects/CityNetworkStationUpgrades/Pages/default.aspx
http://translink.com.au/about-translink/what-we-do/infrastructure-projects

[Fares_Fair]

and the government continues to ignore the Sunshine Coast ?

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[ClintonL94]

and the government continues to ignore the Sunshine Coast ?

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

I understand that the government increased the length of the platforms with temporary platforms. The duplication from Beerburrum to Nambour(2 stages) will construct new stations.

Regards,
Clinton

[Golliwog]

When they announced the station renovations program, they did say it was for the higher patronised stations.

That said, the SC line stations with their temporary platforms doing need work, but theres little point at this stage in doing anything until the duplication and realignment plans are finalised. It would be a total waste of money if they re-did the existing stations only to abandon that alignment in a few years come the new alignment. Although as mufreight has pointed out some of the stations could be realigned to the future alignment and rebuilt to a higher standard now.

[Derwan]

I see Shorncliffe has dropped off the list.  We can only hope that it has been earmarked for a larger upgrade (perhaps duplication) instead!

[Golliwog]

I'm kind of surprised Park Rd wasn't in there either given its new found status as a key interchange for UQ, but I suppose the plan is probably to do it in one big hit when CRR goes in. Still, if the Boggo Rd urban village keeps expanding (the empty lot across the road from the Police station appears to be about to start construction on apartments? I believe) Theres a lot of space around the existing Ecosciences building that would easily allow for other office type buildings or equally apartments. I have noticed something going in between the PA Hospital station and the railway line, not a clue what though, but still the area is just waiting for some serious redevelopment.

[Fares_Fair]

The City Network Station Upgrade(CNSU) list has slightly changed, with the new list below:

Alderley	Deagon	Morningside	Woodridge
Banyo	Dinmore	Narangba	Wynnum Central
Beenleigh	Eagle Junction	Newmarket	Yeronga
Birkdale	Enoggera	Sandgate	Zillmere
Bundamba	Graceville	South Brisbane
Buranda	Loganlea	Strathpine
Coorparoo	Moorooka	Toowong

To my knowledge, the stations above that do not have a hyperlink have not started the upgrade.

Regards,
Clinton

Source:
http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/NetworkServices/SEQIP/CurrentProjects/CityNetworkStationUpgrades/Pages/default.aspx
http://translink.com.au/about-translink/what-we-do/infrastructure-projects

I have heard that Nambour is due to be upgraded for disability access in the near future, including lifts, and this requirement was identified at a CRG meeting.
Perhaps it comes under some other funding category ?

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Stillwater]

One possible reason why the list of stations to be upgraded has changed slightly is that the cost of planned works at individual stations has escalated.  In other words, $200 million is the finite total amount, so, faced with cost rises, Translink and QR have dropped plans to upgrade either at:
one or two stations where work has not started, or
at stations with the least priority, redirecting those funds to stations with a higher priority.
The aim is not to breach the $200 million cap.

I am heartened by Shorncliffe not being on the list, because it could indicate a rethink about what was proposed there.  Station staff had believed the plannede works included a repaint, installation of a ticket window to serve people with a disability, replacement of rotting boards, CCTV etc.  Something bigger could be in the works.

As to FF's post, there would appear to be several buckets of money into which QR can dip -- regular maintenance (painting etc), minor upgrade (painting with some construction) and (maybe) disability conversions a la Nambour.  Translink seems to be throwing money at some complete makeovers.

It would be good to get clarification.

[mufreight]

Nambour is interesting when they talk about disability access and lifts.
The entry to the station and platforms is at footpath level and from memory there is at most one step difference of level so that could be resolved by a minor ramp, lifts what for and where.
What Nambour needs is another platform to avoid the QR shuffle when two passenger services cross or pass there, then there would be a need for lifts or was Nambour put on the list to make up the numbers being far enough away from the majority of commuters not to be noticed.

[p858snake]

I have heard that Nambour is due to be upgraded for disability access in the near future, including lifts, and this requirement was identified at a CRG meeting.
Perhaps it comes under some other funding category ?

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

Is Nambour classed as a City Network Station? that might be why its not listed.

[Stillwater]

Nope, don't think so, p858snake.  A $100,000 paint job for Cooroy is part of the $200 million total, if media statement in local press is anything to go by.  Curious that it is not part of the latest list and that Nambour is not shown either.  Let's hope that whatever goes in at Nambour is not ripped out again when track duplication finally does through.  Still, I suppose the lifts will be due for replacement in 2031.   

[p858snake]

Nope, don't think so, p858snake.  A $100,000 paint job for Cooroy is part of the $200 million total, if media statement in local press is anything to go by.  Curious that it is not part of the latest list and that Nambour is not shown either.  Let's hope that whatever goes in at Nambour is not ripped out again when track duplication finally does through.  Still, I suppose the lifts will be due for replacement in 2031.   

That is a list of "City Network stations" which is probably why they aren't listed, isn't cooroy also getting a new car park laid (on the rsl side) as well?

[Stillwater]

Carpark is on opposite side to RSL.  And yes, 40 sealed car parking spaces.

[p858snake]

I wonder when they will get train services to match the parking *runs*

[HappyTrainGuy]

Zillmere is getting prepared for some upgrade works. The site building has recently gone up this week in the eastern carpark.

[ClintonL94]

and the government continues to ignore the Sunshine Coast ?

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

From Sunshine Coast Daily click here!

STATE Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced a $3.3 million upgrade of Nambour Railway Station to begin later this year.

Ms Palaszczuk said the planned upgrade would significantly boost the station's disability access, safety and comfort.

"Access for disabled passengers has been given key consideration during planning for this upgrade," she said.

"The station will boast state-of-the-art disability access through a drop-off zone for the disabled near the station entrance and a new lift from the subway to the concourse.

"Toilet access will also be improved and a new ticket window will be constructed at wheelchair height with a hearing aid loop for the hearing impaired."

Other improvements include an extension of the subway that joins the eastern and western side of the station, and an accessible pathway from the eastern side of the subway to the concourse.

The works will be undertaken under the Bligh Government's $200 million Station Upgrade Program to enhance almost one third of train stations across South East Queensland.

Ms Palaszczuk said Coast commuters would also soon have the benefit of more seats and more services, courtesy of the biggest timetable restructure in 15 years.

"More than 50,000 additional weekly seats will be added to the Caboolture and Sunshine Coast lines from June 6, including additional peak services to and from Nambour," she said.

"There are about 240 passengers a day that use Nambour station during morning and afternoon peak periods, and these extra peak services will allow and encourage continued growth in Sunshine Coast patronage."

Ms Palaszczuk acknowledged the efforts of the Member for Nicklin Peter Wellington who had lobbied stridently for changes at the station.

"This is such great news for Nambour, which has also just embraced the approval of the planned Coles development for the old mill site," Mr Wellington said.

"The upgrade will be a real benefit to Nambour, not only for local commuters but the whole community and visitors to the Coast who arrive through the Nambour station."

Local commuter and Queensland Rail Community Reference Group lobbyist Coleen Giles also welcomed the news.

Ms Giles, of Burnside, who commutes to Brisbane two or three times a week by train, said it would assist the elderly, mothers with prams and travellers with a disability.

"This will be a win-win situation for all those who have been disadvantaged for so many years," she said.

Construction is due to be completed mid next year. For more information call the TransLink call centre on 13 12 30 or email: community engagement@qr.com.au

[BrizCommuter]

Enoggera now has a new giant pot plant at the end of the platform. Well worth the yearly 15% fare hikes! 

[p858snake]

I noticed they finally put some plants back in there.... hasn't had any for years.... FG used to have one near the station house as well but never had any plants in it then got removed a couple of years ago.

[O_128]

Enoggera now has a new giant pot plant at the end of the platform. Well worth the yearly 15% fare hikes! 

that most likely cost $200000

[Fares_Fair]

is it a money tree perchance ?   

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Stillwater]

Landscaping should be seen as part of QR's corporate image.  It softens the angular shape of a modern railway station and helps it blend with the surrounding streetscape.  Carefully, chosen, native plants can look after themselves with minimal maintenance.  Should QR wish to adopt the SA model of railway station 'friends', I think it would find many places where people would take pride in their local station and conduct the odd working bee (if only on Clean Up Australia Day).  The only thing would be to ensure that foliage did not obscure CCTV sight lines.  Again, that is about selecting suitable species.