2008 Council Elections - transport policies, comments discussion.

[ozbob]

RAIL Back On Track invites all candidates and parties for the 2008 Council elections to forward any policies concerning public transport and rail to admin@backontrack.org for inclusion in this forum.

Regards
Admin

[ozbob]

From Sunday Mail click here!

Campbell Newman launches re-election campaign

Campbell Newman launches re-election campaign
Article from: The Sunday Mail (Qld)

By Emma Chalmers

February 10, 2008 02:15pm

LORD Mayor Campbell Newman has fired the starter's gun on his bid for re-election, setting the stage for a five-week campaign.

Cr Newman this morning introduced his team of 26 candidates as he sought not only to secure his own re-election, but win a majority of Liberal councillors as well.

His "Can Do" team bore T-shirts bearing the new slogan "Can Do More".

"This is a very important election for the city of Brisbane and its people," he told the candidates.

"It's about the future of Brisbane, it's about the need to implement the plan to make this a better city."

Cr Newman said his plan would include policies on public transport, roads, water, parks, the environment and initiatives to make the city safer.

Of the 26 Liberal candidates announced today, 11 are women, 15 are men and nine of the group are sitting councillors.

Rowell to beef up bus services

Also today, Labor's lord mayoral candidate Greg Rowell announced a policy to fund 20 additional high-frequency BUZ bus routes.

Mr Rowell promised frustrated commuters that buses on key routes would arrive every five minutes during peak hour if he was elected lord mayor.

Under the plan, Mr Rowell would fund 11 new high frequency BUZ routes and upgrade nine existing routes.

"If I'm elected lord mayor, Labor will ensure a bus is available for residents every five minutes in the peak, along 20 routes right across more than 100 Brisbane suburbs," he said.

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

It's official. Campbell Newman wants to keep his job at the top.

Newman unveils 'Can Do' team
Christine Kellett | February 10, 2008 - 1:06PM

It's official. Campbell Newman wants to keep his job at the top.

The Lord Mayoral incumbent chose a fittingly lofty spot at the Eildon Hill lookout in Brisbane's north to launch the Liberals' election campaign this morning, complete with 26 "Can Do" candidates on hand.

Surrounded by dozens of placard waving supporters, Cr Newman vowed to continue what he'd started in the way of major infrastructure, environment and public transport projects, but said he needed help if he was to take the River City "to the next level".

"This past four years have been very frustrating for me," Cr Newman said of the Liberals' minority status on council.

"It's been like walking in treacle.

"I am appealing to the people to give me a Can Do team in council so I can do more for Brisbane."

The Liberals need to win five seats to snatch the balance of power from the Labor party in the Brisbane City Council chamber. Only nine of the 26 "Can Do" candidates are currently serving at City Hall.

Cr Newman said another Labor majority would spell disaster for Brisbane's growth and development into the future.

"Frankly, I don't want to contemplate it," he said.

"I don't think everyone in Brisbane understands just how hard it has been. You can't hire, you can't fire, you can't award contracts.

"What is more concerning is they have spent the last four years trying to slow down my efforts to tackle traffic congestion and the drought. They still have no plans for how Brisbane will deal with the huge infrastructure and environmental challenges that threaten our unique lifestyle."

Today's highly anticipated campaign launch overshadowed an announcement by Cr Newman's main rival for the Lord Mayoralty, Labor candidate Greg Rowell, who has pledged $30 million to improve the city's bus services.

Cr Newman said he was expecting a dirty fight from Labor, who have already been accused of "gutter politics" following the release of an online "s--t sheet" branding Cr Newman a liar.

The Liberals' most senior office bearer, Cr Newman oddly chose not to wear his own "Can Do" campaign t-shirt for the 11am press call and refused to make any policy announcements this morning.

After introducing his 11-woman, 15-man team, he sent the group out to doorknock their local areas ahead of the March 15 poll.

[ozbob]

From Brisbane times click here!

Rowell's vow: more buses, sooner

Rowell's vow: more buses, sooner
Christine Kellett | February 10, 2008 - 11:00AM

Labor Lord Mayoral hopeful Greg Rowell has promised Brisbane public transport users a bus every five minutes if elected next month.

The former Queensland cricketer today unveiled another major policy plank in his sprint for City Hall.

His Transit City Plan is expected to cost $30 million.

In a statement this morning, Mr Rowell said he would set aside funds for 20 high frequency bus routes, including 11 brand new services, allowing commuters to effectively "tear up" their timetables

"Under my Transit City plan, Brisbane residents will be able to climb aboard a bus every 5 minutes in the peak on weekdays," Mr Rowell said.

"Across the rest of the day on the 20 high frequency routes, residents would enjoy the convenience of being able to jump on a bus every 15 minutes."

Mr Rowell said Labor's Transit City Plan would would ease Brisbane's current traffic migraine while enabling an extra 19 million residents to use fast and reliable bus services.

Proposed new routes from the CBD include Acacia Ridge, Bracken Ridge, Bridgeman Downs, Brighton-Sandgate, Forest Lake, Hamilton, Inala, Mansfield, Riverhills, Toombul and Wakerley.

He has also pledged upgrades to the Aspley, Browns Plains, Carindale, Chermside, Eight Mile Plains, Moggill, Parkinson, The Gap and the West End to New Farm services.

Mr Rowell hopes to replace Liberal incumbent Campbell Newman in what is shaping to be a fierce contest for the the Lord Mayoralty.

Yesterday, the Greens candidate Jo Bragg said the campaign had turned ugly, with the launch of a propaganda website attacking Cr Newman.

NewmanFacts.com. was authored by the Labor party and accuses the country's most senior Liberal office holder of deception and financial mismanagement.

"It is basically moving the campaign towards gutter politics," Ms Bragg said.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman is expected to launch his election campaign today.

Voters go to the polls on March 15.

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Newman ups ante in bus battle

Newman ups ante in bus battle
Tony Moore | February 11, 2008 - 2:07PM

Buses hold the key to voters' intentions if next month's Brisbane City Council elections are any guide.

Yesterday Labor's lord mayoral candidate Greg Rowell promised bus commuters would be able to hop onto a bus every five minutes in peak hour during weekdays if he was elected.

That was part of Greg Rowell's $30 million public transport plan to add 11 new high frequency (BUZ) routes to Brisbane.

This morning it was Lord Mayor Campbell Newman's turn.

Cr Newman promised a $237 million plan to add 500 new buses to Brisbane's roads over the next four years if he was returned as Brisbane's Lord Mayor.

"All environmentally-friendly, all air-conditioned," Cr Newman said.

The promise includes 120 new buses in his first year as part of his "Brisbane 500" plan which also includes opening the new $58 million bus-building facility at Willawong and planning another new bus-building facility in Brisbane.

The long-term aim is 1750 buses by 2026.

Almost 40 of these buses will need to be built interstate to be able to provide the 120 buses in the first year, a fact which Cr Newman said today was achievable.

"We will build as many as we can build here at Toowong and we will go interstate if we have to build other buses," he said.

The Toowong facility can build about 80 buses a year, Cr Newman said.

He also rejected comments that he had unfairly criticised Labor's mayoral candidate, Greg Rowell, in June 2007 when Mr Rowell said he would boost the bus fleet by 120 buses at a cost of $57 million.

"Well Labor have been playing catch-up all along," Cr Newman said.

"During the period of 1995 to 2000, Labor delivered a total of 63 new buses on the road.

"That's an average of around 12 a year. In contrast I will have produced 330 (over four years) and my promise was only for 240."

The average number of new buses built under a Labor council from 1991 to 2004 was 30.

Cr Newman said he had delivered more than what he had promised when he was first elected in 2004.

"In 2004 I promised to put 240 buses on the road in four years, but I actually put 330 brand new rigid buses on our roads, 40 per cent more than I promised," Cr Newman said.

The "330 new buses" figure would be reached at the end of June 2008, Cr Newman later explained.

Cr Newman said his commitment to air-conditioning Brisbane City Council's buses - up from one in three, to about three out of four - as a major reason why more people use the bus compared to Queensland Rail's Citytrain service.

The increase in bus patronage was also linked to Translink's integrated ticketing system, which allowed bus commuters to buy weekly and monthly tickets in advance.

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail click here!

Council battle on the buses

Council battle on the buses
Article from: The Courier-Mail

By Emma Chalmers

February 11, 2008 04:17pm

THE battle for the votes of Brisbane commuters stepped up a gear yesterday with Lord Mayor Campbell Newman upping a Labor offer to put more buses on the roads.

In his first official campaign announcement since launching his bid for re-election on Sunday, Cr Newman unveiled his "Brisbane 500" plan to boost the city's bus fleet.

Brisbane City Council will add at least 120 buses a year to the fleet no matter who wins next month's election, with Labor already promising 480 buses in the next term.

The Liberals originally promised 110 buses for each of the next four years, but Cr Newman said yesterday it was possible to build more. He said the extra buses would help improve traffic congestion and overcrowding but said no politician could guarantee that passengers would not be left behind.

"In every city in the world there are congestion issues, but 500 new buses is going to make a huge difference," he said.

Bus overcrowding in Brisbane has been worsening in the past year, with 352 buses too full to stop for additional passengers during January.

City Hall has been divided over buses for the past six months, with Cr Newman saying last year that it was not possible to add 120 to the fleet in the current financial year because they could not be built, garaged and fuelled.

Cr Newman said yesterday the council might have to source up to 40 of the new buses from interstate until the Toowong depot was moved and expanded. He said there would be enough garage and fuelling space for extra buses once the 200-bus capacity, $58 million Willawong depot was finished in 12 months.

Cr Newman said Labor put an average of 30 new buses on the road each year during its 13 years in power, while he was set to deliver an average of 82 a year over his four-year term.

In the past four years bus patronage has increased rapidly, with Brisbane buses predicted to carry 20 million more passengers this year than they did in 2003-04.

Labor's lord mayoral candidate Greg Rowell yesterday accused Cr Newman of policy on the run.

"Clearly Campbell Newman is prepared to say anything and do anything less than 24 hours after Labor announced plans to deliver 20 high-frequency bus routes and 480 buses in partnership with the State Government," he said.

The Liberals also yesterday announced a plan to extend New Farm's riverwalk path, filling in the so-called "forgotten" section from the Powerhouse to Cutter's Landing in Teneriffe.

The path will come with a $2.5 million price tag, but Liberal candidate for Central, Vicki Howard, said while it was expensive, residents had been campaigning for it for some time.

My blog comment:

We need more buses feeding the rail. Rail needs significant investment now. I think it is becoming very obvious that BCC really is struggling to provide and manage an integrated bus network, particularly as it is only responsible for a defined council area. Much better if the new Transit authority takes over and properly integrates all services.

Buses do a great job and will continue to do so. But there is a physical and practical limit to the number that can be squeezed on the roads. We can double our rail capacity with no impact on roads. Buses can then feed where practical, thus relieving some of the congestion for the radial bus routes where there is no viable alternative.

If the Go Card had an equitable fare structure this would go a long way to encouraging commuters to us it, with the benefits of quicker loading of buses and ferries achieved. Again improving outcomes.

Our transport agencies are not planning properly.

[ozbob]

The battle of the buses continues ...

From Brisbanetimes  click here!

Bus promise not reaching demand: Labor

Bus promise not reaching demand: Labor
Tony Moore | February 11, 2008 - 5:49PM

Labor's mayoral candidate, Greg Rowell, said Lord Mayor Campbell Newman's promise to put 500 new buses on Brisbane's roads over four years smacked of "policy on the run" and questioned why bus funding was not matching bus patronage.

But Mr Rowell said it was not fair to compare the number of buses produced in the past four years with Labor's average bus production figures for 1995-2000, when just 63 buses were bought.

"You have to look at these things within the times we are in," Mr Rowell said.

"And in the times we are in, funding for buses has started to fall behind patronage.

"For the first time - over the past four years - the growth in bus patronage is ahead of bus funding."

Mr Rowell said there had been a 30 per cent increase in bus patronage, matched by a 16 per cent increase in funding for new buses, since 2004.

The statistics are contained in a report from Labor's Public Transport chairperson, Councillor Victoria Newton, to Lord Mayor Campbell Newman.

It compares Labor's record of providing a 12.7 per cent increase in funding to meet a bus patronage increase of 10.57 per cent from 1991-2003 with Cr Newman's 16.7 per cent budget increase to meet an increase in bus patronage of 36 per cent since 2004.

Brisbane City Council receives significant financial assistance from the State Government to run buses.

From July 2007, the State Government agreed to fund new council-run buses and Brisbane City Council would lease them back under a landmark agreement with the Queensland Treasury Corporation.

[Zoiks]

So... here is the hard question. Who do you believe is providing a better PT plan.
I too believe that all PT should be taken over by a single state entity. Preferably one that is not afraid to invest in rail.

[ozbob]

There was a question in Parliament today (12 Feb 2008) about the proposed Transit Authority.

See Hansard page 32  click here!

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here

On your bikes, Brisbane!

On your bikes, Brisbane!
Georgina Robinson | February 17, 2008 - 1:39PM

Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman has promised to build up to 15 years and 100 kilometres worth of planned bike path projects in the next four years.

In a $100 million pitch for the votes of Brisbane's substantial and growing cycling community, Cr Newman said he had done enough work on tunnels, roads and public transport and was ready to spend up big on bike paths.

"Having got on with tunnels, having got on with the local road projects, having bought so many new buses, we're now ready to put even more emphasis on cycling in Brisbane," he said today after riding into New Farm Park in red shorts and campaign t-shirt.

That translates to a massive quadrupling of annual council spending on bikeway infrastructure and the fast-tracking of many projects scheduled for delivery over the next 12 years.

The council had budgeted about $25 million for infrastructure over the previous four years but would now, under the `Cycle City' plan, spend that amount in just one year, Cr Newman said.

Key projects to be funded included the New Farm "missing link" from Cutters Landing to New Farm Park, the Cabbage Tree Creek bikeway at Taigum, stage two of the Bulimba Creek Bikeway at Wishart, stage two of the widening of the Bicentennial Bikeway in the city, and the Yeronga Bikeway.

Preliminary figures propose an extra 100km of pathways.

Cr Newman said he was confident he could deliver on his promise, starting with an estimated $15 million spend on projects in the 2008/09 financial year.

"We believe we have all the resources that we need to do this," he said.

"This is something that we can do with the current staffing levels within the council and also using our existing contractor base."

But Labor lord mayoral candidate Greg Rowell said Brisbane residents should be sceptical about the Liberals' big promise.
"Campbell Newman refused to fund the Bicentennial widening and Powerhouse to Cutters Landing links during the last four years despite Labor championing and requesting funding for those very projects," Mr Rowell said.

"Four weeks out from an election and $100 million for bikeways - I'm not sure."

He said the Lord Mayor delivered just 2.7km worth of cycle tracks this financial year, despite budgeting $7 million for a 7.7km network.

But a spokesperson for Cr Newman said much of the allocated $7 million had been spent on detailed feasibility studies, community consultation and design phases.

The Cycle City announcement comes one week after Greens lord mayoral candidate Jo-Anne Bragg unveiled her party's plan for the city's bikeways.

The Greens' $40 million per year pitch trumps the Liberals' promised $25 million average yearly spend and would more than double the cycle path network, from 760km to 1700km, by 2015.

Ms Bragg said she was encouraged to hear the Lord Mayor "finally seriously talking about cycling".

"It's clear that over the last several years his attention has been on road infrastructure and there's been a tiny dribble of funding for cycling," she said.

[Zoiks]

I know who has my vote

[mrciclismo]

And the Greens candidate also supports the introduction of light rail system.  Definitely has my vote 

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Rowell on top - for now at least
Tony Moore | February 19, 2008 - 5:12PM

Labor's Greg Rowell has got on top early in the battle for City Hall by being drawn at the top of the list of candidates for lord mayor.

Incumbent Lord Mayor Campbell Newman has drawn the eighth spot on the list of nine candidates to have thrown their hats in the ring for the 2008 Brisbane lord mayoral elections, to be held on March 15.

While Cr Newman and his Labor rival remain the highest profile front-runners, Jo-Anne Bragg, of the Greens, and Derek Rosborough have also put themselves forward as serious contenders.

Others hopefuls include Robert Campbell, David Cooper, Brian Crawford, Louise Day and anti-tunnel campaigner James Sinnamon.

Greg Rowell said he "had no idea" if there was any value in being drawn top of the poll.

"I don't think we are going to be seeing much of a donkey vote from Brisbane residents," Mr Rowell said.

He immediately nominated water, public transport, the practical tools of climate change and housing affordability as the issues he believed ratepayers want to discuss.

"It's always good to be number one, but there is no doubt that the people of Brisbane are really tuning in to the issues in this election," he said.

Mr Rowell, a former Queensland Sheffield Shield opening bowler, said he knew winning the election would not be easy.

"It's obviously going to be an exciting time for me, but look, I am up for the challenge of my life," he said.

"It's going to be a huge conversation with the people of Brisbane about the issues of dealing with growth."

Meanwhile Greens mayoral candidate Jo Bragg again put the controversial Hale Street Bridge project in the spotlight.

Ms Bragg said the party's preference position may depend on how the major parties supported the new version of the project, which will not be made public until after the Brisbane City Council elections.

The State Government late last year demanded Brisbane City Council re-assess the project because the council had not adequately planned for the impact on the city's inner city traffic.

The cost of the project blew out to $240 million before Mayor Campbell Newman in January said he would scale back the project.

"We consider both Labor and the Liberals are equally responsible for the mess of our public transport system so we are considering our position with respect to preferences," Ms Bragg said.

"The Hale Street Bridge is certainly a fiasco for which both Labor and Liberals are equally responsible," she said.

"It makes a mockery of the major parties claims to be responsible financial managers. It is an absolute disaster and it won't fix congestion.

"So yes, both Labor and Liberal (parties) will be sorry they voted for such a disastrous project against community opposition."

Ms Bragg accused both major parties of backing "bloated growth" policies.

She predicted Greens wins in the inner-city wards of Toowong, Brisbane Central and The Gabba.

"The Greens expect a very substantial vote at this year's Brisbane City Council election because Labor and Liberal have together - jointly - voted for bloated growth with these tunnels and bridges which are causing financial disaster and won't solve congestion," Ms Bragg said.

This year's nine nominees represented an increase on 2004, when there were six candidates. The order of the other candidates is as follows:

- Greg Rowell (Australian Labor Party)
- Robert Campbell
- Bryan Crawford
- Derek Rosborough
- Jo-Ann Bragg (the Greens)
- James Sinnamon
- Louise Day
- Campbell Newman (Liberal Party)
- David Couper

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Newman promises more CityCats if re-elected

Newman promises more CityCats if re-elected
Georgina Robinson | February 20, 2008 - 9:18AM

Campbell Newman has promised to put at least six extra CityCats on the river in the next four years if he is re-elected Lord Mayor on March 15.

The commitment, made yesterday beside the mangroves at Toowong's Regatta ferry terminal, would expand Brisbane's pressured CityCat fleet from 11 to 19, with two other Cats already slated for 2008 debuts.

Brisbane residents have quickly outgrown the existing vessels and are expected to regularly fill the 260 extra seats provided by two Cats due to hit the water in May and September this year.

Cr Newman said he would even shoot for an extra two vessels on top of the six brand new ones to "dramatically expand" the fleet.

"That should dramatically expand our capacity to move passengers and it will also deal with the issue associated with increasing the number of stops," he said, reiterating support for more ferry terminals.

"If I'm elected Lord Mayor with a 'can do' majority I will deliver at least another two CityCat stops...but I am shooting for three.

"We have identified five possible locations for a ferry terminal: West End, Teneriffe, Milton, (Hamilton) North Shore and Newstead," he said.

But in a move that drew criticism from his political opponents, Cr Newman said the new terminals would only go ahead if the private sector came to the party.

"It shouldn't be the case that ratepayers have to foot the entire bill and indeed under the state's legislation developers are required to make contributions towards public transport," he said.

"It's up to the people out there who are trying to get these developments off the ground and want to provide a bit more pizzazz and great offering for the potential owners of those new apartments and those new commercial premises.

"It's really providing an incentive to them to literally bid to get those terminals first," he said.

Greens lord mayoral candidate Jo Bragg said the council should decide what areas were given new terminals and not leave it up to which property developers wanted them the most.

"It should be an analysis based on current need, not on which developer comes forward," Ms Bragg said.

"That way you're likely to see only big high-profit developers coming forward, rather than lower profit, sustainable developers in those key areas."

Labor's lord mayoral contender Greg Rowell said the Lord Mayor was playing catch-up.

"I've already said Brisbane needs more CityCat terminals just as we will need more, possibly bigger CityCats," Mr Rowell said.

"Council decides where ferry terminals are built for residents and if I'm elected Lord Mayor I'll make sure terminals are built where residents need them the most."

A spokesperson for Cr Newman said decisions on which areas were given new ferry stops would be subject to the usual transparent processes, including feasibility studies and community consultation.

Cr Newman yesterday said his "top three" on the list of five possible sites were West End at Riverside Drive, the long-called-for Park Road stop at Milton and possibly Newstead.

It is understood a proposed City Cat stop at the Hamilton Northshore development was less likely due to insufficient population base at the current time.

Photograph R Dow 13 Feb 2008

[ozbob]

Greens' Light rail proposal the best for Brisbane

A copy of the Greens light rail proposal is available here! PDF

Light rail in Houston USA



http://www.kkcsworld.com/Houston%20Light%20Rail.jpg

[albiwan]

Re: Greens Map.

I do like the Buranda to Indooroopilly Westfeild "Pink Line". We dont have much in the way of Cross Country lines. I think the Elanor Schonell bridge is vastly under utilised  with no though traffic at all. Would there be a problem with a cross country bus service via the Bridge of any sort? And is it me or should this crossing be used by Ambulances?

[haakon]

I think the Elanor Schonell bridge is vastly under utilised  with no though traffic at all. Would there be a problem with a cross country bus service via the Bridge of any sort?

UQ only agreed to the bridge on the undrestanding that there would be no through traffic. (If I recall correctly)

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail click here!

Labor promises CityCat shake-up

Labor promises CityCat shake-up
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Emma Chalmers

February 27, 2008 11:00pm

LABOR would introduce five-minute CityCat services in peak hours within four years as part of its plan to improve public transport.
However Labor lord mayoral candidate Greg Rowell has ruled out splitting the cost of new CityCat terminals with developers, relying instead on council revenue to fund his $32.5 million plan.

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said he planned new terminals at Milton, West End and Newstead in partnership with nearby developers, in deals similar to the one that delivered the Regatta CityCat terminal.

Mr Rowell also promised to fund nine new CityCats in addition to the two already under construction and build the three new terminals at Milton, Teneriffe and West End.

"About $1.3 million is council's share of those new terminals and as I said three of those for our river, which enables us to give a much higher quality service to commuters," he said.

The Liberals have promised an additional six to eight CityCats over the coming four years.

Mr Rowell said he would use infrastructure charges to pay for some of the cost of his plan and Labor said council had been levying specific charges for ferry services for nine months.

After the latest CityCat to hit the water was delayed for months amid Liberal allegations of Labor blunders, Mr Rowell vowed to personally intervene with future contracts to ensure his promises were met on time.

Liberal councillor Jane Prentice said Labor's plan to use infrastructure charges to raise revenue would have an impact on housing affordability.

"Infrastructure charges should be used to deliver parks, footpaths, children's playground equipment and bikeways, not ferry terminals," Cr Prentice said.

[ozbob]

From Sydney Morning Herald click here!

Transport, development top issues in Qld

Transport, development top issues in Qld

March 4, 2008 - 2:05PM

Public transport, property development and the environment are the main issues on voters' minds as they prepare for Queensland's local government elections, a survey has found.

The March 15 election will usher in a new era in local government, with 156 councils merging into 72.

Much of the state will be voting in new council areas, and considering a wide field of unfamiliar candidates.

A survey of more than 600 voters by political blog Queensland Decides.com found the traditional concerns of "roads, rates and rubbish" had been replaced by interest in the environment.

Chief editor Graham Young, a former Queensland Liberal Party vice-president, said candidates must realise how times had changed.

Public transport was weighing most on people's minds, and their rates notices the least - with only 1.2 per cent of respondents nominating the latter as their top concern, Mr Young said.

"People are feeling a lot wealthier than they used to, so they are more interested in quality of life than cost of living," he told AAP.

Voters were also surveyed on whether they thought their council was "heading in the right direction".

Only 36 per cent of Queenslanders agreed they were, and of the 42 per cent who disagreed, 12 per cent said they "disagreed strongly".

Gold Coast residents were most unhappy with their council, with 69 per cent disagreeing about the city's direction, while those in Ipswich were the most happy, with 81 per cent agreeing with the council's focus.

Mr Young said corruption and over-development worried Gold Coast residents.

While those in Ipswich were generally happy with their lot, he said.

"I think they feel a bit closer to Brisbane and don't have too much to complain about," he said.

In Brisbane, residents were split over the city's direction, with 39 per cent each way.

While Lord Mayor Campbell Newman is favoured to be returned at the election, Mr Young said Labor challenger Greg Rowell was more "on message".

Mr Newman on Tuesday launched a law and order policy, while Mr Rowell continued campaigning around public transport.

"At least he's (Rowell) talking about something the public wants to know about," Mr Young said.

"The fact that Campbell is doing that (announcement) suggests he's trying to keep the level of the campaign pretty comatose so that people try to go with the status quo."

? 2008 AAP

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Newman shuns 'most senior Liberal' tag

Newman shuns 'most senior Liberal' tag
Drew Cratchley | March 6, 2008 - 4:04PM

Australia's most senior governing Liberal says he hates the tag, describing himself as a man of the people rather than a party representative.

John Howard's defeat at November's federal election left Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman as the Liberals' most senior member in power, overseeing the largest local government area in Australia with a budget larger than that of Tasmania.

Nine days out from Queensland's council elections, Mr Newman today squared off with his Labor opponent, former Queensland fast bowler Greg Rowell, in a debate organised by the Property Council.

Asked about his new-found power within the Liberal Party, Mr Newman said he was not fond of the title.

"I don't take any pleasure in wearing that supposed honour, because always for me doing this job has been about serving the people of Brisbane," Mr Newman said.

"I put the people of Brisbane before the political party which I'm a member of every day of the week."

The issue of public transport and road congestion dominated the debate - the first of the campaign.

With about 1000 new residents moving into Queensland's south-east each week, both candidates said they recognise the need for better planning, with the city's traffic congestion increasing noticeably in recent years.

Mr Newman has promised more buses for Brisbane, and intends to begin building a new tunnel to complement the North-South Bypass Tunnel now under construction.

"My vision for Brisbane is that we see this growth occurring but that we make it a better place. It doesn't have to go backwards," Mr Newman told the audience.

Mr Rowell, whose party holds a majority of councillors in the city, has also vowed to provide more buses and improve the road network.

He said he would make Brisbane "the solar capital of Australia".

The debate, which also included Greens mayoral candidate Jo Bragg, featured several heated moments, despite its affable beginning.

"Campbell, we haven't run into each other too much recently," Mr Rowell said in his opening.

"I understand you said my name, Mr Rowell, the other day on radio when you were discussing the region - you can call me Greg."

Over the following hour the two bickered frequently over budgeting blowouts and rate increases, before they shook hands and went their own ways.

Mr Rowell has extended an invitation to Mr Newman for a public debate before polling day on March 15, but arrangements are yet to be agreed upon.

AAP

[ozbob]

The following email has been sent to Cr Newman, Mr Rowell and Ms Bragg

6 March 2008

Dear Cr Newman, Mr Rowell and Ms Bragg,

At the debate today (6 Mar 2008) road congestion and public transport were correctly identified as major issues.

RAIL Back On Track is interested in your comments on the following.

Car parking around rail and bus stations is out of control.  It causes problems for local residents and businesses. People are forced to park cars in situations that are unsafe and put cars at risk of damage and loss.  We have put forward a number of times the suggestion that loop bus services be introduced in the suburbs to feed commuters to local bus and railway stations.  This would reduce congestion, help promote public transport and relieve the parking problems for residents and businesses.  A good model for this is the very successful City Loop buses.

This discussion thread on our message board might be of interest too.
Car parking - solutions?  http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=532.0

What will you do about this if elected on the 15th March?

Thank you for your consideration.

Regards

Robert

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

[ozbob]

We have received a prompt response from Ms Bragg (Greens).  Thank you  !

As part of our light rail plan (released 25 September 07) we recommended feeder buses and feeder cyclepaths to integrate into the light rail service.

In general Greens strongly support an integrated public tranport network so that people need not use cars as the network is frequent and high quality.

Good policy!

Cheers
ozbob

[ozbob]

From Courier Mail click here!

Newman tops Rowell in debate

Newman tops Rowell in debate
Article from: The Courier-Mail

By Emma Chalmers

March 06, 2008 11:00pm

LORD Mayor Campbell Newman has scored a clear victory in his first head-to-head challenge with Labor rival Greg Rowell, clinching yesterday's debate and rebutting claims over his financial record.

Cr Newman faced off against Mr Rowell and the Greens' lord mayoral candidate, Jo Bragg, during a $150-a-head Property Council lunch at the Sofitel hotel in the CBD, which was attended by many of Brisbane's business elite.

The two main contenders traded barbs over key issues including rising rates costs, claimed cost blowouts in the North South Bypass Tunnel project and alleged obstructionist tactics of the council's Labor majority.

Cr Newman told the audience that he believed Brisbane could become a better place if the growth and development of the city was well managed. However, he repeated his pleas for voters to deliver him a Liberal majority, accusing Labor councillors of holding up key projects and adding $20 million in unnecessary costs to the Hale St Bridge.

"There are all sorts of projects that have not been delivered and, while I'm proud of what has been achieved in this difficult time, the last 18 months have been very difficult ? we've seen a slowdown in delivery," he said.

While Cr Newman used most of his speech to outline his six-point policy plan for the city, Mr Rowell went on the attack from the moment he took to the podium, accusing the Lord Mayor of having a poor financial record.

"After four years of Campbell Newman, we can see what happens when the Lord Mayor gets it wrong, billions in cost blowouts, big toll increases and rates rises that are going up double (the rate of) inflation," he said. "With a track record like that . . . you should not be asking people to take that risk again."

But Mr Rowell came unstuck during his address, appearing flummoxed by his own prop ? a graph featuring consultant's fees paid by Brisbane City Council ? which he held up, but could not explain.

Cr Newman hit back at Mr Rowell's allegations, saying rates had fallen slightly in real terms under his leadership, even though he admitted last year that water price hikes had caused him to break his promise at the last election to keep rates in line with inflation for the average owner-occupier.

Mr Rowell also admitted at the end of the debate that the cost of the North South Bypass Tunnel to Brisbane City Council was $503 million, not the $3 billion as implied by the ALP's television advertisements.

Undaunted by the many developers in the audience, the Green's Jo Bragg ? who rode her bike to the Sofitel ? hit out at developer donations to political parties.

She accused Labor and the Liberals of supporting bloated growth for the city, noting that Brisbane could not expect to keep its character if the population grew by 120,000 people by 2016 as forecast.

"I know, certainly, that the level of growth in the South-East Queensland Plan is excessive and I know that because local plans are being approved in inner-city areas such as West End without adequate (additional) open space," Ms Bragg said.

While Mr Rowell and Cr Newman have both agreed to face off in another debate next week, their parties are yet to finalise the details of that challenge.

Labor has proposed a midday debate at City Hall on Wednesday and that debate would be the only free public clash of the campaign ahead of the March 15 poll.

[ozbob]

A further response has been received from Mr Tristan Peach  Greens' Candidate for Hamilton.

Thanks! 

Some of our parking policies directly address the valid concerns you have raised. For example:

1.    Provide increased funding for additional parking enforcement officers, including a rapid response team able to quickly deploy to events or nuisance parkers. Increase fines for parking infringements, particularly those that cause a nuisance to residents.  Extend the Council towing contract to accommodate the removal of illegal parking at all times of day, not just clearway in peak hour. Tighter regulations and stricter enforcement of parking rules around train and bus stations.

2.    Conduct an audit of streets with high levels of on-street parking. Where appropriate 1-2m yellow ?no parking? lines should be painted on either side of driveways to improve visibility for people exiting.

But our overall goal is to make it easier for people to use feeder buses, bicycles or their own feet to get to the station.

As Jo has said our light rail plan would be serviced by a network of feeder buses. If you look at page 2 of this document you will note we have made detailed recommendations about how bus routes would be redirected to the stations.

Our pedestrian policy also makes a number of commitments to improving footpaths and traffic light timings for pedestrians, that will make it easier for people to walk to the train or bus station.

Our cycling policy will be funded at $40 million per year (more than double current funding) and includes:

5. Improve bicycle access to local facilities. Provide clear road marking and signage along routes to rail/ferry/bus stations, shopping centres and schools. Reduce speed limits along key local routes.

10. Provide

    * Bike sheds, showers, change rooms and storage lockers at major destinations
    * Bike lockers at busway and railway stations funded in conjunction with the State Government
    * Sheltered bicycle racks at major bus stops

All policies available here too --> http://www.greenupbrisbane.net/policies_and_initiatives/index.html

[ozbob]

From Brisbane times click here!

Greens promise free public transport for kids

Greens promise free public transport for kids
Georgina Robinson | March 11, 2008 - 6:45PM

Public transport would be free for all Brisbane children within three years under a plan outlined by Greens mayoral candidate Jo Bragg today.

Ms Bragg said the "kids ride free" initiative would be phased in during the next three years and begin with off-peak travel until there were enough buses and ferries to extend the offer to peak periods.

"Young people make up 25 per cent of all residents in the Brisbane City Council area," she said.

"It is time to train up our kids for a lifetime of public transport use by starting them off with a free service."

Ms Bragg said the system had worked in London, where 385,000 youngsters used the service in 2007.

She said there were about 175,000 eligible young Brisbanites who were aged five to 18 years. Public transport is already free for infants and children aged four and under.

"Kids Ride free is a great way to tackle obesity, to fight congestion and to improve safety at schools by reducing vehicle drop offs and pick ups."

Labor lord mayoral candidate Greg Rowell said it was more important to get more buses and ferries in service before patronage grew further.

"One of the things in the studies that does come through is that cost is not one of the major inhibitors to people taking up public transport," Mr Rowell said.

"What we really need to do is provide freqency, that's why i'm saying five minute intervals in peak, 15 minutes across the rest of the day and doubling the size of the CityCat fleet."

[Zoiks]

So OzBob, who do you think is the better party coming to this election if you dont mind me asking that is.

The greens seem to have the right plan with some things but other things just scare me. There is a big rift against her on some of the skyscraper boards due to the fact that she is quoted as saying she wants to stop the growth of Brisbane.

[ozbob]

Only a personal opinion Zoiks    But I think the Greens light rail policy wins me!!

The reality is though it will more than likely be a contest between the Labor and Liberal teams.

It is fair to say that the Campbell Newman has given us feedback on our questions, as have the Greens through Ms Bragg and Mr Peach.

We have heard nothing from Labor in response to our questions.

[Zoiks]

I too am leaning labour, they just seem to have a better grasp on public transport. Besides it takes so long to pass motions that would slow the growth that by the time they pass it will be election time again... so hopefully... we get light rail and no slowdown

Now im off to uni to learn about dirt 

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Brisbane missed the bus on light rail: Greens

Brisbane missed the bus on light rail: Greens
Tony Moore | March 13, 2008 - 5:00AM

Brisbane missed a major opportunity 10 years ago to fix inner-city congestion when it rejected an offer from the Federal Government to help build a light-rail system, a Greens council candidate has said.

Greens Brisbane City Council candidate and Paddington retailer Anne Boccabella believes a decision by Brisbane City Council and the incoming Beattie Government to reject the concept in 1998 was a tragic mistake.

The original 1997 BRIZTRAM proposal included a $65 million grant from the Federal Government to seed a $250 million light rail, which could carry 45,000 passengers each day between West End, Brisbane's CBD, Royal Brisbane Hospital and the fast-growing Fortitude Valley and Newstead residential areas.

Under the proposal, a private consortium would have built, owned and operated the project in a style similar to many projects now underway in the South-East Queensland Infrastructure Plan launched in 2005.

Ms Boccabella, who is standing against long-serving ALP Deputy Mayor David Hinchliffe at Saturday's election, said the decision still haunts the city.

"The major traffic attractors of South-East Queensland would have had a high-speed, very accessible method of moving hundreds and hundreds of people a day," she said.

"Instead, we have a few buses and a hell of a lot of cars."

Cr Hinchliffe said that in March 2005, as part of a mass transit study, consultancy firm GHD found a light rail from West End through the CBD to Fortitude Valley would be viable.

The Deputy Mayor said he still supported an inner-city light rail.

"I think there is some value in having an inner-city light rail service, [just] not exactly on the (1997) route that was suggested."

Cr Hinchliffe said Brisbane City Council Liberal transport spokesman Cr Graham Quirk rejected the proposal six months after the 2005 study, although Liberal councillor David McLachlan released a "mass transit" study in September last year.

Yesterday, Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said he believed the solution was a $100 million "bus rapid transit", not a light-rail project.

Ms Boccabella, who evaluated the light-rail project as a community representative, said Brisbane City Council and the State Government made a mistake by rejecting the project.

"I attended every single meeting, listened to argument and tried to explain to people more about light rail and tried to take away a lot of the urban mythology being ramped up by politicians who didn't seem to want it."

She said the project would have been a major advantage to plans to install public transport to the expanding Bowen Hills area.

"This also would have been the first step towards increasing public transport into this new CBD," Ms Boccabella said.

"It is right next to the Royal Brisbane Hospital and it would have been very easy to extend it out to Bowen Hills Station to pick people up and bring them into the hospital."

Ms Boccabella said she has received emails about bus stop congestion from commuters travelling between QUT and Royal Brisbane Women's Hospital.

A report by consultants Parsons Brinckerhoff into Queensland's fledgling interest in four light-rail projects called "Light Rail Down Under: Three Strikes and You're Not Out!", said Brisbane was simply not ready for the project in 1997.

"Although the BRIZTRAM was fundamentally a sound proposal and had the support of a large number of Brisbane's residents, the lack of cohesive and unified support by both the state and council leaders contributed to its delays, targeted community opposition and led ultimately to its demise," it said.

Ms Boccabella said light rail could also be used on the city's busways.

"Those busways are designed to take light rail and they could go on immediately, if we had the light rail rolling stock," she said.

"The buses could be released onto the streets. We wouldn't be hundreds and hundreds of buses short now. Those buses would have been there and been in use."

[ozbob]

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Brisbane needs Ipswich: Pisasale

Brisbane needs Ipswich: Pisasale
Shannon Molloy | March 14, 2008 - 5:00AM

Brisbane cannot survive without its western cousin, Ipswich.

That's the claim of the city's Mayor Paul Pisasale, who addressed a sold-out Proprerty Council breakfast yesterday morning while wearing a western hat pierced with arrows.

In the past, Brisbane had "thrown arrows" at his city - but now, Ipswich is the Queensland capital's only hope for survival, he said.

"Ipswich is coming of age and providing jobs and infrastructure to help Brisbane cope with the massive population growth in the south-east corner," Cr Pisasale said.

His plan is to establish a "satellite city" and share some of the burden of growth from Queensland's capital.

Outer areas of Ipswich could also act as a new home for industrial sites, like the Parmalat factory at South Brisbane or the Schweppes plant at Mount Gravatt.

"It would allow industry to flourish because they won't be hindered by urban development nearby," he said.

The move would also open up prime land for development.

"The regional centres have got to support the capital and not be a source of pain - Ipswich wants to be a solution, not part of the problem."

However, he admitted one of the biggest hurdles for Ipswich is reshaping public perception.

Ipswich has long been the butt of many jokes, but its potential as a winning investment would see that change, he said.

"It is changing. The interest in Ipswich is unbelievable."

The release of the Ipswich Regional Centre Strategy, which identified 17 projects that would revitalise the city centre, will ensure continued attention on the town.

"We've done 12 months of really strong planning to launch a framework to become a global, world-class city.

"We're learnt from the mistakes made in cities around the world and brought in the best of the best to help us get it right."

The State Government has also committed $5 million to kick-start planning for a transport hub in the middle of Ipswich.

"There are clear opportunities for private sector investment and development as the city centre embarks on a near era."

[Zoiks]

Did my bit to "lighten the rail" situation in Brisbane by doing an early vote...

Make of that comment as you wish 

[ozbob]

From Courier mail click here!

Queensland goes to the polls

Queensland goes to the polls
Article from: The Courier-Mail

By Neil Hickey

March 14, 2008 10:05am

MORE than 2.5 million voters go to the polls tomorrow to usher in a new era of local government in Queensland.

Following a reform last year of the states' more than 150 councils, voters will elect councillors and mayors in just 73 local government zones.

More than 2000 candidates are hoping to fill more than 550 positions - 73 for mayor and 480 as councillors.

Most eyes will be on Brisbane City Council, the largest local government in the country, where Liberal Lord Mayor Campbell Newman is seeking a second term.

Cr Newman is being pursued for the top job by Labor candidate and former first-class cricketer and lawyer, Greg Rowell, while Greens mayoral candidate Jo-Anne Bragg has also run a vigorous campaign.

With a focus on traffic congestion, crime and the environment, Cr Newman has campaigned hard not just on his own re-election but also the election of a Liberal majority council.

Mr Rowell, who played 46 first-class matches for Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania, has anchored his campaign with accusations of budget blowouts.

But the election has also been marked by accusations of dirty tricks, with the Liberal Party's candidate for Northgate, Kevin Parer, accusing Labor rival Kim Flesser of removing some of his advertising material from a footpath.

Head-to-head, opinion polls give Cr Newman - a handsome winner in last week's mayoral debate - a healthy advantage, with a primary vote of 60 per cent, more than twice that of Mr Rowell.

Another election looming as an intriguing contest is on the Gold Coast where former Olympian Ron Clarke faces a battle to retain the mayoralty.

Pro-development Liberal candidate Tom Tate has enjoyed heavy backing from business leaders in the region after promising to expedite a capital works project of more than $5 billion.

Mr Tate has orchestrated a preference deal with another candidate, Rob Molhoek, that experts predict will seriously harm Cr Clarke's chances of re-election.

On the Sunshine Coast, where opposition to a merged council famously led to street marches through the city of Brisbane, the mayoral battle is between former Maroochy incumbent Joe Natoli and flamboyant Noosa leader Bob Abbot, one of the loudest voices against last year's reforms.

Recent reports indicate Mr Abbot is a raging hot favourite, with exit polls and pre-polling indicating a two-to-one majority over Mr Natoli.

Polls open from 8am and will close at 6pm, but already concerns have been raised over voter turnouts.

Local Government Association of Queensland executive director Greg Hallam said in some councils voter turnouts as low as 50 to 60 per cent were anticipated, on account of poor organisation and confusion about the new systems.

Detailed results will be listed on the Electoral Commission of Queensland's website as soon as polling closes and will be updated when they come to hand.

For more details call the ECQ's call centre on 3403 8888.

[ozbob]

Council election results  Brisbane ABC http://www.abc.net.au/elections/brisbane/2008/

All councils  -- > ECQ  http://www.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/local/lg2008/groupIndex.html

Campbell Newman has won the Brisbane Lord Mayor vote comfortably.

There is a distinct possibility from the results so far that Brisbane may well have a liberal council.

The problems with Health, amalgamations and transport have had an impact.

The Greens have polled well too.

Brisbane Mayoral Labor candidate ignored our questions concerning public transport.
Responses were received from Liberal and Greens.  Says it all really ...