Redcliffe Peninsula Line [was MBRL (Petrie to Kippa Ring)]

[paulg]

Here is the summary of the Western Brisbane Transport Network Investigation: www.transport.qld.gov.au/wbtni

The Trouts Road corridor is currently designated for motorway + bus lanes + veloway.

Cheers, Paul

[paulg]

I don't think this will have any impact on the funding for CRR at all (if anything strengthens the case for CRR).  This moves the Petrie Kippa-Ring out of the IA list.  CRR will be considered when the results of the present phase are completed, ie. the detailed costings and consultation for the preferred route.

Agree that it strengthens the case for CRR. Unfortunately though, the Federal Government is constrained in the amount of money it will have available to invest in infrastructure projects in the next few years. It has a stated goal of returning the budget to surplus, and the billions we need for CRR are going to be hard to find. Infrastructure Australia has a lot of projects on its lists, and only a tiny fraction of the money needed to progress them.

[colinw]

Wow, the negativity & cynicism sure is running rife on the news article feedback.

The CM don't seem to be publishing my comments today either. 

[ozbob]

Short interview on 612 ABC Brisbane after the 5pm news, host Kelly Higgins-Devine re Petrie to Kippa Ring.  Mayor Sutherland followed.  Thanks 612.

Certainly been a big story in the media today.

From Brisbanetimes click here!

Labor ladies on track for 2016

Labor ladies on track for 2016
TONY MOORE
July 27, 2010 - 7:27PM

Australia's first-elected female premier, Anna Bligh, stood beside Julia Gillard - who hopes to achieve the same thing on a federal scale - and promised $300 million to help the federal Labor government build a $1.15 billion rail link north of Brisbane.

It was the first time the pair had appeared together during the 2010 election campaign.

The Petrie to Kippa Ring project means two of Southeast Queensland's biggest rail projects - the futuristic $8.2 billion underground rail link in central Brisbane, and now the $1.15 billion Petrie to Kippa Ring extension - will both depend on federal funding to be ready by 2016.

The federal government has promised $742 million for the Petrie to Kippa Ring rail project, although that money is not due until 2014-15, meaning the federal funding of the 12.6km Petrie to Kippa Ring project is beyond the next federal election.

It includes new stations at Kallangur, Murrumba Downs, Mango Hill, Kinsellas Road, Rothwell, and Kippa- Ring and runs through three marginal seats, Longman and Petrie held by Labor and Dickson held by the Liberal National Party's Peter Dutton.

A business case on the $8.2 billion Cross River Rail project, with its proposed underground rail station in Albert Street, goes to the federal government in the middle of next year.

Both rail projects are to be finished by 2016.

Not linked to underground rail

In the Cross River Rail project the Merivale Bridge at South Brisbane must be "duplicated" by the underground link in order to get enough rail services through Brisbane by 2016.

But Ms Bligh said the connection between the two projects was not a major concern.

"This (Petrie to Kippa Ring project) is an extension of the Petrie line, from Petrie out to Kippa Ring," she said.

"The Petrie line actually runs from Petrie out to Ipswich and the cross river point on the line is the Indooroopilly bridge, not the Merivale Bridge."

"So it won't put immediate pressure by 2016 on that cross river link at Merivale but yes, over time, it will build an ever bigger case for Cross River Rail."

Ms Gillard rejected claims of pork-barrelling, but both she and Ms Bligh conceded the project had been continually promised by both sides of politics.

The project was submitted to Infrastructure Australia by the Queensland Government last year, but was rejected because it was not considered "shovel ready" at that time.

Growth warrants project

Ms Gillard said the project was warranted because of strong growth and would be funded.

Moreton Bay mayor Allan Sutherland said the fact that three levels of government were involved in the project should convince disbelievers.

"It is the first time in the history of this project that we have three tiers of government working together on this project," he said.

He said the 12.8 percent population growth through the region gave the council the "financial clout" to be able to contribute to the project.

"There is never a better time to start this project than now," he said.

Ms Bligh said geo-technical studies would take another 18 months to two years to complete.

Work will go ahead

But Ms Bligh promised the work would start, mindful of many promises in previous years.

"If a Gillard Government is elected on August 21st, then on August 23rd we will be begin the process of hiring a company, if necessary, to do all of that work."

Under continued questioning, Ms Gillard assured reporters the work would start.

"Can you announce it today, and get out and and start works tomorrow? There is not one Australian with a modicum of commonsense that would think that is possible.

"Every Australian would know that something that cost $1.1 billion, (building a) rail track, six stations, requires plain work, having companies engaged, environmental impact studies, all the things that go on before big construction projects.

"So all that will start if we are elected."

The Moreton Bay Regional Council has promised $105 million and has already spent the past 12 months detailing the broad parameters of the project, Cr Sutherland said.

"The box that was unticked was the financing and that was the box that got ticked today and I am delighted."

115 years in the making

Earlier Ms Gillard appeared genuinely shocked that the project was first identified in 1895.

"The State Government preserved the land in 1978 and there has been discussions about doing this for a long period of time," she said.

"And the State Government has been aiming to get to this point in around 2027, but now with our investment, working together we are able to build this and have it there, have the construction complete in 2016."

[ozbob]

From the Brisbane mX 27th July 2010 page 1

Missing link

[ozbob]

I have just heard on ABC Radio News  National Party Transport Spokesman confirm that the Liberal National coalition will similarly fund the Petrie - Kippa Ring  for 750M (same as the Labor commitment) should they be in Government.

Heads you win, tails you win!   

[#Metro]

From the sounds of it, they are going to extend the Petrie terminators to Kippa-Ring, but these are often only in the peak hour. What about during the rest of the day- they will have to put more trains on, unless they are thinking about a shuttle service which terminates and then transfer to another train service, but that seems very inconvenient.

[david]

Maybe we will see Springfield to Kippa-Ring services connecting the two newest rail lines together

[mufreight]

Just a thought for the wish list (fantasy) file, but how does Shorncliffe - Springfield (extension of the existing Corinda all stations services), Kippa Ring - Ipswich via the cross river link and Tennyson (will require a fourth track Dutton Park to Yeerongpilly) alternating with Caboolture - Ipswich services (express Corinda - Indooroopilly - Toowong - Roma Street) sound.
But at present there are a few bits of infrastructure missing and the money to build them.

[#Metro]

I've heard news that BOTH sides of politics (federal) are now in support of the rail link.
Maybe this is the big shift?

The Cross River Rail needs to be built as well as the Sunshine Coast Line and of less importance the Northern Line (NO FREEWAY).

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Election pledge on Redcliffe rail line a $300m headache for Anna Bligh

Election pledge on Redcliffe rail line a $300m headache for Anna Bligh

   * Ursula Heger and Steven Wardill
   * From: The Courier-Mail
   * July 27, 2010 10:12PM

A $1.15 billion federal election promise aimed at winning over crucial marginal seats is set to cause a major infrastructure headache for the State Government.

The long-awaited Redcliffe rail line will force the Bligh Government to build more trains, potentially upgrade overcrowded inner-city rail infrastructure and find cash for the $8.2 billion Cross River Rail project.

After a local LNP candidate initially dismissed the project, the Federal Opposition yesterday matched Labor's funding promise.

The commitments by both major parties will force the Bligh Government to stump up its $300 million share for the 12.6km project regardless of who wins the election.

The link, first mooted in 1895, was plucked from obscurity by the Gillard Government after it appeared only as a planning project in the latest state infrastructure plan and was ignored by Infrastructure Australia.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the project was in a booming growth corridor and necessary to cut the area's reliance on roads  with 87 per cent of locals using their cars every day.

''We are talking about a project that has come to a stage where it is at the right stage to fund it,'' she said.

Appearing beside the Prime Minister for the first time in the election campaign, Premier Anna Bligh said she was ''delighted'' with the funding pledge, saying it would relieve pressure on the local road network.

However, the surprise fast-tracking of the project, which was originally slated for 2026 but will now be completed by 2016, will have significant flow-on effects for the already-choked network.

While the State Government is investing $1 billion in new trains, none are specifically planned to service the new rail link.

Additional train traffic from the northside also will add to the congestion in inner-city pinch points.

The taxpayer-funded subsidy for the southeast's CityTrain network also surged to $542 million last year  meaning the State Government is forking out $9.51 for every passenger on the system.

Ms Bligh admitted that the new rail line would eventually put pressure on governments to commit to the Cross River Rail project, which is needed by 2016 to provide an alternative link into Brisbane city for freight and passenger trains via a 7km underground connection between Fairfield and Bowen Hills.

''It will not put immediate pressure in 2016 on that cross-river link at Merivale but, yes, over time it will build an even bigger case for Cross River Rail,'' she said.

The Redcliffe rail link has not been the subject of a value-for-money business case, with only a preliminary evaluation conducted before Ms Gillard's announcement.

Yet the Federal and State governments already have decided to build stations at Kallangur, Murrumba Downs, Mango Hill, Kinsellas Road, Rothwell and Kippa-Ring.

The project will get $742 million in federal funding, with the State Government contributing $300 million as well as the land corridor originally reserved for the project in 1978. The Moreton Bay Regional Council will contribute $105 million.

Blog comment:

Public transport investment saves many times the cost, and these savings grow exponentially with time.  Balance is needed rather than the constant bashing.  This is a great project and will be of huge benefit to the community.  The fact that both sides support speaks volumes.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

LNP jumps aboard rail plan

LNP jumps aboard rail plan
TONY MOORE
July 28, 2010 - 5:30AM


The Liberal National Party overnight promised $750 million towards the $1.15 billion Petrie to Kippa Ring rail line in a bid to neutralise prime minister Julia Gillard's promise that Labor would build the long-awaited 12.6 kilometre rail line to Redcliffe.

That effectively means bayside commuters will get a new rail line by 2016 regardless of which party wins the federal election on August 21.

It also re-opens the fight among the two major parties for Southeast Queensland's three bayside marginal seats, Petrie (ALP), Longman (ALP) and Dickson (LNP).

Prime Minister Julia Gillard set the cat among the pigeons yesterday, announcing a re-elected Labor government would tip $742 million into a plan involving three levels of government to build the rail line with six new stations at a cost of $1.15 billion.

The much-promised project would be well received in three marginal seats the rail line would run through; Dickson, held marginally by the LNP's Peter Dutton (0.08 per cent)) and Labor's Petrie (4.2 per cent) and Longman (1.9 per cent), held by Yvette D'Arth and Jon Sullivan.

Anna Bligh's Labor Queensland Government promised $300 million and the Moreton Bay Regional Council will fund $105 million.
Federal Opposition Transport and Regional Development spokesman and Nationals leader Warren Truss.

Federal Opposition Transport and Regional Development spokesman and Nationals leader Warren Truss.

A joint statement from Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and Shadow Transport spokesman Warren Truss's promise to build the rail line put the issue back on a level-playing field.

"A Coalition government will deliver the Moreton Bay Rail Link," the statement said.

"A Coalition government will invest $750 million towards major construction works on this project.

"This funding will be made available from AusLink 3, commencing in 2014-15."

The timing of the Coalition's funding is the same as the promise yesterday by Ms Gillard, using new funding from Auslink 3, but after the 2013 federal election.

The Premier's Department would not comment on whether it's $300 million promise would be made if the Coalition won office.

A Premier's Department spokeswoman said without the support of the local and state governments, the Coalition's plan had a $400 million black hole.

However the Coalition said they would negotiate the contributions from the Queensland Government and the Moreton Bay Regional Council

"We note that the Moreton Bay Regional Council has committed $105 million towards the project although we do not believe that local government should be expected to make such a contribution to the project," the joint statement read.

"An elected Coalition Government will negotiate with the State Government of Queensland and with the Moreton Bay Regional Council about their contribution to the project."

Moreton Bay mayor Allan Sutherland last night was delighted both major parties backed the project.

"I think it is great that everybody has now recognised the importance of this," he said.

"The more on board the better."

However he said he believed the State Government should contribute.

"Well that is the (Infrastructure Australia) agreement that we have signed off on, but there is still a shortfall of $100 million if we don't contribute," Cr Sutherland said.

He said the project was modelled on the Gold Coast Rapid Transit project - mentioned by Ms Bligh at yesterday's announcement - where three governments contributed.

Cr Sutherland said he was unsure if the funds had been allocated under Infrastructure Australia agreements. But he said he believed all levels of government should contribute.

"I think everybody will stick to the agreement and why shouldn't they?" he said.

"The State Government and the Federal Government have shown a lot of backbone in stepping up to the plate on this."

The LNP's candidate for Petrie, Dean Teasdale, a Deception Bay businessman who fumbled for an answer about the project on radio yesterday, last night also backed the project.

"I don't think our position has changed since the statement I made this morning, Labor should not be making these big spending commitments," Mr Teasdale said.

He disagreed the LNP's promise was effectively the same as the ALP.

"We are also identifying $47 billion in savings in the budget as well," he said.

"Labor just keeps going on spending without identifying where they will identify $47 billion in savings. That is the difference."

He said the rail line was very important and would be well received.

[Jonno]

The line has been the subject if a very recent value for money business case and appeared on the SEQ Infrastructure Plan and Infrastructure Australia project list in late June.  

[#Metro]

So,who can build it the fastest?

[colinw]

From the Courier Mail click here!

...

Public transport investment saves many times the cost, and these savings grow exponentially with time.  Balance is needed rather than the constant bashing.  This is a great project and will be of huge benefit to the community.  The fact that both sides support speaks volumes.

What an unbelievably shoddy piece of reporting by the Courier-Mail.  I have submitted a point by point rebuttal of the article to the CM (will they publish it?).

Point 1.  The line was not "plucked from obscurity".  It was a major local issue at the last State Election, it appears in SEQIP in both the map and the text.

Point 2.  The line was one of the State Government's submissions to Infrastructure Australia for funding, and IA listed it as being merit worthy.

Point 3.  The line is strongly supported by the area's residents and local Council, who are on board with funding as well.

Point 4.  The rollingstock shortage is a straw man.  SEQIP contains ongoing Rollingstock Procurement more than sufficient to cover this line.

Point 5.  It does not "place pressure on" to deliver Cross River Rail.  Cross River Rail is critically necessary regardless of whether P-KR goes ahead or not.

Its no wonder we have such messed up transport planning in this state when the major daily newspaper is guilty of constant distortion and negative reporting on transport & rail issues.

[#Metro]

I have to say, CM reporting of late has been very disappointing IMHO.
Since they don't publish lots of comments (indeed often ones that undermine their angle), I have half a mind to write something.

[#Metro]

What about the Greens? Silence from their quarters? Will they build it or get federal funds for it?

[somebody]

Just a thought for the wish list (fantasy) file, but how does Shorncliffe - Springfield (extension of the existing Corinda all stations services), Kippa Ring - Ipswich via the cross river link and Tennyson (will require a fourth track Dutton Park to Yeerongpilly) alternating with Caboolture - Ipswich services (express Corinda - Indooroopilly - Toowong - Roma Street) sound.

To be honest, this doesn't add nearly as much value as simply routing the Beenleigh trains via the new tunnel.  Without routing that way, the Beenleigh line will continue to underperform thanks to the 12min Park Rd-Central trip.  I may raise some ire here though: it may not be possible to serve Dutton Park with such a routing.

[STB]

Out of curiousity which is quicker? Going via Petrie or going via Sandgate for Redcliffe residents?

Also, will this cause the Shorncliffe line become a 'ghost' line?

[somebody]

Out of curiousity which is quicker? Going via Petrie or going via Sandgate for Redcliffe residents?

Also, will this cause the Shorncliffe line become a 'ghost' line?

Depends a great deal on where on the Redcliffe peninsular you are.  From Clontarf, it definitely will not make sense to use this train.

As for your second question, while Sandgate is the busiest station beyond Northgate, no.  Sangate AM boardings: 1099.  Shorncliffe-Bindha AM boardings: 3561.

I expect it to really have an imperceptible impact on the Shorncliffe line.  But a big impact on Petrie.

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
28/07/2010

LNP BACKFLIPS IN DESPERATE BID TO CATCH UP ON MORETON BAY RAIL LINK

The LNP has performed an amazing backflip on Moreton Bay Rail Link, with two positions in 24 hours and lingering uncertainty about their commitment to this critical infrastructure.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said the LNP candidate for Petrie, Dean Teasdale, went on radio yesterday morning to declare "now is not the time" for investment in the new public transport link. (Interview with Spencer Howson, ABC612 27 July 2010)

"Mr Teasdale's message to the people he wants to represent is that after 115 years, they just need to keep on waiting," Ms Nolan said.

"It's no surprise that by yesterday afternoon he was forced to change his tune and commit to the project. (Interview with Kelly Higgins-Devine, ABC612 27 July 2010)

"But the real question is, after being dragged kicking and screaming into this back down, can the LNP be trusted to deliver?"

Ms Nolan said the Howard Government didn't fund a single public transport project in nearly 12 years in office, and at the last state election the LNP gave itself an escape clause.

"Last March the LNP said delivery of Redcliffe Rail was 'subject to financial constraints and GFC'.

"And even yesterday's announcement had strings attached. The LNP says Moreton Bay Regional Council shouldn't be putting money in, and cast doubt on state funding.

"If Tony Abbott and the LNP are not interested in working with the State and Local levels of government, there is a $400 million black hole in their promise.

"If the LNP doesn't think the council should be contributing, they need to put up the extra cash.

Ms Nolan also corrected an inaccurate media report today, labelling it disappointing.

"The suggestion in today's newspaper that the Bligh Government isn't investing in new trains to boost future capacity is inaccurate and misleading.

"As the joint press release said yesterday, our $1 billion investment will deliver 64 new trains that will run on this and other lines.

"The Bligh Government understands that Cross River Rail is needed - that's why there's a $25 million joint Federal and state study underway right now.

"As the Premier explained in her joint press conference with the Prime Minister and the Mayor yesterday, the Kippa-Ring line will link to the Springfield line and cross the Brisbane River at Indooroopilly, not in the inner city.

"This means that while Cross River Rail is vitally important for managing growth across the network in the future, the specific Moreton Bay Rail Link project can operate successfully without it.

"The Bligh Government is committed to working with all levels of government to ensure we put the necessary infrastructure in place to manage growth and preserve our way of life into the future.

"That is what the Moreton Bay Rail Link and Cross River Rail are all about."

------------------

LNP candidate for Petrie, Dean Teasdale

Interview with Spencer Howson, ABC612 27 July 2010

".perhaps Gillard and Bligh see Redcliffe rail as moving forward. But it's moving in the wrong direction.

Now is not the right time.

We are not about making big spending promises in the context of this election campaign.

.And as I said I'll be a constant advocate to ensure our infrastructure needs are met. But now is not the right time."

LNP candidate for Petrie, Dean Teasdale

Interview with Kelly Higgins-Devine, ABC612 27 July 2010

"Oh I support the comments that it's good news for local residents this afternoon that the Coalition will fund this important piece of infrastructure for the community."

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

[Dean Quick]

The negativity and cynicism continues on the Courier Fail feedback pages. I am astounded by the amount of whinging and complaining. My comments didn't even make the feedback page!! I guess if you have a positive angle, you are dismissed! Having only one daily rag sure has its draw backs.  

[Dean Quick]

Ms Nolan said the Howard Government didn't fund a single public transport project in nearly 12 years in office, and at the last state election the LNP gave itself an escape clause.



OH but the Howard gov't blew their own trumpets about budget surpluses. Meanwhile hospitals,schools and transport were lagging behind.

[somebody]

Honestly, you have to wonder what Dean Teasdale was thinking when he said "moving in the wrong direction".

Perhaps he should have said that this is a state government responsibility.

[#Metro]

As the joint press release said yesterday, our $1 billion investment will deliver 64 new trains that will run on this and other lines.

"The Bligh Government understands that Cross River Rail is needed - that's why there's a $25 million joint Federal and state study underway right now.

"As the Premier explained in her joint press conference with the Prime Minister and the Mayor yesterday, the Kippa-Ring line will link to the Springfield line and cross the Brisbane River at Indooroopilly, not in the inner city.

"This means that while Cross River Rail is vitally important for managing growth across the network in the future, the specific Moreton Bay Rail Link project can operate successfully without it.

"The Bligh Government is committed to working with all levels of government to ensure we put the necessary infrastructure in place to manage growth and preserve our way of life into the future.

A study is not going to pay for the CRR. All of rail infrastructure projects- kippa ring, CAMCOS, Flagstone etc have studies all over the place. 64 trains sounds like a lot, until you realise that the number is probably measured in 3 car units (correct if wrong) which is deliberately done to bloat the numbers, as everyone knows that almost all train services run as a coupled set.

And then there is the 3rd world frequencies- every 1/2 hour and black holes everywhere on the network. 1 bn sounds like a lot, but when you think about how 1km of busway at Buranda is costing almost half a billion, I don't think it will go very far -- maybe 2km.

Sorry to be cynical, but its an election period and I just groan at all the spin that comes out.

[mufreight]

Again we are drifting here, Kippa - Ring will have little effect on the CRR for some considerable time if ever.

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail click here!

Gillard undermines Queensland infrastructure plan with rail link pledge

Gillard undermines Queensland infrastructure plan with rail link pledge

    * Steven Wardill
    * From: The Courier-Mail
    * July 28, 2010 10:05PM

THE credibility of the State Government's infrastructure blueprint has been called into question after it failed to prioritise the now approved Redcliffe rail link.

The latest version of the $134 billion Southeast Queensland Infrastructure Plan shows Anna Bligh's Government was not planning to build the 12.6km Petrie to Kippa-Ring line until 2026.

This is despite another government report finding the line for an express train would be massively popular and would exceed capacity if only a single track was up and running in six years.

The plan, introduced in 2005, was supposed to lay out a schedule to roll out infrastructure in time to cope with growth, rather than rely on four-year Budget forecasts.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced this week that a re-elected Labor government would commit $742 million to build the long-awaited Redcliffe line by 2016. The Bligh Government promised to invest $300 million and Moreton Bay Regional Council the remaining $105 million.

The federal decision to fund the project was based on a Department of Transport and Main Roads preliminary report, which found the rail line would attract 10,000 trips a day.

The report found the light train or busway option previously favoured by the State Government would attract fewer commuters than heavy rail. But no option could initially provide the capacity for all passengers to sit.

The report said a dual-track solution would be the most effective option to meet daily peak demand, while a single track would struggle with a capacity of four trains an hour.

A spokeswoman for Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said the dual-track option would be built. But Opposition transport spokeswoman Fiona Simpson said the line should be built before the planned 2016 construction date to cope with growth in the area.

[somebody]

Again we are drifting here, Kippa - Ring will have little effect on the CRR for some considerable time if ever.

There will be a small effect.  At the moment, it's really only the Merivale bridge which is constrained.  With patronage growth, the numbers of trains from the north could become constrained also.  If KR goes ahead, that will increase the numbers of trains from the north and therefore the need to use Roma St #7 to get to Mayne in the AM peak.  Still, I agree with you in general.

[Golliwog]

Again we are drifting here, Kippa - Ring will have little effect on the CRR for some considerable time if ever.

There will be a small effect.  At the moment, it's really only the Merivale bridge which is constrained.  With patronage growth, the numbers of trains from the north could become constrained also.  If KR goes ahead, that will increase the numbers of trains from the north and therefore the need to use Roma St #7 to get to Mayne in the AM peak.  Still, I agree with you in general.

Or traveling outbound on the Ipswich line, and they try and only use the two tracks (the Mains?) that don't connect with the Merivale bridge. If more end up going outbound then they may have to have a conflict there if some have to use the suburbans.

[tomato]

Don't trust Abbott on rail link: Labor August 1, 2010 - 7:54PM
AAP

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott cannot be trusted on his pledge to build a long awaited southeast Queensland rail link because he thinks public transport is a state responsibility, Labor claims.
Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese warns that despite apparent bipartisan support and matched dollar for dollar spending promises on the Moreton Bay Rail Link, the project is under threat from a potential Abbott government.

Last week the federal government announced it would invest $742 million in the the 12.6 kilometre rail link connecting Petrie Station to Kippa-Ring, north of Brisbane. The announcement was a joint partnership, with the Queensland government committing $300 million and the Moreton Bay Regional Council promising $105 million.
The project includes six new stations at Kallangur, Murrumba Downs, Mango Hill-North Lakes, Kinsellas Road, Rothwell and Kippa-Ring.

The coalition promised to match the federal government's investment.
On Sunday, Mr Albanese attended a forum in the north Brisbane suburb of North Lakes and met with community members who had championed the project for years.

"People have waited not just years but decades," he said.
Mr Albanese claimed in a newsletter to his constituents that Mr Abbott had declared "all transport infrastructure is a state responsibility and the provision of federal funding for such projects to be as silly as the state government having to buy new tanks for the army."

"Tony Abbott has made it clear that it's his view that transport infrastructure is state responsibility," he told AAP.
"He was part of a government that for 12 years ignored public transport."Mr Albanese said the coalition had not revealed where its money for the project would come from.

Comment was sought from Tony Abbott's office but his spokespeople were not immediately available. On its website the Liberal Party said the "funding will be made available from AusLink 3, commencing in 2014-15".
"Unlike Labor, the Coalition has a track record of commitment to this project. "At the last state election the Liberal National Party made a firm commitment to deliver the Moreton Bay Rail Link."

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/dont-trust-abbott-on-rail-link-labor-20100801-111b6.html

[tomato]

If anyone is at a function where Mr Albanese is can you ask him these questions...

1.   When will the final instalment of the $15 million "Melb - Brisbane Inland Rail Study" be released ....supposed to be ' early 2010 ' ?

http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=1405.msg20382#msg20382

2.  Whats happenning with the Northern Sydney Freight Corridor (NSFC) ...promised $840 million before the Kevin 007 (ie 2007) federal election ?

So important that the NSFCorridor was QR's Number 1 request in its submission to Infrastructure Australia in 2008.

http://www.railpage.com.au/f-t11347003.htm

[mufreight]

A few points worth considering about Kippa-Ring.
Would this line have now been promised if Labor was not so desperate to stay in power both Federal and State?
It is now some 103 years since the line was first promised as distinct from proposed.
It was a Labor government who in 1997 deferred commencing construction of the line indefinitely as not needed and then proposed selling off some of the alignment that they had purchased, it is understood that some of this land, outside of the actual rail corridor was actually subdivided off and sold.
When the Bruce Highway was realigned to bypass Petrie and Caboolture there was provision made for a rail underpass, whether or not it was actually constructed I have no knowledge but it is understood that the present government decided on a different alignment.
Prime Minister Gillard has said that there will be no Commonwealth money for this project until 2014 despite construction scheduled to be completed and the line commissioned by 2016.
Couple this with Premier Bligh stating also that the line will be in service 2016 but the State government would not be providing funding until after the next state election 2014.
How can the line be constructed in a two year timeframe?  Expert engineers who are currently or have been engaged in the construction of major rail infrastructure in this country say that the project would at best need some 4 to 5 years to construct, so if there is no funding until 2014 a 2016 commissioning date is just so much hot air.
The Caboolture to Landsbrough duplication which while impressive is too short to be of real benefit because work was halted by the current government when it reached Beerburrum rather than being completed as far as Landsborough which would have provided capacity for increased frequency of passenger services as well as shortening the transit time significantly for all services both freight and passenger.
Darra to Springfield originally scheduled for commissioning in 2011, then slipped back in increments to a 2017 completion date as a cut down project to be built as single track from Richlands to Springfield and without the intermediate stations of Ellengrove and Springfield Lakes, the construction is now to be fast-tracked with a 2014 commissioning constructed as a double track line but without the intermediate stations.
Kippa Ring, On their track record of promises made in relation to rail infrastructure but not met I will believe that the current governments, both Federal and State will build the line the day I see a train pull into Kippa Ring station.

[Derwan]

What's the bet that they won't build all stations from the outset?

[Jonno]

I know I risk sounding like a broken record but whilst public transport is only seen as catering for 15-20% of all  trips the politicians and planners can easily descope such projects because "demand is not there yet".  If it seen as our primary mode of transport then descaling is harder to do!!

[mufreight]

It is all a matter of trust and I for one no longer trust Labor either Federal or State to produce on any of their promises.
Will the other side do any better we can only hope, but if they wish to unseat the state government here they have no choice but to come up with the goods.

[somebody]

Somewhat off topic, but it is starting to look like there may be a change at the next Federal election, so long as Abbott doesn't put his foot in his mouth too many more times.

At the state level, a lot of people want a change, but we need a credible opposition which wasn't present at the last election.

[Jonno]

It is all a matter of trust and I for one no longer trust Labor either Federal or State to produce on any of their promises.
Will the other side do any better we can only hope, but if they wish to unseat the state government here they have no choice but to come up with the goods.

A lack of trust and a lack of policies that actually commit to supporting rail as the primary transport mode means the major parties are likey to reneg or delay this commitment

[somebody]

I am concerned that neither side of Federal politics is promising to deliver the money until they win two elections.  Is this something that would be a suitable topic for a media release?

[ozbob]

Possibly, but better to wait till policy launches and nearer to August 21  There is a commitment by both sides at this time, but policy promises during any election campaign have never been rolled gold, let's see what unfolds ..

[colinw]

I believe it would be best to keep the releases on this issue positive & supportive.  The fact is that we are closer to getting Kippa-Ring delivered than at any time in the 100+ year history of this proposal.