2018 Commonwealth Games

[Mr X]

This government is not going to be around for the 2018 games at the rate they're going. Not sure on timing but I think an election has to be held before the games. They need to gain seats and support to retain govt, as Mr. Wellington is retiring and you can bet your asses that the Mr. Pyne and Mr. Gordon's seats will fall to the LNP.

And as if the former country party, home of the Cleveland Solution and the botched bus reform, will do any better.

[wbj]

This government is not going to be around for the 2018 games at the rate they're going. Not sure on timing but I think an election has to be held before the games. They need to gain seats and support to retain govt, as Mr. Wellington is retiring and you can bet your asses that the Mr. Pyne and Mr. Gordon's seats will fall to the LNP.

And as if the former country party, home of the Cleveland Solution and the botched bus reform, will do any better.

Pyne and Gordon won their seats as endorsed Labor candidates.  I doubt they have much personal vote so the next endorsed Labor candidate will still be a chance with the indies' second preferences.

[Stillwater]

The Beattie and Palaszczuk media statements and Mr Beattie's appearance before the TV cameras shows that this government is about managing the public perception more than it is about solving the problem that is the basis of that well-founded perception -- that PT will let us down during the Commonwealth Games.

Trying to stop release of the Games Federation letters for 3 months within the RTI process was an information management exercise.

You can imagine the events of Sunday -- paper comes out in the morning with Commonwealth Games Federation criticism featured prominently, some official in government chokes on breakfast cereal, calls government spin doctor and barks orders.

- Get a statement out in the Premier's name, and Beattie's
- Don't put her in front of the cameras, she has to appear as Teflon, can't show her in a bad light
- Get Beattie to do it.

Meanwhile, like Godzilla lurking beneath the waves off the Gold Coast, the Transport Clusterfuk lurks.  Some speeding police escorts and a few more shuttle buses will not solve it.

The Games Federation vice-president, Bruce Robinson, commenting on the Band-Aid solutions in his most recent letter (22 December), calls it: "if the pattern of the last few years continues to hold ... the knock-on impacts will become significant."

It was a big call for Beattie to say South-east Queensland's public transport will be able to cope with huge demand during the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

It is just stated as fact, not backed by evidence.

The government must roll out Mr Easy and Mr Scales to spell out the detail of how things will work, especially how train services on other lines won't be cannabalised to maintain frequent train runs to and from the GC during the Games.  That 'assurance' needs to be given.  More importantly, the nuts and bolts detail needs to be spelled out.

Can we see 'stress test' data?  Will the Citytrain Response Unit provide an independent overview of the situation?  TransLink?  Jackie Trad?  Or will they all say they are confident they have obtained an assurance from Mr Scales that she'll be right on the day.

The bad perception continues -- people have become so jaded about the driver and train shortage.  They deal with the consequences every day.

[ozbob]

It is a sea of spin Mr Stillwater, not so still either ... 

Meanwhile, roll up get your tickets today - include free PT travel 



( even if there is no real resilience in the overall PT network - don't worry about it, we will have train crew everywhere, brand new trains everywhere, it will be so good.  And when you are seamlessly travelling around the network you can watch the latest video on Cross River Rail Cleveland solution #2, provided you have not exceeded the 20MB download on the onboard WIFI - it doesn't come much better hey?    )

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

Brisbanetimes --> Gold Coast Commonwealth Games preparation on track ahead of ticket request opening

Close to all of the facilities to be used in the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games are ready to go, ahead of ticket requests opening on Monday.

Every venue except for Carrara Stadium (track and field) and Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre (badminton, weightlifting and wrestling) has been opened for community use.

The running track was expected to be laid at Carrara Stadium once the final AFL match had been played at the end of August, while Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre was expected to open in a matter of weeks.

In the meantime, fans would be able to request their share of the 1.2 million tickets for every sporting event in next year's Commonwealth Games from midday.

Requests could then be submitted until midnight on May 22 and the allocation of tickets for the most popular events wouldn't be decided on a first-come, first-serve basis.

If fans wanted more tickets than were available for certain events, a computer-generated selection process would choose the lucky winners at random, with the technology having been used at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, London 2012 Olympics and Wimbeldon.​

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation chief executive Mark Peters said fans wouldn't receive confirmation of their tickets until the end of June or early July after vigorous checking, before the remaining seats would be put back on the market on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Mr Peters said the most popular events were expected to be the relay and finals in running and swimming as well as gymnastics, netball, beach volleyball and rugby sevens where Australian teams had previously enjoyed success.

"This is a big moment after the one-year-to-go mark (April 4) so we're very excited," he said.

Ticketek, Australia's largest sports and entertainment ticketing company, was given the responsibility of handling the requests and Mr Peters said extensive preparation had been undertaken to ensure the process would run as smoothly as possible.

GOLDOC had also worked with Ticketek to prevent scalping, the resale of tickets at a profit, with limits put on the number of tickets able to be purchased per event.

In addition, to prevent the system from crashing, the size of hold queues visitors were usually put into during high-traffic periods had been doubled especially for the opening of the requests.

Mr Peters said people would still need to be patient and asked fans to plan ahead so they knew how many tickets they wanted from which events.

[ozbob]

An Open Letter to the Premier of Queensland, Ms Annastacia Palaszczuk

23rd April 2017

Commonwealth Games Transport Concerns

Dear Premier,

There is concern with the transport plans for the Commonwealth Games.  It is not so much with the local transport arrangements on the Gold Coast using the Light Rail and the shuttle buses and so forth, but how the rest of the public transport network in SEQ is going to function.  It is highly likely that rail services to boost the Gold Coast Line will result in poor service on the rest of the network.

Queensland Rail is having constant problems now with the aging train fleet.  Delays with New Generation Rollingstock trains are not helping reliability.

The public doubts the veracity of claims that all will be well. Why?  Well they look at the failures with the Redcliffe Peninsula Line (RPL), not only the fact that ' rail fail ' service crisis was precipitated by the opening of the RPL itself, but the signalling issues that delayed the opening and the fact that we still do not know if these issues have been resolved.

We note the ongoing issues with the New Generation Rollingstock trains.  Still none in passenger revenue service.

The public has suffered a succession of reduced service rail timetables in SEQ.  Culminating in the recent Easter Train Timetable (and the preceding weekend) that saw service levels go back to the 1970s.  The public sees no evidence of improved services, as they cope with the present mediocre Monday <> Thursday rail timetable, with even more rail service reductions on Fridays! 

Assurances are meaningless, there must be demonstrated service delivery improvements to restore confidence of the public.

Yours sincerely,

Robert

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

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 24th April 2017 page 13

Also online:

>> Transport a problem for the Commonwealth Games

Transport problems for the 2018 Games

[ozbob]

Transport Taskforce has done much work to develop Games ready transport solution @thecgf endorse @GC2018 transport plan @SmartState1 pic.twitter.com/zKoPwxDkT1

— Kate Jones (@katejonesqld) April 23, 2017

[ozbob]

Our concerns do not relate to the local transport for the Games.  Light rail, well coordinated shuttles buses ( ~ 1000 ), increased train frequency GC line all seems fine.

Our concerns relate to the reliability and resilience of the wider SEQ public transport network, which will be needed to support the Games.

Games organizers do not grasp that point. 

A loss of confidence in the wider community will have impacts. The Government needs to set about restoring the public's confidence. This will not be achieved by more reduced service timetables.  No way ..

[ozbob]

Games bosses back transport plans https://t.co/aTOy4EmaFP

— Peter Beattie (@SmartState1) April 23, 2017

^

Local transport arrangements look good. It is the wider SEQ PT network that is a major concern - lacks resilience & reliability.#qldpol https://t.co/kbuvQbIup8

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) April 23, 2017

[ozbob]

[BrizCommuter]

Time to write a letter to Kate (who is my local MP).

[ozbob]

Time to write a letter to Kate (who is my local MP).

Thanks.  I have sent a lot of correspondence via twitter etc. but you never know if it is getting through to her as her staff may be filtering.

[BrizCommuter]

Time to write a letter to Kate (who is my local MP).

Thanks.  I have sent a lot of correspondence via twitter etc. but you never know if it is getting through to her as her staff may be filtering.

I think her letters get filtered also, going by past experience.
Looking forward to her election campaigning, as you can't filter face to face conversation.

[Mr X]

Sounds like someone desperately called London for a "pr salvage" before this dominates the weekly press cycle.

[ozbob]

^ yep, PR spin blitz ...

Well we have certainly tried to alert the authorities to the risks.

They blunder on in denial, so be it.

Time for another song ..   

[ozbob]

24th April 2017

Media Release
Minister for Education and Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Kate Jones

Commonwealth Games bosses back CG2018 transport planning

Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones today released a letter (attached) from Commonwealth Games Federation Vice-Chair Bruce Robertson endorsing transport planning for the Games.

Ms Jones said the CGF had played a key role with Games Partners in developing the transport plan.

"The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation, Commonwealth Games Federation, Transport and Main Roads, Police and City of Gold Coast have been working to ensure transport is effectively planned and delivered for the Games," she said.

"That is why we can be confident the solutions we have developed will make a big difference to traffic at Games time."

In his letter to the GOLDOC Chair, Mr Robertson wrote:

We are fully supportive of the progress and direction that has been made by the GC2018 Partners since the last CoCom (GC2018 Coordination Commission in December 2016) – this provides us with confidence that the partnership will deliver on its vision to create a step-change in transport operations for GC2018.

Ms Jones said CGF Vice-President Bruce Robertson had also overseen Games planning in Glasgow and Melbourne.

"First and foremost, we want people coming to the Games to use public transport," she said.

"Every ticket will include free public transport and we will significantly increase the public transport offering at Games time.

"13 park 'n rides, event shuttle busses, and more trains will get people off the M1 and to the Games on time.

"We will also follow the advice of transport experts and introduce a number of temporary measures to help keep traffic flowing on the M1.

"When ticket requests officially open at midday today, Queenslanders can have confidence in the transport options available for the Games."

Mayor of City of Gold Coast Tom Tate said transport was the number one issue Gold Coasters raise when it comes to the 2018 Games.

"I'm delighted the State Government is on the front foot with smart solutions for athletes, officials, spectators and residents moving about the city during this significant event," Mayor Tate said.

Letter from CGF Vice-President Bruce Robertson > http://statements.qld.gov.au/Content/MediaAttachments/2017/pdf/2017_04_23_TransportMedia_FINAL.pdf

[ozbob]

" ... "First and foremost, we want people coming to the Games to use public transport," she said. ... "

We all do.  The issue is really will the PT network in SEQ be actually up to it? 

Based on the recent history and present state of the network it will not encourage that.

[#Metro]

They are refocusing the light on to areas where there are not problems.

Politicians are not stupid. They know full well that they have to rip trains off other lines to boost services on the Gold Coast Line. Hence the media focus on trains to and from the CG venue rather than focusing on ripping train services from other lines to plug the holes.

It's zero sum. More trains on one line means less trains on the other.

Will this result in staff overtime as well? Might trigger anti-fatigue provisions that could see services cancelled anyway (even if trains are physically available).

It is the same with Cross River Fail. Keep making video animations and focusing on the future horizon, because if you look backwards you might realise 7ish years have passed and not a single sleeper laid for it. In fact, they haven't even organised the full and proper financing for the project.

This lot is a joke. Other side hopeless as well - nobody knows what their policies are on anything at all.

Boot them all out the door! #FleeQLD

[Stillwater]

Bruce Robinson would have been pressured to write the letter released by Kate Jones.  Note the careful language he uses.  He says there has been a 'step change'.  I take it that means there has been a change of step or a step up in the level of attention being paid to transport surrounding the Games.

No-where, from anyone who matters, is an absolute guarantee being given that the extra transportation load due to the Commonwealth Games won't result in an adverse impact on the whole SEQ network.

Peter Beattie bravely said that, but it is not his call to make.

Also, contrast this letter, and its timing, with the 3 months of delays through the RTI process for the original letter.  The SM is criticised for publishing 'old news' (still relevant), when the cause of the delay is the state government itself.

It obfuscates and delays when its bad news, it releases without delay when the news is to its liking.  All the while saying this is an 'open and accountable' government.

As to Mayor Tate, he would have got a call from someone high up in government. "Hey mate, you want your Spit Casino, don't you -- how about helping us out with a positive statement on transport for the Commonwealth Games."

[BrizCommuter]

Worth a read - Glasgow 2014 accessible transport plan.
http://www.glasgow2014.com/sites/default/files/documents/PUB_TPT_AdHoc_Accessible%20Transport%20Strategy_2014_02_06_V.pdf

[ozbob]

24th April 2017

Media Release
JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Education and Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Kate Jones

Race is on for Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games tickets

Ticket requests for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) have officially opened with the first group of hopeful spectators submitting their requests from 12pm today.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones encouraged Queensland families to logon to www.gc2018.com/tickets to make their ticket requests.

Ms Palaszczuk said spectators could choose from 278 competition sessions as well as the opening and closing ceremonies.

"The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games is going to be the biggest sporting event in Australia this decade and we want the Gold Coast, Queensland and Australia to share the dream of this once-in-a-lifetime event," she said.

"GC2018 will be held during next year's Easter school holidays so there is no better time for families to plan a Queensland holiday and take in a world-class sporting event.

"We are really proud ticket prices are inclusive, accessible and affordable with more than 55% of all tickets priced $40 or below.

"Importantly, the ticket price includes all ticket fees and free public transport on event day within the South East Queensland TransLink public transport network, the Cairns TransLink bus network and on the Townsville qconnect bus network."

Ms Jones said ticket requests would be open for four weeks until midnight on 22 May 2017.

"With ticket requests now open, we want to welcome visitors from all over Australia to the Gold Coast and event cities Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns to experience the 'friendly Games'," she said.

"While the action focuses on the Gold Coast, GC2018 competition events will also be hosted in Brisbane (track cycling and shooting), Cairns and Townsville (basketball preliminaries), providing interstate visitors with a range of different holiday options.

"Placing a ticket request gives spectators the very best chance to secure tickets for the most in-demand sports sessions."

The opening of public ticket requests coincided with today's unveiling of a giant 192m2 canvass at the Kangaroo Point Cliffs in Brisbane featuring a hero image of GC2018 Ambassador and Australian swimming star Cameron McEvoy.

Public activations will also be held on the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne at various stages over the next month before ticket requests close on 22 May.

GOLDOC Chair Peter Beattie said the ticket request process was as simple and as fair as possible.

"With a total of 278 competition sessions on offer, GC2018 presents spectators with a wide variety of sports, venues and experiences to choose from," Mr Beattie said.

"Spectators can place a ticket request at any time during the next four weeks and no preference will be given to the time of day or date a ticket request is placed."

GC2018 Ambassador and Australian Olympic and Commonwealth Games swimmer Cameron McEvoy said the opening of ticket requests was a major milestone for the Games.

"From an athlete's perspective, excitement is really building towards GC2018," Mr McEvoy said.

"I know my family and friends are really excited about submitting their ticket requests, not only for the Swimming at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre but some of the other events as well such as Athletics and Track Cycling.

"There is plenty of action for spectators to choose from with more than 1000 hours of world-class sporting competition over 11 days."

No orders will be confirmed or payments taken until after the Ticket Request phase closes.

Any sessions that have more requests than available tickets will be awarded through a fair and equal draw, overseen by KPMG.

GC2018 Competition Events Schedule and ticketing requests are available at gc2018.com/tickets or GC2018 Ticketing Customer Service Centre: 1300 21 2018.

Highlights of GC2018 Ticket Prices include:

    80% of all tickets priced $80 or below
    More than half of all tickets priced $40 or below
    Opening Ceremony tickets from $100 for adults and $50 for children
    Closing Ceremony tickets from $70 for adults and $35 for children
    Athletics tickets from $20 for adults and $10 for children
    Rugby Sevens tickets from $30 for adults and $15 for children
    Beach Volleyball tickets from $30 for adults and $15 for children
    Swimming tickets from $40 for adults and $20 for children
    Track Cycling tickets from $50 for adults and $25 for children
    Children's tickets available for people aged 16 and under as at 4 April 2018
    Infants under 2 years, as at 4 April 2018, are granted free entry to all events providing they are accompanied by a parent or guardian with a valid ticket and do not occupy a seat.
    Tickets for people with accessibility requirements will be available for all ticketed sessions and as GC2018 is affiliated to the Queensland Companion Card program, accessible seating will be provided with a complimentary companion ticket.

[Stillwater]

Thanks BrizCommuter for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games Transport Strategy Document.  Is there a similar document for the Gold Coast Games that is publicly available?  It probably will require an RTI request and a delay of 3 months.  There is a sort of a plan, a work in progress known as the 'Draft Transport Operations Plan'.

https://www.gc2018.com/sites/default/files/Draft_Transport_Operations_Plan.pdf

Well, can we see the final plan please?  Maybe we should call on the government to end the uncertainty over transport operations at Games time and release the plan.  Could the Opposition ask the question maybe.  It is an easy blow -- 'release the final plan or what have you to hide'.  There is plenty of puff left in this story.

This is what the CEO of the Glasgow Games had to say of their Games when they were held there:

"Delivering an accessible Games that provides the best possible spectator experience
is not just an ambition, it's a pledge to which we are all fully committed.

"Glasgow 2014 will be an inclusive Games, with individuals and groups enjoying the experience together, getting involved in sport and culture and being a part of something truly memorable.

"Ensuring seamless, accessible transport to and from Games venues forms a huge part of the spectator experience. We will deliver services that are convenient, reliable and – above all – accessible to all. We are aware that whilst there have been great advances in improving the accessibility of Glasgow's existing transport infrastructure in recent years, some elements are not accessible. We will provide services that supplement or replace those sections of a spectator's route. We will also ensure that we support the transport to and from our satellite venues to provide a consistent level of service across the Games.

"We can't do this alone. We need expert local advice and experience to help us achieve our goal. We are working with transport authorities and operators to identify appropriate temporary arrangements across the network, from increased capacity at busy times through to extra assistance staff and signage strategies.

"With their help I am convinced that every Games experience will be accessible and we will deliver a Games that leaves a lasting legacy for Scotland."

Will Kate Jones and Peter Beattie make that commitment?  Really, all they have said is that they are certain they have an assurance from TransLink / QR / Neil Scales that 'she'll be right, mate'.

[Stillwater]

Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Draft Transport Operations Plan:

https://www.gc2018.com/sites/default/files/Draft_Transport_Operations_Plan.pdf

[Stillwater]

From the draft plan:

"The transport task cannot be delivered without careful planning and some temporary changes to the transport system and travel behaviour. "

Q: What are those changes?

"A number of changes to the transport network will affect some residents and businesses during GC2018. Information will be provided well in advance and, where possible, impacts will be kept to a minimum."

Q: Will these impacts be on other parts of the transport network to prop up the Gold Coast?

Q: What does this mean?

"The significant transport demand generated by GC2018 will require enhancements to the current public transport system. Services will be tailored to support peak spectator and workforce movement as well as the anticipated increased 'background demand' on the public transport network as a result of increased visitors to the Gold Coast during GC2018."

Q: Is this yet another level of bureaucracy for transport in Queensland?

"A multi-agency, multi-modal Transport Coordination Centre (TCC) will be established to facilitate effective and efficient coordination of all GC2018 related transport operations. This will assist the provision of safe, reliable and timely transport services for GC2018 and keep the city moving."

Q: How will this 'single source of truth' coordinate with QR and TransLink information services to the travelling public?

"Travel information will be disseminated from the TCC by the TDM Hub as a 'single source of truth' on transport messaging, providing timely, clear and consistent travel advice. The purpose of the TDM Hub is to influence travel behaviours in real-time to support the successful delivery of GC2018."

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Families of five can't see swimming, diving at Gold Coast Games due to ticket limit

GOLD Coast breaststroke legend Sam Riley may have been the face of the GC2018 ticket request launch on Monday, but her family of five won't be attending any of the swimming events due to GC2018 ticket limits.

A four-ticket limit applies to requests for all swimming and diving events at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre and track cycling at the velodrome in Brisbane.

It means families or other groups of more than five people will have to make separate requests and will not be able to sit together even if both requests succeed.

"We might have to do paper, scissors, rock," Riley said yesterday.

"We'll see how we go in the ballot but someone will have to miss out."

Other parents with more than two children keen on watching the swimming have vented their disapproval of the limit — which also applied to popular events at the 2014 Glasgow Games.

"We too are a family of 5, and swimming is the kids favourite thing. Cannot believe GC 2018 are only allowing families of 4 or less? Very un Australian let alone a step back in time," said Chris Castine on Facebook.

Katherine Glen Baillie said: "Our family of 5 would have loved to go to the swimming but the decision makers locked us and many families out with a limit of 4. Very un-Australian."

Games CEO Mark Peters, who himself has a family of five, said venues for the four-ticket sports had limited capacity and they had to make the call to ensure as many families as possible could watch.

"We expect that some people will be disappointed, but hope they can talk to other family members and find some solutions," he said.

"We have to be fair and give as many people as possible the chance to see these events."

All other events have limits of six or more tickets per request.

Ticket requests can be made until May 22.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

26th April 2017

Public Transport Queensland

Good Morning,

It is time that we had an effective public transport agency for Queensland [ Public Transport Queensland ].

DTMR ( and its so called transport agency - TransLink ) are  failures.

Evidence?

Failure to drive proper bus network reform in 2013. Effects still linger on eg. problems with Western bus region.

Failure to successfully deliver Redcliffe Peninsula Line - still issues reports hidden.

Oversaw Queensland Rail rail fail. Worst suburban rail service delivery now in Oceania (Australia and New Zealand).

Failure to successfully deliver New Generation Rollingstock in a timely manner.

Chronic failure with Cross River Rail delivery.

Failure to upgrade the Sunshine Coast Line.

DTMR and TransLink have lost rational contact with public transport users - passengers.  They outsource primary communication no real surprise is it?

So how can the public have confidence for our public transport network in SEQ leading into the Commonwealth Games?  There is real and serious concerns.

To blunder on in delusion and denial will certainly result in political oblivion. We see plenty of cuts, not improvements.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12316.msg191553#msg191553 ]

[ozbob]

27th April 2017

Media Release
Minister for Education and Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Kate Jones

First GC2018 venue opens for volunteer processing

Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones today officially opened the first operational venue of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games' (GC2018).

Ms Jones said the Volunteer Selection Centre (VSC) at Burleigh would host interviews of up to 25,000 volunteer applicants over the next four months.

"The opening of the Volunteer Selection Centre is a significant milestone as we inch ever closer to the 4 – 15 April Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games," Ms Jones said.

"We were overwhelmed with volunteer applications recently, with more than 47,000 submissions received from around the state and around Australia.

"Our volunteers will be a key part of the GC2018 family and will play an integral role in the Games in just under a year from now.

"After going through the formal selection process here at Burleigh, up to 15,000 of our volunteers will receive customised training, specific to individual roles and venues, delivered by TAFE Queensland."

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) Chairman, Peter Beattie said opening the VSC was another milestone on the road to GC2018.

"Receiving 47,000 volunteer applications was a terrific result but now the hard part of actually selecting our great team begins," Mr Beattie said.

"Inside the VSC, applicants will move through an 'excite and educate' zone which features an overview of GC2018 Vision, Sports and Venues, the Gold Coast, the GC2018 Ambassadors and Local Indigenous Culture.

"For all applicants, it is important to remember this isn't a first come, first served process. This is based on merit with all applicants to undertake a range of scenario questioning and one on one interviews."

GOLDOC Chief Executive Officer, Mark Peters said GC2018 volunteers will be the face of the Games.

"The enthusiasm of volunteers is infectious. They'll play a key role in shaping the Games experience for athletes, spectators and visitors and promote the Sunshine State to the world.

"Each and everyone has their own unique story and reasons for putting their hand up and I'm looking forward to meeting as many of them as possible ahead of the Games."

This phase of the volunteer selection process will take four months, with successful applicants to be notified later in the year.

[ozbob]

29th April 2017
   
Media Release
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Education and Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Kate Jones

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games on track with Carrara venue now open

The venue that will host the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) opening and closing ceremonies is now complete, with the purpose-built $105 million Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre in Carrara officially opened today.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the GC2018 venue would host the opening and closing ceremonies and the athletics, badminton, wrestling and weightlifting competitions.

"In 341 days all eyes will be on this new sport precinct for the opening ceremony at Carrara Stadium, kicking off 11 days of unforgettable sporting action," the Premier said.

"This new precinct is a gold medal winning project for our Games, supporting hundreds of jobs and engaging local contractors.

"In fact, 2982 workers were inducted onsite to work on this precinct, which will become a premier hub for community-based sport on the Coast.

"This world-class sporting venue is part of an important legacy of community infrastructure for South East Queensland that will help attract elite athletes and prestige events to the State."

Federal Minister for Sport Greg Hunt emphasised the importance of creating community legacies from new sports infrastructure and from the Games event itself.

"The Gold Coast Sport and Leisure Centre is a world class competition venue for the 2018 Commonwealth Games," Mr Hunt said.

"Our athletes will benefit significantly from having this facility available to them for competition, and it will also provide an exceptional atmosphere for fans to enjoy during the Games.

"Before and after the Games, the facility will be a centrepiece for community sport and active recreation, encouraging people from the Gold Coast and South-East Queensland to be active and healthy."

Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones said the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre would be a valuable asset for the Carrara community.

"This venue will continue to be used well after the curtain has closed on the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games closing ceremony," Ms Jones said.

"As a major sporting venue it will bring people to Carrara from all over the world, attracting even more visitors to the Gold Coast.

"In fact, this venue is already attracting international sporting events with the Sudirman Cup, the FIVB World League Volleyball competition, as well as big national events such as the Australian National Judo championships booked to use the venue.

"This is not only an investment in local community infrastructure, it is an investment in the future of the Gold Coast and Queensland."

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said all levels of Government were working together to deliver the best Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018.

"Legacy outcomes from the Games will be critical to our city's future – and today, we are standing in front of one of the greatest legacy contributions to our city," Cr Tate said.

"Post-games, we will work tirelessly to build on our reputation as a world-class southern hemisphere destination for competition and training. Having this facility allows us to roll out the red carpet to sports across Asia, the Middle East and further north.

"It will also allow us to bid for major national and pacific competitions. Bring it on.''

For a full rundown on venues and GC2018 updates visit www.gc2018.com

[ozbob]

For information.

Main discussion thread on driver recruitment etc.  --> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=12649.msg191744#msg191744

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

Sunday Mail --> Queensland Rail driver recruitment, Commonwealth Games readiness suppressed

THE State Government has closed the shutters on details of recruitment at Queensland Rail, while refusing to release a log of planning issues identified by Commonwealth Games bosses, in another blow for transparency on George Street.

The moves have further sparked criticism of a "culture of cover-ups" after the Government on Wednesday released a heavily censored review into youth detention.

QR confirmed this month that just 15 of its targeted 200 driver recruits had finished training.

However its media manager last week refused to reveal the comparable guard figure, saying it had "nothing further to add on the guards at the moment but we will be doing regular updates and next time we do I'll let you know".

Transport Minister Jackie Trad's office also said the Government would only provide regular recruitment updates.

The news comes as a detailed log of planning issues identified by Commonwealth Games chiefs in London is being kept secret despite Games boss Peter Beattie assuring it had "nothing to hide."

Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls questioned the move.

He accused the Government of "cobbling together" this month's announcement by Games Minister Kate Jones to tackle traffic on the Pacific Motorway.

"All we have so far is a media release," he said of the announcement.

"It really is a case where it seems the wheels have been spinning, there is no traction and nothing concrete has been done."

Ms Jones and Mr Beattie have insisted concerns raised in December by the Commonwealth Games Federation that transport planning problems had put the Games at "significant risk" had been dealt with.

However, they refuse to release other documents referred to by vice-president Bruce Robertson in December.

Mr Robertson wrote to former transport minister Stirling Hinchliffe and Mr Beattie that the federation was "currently preparing a more detailed log of issues that have arisen during the course of the review".

"I will also be writing to you separately regarding the CGF's ongoing engagement and in particular the ongoing governance at the strategic and executive levels," he wrote in a follow-up letter on December 22.

[ozbob]

[BrizCommuter]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Families of five can't see swimming, diving at Gold Coast Games due to ticket limit

GOLD Coast breaststroke legend Sam Riley may have been the face of the GC2018 ticket request launch on Monday, but her family of five won't be attending any of the swimming events due to GC2018 ticket limits.

A four-ticket limit applies to requests for all swimming and diving events at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre and track cycling at the velodrome in Brisbane.

It means families or other groups of more than five people will have to make separate requests and will not be able to sit together even if both requests succeed.

"We might have to do paper, scissors, rock," Riley said yesterday.

"We'll see how we go in the ballot but someone will have to miss out."

Other parents with more than two children keen on watching the swimming have vented their disapproval of the limit — which also applied to popular events at the 2014 Glasgow Games.

"We too are a family of 5, and swimming is the kids favourite thing. Cannot believe GC 2018 are only allowing families of 4 or less? Very un Australian let alone a step back in time," said Chris Castine on Facebook.

Katherine Glen Baillie said: "Our family of 5 would have loved to go to the swimming but the decision makers locked us and many families out with a limit of 4. Very un-Australian."

Games CEO Mark Peters, who himself has a family of five, said venues for the four-ticket sports had limited capacity and they had to make the call to ensure as many families as possible could watch.

"We expect that some people will be disappointed, but hope they can talk to other family members and find some solutions," he said.

"We have to be fair and give as many people as possible the chance to see these events."

All other events have limits of six or more tickets per request.

Ticket requests can be made until May 22.

As a family of 5, this policy is a pain in the posterior!
Strange policy, as there are loads of families of more than 4 in QLD!

[#Metro]

This actually might be discrimination and could be challenged.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Gold Coast Commonwealth Games public transport plans become clearer

Public car parks, school grounds, council parks and leased private land will be transformed into temporary park 'n' ride sites to move thousands of fans to the Commonwealth Games.

Organisers have identified "numerous sites" across the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Logan for large, temporary park 'n' ride sites, where spectators and workers will park their cars and take shuttle buses to Games venues in 2018.

An expressions-of-interest (EOI) document on the government's tender website reveals 12 or more sites are expected to be required for park 'n' rides between Coolangatta in the south and Brisbane in the north.

These are likely to be a mix of existing public parking areas, community facilities – such as school grounds and council parks – and leased private lands, the document states.

The document suggests they will be at Murarrie, Beenleigh, Oxenford, Parkwood, Helensvale, Merrimac, Varsity Lakes, Mudgeeraba and Bilinga.

People will be herded onto shuttle buses from park 'n' ride sites and "public transport hubs" to be taken to Commonwealth Games events on the Gold Coast and Brisbane.

An example of a park 'n' ride site at Boowaggan Road on the Gold Coast, as detailed in the EOI, includes 625 car parks, 13 disability car parks, bicycle parking spots and pedestrian queuing areas leading to shuttle buses taking people to venues such as Carrara and the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones has previously announced 10,000 car park spaces would be available at the park 'n' ride sites.

The public transport hubs will use existing heavy and light railway stations and bus stops.

The public transport hubs will be at: Carindale, Coomera, Helensvale, Gold Coast University Hospital, Nerang, Broadbeach South and Varsity Lakes station, in addition to a temporary hub at Surfers Paradise.

There will also be about 15 "transit malls" set up on roads at or near Games venues, where people will get on or off shuttle buses.

An preliminary diagram for the Nerang train station public transport hub includes a taxi zone but does not appear to have an Uber loading zone.

It has previously been reported organisers were working with ride-sharing providers to set loading zones aside around venues.

Neither taxi nor ride-sharing zones appear to be marked in a preliminary map for the Coomera Sports and Leisure Centre transit mall, although the diagrams could still be in the early stages.

Commonwealth Games ticket-holders will receive free public transport to and from the venues during the 2018 Games.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads published the EOI to call for operators to provide overlay, such as temporary fences, ground protection matting, barriers, portable toilets, site huts and shelters for workers and spectators and lighting.

The disruption around the temporary park 'n' rides and other transport locations could last for about two months in 2018, but it will vary per site.

It is expected the temporary facilities and materials will be set up between March 5-26, 2018 before the Games are held from April 4-15.

School holidays will be held from March 30 to April 15, 2018, and the EOI notes some sites, such as school grounds may have access restricted until just before the Games start.

The temporary facilities would be taken away from April 16 to May 8.

Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Jackie Trad said the temporary park 'n' ride sites, transit malls and public transport hubs would cater for increased demand.

"Park 'n' ride site feasibility assessments are currently under way," Ms Trad said.

"The Palaszczuk government is absolutely committed to delivering a fantastic Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games that we can all be proud of."

The contractor would also need to provide 100 concrete barriers for "vehicle impact protection".

"We are committed to keeping people safe, with concrete barriers providing separation between pedestrians and traffic, ensuring both can move freely," Ms Trad said.

Transport to Commonwealth Games events has been under the spotlight in recent weeks.

Last week, Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey announced vehicles carrying athletes and officials under police escort would be allowed to travel along the hard shoulder of a section of the M1 from Smith Street to Hope Island if there is congestion.

[ozbob]

PT concerns for Commonwealth Games@SmartState1 @katejonesqld @jackietrad @AnnastaciaMP @AndrewPowellMP
> https://t.co/K8rgkX4XPA#qldpol pic.twitter.com/plqZnseW2h

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) May 1, 2017

[ozbob]

Gold Coast Bulletin --> Gold Coast drivers will be asked to take different ways to work during Commonwealth Games

COMMONWEALTH Games organisers will attempt to teach locals the `four r's' to get traffic off city roads, encouraging them to "re-time, re-mode, re-route and reduce" their travel ahead of the event next April.

An education program of workshops, a website, social media and information booths aims to help motorists plan ahead to avoid gridlock when an expected 1.5 million spectators hit town.

Locals will be encouraged to stay home at peak event times, use different ways to get to work and to consider walking, cycling or using public transport.

Matthew Burke, associate professor of Griffith University's Cities Research Institute, said organisers had their work cut out for them.

"In the rest of 2017 I can't see much else that's going to change the general travel behaviour on the Coast," he said.

"Immediately after the games the addition of road capacity on the M1 up through Logan and on the motorway on the GC itself will continue to entice people onto the road in strong numbers. "We aren't likely to see any dramatic mode shift for another 10 or 20 years."

Permanent cycling facilities and walkways will be improved and temporary facilities will be added for event venues.

A statement from TransLink said the transport plan for the Games was still in development.

"During GC2018, local bus routes, light rail and heavy rail will cater for the local community as well as visitor travel and include access to accommodation and business precincts, Gold Coast Airport and arts and cultural activities," it said.

"The Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2 extension and Helensvale to Coomera duplication will significantly improve public transport travel between Brisbane and the Gold Coast and play a critical role in transporting spectators and workforce to GC2018 competition venues.

"The Gold Coast rail line and stations will also continue to cater for the normal local community."

The State Government released some details of its transport strategy last month revealing a mix of temporary and permanent new road rules for the M1 as well as extra light and heavy rail services, shuttles, buses and park-and-rides.

[BrizCommuter]

So despite the no cars to venues policy, the transport plan is almost completely based around car transport (i.e. park and ride).The result of decades of transport policy failure.

[ozbob]

" we encourage use of the public transport "  for the last mile ..

Congestion mess looms hey?

It is very bizarre ... they perpetuate the failure .. 

[SurfRail]

You'd expect there would have been a surge in the local bus fleet, but deliveries over the past few years have been virtually non-existent (less than one new bus a month).  I don't know how the local network is going to cope.  Event shuttles won't be a problem, but what happens when you want to catch the 746 home but its 3pm and you've missed the last one?

[tazzer9]

A few Simple and Easy solutions to the M1 carpark.   3 x$1 tolls between brisbane and robina, and 1x$1 toll between the border and robina during 6am to 9pm, reduce these to 20c between 9pm and 6am.  T3/buslane in the right lane of the M1, have express buses from brisbane/toowoomba/ipswich/cleveland etc use these.  Implement this T3/Bus lane at least 1 month before the games start and have police heavily enforce it so people know not to give in to temptation.   Even implement the tolls(maybe at reduced rate) before the games as well.
The tolls for heavy interstate trucks should be around $50 for each toll and encourage them to use the new england highway instead.

Buses won't be in short supply and encourage towns south of the border like murwillumbah to become park n rides with frequent express buses to the games.

You could pass a law allowing for a temporary increase in the fuel excise in the gold coast area to discourage car use.  Make promise of the extra money from the excise will immediately go back into road upgrades after the games.

You need to encourage PT use and Discourage car use in the months leading up to the games so people get into a habit.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Gold Coast's 'short-changed' Commonwealth Games in for a Budget boost

THE Federal Government has been accused of short-changing next year's Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, but a major funding increase is set to be unveiled in this week's Budget.

Queensland Labor Senator Murray Watt yesterday attacked the Government over a funding commitment that appeared to be less than the money given to the Melbourne Commonwealth Games a decade ago.

The then Howard government delivered $293 million for the 2006 Games; by comparison, the Turnbull Government has so far committed $251 million to the 2018 event.

Senator Watt said Games processes, including anti-doping testing and security and background checks on athletes and officials, were being compromised by arguments over funding.

"No one wants to see the integrity and the safety of the Commonwealth Games compromised by penny-pinching politicians," he said.

A spokesman for Federal Sports Minister Greg Hunt, however, said the figures compared apples with oranges, and he hit back at Labor for offering no extra funding to the Games when they were in power.

The Government is adamant the Gold Coast Games will receive substantially more than the 2006 Games, when the figures included amounts for in-kind support and funding from other government bodies.

The Sunday Mail understands a multimillion-dollar increase to Games funding will be announced as part of Tuesday's Budget.
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Queensland Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones was reluctant to weigh into the debate, instead remaining optimistic that extra money would be forthcoming.

"Constructive negotiations are continuing with the Turnbull Government to finalise Commonwealth support," Ms Jones said.