Those temporary platform extensions built 2009/2010

[mufreight]

Recently questions were asked about these seven TEMPORARY platform extensions on the NCL at Mooloolah, Eudlo, Palmwoods, Woombye, Eumundi, Pomona and Cooran.
These temporary platform extensions were constructed between December 2009 and January 2010 with an anticipated life span of 12 to 18 months at a cost including the hire of the scaffolding for 12 months of some $3 million.
As it is now well past that 12 to 18 month period and these extensions are becoming obviously in need of some repair work one questions the costs of not only the ongoing hire of the scaffolding believed from government brefing notes to be $5000 per week but also the ongoing maintenence costs of maintaining these tempory structures in a safe condition.
As the Government now advises that it has now deferred the realignment and duplication of the line between Beerburrum and Nambour to 2030/31 it is assumed that there will be no replacement of the four temporary platform extensions at Mooloolah, Eudlo, Palmwoods and Woombye with permanent structures prior to that time when the realignment and duplication works are carried out and that the temporary platform extensions at Eumundi, Pomona and Cooran will not be replaced until some time after that date.
The hire costs which have already cost some $260.000 over the original $3 million are estimated to cost a further $5 million without the costs of maintaining these TEMPORARY platform extensions which were constructed for an anticipated a life span of 12 to 18 months.
Even without the costs of maintainence this totals some $8 million which could have paid for the construction of a simple no frills platform at at least one of these locations, money that will eventualy have to be spent in any case.
It is believed that repairs are currently needed on three of these platform extensions and that it is anticipated that all will require redecking within the next three years which will add further to the costs of these temporary extensions when by the continuation of the duplication and realignment project even if it only covered the consrtuction of the new permanent platforms on the new alignment and the moving of the running lines to the realigned alignment through the station areas concerned would have effect an overall saving of many millions of taxpayers dollars.
Another glaring example that headlights the shortsighted incompetent fiscal approach of the current government.
There remains little doubt that had the treasury made avaliable the necessicary funds that Queensland Rail would have carried out these works in a far more cost effective maner than that which has transpired.
Now arises the question of what the next government regardless of it's political persuasion will do to resolve this ongoing waste of public funds.

[mufreight]

Since Mr No Policies Newman claims that he will stop Government fiscal waste these platforms would be a good starting point.

[Gazza]

Some of the $200 Mil station upgrade budget coul have gone towards stuff like this, rather than a lot of the cosmetic fluff upgrades, as seen at stations like Oxley, Taringa and Corinda.

[mufreight]

Some of the $200 Mil station upgrade budget coul have gone towards stuff like this, rather than a lot of the cosmetic fluff upgrades, as seen at stations like Oxley, Taringa and Corinda.

Built as no frills stations the four stations to the south of Nambour could have had complete rebuilds and money left over, possibly enough for at least one of the northern stations but there are nore voters use stations such as Taringa and Dinmore and until the geni gets out of the box and starts asking questions the band-aid solutions and their ongoing costs are convenienthy forgotten.

[Fares_Fair]

Hello Mu,

Appreciate all you do to highlight the NCL situation and provide advice as to solutions.

I have sourced copies of the plans for the rail duplication.
They are engineer certified and signed.

Proposed Palmwoods Station raised 6-8m above present surface levels along its new alignment and crosses over the local bowls club carpark,
then the Kolora Park lagoon and aerially over the local Chevallum road.
It's located between 90m to 30m to the east, away from the current alignment.

Proposed Mooloolah station is located in just 0.5m to 1.7m cut and so that may be possible to relocate and construct, it is directly over the top (actually up to 1.7m under) the existing alignment.

Proposed Eudlo station is 9.5m to 9.2m above present surface levels along its new alignment and approx. 70m north of its current alignment.

Proposed Woombye station is located 4.5m to 6m above present surface levels along its new alignment and approx. 50m west of its current alignment.

NB: These are track formation levels, so need to add approx. 1.05m to these levels for actual platform heights.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[somebody]

Indeed, the new stations are to be in different places.  AIUI.

[Stillwater]

The original plan was for duplication to Nambour by 2020.  All the planning and design work has been done and the plans for each of the stations prepared.  Because the state government has delayed track duplication to Nambour by 2031, it is stuck with hiring scaffolding and replacing plywood platforms for the next 20 years.  Permanent stations don't make sense unless they are built in the new locations, as FF has indicated.  Those new locations are on the realigned track.

Is there any chance that sections of double track on the new alignment can be built (and permanent stations installed), with those short sections being able to connect back to the single track while also being available for use as the long crossing loops that have been mentioned here from time to time?

[mufreight]

It would seem that the logical solution would be to build the new station at Palmwoods on the new alignment with the new alignment extending both nort and south of the new station to a point where a transition can be made to the existing alignment, this would provide an immediate crossing loop at Palmwoods well in excess of the 1800m needed to operate longer freight services.
The platform extension at Palmwoods which is one of those believed to be requiring considerable maintenence could then be taken off the list making some saving on the ongoing costs of maintaining the present extension and the ongoing hire of the scaffolding it is presently comprised of, it would also have the benefit of easing/replacing some speed restricted curvature and allow the redevolopment of the existing alignment through the township.

[SurfRail]

It would seem that the logical solution would be to build the new station at Palmwoods on the new alignment with the new alignment extending both nort and south of the new station to a point where a transition can be made to the existing alignment, this would provide an immediate crossing loop at Palmwoods well in excess of the 1800m needed to operate longer freight services.
The platform extension at Palmwoods which is one of those believed to be requiring considerable maintenence could then be taken off the list making some saving on the ongoing costs of maintaining the present extension and the ongoing hire of the scaffolding it is presently comprised of, it would also have the benefit of easing/replacing some speed restricted curvature and allow the redevolopment of the existing alignment through the township.

http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/L/Landsborough-to-Nambour-Rail-Corridor-Study.aspx#media-gallery
http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/90fea80b-1353-445f-aa05-2473d8bb5dd5/pdflandnambrirmap04.pdf

No idea what the terrain is like, as it has been some time since I visited up there.

[Fares_Fair]

Found these Questions on Notice in a search of the Parliament Website for more information.

Question on Notice
No. 928
Asked on Tuesday, 14 June 2011

MR EMERSON asked the Minister for Transport and Multicultural Affairs
(MS PALASZCZUK) —

QUESTION:
With reference to the temporary platform extensions at Mooloolah, Woombye,
Palmwoods and Eudlo railway stations—
(1) What is the total cost since installation of the temporary platforms at these stations
(reported separately)?
(2) What are the anticipated ongoing costs?
(3) How long will these arrangements be in place?

ANSWER:
I thank the Member for Indooroopilly for the question.
In early 2010, temporary platform extensions were carried out at Mooloolah, Woombye,
Palmwoods and Eudlo stations with an average set up cost of $65 000 per location.
The ongoing hire costs for Mooloolah, Palmwoods, and Eudlo stations are approximately
$750 per week and Woombye station costing $1200 per week.
Queensland Rail Limited and the TransLink Transit Authority are currently reviewing the
possibility for permanent upgrades to stations on the North Coast line with temporary
platforms, taking into consideration passenger loads. The future upgrade of the line
from Landsborough to Nambour will need to be taken into consideration.

[Fares_Fair]

Found these Questions on Notice in a search of the Parliament Website for more information.

Question on Notice
No. 1697
Asked on Tuesday 10 November 2009

MR POWELL ASKED THE MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT (MS NOLAN)—

QUESTION:
With reference to the construction of temporary platform extensions at Palmwoods and
Eudlo railway stations—
Will the Minister advise (a) the one-off and recurrent costs of the temporary platforms,
(b) which companies were used/are being used to construct and maintain the temporary
platforms and (c) if there are ongoing hire costs associated with the temporary platforms,
how long these arrangements will be in place?

ANSWER:
I thank the Member for Glass House for the question.
QR Passenger Pty Ltd is providing temporary platform extensions in order to improve
passenger safety on the North Coast Line. Temporary platform extensions will occur at
seven stations on the North Coast Line, including Palmwoods and Eudlo stations.
Importantly, these extensions will enable passengers to access all carriages which will make
it more convenient for commuters to access the train.
The approximate individual costs for temporary platform extensions at Palmwoods and
Eudlo stations are $155,000 and $187,000 respectively. These costs are a one-off fixed
price installation for the first six months. After six months, there is an optional $5,000 per
week rental fee for all seven stations.
This is cost neutral as the expenditure for the temporary platforms mitigates additional
labour costs involved as staff/guards are required to supervise platform usage at these
stations (for safety purposes).
The temporary platform extensions are hired through Waco Kwikform with associated
electrical work carried out by PSG Richard Flanagan, a Pacific Services Group company.

[Fares_Fair]

I would envisage that the new passenger platforms are built on the new alignment and at the new location, thus the temporary platforms can be removed, saving $$ per week and the freight passing loop is the existing line between the on and off 'ramps.' (for want of a better term).

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Stillwater]

As has been stated before elsewhere in this forum, the issue of the short platform stations and their temporary extensions on the current Sunshine Coast alignment are interlinked to the need for passing loops 1800m long for the efficient operation of FREIGHT trains, possibly on sections of the new alignment.  Mufreight and Arnz, among others, have explained the feasibility and sense of this. 

In preparing her answer for Parliament, Minister Palaszczuk sought advice from QR and Translink.  Maybe if she went to her department, the Department of Transport and Main Roads, and the operators who run the freight trains, such as Pacific National, she might inform herself of different possibilities.  Who knows, she might find evidence of some more wide-ranging diologue, maybe even a plan of sorts.  Maybe even a plan reasonably advanced to announce at election time.

It's 'world clarse' thinking that believes 'temporary' platforms can be in place for 23 years (the date track duplication finally extends through to Nambour) and at a cost of $5000 a week in hire fees, plus high maintenance costs.  Even at that future point in time, three of the temporary platforms will still be there.  So, 'temporary', in ministerial parlance, could be 30 years, or even more.  Only in Queensland. 

[mufreight]

As has been stated before elsewhere in this forum, the issue of the short platform stations and their temporary extensions on the current Sunshine Coast alignment are interlinked to the need for passing loops 1800m long for the efficient operation of FREIGHT trains, possibly on sections of the new alignment.  Mufreight and Arnz, among others, have explained the feasibility and sense of this. 

In preparing her answer for Parliament, Minister Palaszczuk sought advice from QR and Translink.  Maybe if she went to her department, the Department of Transport and Main Roads, and the operators who run the freight trains, such as Pacific National, she might inform herself of different possibilities.  Who knows, she might find evidence of some more wide-ranging diologue, maybe even a plan of sorts.  Maybe even a plan reasonably advanced to announce at election time.

It's 'world clarse' thinking that believes 'temporary' platforms can be in place for 23 years (the date track duplication finally extends through to Nambour) and at a cost of $5000 a week in hire fees, plus high maintenance costs.  Even at that future point in time, three of the temporary platforms will still be there.  So, 'temporary', in ministerial parlance, could be 30 years, or even more.  Only in Queensland. 

Reliably informed that the hire cost is now increased to $5900 per week and a further increase in the hire charge is imminent.

[Stillwater]

The SCL's temporary platforms will be with us for some time according to this Sunshine Coast Daily story:

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2012/02/02/plywood-platforms-look-set-to-stay-travellers-blas/

[ozbob]

From the Sunshine Coast Daily click here!

Travellers blast lack of funding

Travellers blast lack of funding

Bill Hoffman | 2nd February 2012

THE Queensland government has no immediate plans to replace seven plywood and scaffolding railway station platforms on the Sunshine Coast which have now been in place for more than two years.

The platforms at Mooloolah, Eudlo, Palmwoods and Woombye were erected in December, 2009, and others at Eumundi, Pomona and Cooran were completed by the end of January, 2010, at a cost of $3 million, including 18 months' rent.

They were required to extend existing short station platforms that had become congested as the Coast's commuter population grew.

The transport minister was briefed on December 4, 2009, by QR Passenger representatives that the platforms would only be in place for between 12 and 18 months and that the plywood decking may need to be replaced after 12 months.

"The platforms are a short-term solution and should be removed within 12 to 18 months and replaced with a permanent platform," the briefing told the Minister.

Despite the advice, QR Passenger acknowledged at the time that no decision had been reached on funding permanent replacements.

Angry rail commuters say it is just another example of the State Government's under-funding of rail services on the Sunshine Coast. Rail line duplication from Glass House north to Nambour has been delayed indefinitely after the government initially promised a 2015 delivery date.

The section of line is now the most congested in Australia, forcing 44% of all services south to Brisbane to require a 1.5 hour, 54km bus leg from Nambour to Caboolture.

Jeff Addison, of Palmwoods, who commutes daily to Brisbane for work, said taxpayer funds would be better used on a permanent solution rather than throwing away more than $5000 a week on a temporary one.

"If possible, I would like to see the construction of the new platforms and the new track alignment constructed now, along the proposed rail corridor," he said.

"These could then act as long passing loops and provide significant benefits to both passenger and freight rail services."

Queensland Transport failed to provide a timeframe for delivery of permanent platforms or give any explanation for the delay.

"This work was carried out in response to safety concerns for disembarking passengers who were unfamiliar with the short platforms," a Queensland Rail spokesman said.

"These extensions were carried out for an average initial set-up cost of $65,000 per location. The ongoing hire costs are approximately $800 per week.

"TransLink Transport Authority and Queensland Rail have recently undertaken further risk assessments on the stations concerned.

"Both parties are looking to identify a permanent solution, which will take into account the future patronage requirements of the line."

[Stillwater]

Would the dumbstruck Opposition have anything to say on this matter, given that it enjoys virtually universal support across the Sunshine Coast?  A while ago, when asked about whether a LNP government would upgrade the SCL, their spokesperson, Scott Emerson, said: "I am not going to promise something I can't deliver."  Taken at his word, that suggests Mr Emerson and the LNP have already concluded that the track duplication to Nambour is something that a LNP can't, and won't, deliver.  We will have to wait for the LNP transport policy to have that confirmed.    Tweedledum and Tweedledee when it comes to the ALP and LNP and better rail services for the Sunshine Coast.  Or is that Dumb and Dumber?

[HappyTrainGuy]

There is no cheap solution around it though. If parts get done they might aswell go ahead and do the whole duplication/realignment. There is only one station that can go ahead with a new platform/station being built. The rest would be a costly exercise. An expense that I don't see easy and forthcomming with the current list of projects on the table. Temp platforms are still managable. Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

[Fares_Fair]

Article: Millions 'wasted' on rail platforms
Maroochy Journal, p3
Friday 3 February, 2012
by Sherine Conyers

[Fares_Fair]

Article: Plywood platforms look set to stay
Sunshine Coast Daily, p1
Thursday 2 February, 2012
by Bill Hoffman

[Fares_Fair]

Article: Travellers blast lack of funding
Sunshine Coast Daily, p4 (continued from p1 above)
Thursday 2 February, 2012
by Bill Hoffman

[ozbob]

Now online Couriermail Quest click here!

$291k per year to maintain temporary station platforms

$291k per year to maintain temporary station platforms

    by: Sherine Conyers, Maroochy Journal
    From: Quest Newspapers
    February 03, 2012 12:00AM

Millions of dollars could be wasted by the State Government on temporary railway platforms if a permanent solution to the issue along the Sunshine Coast line is not found.

Around $291,000 per year is being spent on maintaining seven existing platform extensions, which cost $65,000 each to set up and $800 per week each to maintain.

The platforms, at Mooloolah, Eudlo, Palmwoods, Woombye, Eumundi, Pomona, and Cooran stations were built in 2010 as a temporary measure where existing platforms were too short for the length of trains.

But with the State Government not planning to realign and upgrade that section of the track for another 19 years, the ongoing cost could run into millions.

Palmwoods commuter Jeff Addison said he obtained documents under Right to Information stating the platforms were only designed to be used for 12 to 18 months and he believed they were now overdue for replacement.

"The platforms have obviously weathered and the scaffolding is showing rust," he said.

"I'm not saying they are unsafe. It's more just a concern from the ministerial note they were designed to last 12 to 18 months."

Mr Addison said the State Government should stop wasting money on the temporary option and instead bring its investment to realign the track forward.

"It might be a more worthwhile investment than spending $5000 or more a week," he said.

Rail Back on Track spokesman Robert Dow said the platforms appeared to be safe but he was concerned about the long-term viability and cost of them.

"There's coming a point though where they may become seriously deteriorated and need some work," he said.

A Queensland Rail spokesman said safety was the company's highest priority.

The spokesman said TransLink and Queensland Rail had recently undertaken further risk assessments on the stations concerned.

"Both parties are looking to identify a permanent solution, which will take into account the future patronage requirements of the line."

The spokesperson said building permanent platforms would trigger requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act.

"That can substantially change the cost of the project," he said.

[mufreight]

There is no cheap solution around it though. If parts get done they might aswell go ahead and do the whole duplication/realignment. There is only one station that can go ahead with a new platform/station being built. The rest would be a costly exercise. An expense that I don't see easy and forthcomming with the current list of projects on the table. Temp platforms are still managable. Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

There has to be a start made on the duplication and realignment somewhere and by replacing even one of the existing stations with a new station on the new alignment it is a step forward and with the new stations being those with these bottomless hole platform extensions each one represents a further step forward
The only way to eat an elephant is one small bit at a time and chew well, the same applies here, one small managable and affordable section of the project at a time and do the job properly not more half baked on the cheap band aids.

[HappyTrainGuy]

It might be a bandaid solution but it will have to do until they have the funds available for it. They couldn't afford to fund the whole Corinda-Darra quad so try pulling a random 400million out of nowhere just to duplicate-realign Palmwoods and all the associated road network realignments. You just have to look at the massive scale of projects coming up that is going to simply take all that spare money away from the railway sector. Kippa Ring is 1.1 billion. CRR is an estimated 8+billion dollar project. NGR is a 3 billion dollar project. Then there is the commenwealth games. Beerburrum-Landsborough duplication/realignment. Eastern Busway. Northern Busway. Bruce Highway upgrades. And the list goes on and on.

[ozbob]

@RTT

No one has said they are unsafe.  The fact is they were rolled out as an interim solution, not a 20 year solution.  'Zero harm' policy of Queensland Rail dictated their implementation.

It is another aspect that further highlights the long term neglect and lack of proactive action in addressing this major bottleneck that is the Sunshine Coast Line.

Good effort Sunshine Coast Daily.  At least there is confirmation that some sort of review of the stations has been done with further options for longer term benefits.

Re reverting back to the solid original platforms, I agree people have managed for near on a 100 years or so ..

[Stillwater]

If action is taken to replace the temporary short platforms with something else, or if short deviations are constructed and new stations incorporated, let's hope that any new structures are in keeping with the scale and architecture of the Sunshine Coast railway towns.  By virtue of the fact they are 'railway towns', the station precinct sits at the heart of each community.  It is possible to have cost effective pre-fab structures that don't look like post-war Soviet nuclear fallout shelters.

[Fares_Fair]

4BC radio's (1116am) 'Drive' program's Gary Hardgrave had an interview regarding short platforms this afternoon at around 4:40pm.

The interviewee suggested buying shares in a scaffold company, this to laughter from Gary Hardgrave, the Drive program host.
Gary Hardgrave said that they had done costings and that they could buy the scaffold for the cost of the initial setup, in just the first year.

Interviewee said that this was costing almost $300k per year for the 7 platforms.
He stated that the platforms were erected over 2 years ago and that nothing had been done, including the plywood deck not being replaced every 12 months.

Interviewee said that they would be better off putting the money into something permanent and not throwing it away at temporary solutions.
He suggested building new permanent platforms at their location along the future alignment and create a long passing loop for freight trains and use the single line track for the passenger services along the new corridor.

He said that this could be used to improve both passenger and freight services along the north coast line.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

EDIT: Story added and updated.

[Fares_Fair]

Hello rtt,

It's in the Maroochy Journal newspaper story further up; $291k per year to maintain temporary station platforms

He states: "the platforms have obviously weathered and the scaffolding is showing rust."
He then says: "I am not saying that they are unsafe."

"The platforms are a short-term solution and should be removed within 12 to 18 months and replaced with a permanent platform," the briefing told the Minister.

One would assume that the advice received by the Minister is professional, and not meant to be ignored.

This is the Sunshine Coast where ignoring major local issues has reached incredible new heights.
The Premier proudly states that she is a Premier for all of Queensland, but I can prove those to be very empty words, using the facts, and the rhetoric is, well just empty rhetoric.

The LNP I hope, has plans to address the major infrastructure issues on their home turf.
I believe that they will, for they must be seen to be doing something, this will not go away.
The Coast cannot be taken for granted, especially given that the Katter Australia Party has come to town.

In a radio interview heard on 1116 4BC, it was said the plywood deck is 'possibly' to be replaced every 12 months according to that Ministerial note, and the deck repainted every 12 months, and that hasn't happened either, the 450mm wide white edging to the deck seems to be the only part that has been.

It certainly leaves them open to potential safety issues if nothing is done soon.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Stillwater]

About half way into this document QR lists the guidelines and absolutes for designing and building a railway station:

http://www.dlgp.qld.gov.au/resources/guideline/tod/appendix.pdf

It makes interesting reading to see what QR says are its standard for railway stations and then compare that with what it provides at stations along the SCL.

A draftsperson, and I believe there are one or two on this forum, would be able to make better sense of the specifications than I could.  Needless to say, the SCL stations leave much to be desired, going by QR's own standards and specifications manual.

[Stillwater]

From what has been said before here, the issue would appear to be that QR had a plan to replace these short platform stations within two years of them being built.  The state government could be forgiven for extending that two years to three, maybe four, but not 20!  The issue is why has the government not followed its own plan?

This is a government that proclaims it has a plan for fixing SEQ's transport problems and promotes it as being 'world class', then sits back and fails to implement the plan in full.  When the non-compliance with its own plan reaches the farcical stage, it merely produces another (revised) plan and the merry-go-round spins another turn.

[Stillwater]

Yep, all true.  I would like a thinking journalist to probe the LNP on its policies, starting with this question: 'You have pledged to end waste in government.  You have pledged to plan and deliver more efficient, and appropriate, transport infrastructure for Queenslanders.  What is the LNP's solution to the short platform stations on the SCL, the inefficient use of buses for more than 40 per cent of all so-called train services, and the operational shortcomings of rail freight operations on the line due to short crossing loops?  And can we take your silence as meaning that nothing will change for the people of six seats on the Sunshine Coast who, consistently, elect an LNP Member to represent them in the Queensland Parliament?'

[O_128]

Yep, all true.  I would like a thinking journalist to probe the LNP on its policies, starting with this question: 'You have pledged to end waste in government.  You have pledged to plan and deliver more efficient, and appropriate, transport infrastructure for Queenslanders.  What is the LNP's solution to the short platform stations on the SCL, the inefficient use of buses for more than 40 per cent of all so-called train services, and the operational shortcomings of rail freight operations on the line due to short crossing loops?  And can we take your silence as meaning that nothing will change for the people of six seats on the Sunshine Coast who, consistently, elect an LNP Member to represent them in the Queensland Parliament?'

+1

Reply..."When we are elected we will go through state finances etc and create a new infrastructure plan"

[Fares_Fair]

Article: Why rail platforms are a growing concern
Maroochy Journal, p5
Friday February 10, 2012
by Sherine Conyers

[Stillwater]

Can the fungus be genetically modified to grow into the shape of a railway platform?

[Stillwater]

While the Libs remain silent on their attitude to the SCL upgrade, people are not holding out much hope from the other side either.  Labor candidates for the seats of Buderim, Nicklin, Noosa, Kawana and Gympie are relatively unknown locally and come from Brisbane.  Clearly, Labor believes it can't win a seat on the Sunshine Coast, even though it may not say so publicly.  The Libs believe they don't need to do, or promise, much to retain their existing seats.  Nicklin (based on Nambour) is held by an Independent, Peter Wellington.

[Fares_Fair]

Article: Fungi stuff found growing from platform
Courier-Mail Quest News
Friday February 10, 2012 at 12:00AM
by Sherine Conyers

http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/sunshine-coast/fungi-stuff-found-growing-from-platform/story-fn8m0yxo-1226267051225

It's a case of "shroom" for improvement - temporary railway station platforms on the Sunshine Coast, overdue for maintenance but deemed safe by Queensland Rail, have become so spongy with the heavy rainfall that mushrooms are thriving.

Palmwoods commuter and Rail Back on Track member Jeff Addison took photos of the flourishing fungi when heading to work last week.

Mr Addison said he was concerned that the platforms, which he said only had a 12-18 month life span, were overdue for replacement.

Mr Addison said crews had already been out to repair some of the platforms, but not all had been patched up.

"I inspected the deck this morning and there are other areas of rot, soft bouncy plywood and steps between the plywood sheets that present a trip hazard/danger to commuters," he said.

"There is also very healthy mould growing along the edge of the platform."

Last week Queensland Rail told the Journal safety was the number one priority and each temporary platform was costing $800 per week to maintain.

There are seven temporary platforms at stations along the Sunshine Coast line.

Member for Glass House Andrew Powell said he put a question on notice 12 months ago regarding the validity of the temporary platforms.

He said the cost of maintaining temporary platforms could almost fund a full station upgrade but the need to realign the track was a major issue.

"From my perspective It's one debacle after another.

"How much money is being wasted on them?

"To be shown that they are not really being maintained despite the ongoing cost of $800 per week each, It's a lot of money'' he said.

Mr Powell said the State Government had only provided total line upgrade costs of around $1.8 billion so he was unable to assess the financial viability of partial upgrades.

"You would actually have to do the realignment between Eudlo and Woombye, so you could capture those extensions, so the cost is not the cost of the platforms of the stations, it's the cost of the duplication.

"We've got an $85 billion state debt and there is no money for that upgrade.

"You have to weigh up whether the costs of the interest would be worth borrowing to do that,'' he said.

[Fares_Fair]

Interesting comment on this story ...

cassie of sunshine coast Posted at 12:34 PM Today

My sister who is disabled and uses a walking stick caught the train from Brisbane to palmwoods. Not only did the school students not get up and give her a seat but when alighting from the train at Palmwoods she had great difficulty because of the height between the platform and the train. To top it off she tripped on the rough surface and had it not been for a very kind passenger taking her arm she would have had a bad tumble.She also had a suitcase which made disembarking the train a nightmare.

[Fares_Fair]

Article: Mushrooms growing from Sunshine Coast temporary rail platforms could be safety risk, with a "strong possibility that it will give way"
Courier-Mail Quest News
Sherine Conyers, Maroochy Journal
February 10, 2012 at 12:00AM (story has been updated since this reported time)

http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/sunshine-coast/fungi-stuff-found-growing-from-platform/story-fn8m0yxo-1226267051225

Mushrooms and fungi growing from temporary railway platforms at Palmwoods station on Feb 3. Picture Jeff Addison Source: Quest Newspapers
FUNGI STUFF: Picture taken by Palmwoods commuter Jeff Addison of mushrooms growing out of a railway platform Source: Quest Newspapers

It's a case of "shroom" for improvement - temporary railway station platforms on the Sunshine Coast, deemed safe by Queensland Rail, are flourishing with fungi.

The platforms have become so spongy with the heavy rainfall they are growing mushrooms and a University of Queensland expert says they are a sign platform safety could be compromised.

Palmwoods commuter and Rail Back on Track member Jeff Addison took photos of the growths when heading to work last week.

Associate Professor Victor Galea from University of Queensland Agriculture and Food Sciences department said the pictures displayed "wood-rotting fungi'' which was eating away the platforms.

"If the wood is over scaffolding and it's quite open underneath there's a strong possibility that it will give way,'' he said.

"I wouldn't want to be running for a train.''


Results: Platform poll
Thanks for voting!

Are you concerned about safety on temporary rail platforms?
Yes 68.83% (53 votes)
No  31.17% (24 votes)

Total votes: 77

Prof Galea said the  red fungi was known as bracket fungus and the yellow one was Jelly fungus.

He said they only existed when wood and water were mixed.

"The sign of wood rotting fungi is a sign it is compromised structurally," he said.

"It turns it to pulp."

Mr Addison said he was concerned that the platforms, which he said only had a 12-18 month life span, were overdue for replacement.

Mr Addison said crews had already been out to repair some of the platforms, but not all had been patched up.

"I inspected the deck this morning and there are other areas of rot, soft bouncy plywood and steps between the plywood sheets that present a trip hazard/danger to commuters," he said.

"There is also very healthy mould growing along the edge of the platform."

Last week Queensland Rail told the Journal safety was the number one priority and each temporary platform was costing $800 per week to maintain.

There are seven temporary platforms at stations along the Sunshine Coast line.


MUSHY: Palmwoods commuter Jeff Addison took photos of mushrooms and fungi growing out of temporary railway platforms on the Sunshine Coast.
Source: Quest Newspapers


Member for Glass House Andrew Powell said he put a question on notice 12 months ago regarding the validity of the temporary platforms.

He said the cost of maintaining temporary platforms could almost fund a full station upgrade but the need to realign the track was a major issue.

"From my perspective It's one debacle after another.

"How much money is being wasted on them?

"To be shown that they are not really being maintained despite the ongoing cost of $800 per week each, It's a lot of money'' he said.

Mr Powell said the State Government had only provided total line upgrade costs of around $1.8 billion so he was unable to assess the financial viability of partial upgrades.

"You would actually have to do the realignment between Eudlo and Woombye, so you could capture those extensions, so the cost is not the cost of the platforms of the stations, it's the cost of the duplication.

"We've got an $85 billion state debt and there is no money for that upgrade.

"You have to weigh up whether the costs of the interest would be worth borrowing to do that,'' he said.

[Fares_Fair]

I contacted QR as soon as possible after I was informed of this situation by a journalist.
I re-tweeted the story to QR, I phoned 2 QR personnel, couldn't get through so left audio messages, then followed these up with 3 text messages to 3 QR individuals.

QR responded a short time later (~15 minutes) and ordered a safety team and engineers to urgently inspect the platforms.
This was at approx. 5:40pm Friday afternoon.
By 6:30pm Saturday, most of the work had already been carried out.
Repairs were effected within ~24 hours. 

Some of the plywood decks have been screwed down to remove the >1cm height differences, the yellow jelly fungus has been scrubbed off, metal plates approx. 20cm square have been placed over the rotted joints at the corners of some ply panels in 6 locations and the red bracket fungus has been scraped/broken off the edge of the plywood, leaving approx. 5mm of the fungus projecting out from where it once was.

There are 2 remaining areas of clearly rotten plywood (over 40cm long x 10-15cm wide) that remain to be repaired, these are along the white painted section in front of the yellow line, so a definite trip danger.

The deck plywood panels are placed over steel channels so there is no likelihood of a complete collapse, the fact that the steel probably allows water to sit under the plywood doesn't help any.

Well done to QR for their swift response.  

[Stillwater]

Nonetheless, the repairs and treatment arose out of a complaint from a member of the public to QR, NOT as a consequence of regular monitoring by QR which would have identified the decay etc ahead of the public taking action and contacting QR.  The difference between being proactive and reactive.