G20 Brisbane November 2014

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Police release guide to G20 transport changes

[ozbob]

Police guide to G20 --> http://www.police.qld.gov.au/Resources/Internet/g20/documents/G20_Brisbane_DL%20brochure_LowRes.pdf

[ozbob]

News.com.au --> No parking, no trains, no buses around South Brisbane for duration of G20. Good luck, citizens

[HappyTrainGuy]

Considering every bus route from the south and east uses the bus way this is going to be fun

[ozbob]

GO. TO. ADELAIDE. folks for a G20 holiday

.. it is more 'liveable' and besides there is a tram ..   

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2014/8/22/starstudded-line-up-for-g20-tropical-jam-celebration?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Media Statements
Assistant Minister for Tourism
Mr Gavin King
Friday, August 22, 2014

Star-Studded line up for G20 Tropical Jam Celebration

Cairns families will be able to celebrate the G20 with a star-studded Tropical Jam Concert on 16 September ahead of the meeting with Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors.

Member for Cairns and Assistant Minister for Tourism Gavin King said the musical feast would be held in Fogarty Park and feature a vibrant line-up Australia's finest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.

"Events like Tropical Jam showcase the unique talent the region has to offer not only to the local community but the international visitors and media," Mr King said.

"The G20 meetings are a fantastic opportunity to shine the spotlight on our great city.

"I'm sure people visiting Cairns for the Finance meeting will love to take advantage of this wonderful evening of free entertainment.

"We promised at the election to grow tourism as one of the four pillars of the Queensland economy and events like Tropical Jam' will help us continue to deliver."

Mr King said headline acts Christine Anu, Busby Marou and Mau Power would be joined by Queensland Youth Orchestra, Cairns' own Black Image and the Sounds of AustraNesian choir with special guest James Morrison.

"Local bands and artists including the Yarrabah Brass Band, Cape York Aboriginal Australian Academy School Band Cairns State High School Band and traditional dance groups from the Cairns region will also perform," he said.

Queensland Music Festival Artistic Director James Morrison says the concert would bring the Cairns community together to celebrate its culturally diversity while the world is watching.

"Tropical Jam will showcase Cairns' best local talent as the international spotlight shines on the city for the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting," Mr Morrison said.

"Cairns has a significant cultural heritage that will be celebrated through Australia's leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists performing a unique flavour of Australian music and culture alongside special guests."

The free concert, hosted by the Queensland Government in association with Queensland Music Festival, is suitable for people of all ages and does not require bookings.

The concert is part of the G20 Cultural Celebrations, which run from October 24 – November 16 2014 and features hundreds of free community events including live music programs, interactive lighting and projection displays across Brisbane city, pop-up dance performances, street performances, community BBQs and multicultural community events.

[ENDS] 21 August 2014

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Foreign guards get rights to arms for Brisbane G20 summit

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland Government implements new security measures as terror alert raised and G20 nears

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Manholes to be secured, sewers examined and delivery drivers checked as part of Brisbane G20 security crackdown

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> More restricted zones added to Brisbane G20

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Brisbane G20 looms as security nightmare as protesters plan for mayhem

[ozbob]

Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts
The Honourable Ian Walker

24 days of free music events celebrate the G20

Brisbane's iconic music scene will be celebrated with 24 days of free live music acts as Queensland prepares to welcome the world's leaders for the G20 Summit.

Arts Minister Ian Walker said from October 24 to November 16, hundreds of Queensland's most talented musicians will take to stages across the city and suburbs of Brisbane to perform solo, collaborative and one-off shows as part of the G20 Cultural Celebrations.

"There will be 4,000 delegates and about 3,000 media who will visit Brisbane during the G20, making it a once in a generation opportunity for Queensland," Mr Walker said.

"In all, there will be about 14,500 Brisbane hotels rooms booked for this event, which is great news for our tourism industry.

"The economic boost to Brisbane alone will be $100 million, so the flow-on effects to Queensland generally will be enormous.

"The G20 is really something to celebrate and this free music program allows us to do just that.

"It is designed to appeal to a range of audiences and the artists throughout this program represent Brisbane to the world as the tremendous music city that we all know it to be."

Mr Walker said Opera soprano Maggie Noonan, pop artist Emma Louise and blues and roots duo Busby Marou highlight the diversity of the free music events on offer.

"More than 50 free music events will use a variety of Brisbane's performance spaces from established music venues, special concert halls such as St John's Cathedral and the Old Museum, to more unconventional and suburban locations including Yeronga Pool and Sandgate Town Hall," he said.

Among the huge line-up of free events on offer:

    Brisbane singer-songwriter Emma Louise will play the Hi-Fi on October 25, off the back of achieving international chart-toppers throughout Europe.
    Rockhampton blues and roots duo Busby Marou will hit the suburbs for a special performance with Jackie Marshall on Thursday 6 November at Bramble Bay Bowls club.
    Acclaimed opera soprano Maggie Noonan will feature in a series of concerts at St John's Cathedral, including A Prayer for Peace, on November 4. The concert will also include original works by Tyrone Noonan, world renowned didgeridoo player William Barton, and acclaimed Tibetan musician Tenzin Choegyal, all accompanied by the Camerata of St John's.

Creative Director of the G20 Cultural Celebrations Athol Young said the program celebrated the talent and diversity of Brisbane's music scene.

"Brisbane is known internationally for its unique and ever evolving live music scene that has produced many of the country's most celebrated artists," Mr Young said.

"We have curated this program to bring together a diverse array of genres and events with a focus on supporting our local artists, producers, promoters, agents and managers."

"No matter where you live or what music you're into, there is something for everyone."

Visit www.qld.gov.au/g20cultural for the full music program including dates times and venues.

[ENDS] 29 September 2014

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Content/MediaAttachments/2014/pdf/DPC3961%20G20%20CC%20Music%20program%20v6.pdf

[STB]

Iconic music scene?  I know we've had hit exports like 'The Veronicas', 'Savage Garden' and 'Powderfinger', but I wouldn't call the overall music scene in Brisbane as 'iconic' overall.  Not when you compare us to Sydney, or even Melbourne's music scenes in particular.

[ozbob]

Don't forget ... RAILROAD GIN!   

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Brisbane G20 Summit: Full list of road closures

[ozbob]

Bribanetimes --> Brisbane G20 road closures released

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> G20 organisers aware of 21 planned protests

[ozbob]

Twitter

Kim Flesser ‏@FastFless

State Government to give 6,000 free Go Cards to G20 delegates - what can't they afford to buy them like everyone else?

[ozbob]

Twitter

Scott Emerson ‏@scottemerson 29 minutes ago

Out of your car Cameron, on the bus Obama, try some PT Putin Special go cards issued to 7000 G20 delegates #qldpol

[ozbob]

^

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 1 minute ago Brisbane, Queensland

. @scottemerson Does it also include @BrisAirtrain ? Sad testament to a failed high cost fare system for SEQ IMHO ... #qldpol

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

22nd October 2014

Free transport for all?

Greetings,

7000 G20 delegates will be given go cards to travel free on the public transport in south-east Queensland.   Is this to hide the high cost fares from the delegates?

There will be extensive disruptions on the public transport network during the G20 ( http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/24626/details ).  A good move would be simply to extend free travel to all citizens from Friday the 14th to Sunday 16th November inclusive.  Confusion and disruption will be better tolerated.

This would help create a good community spirit towards the G20.

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> G20 Brisbane: bus services affected

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

22nd October 2014

Re: Free transport for all?

Greetings

Interesting ... no G20 on in Perth ..

http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/Service-Updates/Service-Update-Details/new-fares-from-1-november-free-travel-day-on-3-november-2014-4564

New Fares from 1 November & Free Travel Day on 3 November 2014

Good news everybody!  Due to the removal of the carbon tax, some of our fares will be going down and we'll be having a Free Travel Day on Transperth services.

Our new fares will start on Saturday 1 November.  You can view the new fares here.

The Free Travel Day will be Monday 3 November.  From the first service to the last service on this day, you can travel on any Transperth bus, train or ferry service without paying a fare.

We are just not with it here in SEQ and Brisbane hey?

Cheers
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

22nd October 2014

Free transport for all?

Greetings,

7000 G20 delegates will be given go cards to travel free on the public transport in south-east Queensland.   Is this to hide the high cost fares from the delegates?

There will be extensive disruptions on the public transport network during the G20 ( http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/24626/details ).  A good move would be simply to extend free travel to all citizens from Friday the 14th to Sunday 16th November inclusive.  Confusion and disruption will be better tolerated.

This would help create a good community spirit towards the G20.

Best wishes
Robert

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

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Table at centre of row over mounting expenses for G20 talkfest

[ozbob]

Re the go cards being handed out to 7000 delegates ...

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

Twitter

Darren Curtis ‏@DarrenCurtis9

@Jeffrey_Addison Jeff they will have unlimited use for free for 7days. They won't put exact. $ figure but it's hoped they'll explore SEQLD

[ozbob]

ABC News --> G20 timetable worries

G20 timetable worries

Next month's G20 summit will see bus services and timetables change during the event.

Cr Dick said the timetables should detail what is open and what routes will not be affected.

"There is a possible commuter nightmare happening as a result of what is planned here," he said.

"I am also dead against giving Barack Obama and world leaders free Go Cards; happy to welcome them, but where will they be using them?

"The people being impacted on transport disruptions are ... the ones left out in the cold, there should be free transport to help people [get] around."

But chairman of the public and active transport committee councillor Peter Matic is confident things will run smoothly.

"For the G20 we should be embracing the opportunity to host these world leaders and giving them a Go Card will help them get from A to B," he said.

"Things are ready to go."

Cr Matic said when it came to the number of commuters, council would continue to invest record amounts of money into public transport to reach future targets.

"The reality of the situation is that fares have played a role and fare increases have gone up 15 per cent every year for the last four years," he said.

"What the current Government is trying to do is to address the fare prices in a proper way and are trying to make it more affordable by making it free travel after nine weekly journeys.

"They have asked commuters what they want and they wanted a decrease so soon the fares for the first time will drop by 5 per cent."

[ozbob]

bmag --> The Queensland Greens are calling for residents to receive free public transport during the G20 Leaders' Summit.

[ozbob]

Media Statement: Brisbane Airtrain

HOP ON BRISBANE'S AIRTRAIN TO AVOID G20 ROAD DIVERSIONS & DELAYS

Travellers flying in and out of Brisbane during the G20 Leaders Summit on 15-16 November can avoid flagged traffic disruptions by using Brisbane's Airtrain, the premier rail link connecting Brisbane Airport to Brisbane CBD, as well as the Gold Coast and suburbs.

According to the G20, road diversions will be in place to help motorists, taxis and transport companies avoid congestion, however delays are expected due to greater travel distances and changed traffic conditions. In contrast, Brisbane's Airtrain will have no restrictions on services and will offer the best and only reliable way to get quickly to and from the airport with an adjusted timetable available via www.airtrain.com.au/g20.

For inbound passengers, Brisbane's Airtrain can take you to the heart of the city centre, close to the Convention Centre, hotels and shops, so you can get straight into the action. The service from Eagle Junction to the International Brisbane Airport Terminal is also tipped to potentially provide a great viewing platform for keen plane spotters as the Airport becomes home to VIP aircraft over the Summit weekend.

Along with convenience, Brisbane's Airtrain provides great value with a 10 per cent discount for all online bookings as well as discounts for groups of two or more. Prices start as low as $27 for two booking online* from the airport to Brisbane city, substantially less than the cost of the $43 average taxi fare equivalent. Children 14 years and under can also travel for free to the CBD when accompanied by a paying adult.

Airtrain's new iPhone app is available to help fast-track trips during the G20 too, offering timetable information and a handy "Next Trains Today" function showing the next train's departure from any station on the Airport line. It can also be used to display an e-ticket barcode when entering and exiting a station.

From 14-16 November, trains will depart every 30 minutes between the Airport and Brisbane CBD and Gold Coast. Please note trains will run through but not stop at South Brisbane station. The Airtrain service will also be diverted after Roma Street station onto the Gold Coast line from Moorooka station. Due to the nature of the G20 event, there may be some last minute changes to Brisbane Airtrain's timetable. Please check www.airtrain.com.au/g20 for the latest updates.

[ozbob]

Re the go cards being handed out to 7000 delegates ...

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

Twitter

Darren Curtis ‏@DarrenCurtis9

@Jeffrey_Addison Jeff they will have unlimited use for free for 7days. They won't put exact. $ figure but it's hoped they'll explore SEQLD

^ Have been advised includes Airtrain as well .. 

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> G20 Taskforce writes to 80,000 homes and businesses about impact

[dancingmongoose]

Translink have been very deceptive regarding the disruptions. There are no disruptions from the airport to the city, but it doesn't make it very clear that going to the airport services will be running 6 minutes late. If you aren't overly familiar with the line pairing you won't figure that out. I can just imagine some poor soul attempting to get onto the Ferny Grove line from the southside. "But the translink site said there were no impacts on the Ferny Grove line"
Also, I've noticed a few TL signs up regarding the G20 saying to use their site to plan your journey at G20. I don't know about buses or ferries but the trains haven't been updated yet...

[James]

Buses have been updated to a public holiday timetable (but haven't given out any timetables for alternative arrangements), but ferries and trains have not been updated at all.

All the more reason for me to get out of Brisbane on the Thursday night then!

[ozbob]

Media release 26th October 2014

SEQ: Call for free public transport for all during G20

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers has again called for free public transport to be made available for all during the G20 (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"Around 7000 G20 delegates will be given go cards to travel free on the public transport in south-east Queensland.

"There will be extensive disruptions on the public transport network during the G20 (2).  A sensible move would be simply to extend free travel to all citizens from Friday the 14th to Sunday 16th November 2014 inclusive.

"Confusion and disruption will be better tolerated and people will be more inclined to visit the CBD as encouraged by the Lord Mayor.

"This would also help create a good community spirit towards the G20, as well as business multiplier effects.

"Other jurisdictions can see the value of encouraging people onto public transport.  For example in Perth (3), apart from a fare cut on 1st November 2014, they have also rolled out a day of free travel on Monday the 3rd November 2014!

"Here in SEQ, because the declared public holiday on the 14th November 2014 is not gazetted, passengers will pay full peak fares for the disrupted services on the public holiday.  Hardly the way to promote Brisbane is it?"

References:

1. http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8742.msg147825#msg147825

2. http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/24626/details

3. http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/Service-Updates/Service-Update-Details/new-fares-from-1-november-free-travel-day-on-3-november-2014-4564

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Push for free public transport during G20

Momentum is building for public transport to be free in Brisbane throughout the three days of the G20 world leaders summit next month.

Commuter advocacy group Rail Back on Track has called for free public transport in the city throughout the three days, reasoning that Brisbane residents should be afforded the same opportunity as the 7000 summit delegates, who will all be given Go Cards for travel through the period.

Brisbane City Council's Labor Opposition has also lodged a notice of motion for Tuesday's council meeting, urging the LNP administration to support Rail Back on Track's push and lobby the Queensland Government for free travel throughout the period.

Rail Back on Track's spokesman Robert Dow said making public transport free would be a gesture of goodwill to commuters, in compensation for significant disruptions across the network.

"Around 7000 G20 delegates will be given Go Cards to travel free on the public transport in south-east Queensland," he said.

"There will be extensive disruptions on the public transport network during the G20.

"A sensible move would be simply to extend free travel to all citizens from Friday the 14th to Sunday the 16th of November 2014 inclusive.

"Confusion and disruption will be better tolerated and people will be more inclined to visit the CBD as encouraged by the Lord Mayor (Graham Quirk)."

The three day G20 summit begins on Friday, November 14 and concludes on Sunday, November 16.

Friday has been declared a public holiday in Brisbane to ensure the impact of the event is minimal on commuters.

A spokeswoman for Queensland transport minister Scott Emerson said there were no plans to make public transport free for residents.

She said providing free travel to delegates was a unique opportunity to showcase the state internationally.

"The G20 Go Card provides delegates and media from all over the world the opportunity to travel around south east Queensland and see the many business and tourism opportunities on offer," she said.

"Other travellers using public transport on Saturday or Sunday will only pay an off-peak fare which is 20 per cent less than the full fare."

Council opposition leader Milton Dick echoed Mr Dow's sentiments that making public transport free for the three days would help compensate commuters.

"The Lord Mayor and Premier should be doing everything in their power to reduce the issues and impacts on local residents during the G20," he said.

"Out in the media they are saying it's business as usual, but in 80,000 letters sent our last week, residents were asked to consider their need to travel at all.

"It's clear that increased security will mean local residents aren't going to be able to move freely around the city, and that's fair enough; but there will still be a need for some people to come into the city and cross the river."

A council spokeswoman said the decision rested with the State Government and councillors would debate the motion at length at Tuesday's meeting.

[ozbob]

News Talk 4BC 1116 interview on Breakfast re free fares for G20

Click-->  here  MP3

Thanks Ian and Loretta and 4BC!   

[Derwan]

All the more reason for me to get out of Brisbane on the Thursday night then!

If you're relying on public transport that's too late! Disruptions are from 7pm Thursday.

[bcasey]

The journey planner, as well as the GTFS files available for developers, have not yet been updated for the disruptions that will be caused to the network on the long weekend.

I've checked the GTFS files and there are no specific service_ids in the calendar or calendar_dates files for the 14th to 16th, which I would expect to be in there to give the dates for the altered services.

I've also tested my commute on the translink journey planner for the 14th, and the routes it provides are still taking buses through the city which I know will not be possible on those days. I've also tested it on Google Maps, which uses the GTFS files, and its also taking me through the city on routes that will not be possible.

I've posted up a query on Translink's forum for open data to see if they can provide us with any information on if and when this data will become available. If I get a response, I'll update it here.

[ozbob]

7 News --> Prohibited persons list

Towards the end of this segment, brief mention the BCC voted down ' free travel ' for G20.

The Government likes to mention that off peak fares on Saturday and Sunday, but never mention the peak fares on the Friday holiday ..



Another nail in the coffin ...

[dancingmongoose]

Should we send out a memo to the usual outlets advising people to make sure they get their 9 trips up by Thursday to avoid being ripped off paying full fares for a worse-than-off-peak service?

[bcasey]

I got a reply from the Translink Team on my query about updating the GTFS data for the G20 interruptions to the network.

Due to the nature of the event and anticipated unscheduled last minute changes there will not be a GTFS file uploaded with all of the effective changes to scheduled services.

TransLink are working with operators to minimise disruptions, however commuters should expect a significant impact to services and longer travel times.

Information and advice regarding services will be posted on the TransLink website leading up to and during the G20.

Thanks,
TransLink

Not sure if this means their trip planner will or will not account for the changes, but I doubt it will.