Ipswich region

[ozbob]

Not sure if the figure quoted 56 pax up to 9am at Ipswich arrivals is correct.  Times I have been out there a lot more than that, but the point about improving frequency (counter peak) is well made.

[somebody]

The spokeswoman said no additional services or express trains would be considered by Translink.

Well at least Cr Pisale is saying the right things.

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Ipswich's rocketing population hits 180,000

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Second CBD tower set to be approved in July

[#Metro]

^ It would be great to get Ipswich City Council on our side lobbying for 15 min or express train services.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Ipswich key to Queensland's building sector recovery

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Our city poised to be the new Parramatta

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Revealed: The second bridge for Ipswich

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Revealed: The second bridge for Ipswich

http://normanstreetbridge.com.au/

BACKGROUND

There has been talk in the community for many years about the need for a new bridge across the Bremer River, linking North Ipswich and East Ipswich in the vicinity of Norman Street. Ipswich City Council and the Queensland Government have recently completed a Feasibility Study into the Norman Street Bridge, and the extension of Jacaranda Street-Wattle Street through to Brisbane Road at Booval, to provide a long-term strategic road link to cater for future travel demands as the population of Ipswich grows.

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> 800 empty desks! Time running out to fill Icon Tower

ICON Ipswich could have 800 empty desks when the Newman Government begins its lease on October 1 as negotiations to move public servants linger on.

Not a single bureaucrat has agreed to move from city offices in Brisbane to Icon Ipswich, with negotiations not expected to be finalised until the end of August.

It leaves the civil servants with less than a month to prepare for the move west.

The State Government is yet to tell the public servants which departments are involved in the move to Ipswich, fearing it may spark a backlash from staff ...

[Golliwog]

Queensland Times --> 800 empty desks! Time running out to fill Icon Tower

ICON Ipswich could have 800 empty desks when the Newman Government begins its lease on October 1 as negotiations to move public servants linger on.

Not a single bureaucrat has agreed to move from city offices in Brisbane to Icon Ipswich, with negotiations not expected to be finalised until the end of August.

It leaves the civil servants with less than a month to prepare for the move west.

The State Government is yet to tell the public servants which departments are involved in the move to Ipswich, fearing it may spark a backlash from staff ...

Because waiting around to tell them last minute is going to make it go down so much better....

[Cam]

Perhaps now is an appropriate time to improve the poor frequency counter peak service on the Ipswich Line. There are numerous "out of service" trains running from Roma Street to Ipswich in the morning peak & Ipswich to Roma Street in the afternoon peak.

Counter peak express services could stop Milton, Toowong & Indooroopilly & Darra in the morning and still save 17 minutes off the all stations running time of 56 minutes.

Such services would provide the following benefits with very little cost:

1)   Provide increased frequency for those commuting via Roma Street to Milton, Toowong & Indooroopilly. There are currently too many commuters waiting for up to 15 minutes for the peak services from Roma Street to these stations in the morning.
2)   Encourage those commuting to Ipswich via Roma Street to take public transport by providing a reasonably quick service taking approximately 39 minutes between Roma Street & Ipswich.
3)     Partially fill trains that are currently running empty between Roma Street & Ipswich.
4)    Encourage those commuting from suburbs around Darra to Ipswich to catch a feeder bus to Darra & then express service to Ipswich. 

[mufreight]

With the increase in numbers of public servants in Ipswich the express runs stopping at Milton, Toowong, Indooroopilly, Darra, then add Goodna, Redbank and Booval would only be 7 minutes slower than a full express Roma Street to Ipswich service and while providing a faster service would attract additional patronage at no additional operating cost.
At the present time some of these empty movements are running on yellows from about Dinmore to Ipswich, by making the stops and actually then bring in revenue service this bunching would be avoided.      

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Brisbanites take note: Ipswich is not Siberia

[aldonius]

You messed up the link formatting Bob. Here's the raw URL for anyone else.
http://www.qt.com.au/news/brisbanites-take-note-ipswich-is-not-siberia/1984525/

[Old Northern Road]

Working in Ipswich isn't an option for us who live on the north side even if they do improve the public transport. It's too far away. Ipswich is Penrith not Parramatta.

[STB]

Working in Ipswich isn't an option for us who live on the north side even if they do improve the public transport. It's too far away. Ipswich is Penrith not Parramatta.

So Indooroopilly is Brisbane's Parramatta?

[ozbob]

You messed up the link formatting Bob. Here's the raw URL for anyone else.
http://www.qt.com.au/news/brisbanites-take-note-ipswich-is-not-siberia/1984525/

Oooppps  thanks fixed .. track fault!

[ozbob]

Media release 18th August 2013



SEQ: Go west, a few more counter-peak rail services might help ...

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 said the time is right to ramp up counter-peak* services on the Ipswich line.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"We have observed empty not-in-service trains running counter-peak on the Ipswich line in the morning and afternoon peak periods."

"With the planned increase in numbers of public servants in Ipswich some of these  services could be timetabled to run express stopping at Milton, Toowong, Indooroopilly, Darra, Goodna, Redbank and Booval and would only be 7 minutes slower than a full express Roma Street to Ipswich service, and while providing a faster service would attract additional patronage at no additional operating cost."

"At the present time some of these empty movements are running on yellow signals (caution, slow) from about Dinmore to Ipswich, by making the limited station stops and actually then bringing these into revenue service this train bunching would be avoided as well."

"RAIL Back On Track has long called for improvements in train frequency on all lines. In time further incremental improvements will need to be made on the rest of the network (2,3)."

References:

1. 800 empty desks! Time running out to fill Icon Tower http://www.qt.com.au/news/icon-desks-bare-with-fears-of-backlash/1979566/

2. 10 Jan 2012 SEQ: Trips and frequency? http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7440.0

3. 24 Jan 2012: SEQ: Core Frequent Network: Get Rail Back On Track! http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7530.0

*counter-peak means services running in the opposite direction to the peak flow to and from the CBD.  For example in the case of Ipswich, morning counter-peak means services running from Roma St to Ipswich. In a similar manner, afternoon counter-peak means services to the CBD.  For the Ipswich line this means services from Ipswich to the CBD.

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

^

[James]

Working in Ipswich isn't an option for us who live on the north side even if they do improve the public transport. It's too far away. Ipswich is Penrith not Parramatta.

I would hardly call Ipswich the equivalent of Penrith.
Parramatta: 23km W of Sydney CBD
Ipswich: 40km SW of Brisbane CBD
Penrith: 50km W of Sydney CBD

Ipswich is roughly midway between the two. The difference here though is urban landform. The centre of Sydney is around 10km from the ocean (the eastern limit of development), and there are bushland reserves constraining development from occurring much further south than Sutherland (30km from CBD) and Hornsby (25km from CBD). In the end, the only way for Sydney to go is west and south-west. Hence Parramatta, geographically speaking, is close to the centre of Sydney.

By comparison, Brisbane has expanded very much north-south, with bushland constraining development east and west. The Brisbane CBD is in the centre of Brisbane, geographically speaking. In this sense, Ipswich is more like a Penrith, but it is not really proper to make analogies with Sydney given that Brisbane has developed in a different way. Ipswich will become more like Parramatta as we start seeing more and more growth in the southern parts of Brisbane - Ripley Valley, Springfield, Greenbank, Yarrabilba will all be geographically closer to Ipswich than the Brisbane CBD.

I don't think decentralisation to Ipswich should be rubbished by any means. Its a good start, I still think looking towards other urban centres like Chermside and Mt Gravatt is a better approach. It may be inconvenient, but it may mean said worker(s) should look at moving across town.

So Indooroopilly is Brisbane's Parramatta?

Indooroopilly is far too close to the CBD to be called anything like Parramatta. I'd say the closest thing we'd ever get to a Parramatta is either Upper Mount Gravatt or Chermside (at this point).

[SurfRail]

Abolishing stamp duty in favour of something more useful like across the board land tax would make it easier to facilitate stuff like this so people can be more mobile.

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Icon rent will go to waste

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Ipswich workers hit out at Icon move

...  Ipswich MP Berry said the enterprise bargaining agreement in place makes it difficult to relocate public servants without extensive consultation.

"I understand the concerns of some of the public servants. If you live on the north side of Brisbane, to get to Ipswich, there is the rail way line but it will be a big commute," he said.

"Because of the previous government we are stuck either way. That's the way it is. All in all I think it is the move to make."

Miserable counter-peak doesn't encourage either Mr Berry.   Especially if one is pulled, only an hour wait ... 

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Ipswich's Icon tower is now open for business

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Seqwater employees to be based in Ipswich

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> 300 Seqwater staff to move to Icon Ipswich

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

4th October 2013

SEQ: Go west, a few more counter-peak rail services might help ...

Greetings,

Icon Ipswich is open for business [ Queensland Times --> 300 Seqwater staff to move to Icon Ipswich ].  Getting public servants to move location from CBD Brisbane to Ipswich is no doubt complicated in part because of the poor counter-peak train service frequency on all lines on the suburban rail network, and of course the Ipswich line itself.

When the counter-peak frequency is 30 minutes or worse, any delays or cancellations are magnified.  On August 22 in the morning an Ipswich bound train was cancelled this left many with up to almost an hour wait for the next train ( http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10160.msg130397#msg130397 ).  Acceptable?  Of course not, and makes it difficult to encourage public servants to relocate.

What is even more perplexing is that on the Ipswich line there are a number of trains that run ' empty ' in counter peaks daily.

Best wishes
Robert

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

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

Media release 18th August 2013 re-released 4th October 2013



SEQ: Go west, a few more counter-peak rail services might help ...

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 said the time is right to ramp up counter-peak* services on the Ipswich line.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"We have observed empty not-in-service trains running counter-peak on the Ipswich line in the morning and afternoon peak periods."

"With the planned increase in numbers of public servants in Ipswich some of these  services could be timetabled to run express stopping at Milton, Toowong, Indooroopilly, Darra, Goodna, Redbank and Booval and would only be 7 minutes slower than a full express Roma Street to Ipswich service, and while providing a faster service would attract additional patronage at no additional operating cost."

"At the present time some of these empty movements are running on yellow signals (caution, slow) from about Dinmore to Ipswich, by making the limited station stops and actually then bringing these into revenue service this train bunching would be avoided as well."

"RAIL Back On Track has long called for improvements in train frequency on all lines. In time further incremental improvements will need to be made on the rest of the network (2,3)."

References:

1. 800 empty desks! Time running out to fill Icon Tower http://www.qt.com.au/news/icon-desks-bare-with-fears-of-backlash/1979566/

2. 10 Jan 2012 SEQ: Trips and frequency? http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7440.0

3. 24 Jan 2012: SEQ: Core Frequent Network: Get Rail Back On Track! http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7530.0

*counter-peak means services running in the opposite direction to the peak flow to and from the CBD.  For example in the case of Ipswich, morning counter-peak means services running from Roma St to Ipswich. In a similar manner, afternoon counter-peak means services to the CBD.  For the Ipswich line this means services from Ipswich to the CBD.

Contact:

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

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Back to square one for Bell St taxis and buses

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Race for property bargains

[ozbob]

Brisbantimes --> $350 million industrial park opens in Ipswich

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> City to lobby for Norman St Bridge at SEQ Council of Mayors

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times 5th February 2014 page 5

Defunct Transit Centre going for sale at last

[ozbob]

^ now online ..

Queensland Times --> Defunct Ipswich Transit Centre going for sale at last

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> 300 Seqwater staff to move to Icon Ipswich

Most will ..


Queensland Times --> Ipswich-based workers keen to secure a job in CBD complex

[petey3801]

Have heard Ipswich station will be receiving a Police Beat in the near future also. Only problem is it will be taking away much of the heritage display in the current concourse area.

[ozbob]

From the Queensland Times 19th February 2014 page 7

Six new railway officers to keep commuters safe

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Icon Ipswich almost a full house as SEQ Water finalise move

[ozbob]

Queensland Times --> Council invites input into plan for development of Ipswich

[ozbob]

JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services
The Honourable Jack Dempsey

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Safety boost for Ipswich rail commuters

Commuters and Ipswich residents will experience the benefits of an active police presence following the construction of a brand new Police Outpost at the Ipswich Railway Station.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson, Police Minister Jack Dempsey and Member for Ipswich Ian Berry inspected the works underway at the station and said it delivered on the Government's election promise to revitalise frontline services for families.

"Ipswich is an ideal spot as it allows officers to focus on the outer Ipswich and Rosewood line, while the Redbank team can focus on inner Ipswich stations and the Springfield line," Mr Emerson said.

"The Queensland Government has a strong plan for a brighter future for every passenger and we are delivering this outpost, where Labor wouldn't, as a part of that plan.

"We are contributing $500,000 to provide a permanent base of operations for officers from the Queensland Police Service Railway Squad in Ipswich.

"The Ipswich police outpost will be the sixth in South East Queensland joining Robina, Roma Street, Manly, Beenleigh and Petrie."

Police Minister Jack Dempsey said that the Queensland Police Service would contribute officers to ongoing operations at the outpost.

"We promised to revitalise frontline services for families in Ipswich and this outpost will ensure better service delivery for them," Mr Dempsey said.

"The Ipswich Railway Station outpost will be staffed by six officers including a team-leading Sergeant.

"We have already delivered more than 750 additional police on the beat across Queensland, and we're ensuring Ipswich has the resources it needs today and into the future."

Acting Commissioner Brett Pointing said the Railway Squad provided a dedicated visible uniform police presence on the Queensland Rail (QR) City Network to promote passenger and staff safety and security.

"The current strength of the Railway Squad is 66 sworn members, and includes a dedicated Intelligence Unit, Crime Prevention Coordinator and a Firearms Explosive Detection Dog capability," Acting Commissioner Pointing said.

Member for Ipswich Ian Berry welcomed the announcement as a sign of the Government's commitment to Ipswich.

"When I was elected in 2012 I committed to Ipswich families that we would revitalise frontline services, where Labor had failed," Mr Berry said.

"As Member for Ipswich I have worked locally to deliver more police, safer streets, better infrastructure, and the outpost is part of that continued delivery."

[ENDS] 29 May 2014