Gold Coast Faster Rail Project

Queensland Gold Coast
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Definitely a good move.

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Transport Minister is doing a news conference today 10:30am at Woodridge near the station.

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We did print some large format SEQ Connect mounted posters last week - I wonder if they are being used this morning?

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I will hopefully be on ABC Gold Coast radio mid-afternoon.

If anyone wants to help me read through the ministerial press release once that drops it’d be handy.

Points I’ve made in email already:

Overall, our priority is getting to a public transport network which gets people where they want to go safely, reliably and quickly.

LGCFR should improve station accessibility and of course every level crossing removal is always welcome for both safety and reliability.

LGCFR also means more tracks which should allow for expresses and all-stops services to run at higher frequency.
Improving service frequency is critical, because it’s not just about how long a train takes from departure to arrival, it’s also about how long you have to wait for the train, for a connecting bus, or for an appointment.
With LGCFR, CRR and the QTMP trains coming online in the next few years we’d like to see 15-minute frequency extended south.

We do think there’s scope for improvement in how replacement buses are used during closures, with more direct express services.

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Is it worth mentioning how the lack of express trains during the forthcoming closure is increasing travel times far beyond what they need to be for longer-distance travellers?

How about the shemozzle last weekend, where Translink was advising trains were terminating at Banoon, but they were in fact terminating at Kuraby?

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Do we know exactly what the press conference was for yet? I haven’t seen or heard any reporting for it.

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https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/about-us/news-and-media/media-statements

Media release will be available here when it is released

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In this case, it’s actually over on the general Media Statements page - it’s just popped up:

Crisafulli Government gets Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail on track

  • Funds flow for faster rail to Gold Coast in next week’s Budget , for the start of preconstruction works.
  • $600 million will be invested next year as part of the $5.7bn project, that suffered a $3bn cost blow out under Labor.
  • The project will unlock additional services to address the high growth travel demand between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Commuters are a step closer to catching faster rail to the Gold Coast with the Crisafulli Government announcing funding to start preconstruction works on the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project.

The 2025-26 funding investment of $300 million from the Queensland Government and $300 million from the Commonwealth Government, unlocks pre-construction works for the coming year.

It comes just three months after the Crisafulli Government finalised the Design and Pre-Construction contract with ActivUs consortium to deliver the Rail Package in this mega infrastructure project.

The project will see the number of tracks between Kuraby and Beenleigh doubled from two to four, significantly improving service frequency and reliability for commuters.

It also includes the removal of five level crossings; upgrading stations; and improving access and connectivity along the 20-kilometre project corridor.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said this project was just one of many generational infrastructure projects to be delivered by the Crisafulli Government ahead of the 2032 Games.

“We’re getting on with delivering Faster Rail to the Gold Coast, to more Queenslanders can get home to their families sooner,” Minister Mickelberg said.

“The former Labor Government mismanaged the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project so badly the estimated cost blew out from $2.6 billion to $5.7 billion – and not a single track was laid.

“While Labor spent almost a decade riddled with project overruns, we’ve already started delivering projects that they couldn’t get out of the ground.

“We are wasting no time in delivering on our election commitment to create better connectivity across South East Queensland to cater for our growing population and to ensure we have legacy infrastructure in place for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

The project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments.

For more information on the project, visit tmr.qld.gov.au/logangoldcoastrail.

ENDS

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So the cost will now go back to $2.6 billion with all the over runs now removed???

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^ no. The latest media statement refers to it as ’ $5.7bn project '.

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Sorry that was Tongue in Cheek comment.

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@alexjago important to note that there is still no concrete ‘time saving’ (probably because there isn’t must of a saving with it only addressing the single major curve). The only real savings will come from the reduced wait with a potential 15 minute frequency.

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Honestly, I couldn’t care less if the travel time saving is nil if it results in doubles the frequency - more trains more often is more important to me than saving ≤ 5 minutes in travel time.

Also, there was a second press release from Mickelberg about overhauling QTRIP in response to the blowout of transport infrastructure projects. Not completely associated to LGCFR, but something worth noting perhaps:

Overhauled QTRIP to restore respect for Queenslanders’ money

  • Government to implement recommendations from an independent review, returning a competitive tender process for major transport projects and restoring respect for Queenslanders’ money.
  • Changes will also drive industry collaboration and help prevent Labor’s repeated project cost blowouts.
  • Independent review will help ensure the pipeline of generational transport projects are delivered in time for the 2032 Games.

Full release here: Overhauled QTRIP to restore respect for Queenslanders’ money - Ministerial Media Statements

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I think something that should be addressed as well is the lack of quad-tracking between the southern CRR portal and Kuraby as well as level crossing removals in Runcorn and Sunnybank.

@alexjago go get them tiger.

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Thanks for completing that interview @alexjago. Wonderful job! We’ll get a recording uploaded at some point for those who missed it.

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Whew! Deep breath, calm the nerves, back to work etc for me…

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I couldn’t tell. You did a smashing job.

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Well done Alex. What show was the interview on and roughly the time please?

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Additional services, hey?

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Gold coast drive. 3:15pm or so

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