GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY

$7.1 billion transport budget

The NSW Government has announced a record $7.1 billion transport budget for 2009-10 designed to support jobs and deliver new modern and comfortable transport services. This includes $4 billion on public transport services and $3.1 billion invested on delivering rail infrastructure upgrades, new train carriages, new buses and a program of commuter car parks. The NSW Government’s investment in transport infrastructure is up a massive 68% on the 2008-09 Budget. “This transport budget puts the focus on increasing the capacity, comfort and reliability of rail and bus services, as well as delivering convenient commuter car parking facilities,” Minister for Transport David Campbell said.

Record investment in infrastructure

Federal Parliament has passed legislation to deliver the Federal Government's Nation Building Program, the largest ever investment in the nation's transport infrastructure. The six year investment program provides a record $32 billion in road and rail funding. Nearly two thirds of this funding is earmarked for projects in regional Australia. It includes more than 26 major rail projects and boom gates and other safety measures at 292 high risk level crossings.

Consortiums formed to bid for metro

Construction of the Sydney CBD Metro has moved a step closer as tendering for the project enters its next phase, Minister for Transport David Campbell announced. Mr Campbell said businesses had begun forming consortiums who could bid for the contracts to deliver the Permanent Route Infrastructure (PRI) works for the city’s first metro line. “Five major bidders have now registered in the process to tender for construction of a range of building works for the metro,” Mr Campbell said.

$4.9 billion to boost transport

More trains, tracks and services make up the Queensland Government’s $4.9 billion investment in transport, Treasurer Andrew Fraser said. Handing down the 2009-10 State Budget, Mr Fraser said $3.6 billion in transport infrastructure was a key part of the Government’s $18.2 billion building program. “Despite the current economic climate, the Bligh (Queensland) Government won’t stop building a better Queensland,” Mr Fraser said. Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said in addition to the $3.6 billion in capital works, the Government would be investing a further $1.2 billion into TransLink for public transport in South East Queensland.

Unanderra Station upgrade expanded

Minister for Transport and the Illawarra, David Campbell, and Wollongong MP Noreen Hay, have announced that the Unanderra Station upgrade has been expanded to include an accessibility upgrade. Mr Campbell said an estimated total of $11.4 million would be spent over two years, with $2.2 million to be listed in this year’s Budget. “This investment will see the completion of the station building works as well as the start of the accessibility upgrade,” Mr Campbell said.

Crowding down despite growth

Trains are less crowded despite more people catching them, Transport Minister Rachel Nolan has announced. Releasing results from the 2009 QR Passenger Load Survey, Ms Nolan noted fewer trains were exceeding their comfort design capacity despite a large increase in patronage. “We've swum against the tide in managing to reduce crowding levels during peak periods from 43 percent to 33 percent even though rail patronage is growing at about seven percent,” Ms Nolan said. “Aside from Melbourne, south east Queensland is the fastest growing urban rail network in the world so it’s pleasing to see that our investment in new trains, services and rail infrastructure is making an impact on the results at a passenger level.”

Noise works for Epping to Chatswood link

An agreement has been reached between those contracted to build the Epping to Chatswood Rail Link (ECRL) and the NSW Government over costs for noise mitigation works. NSW Minister for Transport David Campbell said the Government was holding the contractor accountable to ensure it paid for works to meet the project specifications. “An agreement has been signed for noise mitigation works to be conducted and paid for by the contractor in line with its commitments,” Mr Campbell said. “Under the agreement, the Thiess Hochtief Joint Venture has agreed to meet the costs of procuring and installing noise absorption panels inside the tunnel to ensure that the rail line meets project specifications.”

INDUSTRY

Toll Group to operate Cambodian railways

Toll Group has signed an agreement with the Royal Government of Cambodia to operate the country’s railways under a 30 year concession. Under the concession agreement with the Cambodian Government, a joint venture between Toll, the majority partner (55%) and the Royal Group (45%), will become the operator of the Cambodian rail network and related freight logistics.

Need for freight improvement

The long-term efficiency and effectiveness of the United States’ freight transportation system is threatened by bottlenecks, inefficient use of some parts of infrastructure, vulnerability to disruptions, and crucial environmental and energy concerns, according to a study issued by the RAND Corporation. The freight transportation system moves about $40 billion worth of goods each day, with delays and uncertainty in the performance of the system translating into higher prices for consumers and reduced productivity, according to researchers. “Improvements to infrastructure are important, but it's also critical to ensure that the existing infrastructure is used efficiently,” said Richard Hillestad, lead author of the study and a senior principal researcher with RAND, a nonprofit research organisation.