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Sent: Wednesday, 13 September 2023 at 09:34:23 pm AEST
Subject: Wed.7.9.22 daily digest, part 1 text
Roderick
"220907W-MetroTwitter-MontAlbert.jpg"
"220907W-ABC-bus-ss.jpg" with atn.
"220907W-Melbourne'HeraldSun'-RoyalShow-transport-s.jpg"
220907W-'SMH'-electric.bus-ss.jpg with atn
Wed.7.9.22 Metro Twitter
Flinders St: still with a lane closed for tunnel works.
Because of tunnel works, Degraves St subway at Flinders St is closed until 2024. No platform transfer via Degraves St subway. Passengers should use Elizabeth & Swanston St entry/exits. Campbell Arcade remains closed to 2024. Platform interchange via that subway was available until mid 2022.
Bell: No lift access to platforms until Oct 2022, while works continue around the station precinct. A shuttle bus will run from Bell to Preston and Thornbury during this time.
Buses replace trains Macleod - Hurstbridge from until the last train Mon 19 Sep 9 (works).
Belgrave/Lilydale Line until 6pm Friday 23 September, for levelcrossings work. Detour using Elgar, Canterbury, Whitehorse and Balwyn roads.
13.23 Pakenham Line: Major delays (police near Berwick). Trains may be held at platforms.
- 13.30 clearing.
Buses replace trains North Melbourne - Sunbury from 20.25 until the last train (maintenance works).
Pakenham/Cranbourne lines: Buses replace trains Caulfield - Westall from 20.30 until the last train (works).
1.8.22 'SMH'. Sydney Metro.
Sydney Metro Strategic Risks - reviewed in September 2021
Strategic objectives & risks Current rating Executive owner Response
Successful Engagement
SR1. Failure to ensure effective community engagement and support High 28 ED, Corporate Monitor
SR2. Inability to maintain an effective working relationship with government stakeholders High 28 Chief of Staff Monitor
Meeting Delivery Commitments
SR3. The delivered Metro network fails to deliver expected long-term benefits High 25 Deputy CE OCP Reduce
SR4. Failure to meet place-making outcomes High 27 Deputy CE OCP TBD
SR5. Insufficient availability and capability of supply chain Very high 35 ED, Commercial Reduce
SR6. Sydney Metro is unable to successfully manage increasingly complex interfaces (program, technical and commercial) Very high 33 ED, Commercial; ED, Projects Reduce
SR7. Catastrophic health, safety or security event occurs during Sydney Metro project delivery High 30 ED, Projects Monitor
Operational Excellence
SR8. Sydney Metro operations are compromised High 28 Deputy CE OCP Reduce
SR9. A high-profile safety or security event on Sydney Metro network Medium 17 Deputy CE OCP Reduce
Financial Responsibility
SR10. Failure to deliver Sydney Metro protects within the approved budget envelope High 30 ED, Projects Monitor
Workforce capability
SR11. Inability to attract and retain skilled resources to meet Sydney Metro workforce requirements High 24 ED, Corporate Monitor
NSW government delays delivering electric bus fleet by at least five years. Rani Hayman Wed.7 Sep 2022
A bus. The NSW government had aimed to transition the state's bus fleet to zero emission technology by 2030.(ABC News: Cecilia Connell)
A plan to ditch 8,000 diesel buses in New South Wales for an electric fleet is being delayed by at least five years.
Key points:
The government has committed $218.9 million to transition to electric buses
NSW announced a net zero carbon plan in 2019
Active Transport Minister Rob Stokes said the plan is now five years behind schedule
The NSW government had initially committed to the Greater Sydney fleet going green by 2030, with the rest of the state's buses to follow, as part of its plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
The promise by former transport minister Andrew Constance in 2019, was characterised as a "bold" move during a budget estimates hearing at Macquarie Street.
Minister for Active Transport, Rob Stokes told the hearing he now expected "net zero across our fleet by 2035".
"Bold goal to have 8,000 buses turned electric by 2030, that's now not the case looking at the budget," Labor MP John Graham said.
"That's correct," Mr Stokes said.
One hundred electric buses were bought in the 2021-22 financial year with another 200 purchased this financial year.
In June's budget, the NSW government committed to investing $218.9 million over the next seven years to support the move.
Mr Stokes was asked by Mr Graham whether "this is initiating the procurement process of only 1,100 buses over seven years", 6,900 less than initially promised.
"The whole point of committing to targets is to seek to reach them and then to ... 'build castles in the sky' and then go about building foundations underneath them ... that's exactly what we're doing," Mr Stokes said.
Dominic Perrottet and Rob Stokes at Central Station
Active Transport Minister Rob Stokes (right) sys the timeline for net zero across the fleet has changed.(ABC News: Harriet Tatham)
"I'm not going to criticise a former minister, but I certainly think he put out a bold goal and we're now doing that strategic work and it does appear that we're going to reach that target [8,000 buses] a little later than he suggested."
Mr Stokes said the government was currently going through the business case, which includes ensuring charging infrastructure is made available.
The NSW government confirmed outer metropolitan regions were expected to transition to electric buses by 2040 and regional NSW by 2047.
In 2019, Mr Constance said he wanted to follow the lead of London, where "drastic action" was taken after "toxic fumes" were revealed to be causing health problems.
<www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-06/nsw-government-green-bus-plan-delayed-by-five-years/101410796>
State economy propped up on consumer and government spending sprees. Josh Gordon and Caroline Schelle September 7, 2022
The Victorian economy is being kept afloat by a post-lockdown consumer spending splurge on booze, clothes, movies and eating out as well as a state government splurge on infrastructure investment.
State final demand – a key measure of the economy that tallies up public and private investment and spending – increased by 1 per cent in the June quarter, according to figures released by the Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday.
That was lower than NSW (up 1.9 per cent) and South Australia (1.5 per cent), equal to Queensland, but ahead of Western Australia (0.1 per cent) and Tasmania (0.6 per cent).
The figures suggest the Victorian economy is rebounding solidly as Premier Daniel Andrews gears up to fight the November 26 state election.
But there are also warning signs. The private sector, according to the figures, remains relatively anaemic, with the recent housing boom unwinding rapidly and businesses continuing to be crimped by shortages of labour and raw materials.
During the June quarter, private sector investment dropped 2.7 per cent, dragged down by a 10.9 per cent slump in non-housing construction and a 5.2 per cent decline in housing investment.
The Reserve Bank’s cash rate has been lifted five times since May, from 0.1 to 2.35 per cent. CREDIT:FAIRFAX MEDIA
Even so, private sector investment was still 2.5 per cent higher than a year earlier, although that was partly due to the now-defunct housing boom. Spending on renovations was up 12.1 per cent over the year.
The quarterly drop in private sector investment was offset by a 14.8 per cent increase in state and local government investment, as the Andrews government ramped up spending on schools, hospitals, public transport, roads and public housing.
Victorian consumers have also opened their wallets. During the quarter, the value of alcohol purchased increased 6.2 per cent (after factoring in inflation) to be 12 per cent higher than a year earlier. Spending in hotels, cafes and restaurants grew 7.7 per cent during the quarter and 22 per cent over the year, while spending on clothes and shoes increased by 3.9 per cent to 30.3 per cent higher than a year earlier. Spending on recreational activities such as movies and sports increased by 2.1 per cent in the quarter and 23.8 per cent over the year.
Sarah-Jayne McGill, manager of Soak Bar + Beauty salon, said she had noticed the increased spending over winter.
video LIVE: Tim Pallas press conference Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas is holding a press conference
“I really feel like people are just appreciating things like self-care so much more after COVID and things like that,” she said.
The South Yarra business has seen more clients visit the salon during the colder months and more people were “celebrating the small things”.
“People are definitely catching up inside, and doing it over their nails and with a cocktail is a great way to do that,” McGill said.
Chapel Street Precinct general manager Chrissie Maus said there has been a distinct shift in where people are spending their money, with more bars, restaurants, and fitness and beauty services opening.
Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas said Victoria’s post-pandemic recovery has been “outstanding”.CREDIT:JOE ARMAO
“These businesses capitalise on people’s new outlook on life post-COVID. It’s all about lifestyle,” she said.
The figures cover two of the five interest rate rises so far this year, as the Reserve Bank tries to quash inflation, with a quarter of a percentage point interest rate rise announced on May 3 and a half percentage point increase on June 7. They suggest the interest rate pain had done little to dampen consumer spending, at least at the end of June.
State Treasurer Tim Pallas said the figures showed Victoria’s post-pandemic recovery had been “outstanding”.
“Investment is continuing apace, jobs are growing across the state and businesses are looking to expand,” Pallas said. “Victorians feel confident about the future and that confidence is well-placed.”
The Andrews government has announced a massive infrastructure agenda. According to the budget, it expects to spend an annual average of more than $21 billion over the next few years – more than four times the annual average between 2005 and 2015.
<www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/state-economy-propped-up-on-government-investment-surge-20220907-p5bg3o.html>
Electrifying state’s entire bus fleet will now take until 2047. Matt O'Sullivan and Tom Rabe September 7, 2022
KEY POINTS
The roll-out of electric buses in outer metropolitan areas will take until 2040 to complete, and a further seven years in regional areas.
Former transport minister Andrew Constance announced a goal about two years of 2030.
The government has about 100 electric buses operating in greater Sydney, while another 101 are on order for delivery by June next year.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet says the government has clearly fallen short of plans to electrify the state’s buses after the transport agency confirmed that it will now take until 2047 to convert the entire 8000-strong fleet – 17 years later than proposed by a former government minister.
While the government said on Tuesday that it expects to replace diesel buses in greater Sydney by 2035, Transport for NSW later clarified that the roll-out of electric buses in outer metropolitan areas will take until 2040 to complete, and a further seven years in regional areas.
Former transport minister Andrew Constance announced a goal about two years ago to electrify the state’s entire fleet of 8000 buses by 2030, describing it as a way to “scale up our efforts towards tackling climate change”.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet appears before budget estimates on Wednesday.CREDIT:DOMINIC LORRIMER
Under questioning from Labor’s John Graham at budget estimates on Wednesday, Premier Dominic Perrottet said it was clear that the plans to electrify the state-owned bus fleet had “fallen short”.
“It’s a major operation to electrify the entire bus fleet in NSW,” he said.
Asked why the promise was made, Perrottet said that question would have to be put to Constance but added that he wanted ministers to “seek stretched targets in achieving outcomes”.
“There’s no doubt that commitments get made and there are delays. We’ve seen that with our infrastructure,” he said.
“When ministers are made aware of infrastructure delays, or deadlines not being met, it’s my expectation as premier that that is publicly announced.”
Senior officials from Transport for NSW told a budget estimates hearing late on Tuesday that they planned to replace 4039 diesel and gas-powered buses in greater Sydney with electric vehicles by 2035, followed by those in the outer metropolitan area by 2040, and regional areas by 2047.
The government has about 100 electric buses operating in greater Sydney, while another 101 are on order for delivery by June next year.
Former transport minister Andrew Constance, centre, announced several years ago an ambitious target to convert the state’s diesel bus fleet to electric vehicles within a decade.
The number of new buses to be bought next financial year will be determined by a business case, which is expected to be completed by November.
Despite the timeline blowout, former transport minister Andrew Constance said he was proud to have made the commitment.
“Both sides can squabble over dates of delivery but the key is to get this happening at lightning speed because the cost is too great if we don’t take action on climate,” he said. “I deliberately and proudly set a goal of 2030 to send a signal to the market that the Berejiklian government was serious about moving on electric buses.”
Labor transport spokeswoman Jo Haylen said the government’s promise to roll out zero-emissions buses by 2030 had become farcical.
“The premier makes a massive understatement when he says this project has fallen short. It is 17 years, or almost two decades late,” she said.
Haylen said the delay had “serious implications” for both the future of our bus fleet and for NSW’s future emissions targets.
The details about the extent of the delays came just hours after Infrastructure and Cities Minister Rob Sharp told budget estimates on Tuesday that the government’s goal was now to achieve “net-zero” across the bus fleet in greater Sydney by 2035.
Under the government’s franchise model for bus services, the government owns the buses which are operated by private companies.
VIDEO With petrol prices soaring everywhere electric car conversions are taking off in California How changing classic cars into electric vehicles is big business
RELATED ARTICLE The state government is planning to build four pilot transport hubs in Sydney and regional NSW. Inside the government’s blueprint for ‘one-stop shop’ transport hubs
<www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/electrifying-state-s-entire-bus-fleet-will-now-take-until-2047-20220907-p5bg4f.html>
* Nothing left in the tank, literally. Under this LNP NSW state government debt has gone from $11 billion to $114 billion. Let that sink in for a minute. Current bond rates stand at 4%, ie approx. $4 billion in interest rate payments. Credit rating has gone from AAA to AA+ which means cost of borrowing increases. I'd be very surprised if they can pull it off by 2047.
* This is beyond farce. When Constance was Transport Minister he gleefully posed for a photo op with the owner of Premier buses citing the implementation of electric buses and all the associated benefits. He even spruiked the idea of have those buses manufactured in the Shoalhaven area. This was in 2017. The same time as awarding a $56 million contract to Premier . And guess who donates to the LNP? 25 years to convert the State's fleets? I guess all those respiratory illnesses caused by diesel fuel that you talked about Andrew, will just have to wait. There is simply no excuse for this failure.
* This isn't great news but any bus, diesel or electric, is fantastic for the environment. The number of cars trips prevented by a bus each day is huge. I would have no problem seeing more diesel buses on the roads, much more important is us choosing to use them over our cars.
* NexPort's partner in this e-bus venture, Chinese e-bus builde,r BYD, managed to transition the Chinese city of Chengdu from the 200,000 smoke belching, diesel buses making life hell its 23 million inhabitants to an all electric fleet in 8 years. (25,000 a year.) Transport NSW is talking about maybe 6,250 buses in 25 years. (250 a year) The stark difference does not seem to be due to any lack of manufacturing capacity or expertise. (Although, with enough interference from the "engineers" over at NSW Treasury, that could be remedied.) Just the normal "performance" levels we've come to expect from Transport NSW.
* The porcelain bus will do for now, unless the walking bus presents a queue in front of it.
* They have enough money to subsidise big sport by building stadiums for highly paid sportsmen and their management teams. Not many other businesses get the taxpayer to construct new factories for their businesses. No wuckers, as a bicycle rider I will have to endure the pleasure of sucking on diesel exhaust pipes as I transport myself around.
* It was a LNP election promise. You weren't meant to actually believe it.
* 17 years? They should be kicked out of government now !!! This is just ridiculous !
* At least they’re (finally) honest about it.
* Get someone in who can get it done!
* It amuses me to see so many people wishing to have coal powered vehicles on the roads
* No such thing.
* "NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet says the government has clearly fallen short..." Yep... Pretty much across the board. You name it... Almost every aspect of LNP Government in NSW. The March 2023 Election can't come soon enough.
* Until 1961, Sydney had plenty of electric non-polluting public transport vehicles; they were called trams. One has to wonder about the long term health effects of all those carcinogens from diesel bus exhaust on the streets....
* And where did the electricity for those trams come from? Coal!
* By way of comparison, Shenzhen converted its entire fleet of 16,000 buses to electric in 5 years, with 90% of that done in the final two years. Shenzhen also has 22,000 electric taxis. Not getting this done is a monumental failure by the NSW state government. Really, there is no excuse to not hit a 2030 target. 2047 is plain ridiculous. What is undeniable is how pleasant it is to ride on, or be near, an electric commuter bus. The ones in the Inner West are truly magnificent. Nearly silent, vibration free, smooth, no hissing compression braking, no shuddering, and best of all no disgusting diesel pollution.
* They are also a communist dictatorship who don't really need to worry about finances as the Central Government can easily finance the entire endeavour. Things are not so in Australia.
* Correct, however the pollution from 2 strokes and buses was out of control. So China banned them too. So now, China is the most advance nation in electrified two-wheelers. When Europe had 1 million, China had over 30 million. If a communist dictatorship gets the job done…..
* Let the Chinese come and do it. Seriously. We have a lot to learn from them.
* It shouldn't take 25 years.
* Agree they have moved from a commendable ambition to something that is basically a joke. By 2047 diesel buses will be museum pieces (at least we'd better hope so).
Wed.7.9.22 Melbourne 'Herald Sun'. Royal Melbourne Show.
Getting there
Public transport is the best way to get to Melbourne Royal Show
WHERE Melbourne Showgrounds, Epsom Rd, Ascot Vale
WHEN Thursday, September 22, to Sunday, October 2, 2022
* TRAIN Metro trains run from Flinders Street Station, stopping at Southern Cross and North Melbourne stations.
Service starts at 9.10. Last train to the city departs at 22.30.
* TRAM Route 57 from Stop 1 Elizabeth St/Flinders St to Stop 32 Sandown Rd/Epsom Rd. Extra trams run every day of the Show. Services start 6.00 Monday- Saturday, and 7.36 Sunday.
* BUS 404 and 472 services travel regularly to Melbourne Showgrounds precinct.
* CATR There are plenty of great carparking options around Melbourne Showgrounds. Parking is available at Flemington Racecourse for $25 a day. Epsom Rd carpark open 8am-8pm, and Smithfield Rd carpark open 9.30am- 1pm. Access to the Showgrounds is via the rail underpass.
On Saturday, October 1, please ensure that you plan your transport ahead of time as carparking will not be available at Flemington Racecourse.
The most efficient way to get to the Showgrounds is via public transport, and Metro Trains is providing additional services during the Show period.
Let’s go to the Show
This year, more Metro trains are running to the Melbourne Royal Show to get you there and back.
Take the train to avoid traffic, save on petrol and parking.
Kids under five can travel for free. The extra services will run direct to Melbourne Showgrounds from Flinders Street Station, via Southern Cross and North Melbourne stations.
Plan yourjourney at ptv.vic.gov.au/melbourneroyalshow
Vanessa
Delivered by TAC, Vanessa is a peer-to-peer program helping Victoria’s youth make safe and informed decisions at events.
The program highlights key road-safety issues affecting young people, including speed, drink and drug driving, fatigue, distractions and vehicle safety.
Vanessa operates only during selected hours.