Category: Federal - State Issues / Laws / Law, Crime and Justice / Building and Construction / Industry / Business, Economics and Finance / Urban Development and Planning / Community and Society / Public Sector

Queensland Government to ink deal over Cross River Rail

Friday, 2 Dec 2016 04:16:05

The Palaszczuk Government will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Commonwealth today formalising their collaboration on Brisbane's Cross River Rail.

Parliament passed laws in the early hours of the morning to set up the delivery authority that will drive the proposed new rail connection across the Brisbane River.

The Authority will be an independent statutory body that will have to source the $5.4 billion needed for the project.

The State Government has already committed $850 million and the Commonwealth has agreed to provide an initial $10 million.

It will also sit on the authority board.

Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Jackie Trad said Cross River Rail was the Palaszczuk Government's highest priority infrastructure project.

"It's an important part of our vision to cater for future growth, unlock economic opportunities and make Queensland a more internationally competitive state," she said.

"It demonstrates that we understand and will fully grasp the catalytic, city-making power of this once-in-a-generation infrastructure project. "

Deputy Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington questioned the need for more bureaucracy.

She said the bill allowed for a delivery authority chief executive and staff who would be paid competitive market salaries outside the restrictions of public service pay scales.

The Liberal National Party also raised concerns that the authority would not be open to scrutiny of Right to Information searches.

"Make no mistake about it — this delivery authority is nothing but another bureaucratic behemoth," she said.

The legislation will take effect in March 2017 and the appointment of the authority's chief executive and board will be announced early next year.

The project will see a 10.2-kilometre link from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills, with 5.9 kilometres of tunnel under the Brisbane River and CBD.

It will connect to both northern and southern rail networks, easing traffic congestion and improving the rail network's reliability.



 

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