rev wrote: ↑Fri May 04, 2018 8:18 pm
It's not about what the state government did or didn't do.
It's about the federal government throwing billions at eastern state projects without any business case, without everything demanded from the SA government.
You're points aren't even relevant to the point I've already made. Not that I disagree with everything you've said. My point is about the hypocrisy of the federal government(it doesn't matter if it's Abbott or Turnbull leading the coalition, it's the same BS).
Rev, neither you or I are privy to the case presented to the FEDS for the 5 billion funding to the Tulla rail link, but here are some facts they might have presented.
1. Melbournes population is growing at approximately 100000 per year and will in a few years overtake Sydney as the largest city in Australia .
2. flights in and out of Tullamarine will continue to grow rapidly, partly fuelled by the rapid increase in overseas immigration.
3. Tullamarine freeway despite continued widening is almost at capacity now, so either a rail line, or massive rebuilding of the freeway will be required in the next decade, or the northwest of Melbourne will be at a standstill, causing massive economic blockages.
4. The various routes proposed for the new rail link allow for development of high density station precincts both residential and employment opportunities and will in some cases create entire new suburbs on surplus land housing 10's of thousands of people and generate massive economic activity. It will create far greater frequency on the existing and under construction inner city metro lines, better utilising existing infrastructure.
5. The Victorian government rather than put the brakes on growth is planning to cater for it by such proposals as these. As is Sydney as is Brisbane as is Perth. They all have a clear outcome in mind, although sometimes the path becomes a bit bogged down. This is the kind of stuff the Feds want submitted to them, rather than just some vague plans about building 1 section of a motorway or electrifying a section of track.
So, the SA government could tell the FEDs, it is planning to build housing for 20000 people on the LeFevre peninsula including a massive upgrade to the Port Centre to compliment the tech port and encourage high skilled immigration to fill the new high quality housing. The Feds would then be more likely to throw funds in to the OH train upgrade....but our state is not even been clear about how it wants to upgrade the existing track.
OR
The state could present a proposal in conjunction with the Airport for a dedicated light rail, including housing for 20000 through Mile End and Richmond and create a high tech export orientated hub, on surplus land through Richmond once again encouraging high skilled overseas immigration, then the Feds will be more inclined to throw in money to the airport link.
None of SA's submissions seem to have a coherent long term outcome based vision, and this is part of the problem when we approach the relevant federal authority for cash.
Like no time in recent history, it has very little to do with who is in power, in which state or federally, but the massive about of cash being handed out for critical infrastructure.