> Garry Ford wrote:
>
> > I become very annoyed when ill-informed people start making
> political
> > comments and asserting by insinuation that conservatives hate
> trams
> > and close systems, when in fact it is the so called socialist ALP
> that
> >
>
> That was all very intemperate, Garry.
Apologies if you feel I was too harsh however I only replied to the
way it appeared in print. Are you are journalist? It read like a
typical journo hit at conservative transport policy in Victoria. My
reading probably comes from being Chairman of Transport Policy and
Advisory in Qld for 21 years (currently chair Coalition Communications
Policy Committee) and working with late Don Lane on rebuilding the QR
to a profit making entity.
> I am fully aware of how Australia's
> tramway systems were closed by Labour governments. I have written
> articles on how Clem Jones closed the Brisbane tramways and even
> included
> quotes from him about how he did it so people would use cars instead
> of
> public transport. To this day, I am deeply suspicious as to who set
> fire
> to Paddington depot. I suspect my suspicions are similar to yours.
I probably know of more facts being local. I'd say the string of
co-incidences that occurred at the time would make the Guinness Book
of Records. Can list them privately if you like.
> In Melbourne, of course it was Hamer would ordered the new trams in
> the
> mid-1970s, and even presided over the opening of the East Burwood
> extension in 1977. Good on him for it. Under his predecessor Henry
> Bolte
> there were no extensions and no new trams after 1956... at least
> Bolte
> kept the system intact and well maintained.
Very true. How many extensions were planned and built by Caine/Kirner?
> My point is that since 1993, there have been no developments with
> the
> tramway system at all, other than finishing projects already
> approved,
> such as the City Circle (planned well before Kennett came along),
> the
> East Burwood and Bundoora extensions and the B2 order.
>
> Nor are there plans for major new extensions, a number of which are
> sorely needed. Nor are there plans for new cars, whereas modern
> low-floor
> trams are sorely needed.
Not true. Many new extensions are being mooted but the decision has
been made not to build them until the system is privatised. Exception
is the new line to take Wattle Park cars down Flinders Street via an
extension of Exhibition Street across the old Jolimont yards mid next
year. It would be a foolish government that would invest millions of
dollars into a system they are about to sell. There would be no return
on the capital and probably not even all the capital itself. A similar
argument applies to new cars.
Further more. to my knowledge no decision has been made as yet as to
whether the system is to be privatised as UK rail was or whether
right-of-way will go as well. (Rail and tram) My personal opinion is
that right-of-way should remain in government ownership, but this does
not appear to be the government's views.
Monetary problems in Victoria also mean that spending has to be
restricted. I know its bad to skite, but Victoria and SA both added
around 6 billion dollars to Queensland's worth when they foolishly
invested in those schemes in the eighties. It would have been very
difficult for Vic and SA to repossess Dreamworld, Seaworld, Port
Douglas, etc. and take them back to the south to recoup the debts. The
result is of course that that those two states subsidised Queensland
and are still paying for their follies. Therefore until those debts
are repaid and the State's economy truly turned, Victoria has to be
very careful with its spending policies.
Queensland on the other hand, despite Labor spending its almost 10
billion dollar reserves and more, is still financially sound and can
invest enormous amounts in railway infrastructure, new tilt trains,
new luxury trains, etc. (No we ain't going to give Victoria any
handouts). In fact latest ABS figures show that if every person
(including children) were taxed $100 per year for next 101 years,
Victoria's asset worth would still be less than Queensland's is now.
I know I'm getting a little political here, but Queensland has just
been named the world's asset richest regional government despite
Labor's six year spending spree on a wasteful bureaucracy (no real
capital works started by them - both Gold Coast Line and City
Underground quadruplication started by previous government although
Labor did do most of the work). Says something for 34 years of
National Party government I think.
> But in my recent visit to Melbourne, which was specifically to
> update
> myself on the tramway system (I was born and raised there) it was
> quite
> noticable how the Kennett government is pouring so much effort into
> huge
> freeway and other road projects,
True, but the road system is not being privatised under Hilmer thank
God.Cheers
Garry