2017-18 Budget Estimates Volume of Additional Information
Public Works and Utilities Committee August 2017 Table of Contents
Minutes of meetings
Questions on notice and responses – Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply
Questions on notice and responses – Minister for Minister for Housing and Public Works and Minister for Sport
Answers to questions taken on notice during the hearing on 27 July 2017
Documents tabled during the hearing on 27 July 2017
Correspondence
Minutes of Estimates Meetings
Minutes of Estimates Meetings
• Wednesday 14 June 2017
• Thursday 27 July 2017
• Thursday 3 August 2017
MINUTES
Objective ID: A 168416 Public Works and Utilities Committee
Estimates Meeting No. 64 Wednesday, 14 June 2017 following private committee meeting Meeting Room 5.04a, 5th Floor Parliamentary Annexe
Present Mr Shane King MP (Chair) Member for Kallangur Mr Rob Molhoek MP (Deputy Chair) Member for Southport Mr Matt McEachan MP Member for Redlands Ms Joan Pease MP Member for Lytton Mr Chris Whiting MP Member for Murrumba
Apologies Mr Jason Costigan MP Member for Whitsunday
In attendance Ms Kate McGuckin, Committee Secretary Ms Rachelle Stacey, Assistant Committee Secretary
1 Welcome and apologies
The meeting commenced at 9.36am. Mr Costigan MP was an apology.
2 Correspondence The committee noted that correspondence will be discussed under relevant agenda items.
3 Estimates hearing procedure
The committee noted the following items relevant to the estimates procedure: a) the public hearing will be held in the Legislative Council Chamber (Red Chamber) and the committee will meet in a private room A.35, Parliament House b) if a member is unable to attend a meeting, the Leader of the House (for government members) or the Leader of the Opposition (for non-government members) can nominate a replacement member via a letter to the committee and the replacement member has the same rights as the member replaced (SO 202) c) a quorum (four members) must be maintained throughout the hearing [SO 201] [note non members granted leave of the committee to attend and ask questions do not count towards the quorum. Replacement members do count towards a quorum] d) the contents of the circulated Members' Estimates Information Manual, particularly public hearing procedures for Estimates (pp 8-11). e) committee members must direct questions to the Minister, Director-General (D-G) or a CEO (SO 181(d)). Questions to D-Gs and CEOs should focus on facts - questions should not seek comment on government policy. Advisers may answer questions referred to them by the Minister, the D-G or CEO [SO 18l{f)]. If a question (other than one which seeks comment on policy) is directed to a D-G or CEO, it should be answered by them or an adviser to whom they refer it, rather than by the Minister f) committee members (or other members with the leave of the committee (SO 181(e)) may ask any question which is relevant to the examination of the appropriation being considered (SO 181{g))
Page 1of4 g) a Minister may inform the committee that a question (or part of a question) asked at the hearing will be taken on notice and a wr.itten answer provided (SO 183 (1)). If a question is addressed to a D-G or CEO, the discretion to take the question on notice rests with the Minister. (An example form to be filled out by members if their question is taken on notice at the hearing was circulated with the meeting papers) h) a Minister, D-G or a CEO may decline to answer a question and a committee may report that fact in its report [SO 183(4)] i) ministers, witnesses (and other members attending with leave of the committee) may table documents during an estimates hearing only by leave of the committee (SO 184(2)) j) members of the committee may table documents in the committee hearing or meetings, without leave, provided the tabling does not offend any other Standing Orders (e .g. naming of children, commercial-in-confidence), and k) there is no time limit on questions or answers, nor is there a requirement for the estimates hearing time to be allocated evenly between government and non-government members.
4 Ministerial opening statement
Resolved
That each Minister may make a brief opening statement of up to 5 minutes at the beginning of each session. Moved: Mr Whiting MP Seconded: Mr McEachan MP
5 Questions on Notice prior to the hearing
The committee noted the procedures for Questions on Notice prior to the hearing (SO 182), including: a) members of a portfolio committee may, at a reasonable time prior to public hearings regarding estimates, put a combined total of twenty questions on notice to each Minister (SO 182(1)) b) of those twenty questions- at least ten questions are to be allocated to non-government members (SO 182(2)), and c) answers to questions on notice provided prior to the hearings are deemed to be authorised for release by the committee and published upon the commencement of the committee's hearing, unless the committee expressly orders otherwise (SO 182(8)).
6 Publication of documents tabled at the hearing
The committee noted that any document tabled at a committee's estimates hearing is deemed to be authorised for release by the committee unless the committee expressly orders otherwise (SO 184(3)).
7 Estimates inquiry timetable and hearing program Estimates inquiry timeline
Date 2017 Time Process Wed 14 June Following PWUC Initial Estimates committee meeting to consider process and resolutions meeting Letter to Ministers advising them of the agreed process Fri 30 June 9.00am Committee questions on notice (QoN) to be provided [SO 182(1) & 182(2)] Wed 26 July 10.00am Answers to QoN (pre-hearing) from Ministers due [SO 182(3)] Thurs 27 July 8.15am Pre-hearing meeting Thurs 27 July 9.00am - 6.00pm Public hearing Fri 28 July 5.00pm Answers to QoN (hearing) from Ministers due [SO 183(3)(b)] Thurs 3 Aug 10.00am Teieconference meeting to consider Chair's draft report Fri 4 Aug 9.30am Statements of reservation/dissenting reports to be provided to the Committee Secretary [SO 187(3)] Fri 4 Aug 5.00pm Tabling of report and volume of additional information [SO 189]
Page 2 of 4 Resolved That the committee approve the draft inquiry timeline.
Moved: Mr Molhoek MP Seconded: Ms Pease MP
Estimates hearing program
Area of Responsibility Minister Time Energy, Biofuels and Water I Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and 9.00am -11.00am Supply I Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply Break I 11.00am - ll.30am Main Roads, Road Safety and Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and ll.30am - l.30pm Ports Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply Break l.30pm-2.15pm Housing and Public Works [ Minister for Housing and Public Works and 2.15pm - 4.30pm I Minister for Sport Break I 4.30pm - 5.00pm Sport Minister for Housing and Public Works and 5.00pm - 6.00pm Minister for Sport
Resolved That the committee approve the draft hearing program and publish it on the committee website.
Moved: Mr Molhoek MP Seconded: Ms Pease MP
PWUC portfolio responsibilities
The committee noted the table detailing the committee's portfolio and legislation responsibilities compiled from the Governmentgazette.
8 Non-committee members attendance and participation (SO 181)
The committee note.Q the letter from Mr Steve Dixon MP, Member for Buderim, seeking leave to attend and ask questions during the committee's estimates hearing. Resolved That the committee grant leave to those non-committee members who make a written request to attend and ask questions during the committee's estimates hearing, be given leave to do so. Moved: Mr Whiting MP Seconded: Ms Pease MP
The committee noted that leave is therefore granted to Mr Dixon MP.
9 Use of ancillary materials at the estimates hearing Resolved
That Ministers at the estimates hearing on 27 July 2017 are not permitted to use ancillary material or props during the hearing, and that Ministers provide the committee with any supplementary material in written form.
Moved: Mr Whiting MP Seconded: Mr McEachan MP
10 Camera operator rules Resolved
That the guidelines for camera operators, as adopted by the committee of the Legislative Assembly on 17 June 2011, will apply to this estimates hearing.
Moved: Mr Molhoek MP Seconded: Mr Whiting MP
Page 3 of 4 11 Other business
The committee noted that morning tea and afternoon tea will be provided at the hearing and that Members would organise their own lunch.
12 Next meeting The next estimates meeting will be held on the morning of the estimates hearing, 27 July 2017.
Close The meeting closed at 9.49am.
Confirmed on 3 August 2017.
Shane King MP
Chair
Page 4 of 4 MINUTES
Objective ID: A 168416 Public Works and Utilities Committee
Estimates Meeting No. 68 Thursday 27 July 2017 Meeting Room A.35, Ground Floor Parliament House
Present Mr Shane King MP (Chair) Member for Kallangur Mr Rob Molhoek MP (Deputy Chair) Member for Southport Mr Jason Costigan MP Member for Whitsunday Mr Matt McEachan MP Member for Redlands Ms Joan Pease MP Member for Lytton Mr Chris Whiting MP Member for Murrumba Apologies Nil In attendance Ms Kate McGuckin, Committee Secretary Ms Rachelle Stacey, Assistant Committee Secretary
1 Welcome and apologies The meeting commenced at 8:17am.
2 Matters arising
The committee noted the result of vote outside of meeting on 21 July 2017 seeking approval for a revised program for the committee's Estimates hearing on 27 July 2017. The result of the vote was four Ayes. Two votes were not returned by the deadline. The motion was resolved in the affirmative.
3 Previous Minutes Resolved
That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2017 are confirmed as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
Moved: Mr Rob Molhoek MP Seconded: Ms Joan Pease MP
4 Release of documents to nominated officers
SO 192 (Receipt of material by nominated officers of the Leader of the House and Leader of the Opposition) states that unless the committee expressly orders otherwise or a Minister has requested confidentiality, a Committee Secretary is authorised to release the following documents as they become available to a nominated officer from the offices of the Leader of the House and Leader of the Opposition:
a) questions taken on notice by Ministers during its hearing b) responses from Ministers to any pre-hearing questions on notice and questions taken on notice during the hearing, and c) additional information provided by Ministers to supplement answers given by them, or on their behalf, at the committee's hearing. The committee noted Standing Order 192 was amended by a motion circulated in the House on 14 June 2017 to include the committee's pre-hearing questions on notice.
Page 1of2 5 Attendance of non-committee members attendance and participation (SO 181)
The committee noted that the following non-committee Members made a written request to attend and ask questions during the committee's estimates hearing and, as such, have been granted leave :
• Mr Tim Nicholls MP, Leader of the Opposition, Member for Clayfield • Mrs Deb Frecklington MP, Member for Nanango • Mr Jeff Seeney MP, Member for Callide • Mr Andrew Powell MP, Member for Glass House • Mr Michael Hart MP, Member for Burleigh • Mr Stephen Bennett MP, Member for Burnett • Mr Jon Krause MP, Member for Beaudesert • Mr Steve Dickson MP, Member for Buderim • Mrs Jo-Ann Miller MP, Member for Bundamba, and • Mr Shane Knuth MP, Member for Dalrymple.
6 Documents for Members' information for the Estimates hearing
The committee noted the following documents for Members' information for the Estimates hearing: a) answers to questions on notice b) Estimates hearing witness list c) organisational chart for each agency, and d) QTON form.
7 Other business
A photo of the committee may be taken at the start of the hearing and be published on the Parliament's TV broadcast webpage with a labelled photo.
The committee noted: • Chair's draft Estimates report to be considered on Thursday's 3 August 2017 at a private meeting • Statement of Reservation due 9.30am, Friday 4 August 2017, and • Report due to be tabled on Friday, 4 August 2017.
8 Next meeting
The next Estimates meeting will be held at 10.00am on 3 August 2017 (teleconference available).
Close The meeting closed at 8:24am .
Confirmed on 3 August 2017. ,,,/,-7 ~ I~ /\ . / _,/ ./ .. >'-. ,/,)/ ·~ / Shane King MP
Chair
Page 2 of 2 MINUTES
Objective ID: 193953 Public Works and Utilities Committee
Estimates Meeting No. 69
Thursday, 3 August 2017 5.05, Level 5, Parliamentary Annexe or by teleconference
Present
Members: Mr Shane King MP (Chair) Member for Kallangu r Mr Rob Molhoek MP (Deputy Chair) Member for Southport Mr Jason Costigan MP Member for Whitsunday Mr Matt McEachan MP Member for Redlands Ms Joan Pease MP Member for Lytton Mr Chris Whiting MP Member for Murrumba
Apologies Nil
In attendance
Secretariat: Ms Kate McGuckin Committee secretary Ms Rachelle Stacey Assistant committee secretary
1 Welcome and apologies
The meeting commenced at 10.0lam. There were no apologies.
2 Previous minutes
Resolved:
That the minutes of the Estimates meeting held on 27 July 2017 are confirmed as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
Moved: Mr Whiting MP Seconded: Mr McEachan MP
3 Answers to Questions taken on Notice at the Estimates Hearing
Resolved:
That the answers to Questions Taken on Notice at the Estimates hearing be published on the committee's website.
Moved: Mr Costigan MP Seconded: Ms Pease MP
4 Amendments to proof transcript of Estimates hearing on 27 July 2017
Resolved:
That the committee accepts the amendments as proposed and resolved to publish the final version of the transcript of the Estimates hearing in Brisbane on 27 July 2017 and agreed to the Minister for Housing and Public Works and Minister for Sport's Letter of Clarification being included in the Volume of Additional Information.
Moved: Mr McEachan MP Seconded: Mr Whiting MP 5 Consideration of the Chair's draft Estimates report no 42
Resolved :
That the Chair's draft report No 42, 55th Parliament, 2017 -18 Budget Estimates without amendment be accepted as the report of the committee, subject to minor editorial changes, and be tabled on 4 August 2017. Moved: Mr Costigan MP Seconded: Mr Whiting MP
6 Statements of reservation and/or dissenting reports
Members noted statements of reservation are to be provided to the Committee Secretary by 9.30am, Friday 4 August 2017.
7 Additional information to be tabled with the report and minutes
Resolved : That the committee table, with the Estimates report, a file titled "Additional Information" which will contain:
• the minutes of each Estimates committee meeting
• correspondence
• questions taken on notice and answers to those questions, and
• documents tabled at the hearing. Moved: Mr Molhoek MP Seconded: Ms Pease MP
8 Authorisation of minutes Resolved: That in order for the minutes of today's meeting to be tabled with the report as per Standing Order 189, the committee authorises that the Chair, in consultation with the Deputy Chair, confirm the minutes of this meeting (and if necessary, ie the chair won't be able to sign) for signing by the Committee Secretary pursuant to SO 212.
Moved: Mr Costigan MP Seconded: Mr Whiting MP
9 Other business Nil.
10 Next meeting This is the final Estimates meeting for 2017. Close: 10.08am Confirmed on 3 August 2017 . .··'? ,/"\ . ~ ··· ~ f{s Shane King MP
Chair Questions on notice and responses Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply
ESTIMATES QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 1
QUESTION:
I refer to pages 119 and 137 of Budget Paper 3 as well as page 2 of Budget Paper 2. Can the Minister please outline how agencies and government owned corporations within his portfolio areas contributed to the state-wide disaster response effort following Tropical Cyclone Debbie?
ANSWER:
Tropical Cyclone (TC) Debbie crossed the Queensland coastline between Proserpine and Bowen around midday on the 28 March 2017, then continued inland before downgrading into a tropical low that made its way south and into northern New South Wales bringing with it strong winds, and heavy rains, that affected many Queensland communities.
Energy and Water Supply
The Department of Energy and Water Supply (DEWS) and all government owned corporations within my portfolio have emergency management response procedures in place to respond to all emergency events. These response procedures are in line with, and support, the whole-of-government response and activation of the State Disaster Management Plan.
DEWS is identified in the State Disaster Management Plan as the lead agency for electricity, liquid fuels, gas, reticulated water supply and dam safety, with regulator responsibilities for the entities in these sectors, including the government owned corporations.
In Queensland, the coordination of the state level whole-of-government operational capability during a disaster response occurs through the State Disaster Coordination Centre, where DEWS, Seqwater, SunWater, Powerlink and Energy Queensland had representation and assisted in the coordinated response for energy and water issues.
The primary impact to Powerlink’s network was due to severe flooding which caused damage to 19 transmission towers on Powerlink’s Nebo to Broadsound electricity transmission line, approximately 100 kilometres southwest of Mackay. Powerlink was able to configure the network to avoid any impacts to customers and ensure a continued high voltage electricity supply to the area.
The extent of Energy Queensland’s electricity network damage, especially in the direct path of the cyclone, was severe. In regional Queensland, 780 power poles were damaged and 800 power lines came down with approximately 67,000 customers in the Whitsunday, Mackay, Fitzroy, Capricornia, and Wide Bay/Burnett areas impacted. In South East Queensland, 1,860 power lines were brought down and a further 204,000 customers impacted were impacted in South-East Queensland as the system travelled south.
In Rockhampton 460 premises were de-energised for safety, including 350 residential and business customers, this was done in preparation for the expected flooding of the Fitzroy River.
A combined field resource of over 800 Energy Queensland employees along with more than 300 support employees, and around 100 Essential Energy employees were involved in the response effort in the Ergon Energy area to repair the network and restore supply to all impacted customers. A further 560 field crews and 120 support employees were involved in the response effort in the Energex area.
These field crews were pre-deployed to affected areas before TC Debbie reached the coast so that supply could be restored as quickly as possible. Over 2000 staff were pre-deployed, including SES staff, Queensland Fire and Rescue personnel, police officers and ambulance officers.
I commend the efforts of all those who worked tirelessly to ensure that Queenslanders had power restored as soon as possible.
125 mobile generators were pre-positioned in Townsville, Bowen, Proserpine, Collinsville, Cannonvale, Airlie Beach, Mackay and Rockhampton along with three high voltage (1,500KVA) ‘Pegasus’ generators and two ‘Nomad’ mobile substations (10MW) in Townsville (two of each) and Rockhampton (one of each).
All customers in the South East area were restored by 4 April 2017.
By 11 April 2017, just 14 days after TC Debbie made landfall, electricity supply had been restored to all regional customers, where it was safe to do so, by either grid supply, or generation. This is a great achievement by Energy Queensland workers from across the State, with assistance from Essential Energy from New South Wales, who all worked in difficult conditions to restore supply as quickly and safely as possible.
SunWater recorded 12 spill events throughout the cyclone impact zone in regional Queensland. In South East Queensland Wivenhoe, Somerset and North Pine dams did not release any floodwaters during the event, and floodwater storage compartments at Wivenhoe and Somerset continued to be fully available. Fifteen of Seqwater’s 23 ungated dams spilt excess water throughout affected areas of South East Queensland. On 30 March 2017, the Gladstone Area Water Board instigated its emergency action plan, participated in the Gladstone Local Disaster Management Group meetings and assisted with local efforts to minimise the ex-TC Debbie’s impact on the Gladstone community.
Throughout the event Seqwater, SunWater and the Gladstone Area Water Board continuously monitored and provided messaging to effected communities.
Transport and Main Roads
With regards to Queensland’s road network, TCD caused significant landslips and road damage across 29 local government areas, particularly in the Mackay/Whitsunday and South Coast Districts.
My department’s RoadTek crews from Townsville and Rockhampton worked tirelessly from the northern and southern end of the Mackay/Whitsunday District to clear debris and gain access for emergency crews and, in most cases, provided access within 48 hours after TCD hit.
Similar works were carried out in the southern coast region, where my department once again worked to clear up landslips, remove debris and restore access to hinterland communities following TCD.
The Palaszczuk Government has committed a budget of $450 million for repairs to the state-controlled road network. My department’s priority has been to complete emergent works to reopen roads to a safe and trafficable condition, undertake road damage assessments and confirm eligibility of works.
Where sites have sustained significant damage, further structural and geotechnical investigations have been required to determine the full extent of damage and best value-for-money solutions for long-term repairs. In some cases it will not be a quick fix, but we are expediting repairs to minimise impacts on the community.
Maritime Safety Queensland’s well-established cyclone contingency plans were enacted prior to TCD’s arrival ensuring our ports, harbours, ships and boats were as well prepared as possible to ride out the storm with reduced potential for damage. Ports from Townsville to the Gold Coast were affected with shipping movements suspended. It is pleasing to note that the well-established cyclone contingency plans certainly proved themselves with ports, harbours and ships surviving relatively unscathed.
However, there was some damage to smaller vessels and aids to navigation. The Whitsundays region was worst hit with around 78 aids to navigation damaged or moved, 94 boats stranded and marine safety radio infrastructure rendered inoperable.
Maritime Safety Queensland staff were quickly on the ground as soon as TCD passed making essential repairs to ensure maritime safety and to support the marine tourism sector in the area. I can report that 30 aids to navigation have been fully repaired, 66 boats have been removed and marine safety communications restored.
While it will be some time before all services are fully restored and all stranded vessels recovered, Maritime Safety Queensland continues to work with and assist the regions maritime sector to recover from the ravages of TCD.
As a result of damage sustained on the Granite Creek Bridge caused by TCD, Customer Services Branch Transport Inspectors assisted by monitoring load restricted heavy vehicles travelling on the bridge until road repairs could be completed.
My department’s Proserpine and Bowen Customer Services Centres (CSCs) and Cannonvale Queensland Government Agent Program (QGAP) office also sustained damage as a result of the impact of TCD. To ensure continuity of service for these communities, my department set up a three counter mobile CSC at the Whitsunday Plaza shopping centre in Cannonvale to service our Cannonvale and Proserpine customers, and a two counter mobile CSC at Centrepoint Plaza shopping centre, Bowen to service Bowen customers.
While the Bowen CSC and Cannonvale QGAP offices are now repaired and open to our customers, the Proserpine CSC building sustained significant damage and remains closed.
A mobile CSC has now been set up at the Proserpine Railway Station on Hinschen Street to continue to assist customers in this area, and will remain in place while my department talks to the building owner about the next steps.
For the affected Queensland ports, the ports of Abbot Point, Mackay and Hay Point reopened for shipping shortly after the event, and no major impacts were identified to key port infrastructure.
On Monday 10 April 2017, Australian National Line (ANL) provided a one-off shipping service from Brisbane to the Port of Townsville to deliver goods to Northern Queensland following road and rail closures due to the impacts of TCD.
Road deliveries of fuel from the Port of Mackay to surrounding regions were disrupted for four days due to a loss of power at the port. Once power had been reinstated deliveries recommenced as per normal.
ESTIMATES QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 2
QUESTION:
With reference to page 4 of the SDS, can the Minister advise how the Palaszczuk Government is supporting economic development, and in particular helping sustain employment in regional Queensland, including by working together with local governments to deliver infrastructure for Queenslanders.
ANSWER:
The Queensland Government strongly supports regional economic development through the Department of Energy and Water Supply and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Energy and Water Supply
On 5 June 2017, as part of the Powering Queensland Plan, the Queensland Government confirmed its commitment to a 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030.
The benefits of the Queensland Government’s commitment to a renewable energy future for Queensland are already being realised. Since January 2016, Queensland has seen unprecedented growth in large-scale renewable energy projects, with 17 projects having either commenced construction or finalised commercial arrangements.
These projects will increase Queensland’s generation capacity by around 1,200 megawatts, delivering approximately $2.3 billion of investment and 2,200 construction jobs, primarily in regional Queensland. This would not have been possible without the attractive investment environment created by the Palaszczuk Government.
The Government has committed $386 million to develop a clean energy hub in North Queensland that will deliver jobs, ensure security of supply and support the transition to a clean energy future. This includes funding to develop strategic transmission infrastructure in North and North West Queensland. This infrastructure has the potential to unlock around 2,000 megawatts of renewable energy projects and support up to 4,600 jobs. In addition, there is a 50 megawatt hydro-electric power station at the Burdekin Falls Dam. The Burdekin Falls power project is expected to create 200 jobs during construction.
In the water area, the Government will partner with Townsville Regional Council and the Australian Government to progress the work of the Water Security Taskforce – including progressing the recommendations of the Townsville Water Security Taskforce Interim Report – a number of which can be actioned immediately by council. The Government has set aside funding of $225 million over four years from 2017-18 which will be administered to deliver water supply security for Townsville. The Government will continue to facilitate the ongoing implementation of the feasibility component of the Australian Government’s National Water Infrastructure Development Fund.
Further as part of the Advance Queensland Biofutures 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan, the Government has committed to a multi-million dollar investment in 21st century biofutures plants that could generate more than 330 jobs in regional Queensland.
A testament to this is the recent opening of Southern Oil’s Advanced Biofuels Pilot Plant at Yarwun, near Gladstone on 1 June 2017, which saw the establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding between Southern Oil and the Burdekin Cane Growers to produce biofuel from sugar cane bagasse.
United Petroleum has also received an incentive package to accelerate the $26 million expansion of the Dalby ethanol bio-refinery, generating approximately 50 local jobs and potentially boosting demand for Darling Downs sorghum.
This is supported by the biofuels mandate as data shows that it has led to an increase in ethanol sales by over one third since early 2016. This is a strong indication that the mandate is achieving its policy objectives of growing the industry and delivering regional growth and jobs.
These examples demonstrate the priority the Queensland Government is placing on regional development.
Transport and Main Roads
The Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program 2017–18 to 2020–21 (QTRIP) outlines approximately $21 billion in investment for roads and transport infrastructure across Queensland. An estimated 16,950 direct jobs will be supported over the life of the four-year program.
In regional Queensland, the QTRIP 2017–18 to 2020–21 will see more than $8 billion of investment in roads and transport infrastructure. An estimated 6,981 direct jobs will be supported over the life of the four-year program. Additionally, $6.6 billion, for statewide initiatives or items not yet distributed to particular regions, will be invested across the state in the QTRIP 2017–18 to 2020–21.
The Palaczszuk Government is also continuing to provide local governments with the confidence to plan infrastructure that sustains local employment, with an additional $30 million allocated in 2020–21 for the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme. This increase sees the ongoing base investment across the next four years maintained at $70 million per annum.
Other significant projects and priorities
Across our regions, the government has been continuing to deliver major projects connecting people and places.
In North Queensland, the government will be delivering major projects including: $515 million for the construction of bridges and approaches on the Bruce Highway at the Haughton River Floodplain the $35 million duplication, from two to four lanes, of Riverway Drive between Gollogly Lane and Allambie Lane at Thuringowa the $34.6 million replacement of the bridge and approaches for flood immunity at Cape River on the Gregory Developmental Road.
In Central Queensland, the government will be delivering major projects including: the $497.8 million Mackay Ring Road (Stage 1) project the $189.2 million realignment of the Peak Downs Highway at Eton Range the $121 million Rockhampton Northern Access Upgrade Stage 1 project the $28 million replacement of two bridges at Vines Creek, on Mackay- Slade Point Road.
In Downs South West, the government will be delivering major projects including: the $1.606 billion Toowoomba Second Range Crossing project to provide a 41 kilometre bypass route to the north of Toowoomba the $160 million upgrade of the Warrego Highway between Charlton and Kingsthorpe; the $56 million widening of the Warrego Highway at Dalby eastern access; the $40 million replacement of timber bridges at various locations on the Dawson Highway.
Question on Notice
No. 3
Asked on Friday, 30 June 2017
The Public Works and Utilities Committee asked the Acting Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports (HON S MILES) —
QUESTION:
Page 10 of the SDS refers to the implementation of road safety initiatives. Can the Minister advise how the Palaszczuk Government is helping improve the safety of Queenslanders on our roads, and in particular younger drivers.
ANSWER:
I thank the Committee for the question.
Unfortunately, serious injuries and deaths are still a common occurrence on our roads. When the Safer Roads, Safer Queensland: Queensland’s Road Safety Strategy was launched in 2015, the government committed to an ambitious goal of zero fatalities and serious injuries. An interim milestone to reduce this trauma by 30 per cent by 2020 was set.
The road safety action plans introduced to support the strategy sets out what we will be doing in an effort to reduce road trauma. Safer Roads, Safer Queensland: Queensland’s Road Safety Action Plan 2015–17 included 57 initiatives, which are all either completed, or will continue as on-going business. Planning for the next action plan is well advanced, and has involved extensive consultation with our key road safety stakeholders.
Young drivers are one of our most overrepresented groups in road crashes with a third of casualties aged between 17 and 29. The government is continuing to focus on reducing these numbers through various initiatives. The graduated licensing system (GLS) used in Queensland is designed to protect young people from risky situations until their driving experience builds. The Department of Transport and Main Roads has commenced a program of work, including new research, to build on the achievements already made. The program of work includes assessing prospects for new approaches or enhancements to current initiatives in the areas of: − driver training, including developing recommendations for training providers regarding best practice, and for consumers regarding program standards and course selection − education campaigns, building on existing successful programs and inclusive of diverse groups and accessibility requirements − graduated licensing and testing requirements, ensuring that the GLS equips young drivers with adequate driving skill development − technology, including opportunities for incentives and gamification.
As part of this work, the department has commissioned focus groups with young adult novice drivers (learner and P1 licensed drivers) and parents to explore perspectives and experiences of the GLS, with a specific focus on the 100 hours of supervised driving requirement. Focus groups were held in Brisbane, Townsville and Roma to gain a picture of similarities and differences in rural, regional and urban Queensland. The Palaszczuk Government is continuing in its commitment to improve the safety of motorcyclists on Queensland’s roads through introducing an improved licensing system, providing safer road infrastructure and by providing well thought out education campaigns. In October 2016 we introduced an enhanced motorcycle licensing system to improve the safety of our riders. The changes included a new pre-learner training and assessment course, a minimum learner licence tenure period, and greater standardisation of Q-Ride courses. The enhanced system incorporates a stronger emphasis on safer riding behaviour and higher order skills to ensure novice motorcycle riders are equipped with the appropriate skills and attitudes to ride safely. In line with the Queensland’s Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan commitments, the department has an ongoing program of young driver safety initiatives underway which will be rolled out over 2017. These include a range of public education and engagement initiatives, each outlined below, to supplement the GLS. The ‘Protect Your P-Plater’ campaign is an education-based initiative designed to support parents of young P-plate drivers to continue to help their young driver to stay safe on the road beyond the learner period. The campaign was launched on 27 February 2017 and includes social media posts, three radio messages, a brochure and a magnet that provides tips for parents regarding managing driving safety risks. There is also the Co-Lab Youth Innovation Challenge which engages young people aged 16– 21 to help them find new ways to effectively communicate road safety messages to other young people and reduce risk taking on the roads. The first winning campaign, ‘Settle Down Stallion’, targeted speeding and risky behaviour and was developed into an online and social media campaign shared across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Since the campaign’s launch in June 2016, it has been viewed more than 2.7 million times and reached more than 4.7 million people, placing it among the department’s most successful campaigns to date. Building on the success of the first Co-lab, the second winning campaign was released in June 2017. This campaign, called ‘Chin Up’, is a social media campaign focused on driver distraction. The Palaszczuk Government has also made available funding for community groups who wish to undertake road safety initiatives targeting young people. To assist delivery of programs on a broader scale and over a longer period of time, the Community Road Safety Grants Program was revised in 2016 to include a dedicated funding stream for youth road safety education and learner-driver mentor programs, and allows for communities to apply for grants of up to three years duration. Question on Notice
No. 4
Asked on Friday, 30 June 2017
The Public Works and Utilities Committee asked the Acting Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports (HON S MILES) —
QUESTION:
With respect to the financial performance of RoadTek and the service standards on page 52 of the SDS, can the Minister please advise how DTMR is delivering better outcomes for Queenslanders by maintaining ownership of its commercial business unit?
ANSWER:
I thank the Committee for the question.
RoadTek, the commercial business unit (CBU) within the department, continues to play a key role in supporting the delivery of the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP), providing employment opportunities to people in regional and rural areas, and being the ‘boots on the ground’ during disruptive incidents, both natural and man-made.
Unlike the LNP, who cut 22.4 per cent of RoadTek’s workforce and committed to privatising it in response to their Commission of Audit, the Palaszczuk Government is committed to keeping RoadTek in public hands.
The department’s ‘orange army’ continues to work right across the state, responding to emergent incidents on the transport network and reconnecting communities in times of need. Recently, in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Debbie, RoadTek workers ensured communities were reconnected rapidly in a number of locations where roads were washed away or damaged. Examples include Campbells Gully (West Ipswich), Granite Creek (Rockhampton – Mackay), in the Lockyer Valley, and Pine Creek (Gold Coast Hinterland). RoadTek also responded to over 100 electrical faults in one day, repairing traffic signals to restore network operations across SEQ.
The department has been able to quickly and efficiently reconnect communities through RoadTek’s efforts, including the rebuilding of the Mount Morgan Range Road following Tropical Cyclone Marcia, rehabilitating the Mornington Island airport runway, and even rehabilitating the iconic Riverside Expressway and Captain Cook Bridges by replacing the joints and bearings as well as improving the lighting and installing bird proofing. These three projects are great examples of the value of having an in-house team of highly skilled workers to undertake projects that are high risk and/or hard to scope.
RoadTek traditionally delivers between 12 and 17 per cent of QTRIP each year, with a similar component being delivered by regional councils and the remaining bulk of the program being delivered by the private sector.
RoadTek’s financial performance, as set out on page 52, demonstrates that, as a CBU, RoadTek is delivering on all its financial targets set by the department, and as an in-house provider returns a dividend to the department to support the investment of ongoing programs, particularly in regional areas. To ensure compliance to government requirements and to identify improvement opportunities to ensure the department is achieving value for money, RoadTek is subject to regular audits.
RoadTek plays an important role across Queensland, particularly in regional and rural areas, by enabling government to deliver hard-to-scope infrastructure projects in a cost effective way. Importantly, RoadTek continues to work with, and support, local Indigenous communities, developing their skills, capabilities and generating employment opportunities both within the department as well as in the small businesses operating within these local communities. This has been particularly valuable in the Cape York region in recent years.
By having an in-house constructor, the department is able to test standards and emerging new products for suitability and performance prior to releasing to market as part of new requirements. The RoadTek team also provides project constructability advice to enhance the preconstruction process of infrastructure projects, enabling the department to deliver better outcomes for the community and better value for the taxpayer.
RoadTek partners with a number of other state government agencies and local governments to deliver transport infrastructure projects across Queensland, delivering customer-focused solutions to infrastructure challenges.
Question on Notice
No. 5
Asked on Friday, 30 June 2017
The Public Works and Utilities Committee asked the Acting Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports (HON S MILES) —
QUESTION:
I refer to pages 14, 122 and 123 of Budget paper 3 which identify capital investment in our state-owned ports. Can the Minister please: a) Explain the benefits provided by ports to the Queensland economy, regional communities and the growth of regional industries; b) Describe how the Government is planning to ensure that Queensland’s priority ports can provide the capacity necessary to support regional growth and the needs of regional industries and communities; and c) Explain how the Government will ensure that ports on the Great Barrier Reef coast can balance the need to carry out necessary maintenance, including maintenance dredging, with the Government’s commitment to protecting the Great Barrier Reef.
ANSWER:
I thank the Committee for the question and provide the following responses. a) Queensland has an extensive network of 20 operational ports along its coastline, ranging from small community ports to world-class coal export terminals and a capital city multi-cargo port. Each port provides a broad range of facilities to cater for the diverse land/sea interface requirements of their respective trade catchment areas, port users and/or passengers, locally, nationally and globally.
These ports are a major component of Queensland’s transport logistics and supply chain which, through the facilitation of trade, help develop regional, state and national economies.
As a coastal state, Queensland is dependent on maritime trade. More than $40 billion worth of exports is transported through our ports every year, providing jobs and income for many Queenslanders. The efficient operation of Queensland’s port network is essential to delivering continued economic growth, job creation and sustainable development for our community.
As can be seen in Budget Paper 3, our government-owned port corporations are continuing to invest in their respective ports to plan and provide the necessary capacity and capability for future growth, new trade opportunities and port user requirements. This investment combined with ports’ operational activities provide employment opportunities and, thereby, support communities and wider regional growth in the areas in which the ports operate. Also, our government owned ports generate dividends for the state which, in turn, can help support other services for Queenslanders.
b) Industry proponents, port managers and government agencies are continuing to work closely to ensure that Queensland’s ports are well positioned to support regional development and capitalise on expansion opportunities. Importantly, as the majority of Queensland's trading ports operate adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, the Queensland Government is working to support sustainable port development with a focus on economic growth and protecting the Great Barrier Reef (GBR).
The Queensland Government has implemented a number of port-related actions of the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan (Reef 2050 Plan), the most comprehensive plan ever developed to secure the health and resilience of the GBR. Also, the introduction of the Sustainable Ports Development Act 2015, which commenced on 20 November 2015, addressed a number of actions within the Reef 2050 Plan. This legislation also provides for the establishment of 30-year master plans for nominated priority ports to ensure opportunity for continued development of those ports, along with key supply chains in line with business requirements, subject to certain environmental constraints. c) The Queensland Government released the Maintenance Dredging Strategy (the strategy) on the 30 November 2016 as a priority action of the Reef 2050 Plan. The strategy provides a transparent and consultative framework for sustainable, leading practice management of maintenance dredging at ports in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
A requirement under the strategy is for the ports to develop long-term maintenance dredging management plans (LMDMPs). The Department of Transport of Main Roads is working with the ports to develop guidelines for LMDMPs to ensure each port develops LMDMPs that are consistent with the maintenance dredging framework.
The strategy and its implementation provides certainty to the ports industry and to the wider community that the economic and social contribution of ports is maintained, while ensuring the continued protection of Queensland’s valuable environmental assets and, in particular, our World Heritage listed GBR.
ESTIMATES QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 6
QUESTION: I refer to pages 2 and 3 of the SDS. Can the Minister please outline steps the Palaszczuk Government has taken to stabilise electricity prices and support regional customers after the 43% price increases under the previous LNP Government.
ANSWER:
The previous LNP Government inflicted 43% electricity price surges during their term - an additional $436 for the average Queensland household.
When coming to office, the Palaszczuk Government made a commitment to stabilise costs that spiralled out of control under the LNP.
We have delivered on that promise with electricity price increases for households held at an average of 1.9% per annum under the Palaszcuk Government.
Because we kept your energy assets in public hands, we were able to direct Energex and Ergon not to appeal the AER’s revenue determination in 2015, which stabilised network costs.
Now, faced with a broken National Electricity Market due to policy paralysis at the Federal level and rising wholesale costs across the country, we have acted again – because we know that power prices are hurting.
In June 2017, the Palaszczuk Government released its comprehensive Powering Queensland Plan to guide the state through short and longer term challenges facing Australia’s energy market.
Our $770 million intervention means that Queenslanders are seeing the lowest increase in residential prices across mainland states this year – 3.3% compared to between 10-20% in other States.
Since March this year we have also had the lowest wholesale energy prices in the country, after 80% increases under the LNP.
As part of our Powering Queensland Plan we will restart Stanwell Corporation’s Swanbank E gas-fired power station which was moth-balled by the LNP and have directed the company to help put downward pressure on wholesale prices.
In the period from the announcement to 5 July 2017, wholesale forward contract prices for 2018 had fallen by 19.8%. This is a significant achievement, delivering real results to help power industries, businesses and homes.
Importantly, our Powering Queensland Plan also supports Queensland’s transition to a clean energy economy, bringing in the cheapest form of energy generation, which will help put downward pressure on wholesale prices, creating new investment and supporting jobs. We are also providing over $1 billion between 2015–16 and 2016–17 to support regional Queensland consumers through the Uniform Tariff Policy (UTP). The UTP supports regional Queenslanders by subsidising the additional costs involved in supplying electricity outside SEQ - ensuring regional households are not paying more for their electricity than those living in SEQ. In addition, the Palaszczuk Government is delivering a $10 million assistance package to support business and agricultural customers in regional Queensland, by providing a range of measures including better access to digital metering and more information on tariff options.
We understand the pressures on low income households which is why we expanded rebates for Commonwealth Health Care Card holders and asylum seekers with a $170.1 million commitment over four years.
As a result of the reforms, around 157,000 extra Queensland households are now able to apply to retailers for the electricity rebate, which we have increased to $340 a year. We have also responded to calls from QCOSS, and extended the deadline to 31 December 2017 to apply for a rebate backdated to 1 January 2017. The Palaszczuk Government also remains committed to: providing specialised concessions to people with specific medical needs through the Life Support Concession and Medical Cooling and Heating Electricity Concession; and helping low-income households who are in short-term financial difficulty because of unexpected, emergency expenses to get back on their feet through a one-off payment of up to $720 towards their energy account through the Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme.
ESTIMATES QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 7
QUESTION:
By reference to pages 3 and 4 of the SDS, can the Minister identify the renewable energy projects currently proposed and committed in Queensland and outline the benefits this is providing to Queensland?
ANSWER:
Over the past three years, the Queensland Government has seen an unprecedented level of renewable energy investment activity, with 17 large-scale projects either commencing construction or finalising commercial arrangements.
When complete, these projects will deliver around 1,200 megawatts of clean power to the state, almost doubling Queensland’s current renewable energy supply. This will provide the annual energy needs for some 520,000 houses.
The development of these projects will drive strong economic benefits to regional communities in Queensland, boosting investment by $2.3 billion, creating 2,200 jobs during construction and delivering reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Beyond these projects, there is over 5,000 megawatts of renewable energy projects at an earlier stage of development in Queensland, demonstrating the high level of interest investors have in the state.
The growth in Queensland’s renewable energy sector would not have been possible without the attractive and stable investment environment created by the Palaszczuk Government.
In particular, on 5 June 2017, as part of the Powering Queensland Plan, the Government reaffirmed its commitment to achieving a 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030.
This follows an extensive body of work undertaken by the Queensland Renewable Energy Expert Panel, which found that the target is achievable by 2030 while maintaining energy affordability and security.
The Expert Panel also found that a 50 per cent target could deliver broad benefits to the economy, including $6.7 billion of new investment and a net increase in employment in Queensland of 6,400–6,700 full-time equivalent positions on average per year between 2020 and 2030.
The following table identifies the renewable energy projects that are under construction or have commercial arrangements in place, as at 30 June 2017.
Capital investment Project Technology Capacity ($ million) Jobs Mt Emerald Wind Farm Wind 180 380 150 Ross River Solar Farm Solar 135 225 270 Sun Metals Solar Farm Solar 125 199 250 Darling Downs Solar Farm Solar 110 217 220 Clare Solar Farm Solar 150 190 200 Lilyvale Solar farm Solar 100 240 200 Emerald Project Solar 70 100 200 Hamilton Solar Farm Solar 57.5 138 115 Whitsunday Solar Farm Solar 57.5 122 116 Kidston Solar Project Solar 50 126 100 Collinsville Solar Power Station Solar 42 96 84 Oakey Solar Farm (Stage 1) Solar 25 48 50 Tableland Sugar Mill Stage 2 Bioenergy 24 75 80 Longreach Solar Farm Solar 15 29 30 Valdora Solar Farm Solar 15 50 60 Lakeland Solar Farm Solar 11 43 60 Normanton Solar Farm Solar 5 14 20 1172 2292 2205
The following table identifies the renewable energy projects that are at an early stage of development, as at 30 June 2017. The capital investment and job figures outlined in the table are based on industry estimates.
Capital investment Project Technology Capacity ($ million) Jobs Kennedy Energy Park Stage 2 Wind 600 1440 1200 Kennedy Energy Park Stage 2 Solar 600 1440 1200 Haughton Solar Farm Solar 500 1200 250 Coopers Gap Wind Farm Wind 460 1104 350 Lower Wonga Solar Farm (Stage 1) Solar 350 840 450 Columboola Solar Farm Solar 310 744 400 Kidston Solar Project Phase 2 Solar 270 648 540 Kidston Pumped Storage Project Hydro 250 500 500 Bouldercombe Solar 200 480 400 Aramara solar farm Solar 140 250 150 Childers Solar Farm Solar 120 210 240 Ingham Integrated Energy Facility Bioenergy 115 550 230 Emerald Solar Farm Solar 110 180 220 Rollingstone Solar Farm Solar 110 210 130
Collinsville North Solar Project Solar 100 240 120 Susan River Solar Farm Solar 100 175 200 Yarranlea Solar Farm Solar 100 240 200 Baralaba Solar Farm Solar 92 220.8 200 Lilyvale Solar Farm Stage 2 Solar 80 192 160 Forsayth Wind Farm Wind 75 200 200 Clermont (Phase 1) Solar 75 180 150 Clermont (Phase 2) Solar 75 180 150 Mirani Solar Farm Solar 60 110 120 Blair Athol Solar Farm Solar 60 144 120 Koberinga Solar Farm Solar 55 100 110 Oakey Solar Farm (Stage 2) Solar 55 132 110 Teebar Creek Solar Project Solar 52.5 126 105 Kelsey Creek Solar Farm (North Queensland SF) Solar 50 120 100 Burdekin Hydro Hydro 50 120 200 Clare Solar Farm Stage 2 Solar 36 86.4 72 High Road Wind Farm Wind 34 90 51 Dalby Solar Farm Solar 30 72 60 Kennedy Energy Park Solar 22 60 25 Chinchilla Project Solar 20 48 90 Kennedy Energy Park Wind 19.2 60 25 Hughenden Sun Farm Solar 14.2 34.08 28.4 Ebenezer Solar Project Solar 10 24 20 Weipa Solar Farm Solar 5 12 10 Birdsville Geothermal Plant upgrade Other 0.3 4.5 20 Winton Geothermal plant Geothermal 0.3 4.5 20 5406 12771 8926
ESTIMATES QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 8
QUESTION:
I refer to pages 2 and 3 of the SDS and page 8 of Budget Paper 3, can the Minister please detail the energy infrastructure being delivered in North Queensland, and how the Palaszczuk Government is planning for current and future energy needs in the region.
ANSWER:
The Queensland Government is committed to planning for North Queensland’s current and future energy needs, including to support economic development and to secure jobs in the region.
Under the Powering North Queensland Plan announced on 2 June 2017, the Government is investing in the region’s energy needs. The Government will reinvest dividends from its government owned corporations (GOCs) to build vital energy infrastructure to support North Queensland’s transition to a clean energy future – at the same time as delivering jobs and securing the region’s economic prosperity.
Specifically, the Government has committed $386 million towards developing a clean energy hub in North Queensland, including to develop:
strategic transmission infrastructure in North and North West Queensland to support a clean energy hub. This infrastructure has the potential to unlock 2,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy projects and support up to 4,600 jobs. a 50 MW hydro-electric power station at the Burdekin Falls Dam. The Burdekin Falls power project is expected to create 200 jobs during construction.
Through the Solar 150 initiative, we have supported 148 MW of additional solar power generation in the state – including two large scale renewable energy projects in North Queensland. These projects are: 58 MW Whitsunday Solar Farm (Collinsville) 50 MW Kidston Solar Project (Kidston).
The Government is committed to retaining its energy businesses in public ownership. Through these businesses, the Government is supporting the efficient delivery of energy infrastructure to ensure affordable and secure electricity supply to all Queenslanders. The 2017-18 highlights of the energy capital programs, as detailed in the Regional Action Plan and Budget Paper 3 across North Queensland include: In Far North Queensland: o $1.6 million to replace the generator on Murray Island. o $1.2 million to replace the generator at Aurukun. o $0.31 million to finance renewable energy and solar projects on Coconut Island. In Townsvillle: o $0.98 million to upgrade the Palm Island Power Station.
In Mackay o $1.4 million for the upgrade of the Mackay Tennyson Street Substation. o $8.3 million to refit aged assets on the Collinsville-Proserpine transmission line and avoid or delay the need to build new infrastructure. o $8.6 million for the Mackay Substation replacement to replace aged primary plant and secondary systems and to ensure continued reliability of supply to the surrounding area.
In Central Queensland: o $53.8 million to upgrade the control system, undertake a major refurbishment and upgrade of the station, and replace, refurbish and upgrade minor assets at Stanwell Power Station.
In Outback Queensland o $2.1 million to carry out a major refurbishment and upgrade to Mica Creek Power Station. o $4 million to roll out multi-card-operated meters in isolated communities in outback Queensland.
ESTIMATES QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 9
QUESTION:
By reference to page 8 of Budget Paper 3 and page 6 of the SDS, could the Minister explain the Palaszczuk Government’s initiatives and commitment to water security in our regions?
ANSWER:
The Palaszczuk Government is committed to ensuring Queenslanders continue to have access to a safe, reliable and cost-effective water supply.
We have developed the Queensland Bulk Water Opportunities Statement (QBWOS) to provide a clear statement of the Government’s objectives and desired actions for bulk water supply.
Water is our most precious resource, fuelling Queensland communities, industries and regions, and QBWOS is our plan to ensure this supply well into the future.
QBWOS establishes a framework for achieving a balance between better using what we already have and advancing new projects into the future.
It will aid government and industry in making better use of these existing water resources - identifying where we have quantities of unsold and unused water - as well as informing planning for future projects.
Queensland’s communities and industries have access to a diverse portfolio of water supply infrastructure - we have more than 400 dams, weirs, barrages and pipelines which have enabled economic growth in communities and industry.
QBWOS identifies that within the existing bulk water infrastructure portfolio, there are significant quantities of available water allocations that could support economic development without the need for significant new bulk water supply infrastructure.
Many of the actions are aimed at reducing barriers to using the water available in existing bulk water supply infrastructure and ensuring that future consideration of new projects include economic benefits.
The right projects will support regional development and jobs without creating ongoing liabilities for future generations. This framework, together with assessment processes, such as those being undertaken by Building Queensland, will ensure costs and benefits underpin any decision to invest in new water projects.
QBWOS was released on Thursday 20 July 2017 and is available on the Department of Energy and Water Supply’s website.
We are also:
Partnering with Townsville Regional Council and the Australian Government to progress the work of the Water Security Taskforce – including progressing the recommendations of the Townsville Water Security Taskforce Interim Report – a number of which can be actioned immediately by Council. The Government has committed $225 million for this purpose. Continuing to facilitate the ongoing implementation of the feasibility component of the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund, including through the provision of flexible funding arrangements for non-State proponents, with most proponents now well underway with their studies and the majority of projects expected for completion by 2018. Supporting and enhancing water security capabilities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Partnering with local governments to develop regional water supply security assessments. 9 are currently underway, with 4 more set to commence in the coming year. Together, the assessments completed to date or currently underway cover more than 60 percent of the population outside SEQ. Progressing local management arrangements – with facilitative legislation having been passed and the Eton, Emerald, St George and Theodore schemes on track to conclude investigations and reach final agreement with the State towards the end of the year, and Bundaberg, Burdekin, Lower Mary, and Mareeba boards working on their revised business proposals for submission to Government.
ESTIMATES QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 10
QUESTION:
Pages 2 and 3 of the SDS refer to the Palaszczuk Government’s key policy priority of implementing the biofuels mandate to support growth in Queensland’s biofuel and bio-manufacturing industries. Can the Minister please: a) Identify the benefits of the mandate; b) Outline the public awareness campaign – E10 OK – undertaken by the Palaszczuk Government and its impact; c) Advise of any increase in the number of fuel stations selling E10; and d) Provide an update on the increase in ethanol sales under the Palaszczuk Government.
ANSWER: a) Mandate benefits
The Queensland Government is committed to developing a $1 billion sustainable, export-orientated biofutures industry to diversify our economy and grow jobs.
We are putting this into action through the Advance Queensland Biofutures 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan which involves fostering a positive economic operating environment and therefore providing the biofuels and bio-manufacturing industries with confidence to invest, innovate, grow and create jobs.
The implementation of the mandate is an important driver in the growth of the biofuels industry. Data from the first three months of the mandate show that sales of ethanol have increased by over one third since this time last year. This is a positive indication that the biofuels industry is set for investment and further growth.
A flourishing biofuels industry will strengthen our agricultural industries such as sugarcane and will create the foundation for a new, high value bio-manufacturing industry. This will create the potential for bio-industry hubs in regional Queensland thereby establishing jobs and paving the way for a cleaner, greener future for Queensland. b) E10 OK campaign
On 26 September 2016, the Palaszcuk Government launched the E10 OK biofuels consumer education campaign to support the ethanol mandate by assisting consumers to better understand their fuel choices and the benefits provided by biofuels.
The campaign strategy is based on rigorous research and an innovative approach. The key tool for the campaign is a simple online compatibility tool which encourages consumers to check if their car is E10 OK. In addition to the compatibility checker, the website enables motorists to learn more about E10, including hearing from mechanics about the fuel, and search the map for the nearest E10 retailer. All of this is promoted via a range of media channels including TV, billboards, radio and social media to reach consumers across all of Queensland.
The performance of the campaign has been extremely successful in engaging Queenslanders. 500,000 vehicle compatibility checks were completed in just seven months and as of the end of June 2017 over 565,000 vehicle compatibility checks had been undertaken. The original goal of 500,000 checks was set for September 2017 and was met five months before.
Consumer awareness of E10 fuel has increased from 33 per cent in August 2016, to 60 per cent in April 2017. Attitudes towards E10 have also improved, with more motorists agreeing that cars are now built to run on E10 fuel, that E10 fuel provides opportunities for Queensland industries, and is a renewable energy source.
The success of the campaign was recently acknowledged at the prestigious Amy Awards for the digital industry with the E10 campaign winning the 2017 category for Best Digitally Led Marketing Campaign – Government and Not-for-Profit. c) Fuel station E10 upgrade
Over 500 service stations across Queensland now stock E10. This reflects a considerable number of upgrades across the sector with over 150 additional sites offering the fuel in the 12 months to April 2017.
This number is expected to increase as a number of fuel retailers have been granted conditional exemptions, with expiry dates, so that they can complete infrastructure upgrades to make E10 more widely available. d) Ethanol sales
Figures show consumers are taking advantage of availability with the total litres of ethanol sold increasing by over one third in the 12 months to April 2017. In fact, sales of E10, the most popular ethanol-blended fuel, have increased by almost 38 per cent.
The positive response we are seeing is very promising for the Queensland biofuels sector and for regional growth and jobs.
Question on Notice
No.11
Asked on Tuesday 4 July 2017
The Public Works and Utilities Committee asked the Acting Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports (HON S MILES) —
QUESTION:
I refer to page 113 of Budget Paper 4, can the Minister please provide a table detailing revenue and expenditure for the Camera Detected Offence Program (CDOP) fund, including revenue forecasts over the forward estimates and individual line items for projects and programs funded by CDOP?
ANSWER:
I thank the Committee for the question.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads has provided me with a detailed table outlining the budgeted revenue and expenditure for the CDOP, which I would be pleased to provide to the Committee.
It is important to note that funding collected from the CDOP is re-invested back into road safety, in accordance with the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995.
The legislation requires that all CDOP revenue, in excess of the administrative costs of collection, must be used for the following purposes:
• road safety education and awareness programs; • road accident injury rehabilitation programs; • road funding to improve the safety of the sections of State-controlled roads where accidents most frequently happen.
Table 1: CDOP Revenue and Expenditure 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 ($M) ($M) ($M) ($M) Revenue 153.926 168.921 183.388 194.004 Expense Transport and Main Roads Administration of the Program 5.771 5.916 5.916 5.916 Fixed Camera Maintenance 2.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 Combined Red Light/Speed Camera Installations 0.600 0.600 0.600 0.600 P2P Camera Infrastructure Installation 0.750 0.750 0.750 0.750 Social Change Strategy 10.636 10.902 10.902 10.902 Community Road Safety Grants Program 3.000 3.000 2.000 2.000 Targeted Road Safety Program 75.055 88.525 101.573 109.073 Queensland Police Service Traffic Camera Office 43.046 44.605 46.166 46.749 Replacement of Mobile Analogue Cameras 0.584 1.131 1.131 1.131 Special Initiatives 1.958 1.961 1.964 1.964 Ongoing equity allocation (funded out of QPS contribution) 0.477 0.477 0.477 0.477 Queensland Treasury - SPER SPER Operating 6.226 6.226 6.226 6.226 Public Safety Business Agency Flood-focused Road Safety Media Campaign 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 Queensland Health Blood Bank 4.500 4.500 4.500 4.500 Expense Total 155.603 169.593 183.205 191.288
Note: Expenditure may be funded from revenue raised in previous years.
Question on Notice
No. 12
Asked on Friday, 30 June 2017
The Public Works and Utilities Committee asked the Acting Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports (HON S MILES) —
QUESTION:
I refer to page 10 of the Transport and Main Roads SDS, can the Minister provide a list of schools with flashing school zone signs installed in 2016/17 by electorate, including installation date, and which schools are approved to receive flashing school zone signs with the scheduled installation date?
ANSWER:
I thank the Committee for the question.
The following schools had flashing school zone signs installed during 2016–17.
School Street Name Date Installed State Electorate Holy Cross School (Smithfield) Reed Rd 2016-10-25 BARRON RIVER Emmaus College (Jimboomba) East Street 2016-11-10 BEAUDESERT Brightwater Brightwater State School 2017-03-14 BUDERIM Boulevard Balmoral State High School Thynne Road 2016-10-05 BULIMBA Walkervale State School Hurst Street 2016-11-17 BUNDABERG Avoca State School Twyford Street 2016-11-21 BUNDABERG Woondooma St Josephs School (Bundaberg) 2016-11-21 BUNDABERG Street Redbank Plains State High School Willow Road 2016-11-01 BUNDAMBA Lower Gold Coast Burleigh Heads State School 2016-11-12 BURLEIGH Highway Bundaberg Christian College Ashfield Road 2016-11-22 BURNETT Bargara State School Bargara Road 2016-11-17 BURNETT Gooburrum State School Gooburrum Rd 2017-06-08 BURNETT Murgon State High School & Murgon Gore Street 2017-04-26 CALLIDE State School Dallarnil State School Main Street 2016-11-23 CALLIDE Our Lady of the Rosary School Edmund Street 2017-03-15 CALOUNDRA (Caloundra) Vienna Woods State School Heffernan Road 2017-04-05 CAPALABA Wellington Point State High School Badgen Road 2017-04-05 CLEVELAND Ormiston State School Gordon Street 2017-04-05 CLEVELAND
School Street Name Date Installed State Electorate Thornlands State School & Redland Panorama Drive 2017-04-04 CLEVELAND District Special School Cleveland State School Wynyard Street 2017-04-05 CLEVELAND Drayton Vale View State School 2017-04-06 CONDAMINE Connection Road St Stephens School (Pittsworth) Murray Street 2017-03-31 CONDAMINE St Thomas School (Mareeba) Hastie Street 2016-10-17 COOK Miallo State School Miallo Road 2016-10-26 COOK Cape York Aboriginal Australian Peninsula Academy (previously Western Cape Developmental 2016-10-27 COOK College - Coen) Road Mossman State School William Street 2016-10-31 COOK Palm Beach-Currumbin State High Thrower Drive 2016-12-11 CURRUMBIN School Mount St Bernard College (Herberton) Broadway Street 2016-10-19 DALRYMPLE Blackheath & Thornburgh College King Street 2017-02-13 DALRYMPLE (Charters Towers) Tolga State School Main Street 2016-10-18 DALRYMPLE Nerang State High School Weedons Road 2016-12-08 GAVEN Loreto College (Coorparoo) Cavendish Road 2016-09-29 GREENSLOPES Holland Park State School Wilbur Street 2016-09-28 GREENSLOPES St Patricks School (Emerald) Yamala Street 2017-02-14 GREGORY Wolvi State School Kin Kin Road 2016-11-26 GYMPIE Urangan Point State School Miller Street 2016-11-23 HERVEY BAY Ipswich Grammar School Burnett Street 2016-10-27 IPSWICH Ipswich Grammar School Darling Street 2016-10-27 IPSWICH Pine Mountain St Josephs School (Ipswich North) 2016-11-01 IPSWICH WEST Road Kurwongbah State School Eucumbene Drive 2017-01-15 KALLANGUR Kurwongbah State School Frenchs Road 2017-01-15 KALLANGUR Living Faith Lutheran Primary School McClintock Drive 2017-04-19 KALLANGUR Burpengary State Secondary College Wain Road 2017-01-16 KALLANGUR Woodlands Pacific Lutheran College 2017-03-15 KAWANA Boulevard Blenheim State School Blenheim Road 2017-04-23 LOCKYER Glenore Grove State School Brightview Road 2017-04-23 LOCKYER Browns Plains State High School & Waller Road 2016-11-09 LOGAN Browns Plains State School Wynnum State High School Peel St 2016-10-05 LYTTON Whitsunday Anglican School Celeber Drive 2016-12-20 MACKAY (Mackay) Mackay State High School Milton Street 2016-12-20 MACKAY Shakespeare Victoria Park State School 2016-12-20 MACKAY Street Sarina Swayneville State School 2016-12-20 MIRANI Marlborough Road Kenmore South State School Kersley Road 2017-04-02 MOGGILL
School Street Name Date Installed State Electorate Golden Wattle Narangba Valley State High School 2017-01-18 MORAYFIELD Drive Carmichael College Oakey Flat Road 2016-12-22 MORAYFIELD Sunset State School Abel Smith Parade 2017-04-28 MOUNT ISA Healy State School Thomson Road 2017-04-28 MOUNT ISA St Josephs School (Mount Isa) & Twenty Third 2017-04-28 MOUNT ISA Happy Valley State School Avenue MOUNT Centenary State High School Curragundi Road 2016-10-11 OMMANEY Mudgeeraba Creek State School Hardy's Road 2016-12-08 MUDGEERABA Innisfail East State School Mourilyan Road 2016-10-21 MULGRAVE The Boulders Babinda State School 2016-10-24 MULGRAVE Road Heatley State School Fitzroy Street 2017-02-12 MUNDINGBURRA Christ the King Catholic Primary Thompson Street 2017-01-19 MURRUMBA School Coominya Coominya State School 2017-03-27 NANANGO Connection Road Saint Marys Catholic College (South Kent Street 2017-04-26 NANANGO Burnett) Goombungee State School Mocatta Street 2017-03-28 NANANGO Maleny Kenilworth Kenilworth State Community College 2017-04-19 NICKLIN Road Mapleton State School Obi Obi Road 2017-03-14 NICKLIN St Johns College (Nambour) Perwillowen Road 2017-03-13 NICKLIN Yandina State School School Road 2017-03-12 NICKLIN Burnside State School & Nambour Windsor Rd 2017-03-13 NICKLIN Special School Eumundi State School Napier Road 2017-03-13 NOOSA Boondall State School Roscommon Road 2016-09-28 NUDGEE Strathpine State School Bells Pocket Road 2017-01-10 PINE RIVERS St Columbans College (Caboolture) McKean Street 2017-01-18 PUMICESTONE Southern Cross Catholic College King Street 2017-01-17 REDCLIFFE (Woody Point Prim) Victoria Point State School School Road 2017-04-04 REDLANDS SOUTH Junction Park State School Waldheim Street 2016-10-10 BRISBANE SOUTHERN Ballandean State School Bents Road 2016-11-30 DOWNS SOUTHERN Warwick East State School Fitzroy Street 2016-11-29 DOWNS Kimberley Park State School Floret Street 2016-11-09 SPRINGWOOD Sunnybank State High School Lister Street 2016-09-30 SUNNYBANK Sunnybank State School Lister Street 2016-09-29 SUNNYBANK Orange Grove Coopers Plains State School 2016-09-29 SUNNYBANK Road SURFERS St Kevins School (Benowa) St Kevins Avenue 2016-12-07 PARADISE
School Street Name Date Installed State Electorate TOOWOOMBA Rockville State School Holberton Street 2017-03-28 NORTH TOOWOOMBA St Marys College Toowoomba Margaret Street 2017-03-31 NORTH TOOWOOMBA Darling Heights State School Platz Street 2017-03-31 SOUTH TOOWOOMBA Rangeville State School South Street 2017-04-29 SOUTH St Johns School (Roma) Bowen Street 2017-01-24 WARREGO Thargomindah State School Dowling Street 2017-01-26 WARREGO Main Street Bollon State School 2017-01-25 WARREGO (Ballone Highway) St Johns School (Roma) McDowall Street 2017-01-24 WARREGO St Josephs Tobruk Memorial School (Beenleigh) & Trinity College Boundary Street 2016-12-11 WATERFORD (Beenleigh) Edens Landing State School Castile Crescent 2016-11-10 WATERFORD Canterbury College (Waterford) High Road 2016-11-10 WATERFORD Carlisle Christian College Holts Road 2016-12-20 WHITSUNDAY Harris Fields State School Smith Road 2016-11-09 WOODRIDGE Yeronga State School Park Road 2016-10-10 YEERONGPILLY
The following schools will have flashing school zone signs installed by June 2018 as part of the 2017–18 flashing school zone signs program. Planning for the installation of these signs is currently underway and is subject to design finalisation, council approvals where necessary and contractor availability. Installations are phased by district where possible to create cost synergies.
Installation School Road State Electorate date Mitchelton State School & Mitchelton State High Turnbull Street Ashgrove By June 2018 School Marist College Ashgrove Grevillea Road Ashgrove By June 2018 Freshwater State School Old Smithfield Road Barron River By June 2018 Kuranda District State Myola Road Barron River By June 2018 College Beaudesert State School Tina Street Beaudesert By June 2018 Boonah State High Macquarie Street Beaudesert By June 2018 School Norman Park State Agnew Street Bulimba By June 2018 School Cannon Hill Anglican Krupp Road Bulimba By June 2018 College St Patricks Catholic George Street Bundaberg By June 2018 School (Bundaberg) Redbank Plains State Keidges Road Bundamba By June 2018 High School
Installation School Road State Electorate date St John Bosco School Conway Street Burdekin By June 2018 (Collinsville) Varsity College (Junior Bridgewater Drive Burleigh By June 2018 Campus) Goodwood State School Goodwood Road Burnett By June 2018 Alloway State School Goodwood Road Burnett By June 2018 Cordalba State School Cemetery Road Burnett By June 2018 St Francis Xaviers School (Manunda) & Mayers Street Cairns By June 2018 Cairns West State School Binjour Plateau State Burnett Highway Callide By June 2018 School Gin Gin State School May Street Callide By June 2018 Glenview State School Gelenview Road Caloundra By June 2018 Alexandra Hills State Charter Street / Capalaba By June 2018 School Elizabeth Street Birkdale South State Bailey Road Capalaba By June 2018 School Aviation High Widdop Street Clayfield By June 2018 Dunwich State School Welsby Street Cleveland By June 2018 Bay View State School Vintage Drive Cleveland By June 2018 Our Lady of the Southern Cross College Nicholson Street Condamine By June 2018 (Dalby) St Joseph's Parish Boundary Road Cook By June 2018 School Cooktown Lakeland State School Cook By June 2018 Developmental Road Elanora State High Avocado Street Currumbin By June 2018 School Millaa Millaa State Palm Avenue Dalrymple By June 2018 School Malanda State School Mary Street Dalrymple By June 2018 Nerang Connection Nerang State School Gaven By June 2018 Road Pacific Pines State High Archipelago Street Gaven By June 2018 School Clinton State School Harvey Road Gladstone By June 2018 Tannum Sands State Waratah Crescent Gladstone By June 2018 School Holland Park State High Bapaume Road Greenslopes By June 2018 School Emerald State High Moody Street Gregory By June 2018 School Old Maryborough Victory College Gympie By June 2018 Road
Installation School Road State Electorate date St Patricks College - Primary Campus Bligh Street Gympie By June 2018 (Gympie) Star of the Sea Catholic Hughes Road Hervey Bay By June 2018 School (Torquay) Silkwood Japoon Silkwood State School Hinchinbrook By June 2018 Road Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Primary Scotts Road Inala By June 2018 School (Darra) & Darra State School Graceville State School Park Drive Indooroopilly By June 2018 Indooroopilly State High Carnarvon Road Indooroopilly By June 2018 School Holy Family Primary Central Avenue Indooroopilly By June 2018 School (Indooroopilly) Undurba State School & Goodfellows Road Kallangur By June 2018 Murrumba State College St Ursulas College Queen Street Keppel By June 2018 (Yeppoon) Hatton Vale State School Hannant Road Lockyer By June 2018 Our Lady of Good Spencer Street Lockyer By June 2018 Counsel School (Gatton) Flagstone State School & Flagstone State Homestead Drive Logan By June 2018 Community College Parklands Christian Rosia Road Logan By June 2018 College Flagstone State School & Flagstone Community Coachwood Drive Logan By June 2018 College Iona College Sandy Camp Road Lytton By June 2018 Brisbane Bayside State Network Drive Lytton By June 2018 College Wondall Heights State Radford Road Lytton By June 2018 School Mackay State High Kenilworth Street Mackay By June 2018 School St Annes Catholic Marlborough - Sarina Mirani By June 2018 Primary School (Sarina) Road Spinifex State College - Fifth Avenue Mount Isa By June 2018 Mt Isa Centenary State High Mount Yallambee Street By June 2018 School Ommaney Gilston State School Worongary Road Mudgeeraba By June 2018 Good Counsel College Grace Street Mulgrave By June 2018 (Innisfail) Isabella State School Walker Road Mulgrave By June 2018
Installation School Road State Electorate date Trinity Anglican School - Secondary Campus Progress Road Mulgrave By June 2018 (White Rock) Aitkenvale State School Wotton Street Mundingburra By June 2018 Bounty Boulevard State Bounty Boulevard Murrumba By June 2018 School Griffin State School Wesley Road Murrumba By June 2018 Gatton-Esk Road Esk State School Nanango By June 2018 (Middle Street) Woombye State School Pine Grove Road Nicklin By June 2018 Peregian Springs State The Avenue Nicklin By June 2018 School Wavell Heights State Burradoo Street Nudgee By June 2018 School Geebung State School Ellison Road Nudgee By June 2018 Caboolture State High Charles Street Pumicestone By June 2018 School Morayfield East State School Laver Street Pumicestone By June 2018
Caboolture State High Lee Street (1 light Pumicestone By June 2018 School only) Bellmere State School Bellmere Road Pumicestone By June 2018 Clontarf Beach State Isobel Street Redcliffe By June 2018 High School Southern Cross Catholic Sunnyside Road Redcliffe By June 2018 College (Scarborough) Southern Cross Catholic Victoria Avenue Redcliffe By June 2018 College (Woody Point) Russell Island State High Street Redlands By June 2018 School Central Queensland Ashney Street Rockhampton By June 2018 Christian College Rockhampton Girls Agnes Street Rockhampton By June 2018 Grammar School Southern Stanthorpe State School Connor Street By June 2018 Downs St Josephs School Southern High Street By June 2018 (Stanthorpe) Downs Southern Allora State School Warwick Street By June 2018 Downs Southern Killarney State School Willow Street By June 2018 Downs Mount Alvernia College Cremorne Road Stafford By June 2018 (Kedron) Wisdom College Formby Street Stretton By June 2018 Sunnybank Hills State Borella Road Sunnybank By June 2018 School
Installation School Road State Electorate date Sunybank Hills State Symons Road Sunnybank By June 2018 School Runcorn State High Hill Road Sunnybank By June 2018 School Kirwan State High Hudson Street Thuringowa By June 2018 School St Ursulas College Toowoomba Taylor Street By June 2018 (Toowoomba) North Harristown State High Toowoomba Hennessy Street By June 2018 School South The Marian School Corcoran Street Townsville By June 2018 (Gulliver) Eimeo Road State Arana Drive Whitsunday By June 2018 School Eimeo Road State Mackay Bucasia Road Whitsunday By June 2018 School Bucasia State School Kemp Street Whitsunday By June 2018 Whitsunday Christian Paluma Road Whitsunday By June 2018 College Groves Christian College Laughlin Street Woodridge By June 2018 & Kingston State School Crestmead State School Augusta Avenue Woodridge By June 2018 Yeronga State School School Road Yeerongpilly By June 2018
Question on Notice
No. 13
Asked on Friday, 30 June 2017
The Public Works and Utilities Committee asked the Acting Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports (HON S MILES) —
QUESTION:
Referring to the Capital Statement for Transport and Main Roads, can the Minister detail how much of the TMR capital budget for FY2016–17 was expended by the end of the financial year, which projects have had funding rolled into FY2017–18 and the reason why?
ANSWER:
I thank the Committee for the question.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads published capital budget for 2016–17 was $3.133 billion. As indicated on page 25 of the departmental Service Delivery Statement, the estimated actual capital expenditure in 2016–17 is $2.698 billion.
The value of the capital program varies from year to year in accordance with program and project cash flow requirements, which are dependent on a number of factors, such as the phase of project delivery and general economic environment.
Within the Main Roads portfolio the main reason for the reduced expenditure in 2016-17 was the impact of Tropical Cyclone Debbie on project delivery. Tropical Cyclone Debbie adversely affected several regions in Queensland and the delivery of the TMR capital program within those regions.
Significant projects affected included the Eton Range realignment, the Mackay Ring Road and the Vines Creek Bridge replacement.
Question on Notice
No. 14
Asked on Friday, 30 June 2017
The Public Works and Utilities Committee asked the Acting Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports (HON S MILES) —
QUESTION:
I refer to page 27 of the Transport and Main Roads SDS in regards to the Taxi Industry Assistance Package, can the Minister advise: a) The total amount of hardship payments made (in dollars) b) The total number of hardship applications c) The number of successful hardship applications d) The average amount of individual hardship payments and the highest and lowest payment amounts?
ANSWER:
I thank the Committee for the question.
I can advise that as at the close of business on 19 July 2017:
a) a total of $23,613,750 in hardship payments has been paid. b) 2743 applications for hardship assistance have been received and are at various stages of processing, with the majority having been assessed and payment made. c) 2575 payments to applicants have been made to date. d) the average amount paid for all applicants is $9374 while the highest amount paid to date is $90,000. The lowest payment amount paid is $2250 as prescribed in the Taxi and Limousine Industry Assistance Scheme Regulation 2016.
ESTIMATES QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 15
QUESTION:
I refer to page 26 of the Transport and Main Roads SDS, can the Minister advise the number of media and communications staff employed by each of his departments each financial year since 2014/15 and the number of media and communications staff budgeted for in 2017/18?
ANSWER:
As outlined by the former Premier in his answer to Question on Notice No. 442 of 2014, this data is collected by the Public Service Commission (PSC) from public service agencies as part of the Government approved Minimum Obligatory Human Resource Information (MOHRI) process.
Staff categorised under the MOHRI process as working in Communication, Media and Marketing include staff working in ‘Communication governance and policy’, ‘Digital communication’, ‘Event management’, ‘Function management’, ‘Graphic design’, ‘Marketing and communication’, ‘Media management’, and ‘Online communication’.
The total number of full time equivalent (FTE) Queensland Public Service staff categorised as working in Communication, Media and Marketing is reported each quarter by the PSC in a report titled Queensland public sector quarterly workforce profile.
The latest information available is the March 2017 quarterly profile, which can be found on the PSC’s website at www.psc.qld.gov.au. The quarterly profiles dating back to June 2013 are also available on the website.
ESTIMATES QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 16
QUESTION:
I refer to the projected earnings of the electricity generators in 2017/18 Budget Paper 2, on page 152. What is the average annual wholesale electricity price assumed in the budget year and each year of the forward projections to support these earnings assumptions?
ANSWER:
This information is commercial in confidence given the competitive nature of the wholesale electricity market in which these electricity generators operate.
ESTIMATES QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 17
QUESTION:
I refer to the non-financial public sector capital purchases over the budget year and forward estimates. What is the projected capital expenditure by Seqwater for flood mitigation works in the budget year and over the forward estimates?
ANSWER:
Over the next 18 years, Seqwater will be delivering a scheduled program of capital upgrades for South East Queensland’s dams. The driver to upgrade the region’s dams is to meet revised dam safety compliance obligations, as set out by the Queensland Dam Safety Regulator, so they can continue to be operated safely into the future. This includes being able to continue to mitigate flooding downstream.
As announced in April 2017, a new study is underway to upgrade Wivenhoe and Somerset dams which includes considering options to improve the flood mitigation offered by both dams
I am advised that as part of the study, the benefits and costs of more than 50 different options are being explored by Seqwater. The table below shows the currently estimated expenditure on dam compliance upgrades over the forward estimates, however the timing and cost of the Wivenhoe and Somerset dam upgrades will be determined by the outcome of the current study.
Current budget year Forward estimates (including current year) Dams ($M) ($M) Wivenhoe and Somerset 0 47 Other Dams 0.3 8 Total 0.3 55
ESTIMATES QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 18
QUESTION:
I refer to the Departmental overview in the Service Delivery Statement for the Department of Energy and Water Supply which includes “executing policy initiatives such as the Biofuels Mandate”. a) What percentage of biobased petrol was sold in Queensland service stations from 1 January 2017 to 30 June 2017; b) how many exemptions were applied for and how many granted over that period?
ANSWER: a) Mandate percentage
From 1 January 2017 to 31 March 2017, the percentage of biobased petrol sold for all liable retailers, excluding those who applied for and held exemptions, was 3.53 per cent.
The percentage taking into account those that hold or have applied for exemptions was
2.05 per cent.
The outcome of the mandate performance in the second quarter, 1 April to 30 June, is yet to be determined as the reporting period closes on 31 July 2017. b) Exemptions
The department received 63 applications asking to be exempt from the biobased petrol mandate over the 1 January and 30 June 2017 period. 22 exemptions have been granted; seven applications are draft exemptions awaiting final decision; 11 applications were withdrawn; two applications were refused; and 21 applications are being considered.
The department received 21 applications asking to be exempt from the biobased diesel mandate over the 1 January and 30 June 2017 period. Seven exemptions have been granted; seven applications are draft exemptions awaiting final decision; three applications were withdrawn; and four applications are being considered.
ESTIMATES QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 19
QUESTION:
I refer to the $100 million Budget Paper 3 page 8 “towards improvement works to ensure that the Burdekin Falls Dam continues to meet design standards”. What is the total estimated cost to bring Burdekin Falls Dam up to current design standards?
ANSWER:
As part of its Powering North Queensland plan, the Queensland Government recently approved a $100 million equity injection for SunWater, and reinvestment of its 2016– 17 dividend of $36 million, to be used to ensure that Burdekin Falls Dam continues to meet design standards.
Under the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008, dams are required to be maintained to reduce risk of dam failure and consequential loss. SunWater regularly conducts dam improvement projects in compliance with national industry guidelines to maintain safe and efficient dam operation.
In relation to the $136 million for Burdekin Falls Dam, SunWater is proposing to undertake improvement works to the saddle dam and monoliths so the dam continues to meet current design practice standards. The works will address the saddle dam capacity and improve stability in the monoliths to enhance performance in extreme weather, such as high rainfall.
Building Queensland is currently leading the development of a detailed business case, which is due for completion in late 2017, to confirm the total estimated cost.
ESTIMATES QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 20
QUESTION:
I refer to the 2017/18 service area highlights in the Service Delivery Statements for the Department of Energy and Water Supply. How much funding has been allocated in the 2017/18 Budget for the reverse auction for up to 400 megawatts of renewable energy capacity?
ANSWER:
Under the Powering Queensland Plan, the Queensland Government reaffirmed its commitment to a 50 per cent renewable energy target for Queensland by 2030.
As part of this commitment, the Government will facilitate the next wave of up to 400 megawatts of diversified renewable energy, including 100 megawatts of energy storage, via a reverse auction.
This builds on the highly successful Solar 150 initiative, and will focus on technologies that are not currently being deployed in the market on a fully commercial basis.
$800,000 has been budgeted for 2017-18, to cover the scoping and design of the reverse auction.
Questions on notice and responses Minister for Housing and Public Works and Minister for Sport
PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE
ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 01 Asked on 30 June 2017
THE PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND PUBLIC WORKS AND MINISTER FOR SPORT (HON M DE BRENNI) —
QUESTION:
With reference to page 35 of the Department of Housing and Public Works SDS, can the Minister outline the significant reforms to the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme in 2016-2017 and what work has or is planned to be done to ensure that the migration of information technology systems and complexity of claims do not unnecessarily delay the resolution of consumers claims under the Scheme?
ANSWER:
The reforms to the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme expanded cover under the scheme to include: - swimming pool construction that is not related to construction of a building - installation of manufactured homes - building work within the building envelope including, for example, painting and tiling work inside or outside of a residence - an ability for consumers to purchase a higher level of cover if they so choose.
Other changes include: - establishment of a separate insurance premium structure for new buildings and building alterations - transfer of the Insurance Policy Conditions into a schedule of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Regulation 2003 to introduce greater transparency and accountability.
Additional reforms to the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme were made in 2016 to amend the calculation of insurance premiums for certain building work, such as painting and tiling carried out in multi-unit dwellings. Changes were made to the use of notional pricing for the calculation of insurance premiums to make premiums fairer for those who own apartments and units, and for those who do work on apartments and units.
With reference to resolving consumer claims under the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme, the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) transferred its insurance claims processing function to a new information technology platform in December 2016. The new system has not had an impact upon the processing timeframes.
The principal factors affecting the processing timeframes are claim values and the complexity of claims. Higher value claims generally take longer to process, as these claims typically involve more items of building work and require more detailed scoping and pricing. Complex claims may also require engineers and other consultants to be engaged which can lead to additional time to finalise these claims.
PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE
ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 02 Asked on 30 June 2017
THE PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND PUBLIC WORKS AND MINISTER FOR SPORT (HON M DE BRENNI) —
QUESTION:
With regards to page 3 of the Department of Housing and Public Works SDS, can the Minster advise the difference in delivery of housing between the new Queensland Housing Strategy and the previous approaches?
ANSWER:
The Queensland Housing Strategy 2017-2027 (Housing Strategy) provides a $1.8 billion investment to deliver more social and affordable housing and transform the way housing services are provided to better support people in need.
The Strategy has commenced with a new Housing Construction Jobs Program (the Program), investing $1.6 billion over ten years to create a pipeline of development of social and affordable housing. The Program is overseen through a new Housing Partnerships Office where the Department of Housing and Public Works and Economic Development Queensland will work together to build new supply of housing through stronger partnerships with the private and not-for-profit sectors. The Program is designed to encourage local businesses, local responses, and place-based initiatives. This new approach aims to streamline procurement processes and help reduce tendering costs and delivery timeframes.
Queensland developers, builders and community housing providers have the opportunity to partner with us in their local communities to ensure that new social and affordable housing meets the needs of the community. A range of new opportunities will be available, including state-owned sites ready for immediate construction, a call for development ready sites from industry and targeted precinct based developments. The focus will be to deliver maintenance and new developments through locally based businesses.
In contrast to the previous government’s Housing 2020 strategy, which would have seen an unprecedented transfer of valuable state assets out of the government’s hands, our policy position recognises that government has the responsibility to assist Queensland’s most vulnerable people. Under the Housing Strategy, we will boost the supply of social housing for our most vulnerable and facilitate community-based and other housing providers to expand their businesses into the affordable housing space.
The Palaszczuk’s Government decision to continue to deliver housing as an essential human service will mean more homes, more jobs and importantly, economic growth in the Logan area.
The Housing Strategy will continue the approach outlined in the Better Neighbourhoods Logan program that will see Queensland based building companies and contractors deliver 410 new social and affordable dwellings in the next five years, and over 3,000 by 2036.
Beyond investment in housing as essential infrastructure, the Housing Strategy recognises access to safe, secure and affordable housing is the bedrock of social, economic and community participation. Investment in housing and creating well-lit pathways, the Palaszczuk Government will generate economic growth and local jobs, create connections and instil confidence in Queenslanders.
PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE
ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 03 Asked on 30 June 2017
THE PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND PUBLIC WORKS AND MINISTER FOR SPORT (HON M DE BRENNI) —
QUESTION:
With reference to page 4 of the Department of Housing and Public Works SDS, can the Minister advise on the department’s performance against delivery targets in the National Partnership on Remote Housing agreement?
ANSWER:
The Queensland Government continues to deliver improved housing outcomes in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities through the National Partnership on Remote Housing (NPRH).
In 2016-17, Queensland has successfully achieved all agreed NPRH targets, with all Australian Government agreed performance benchmarks being exceeded.
In December 2016, Queensland launched the NRL Cowboys House in Townsville under the Employment and Education Housing program. This facility started accepting students in January 2017.
The Queensland Government continues to improve property and tenancy management in remote communities with property condition inspections being completed for 68% of NPRH properties managed by the Department of Housing and Public Works. Also, 98% of all NPRH properties are rated as being in fair to good condition, and 64% of properties received planned maintenance and minor works.
In 2016-17, the Queensland Government and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander councils commenced building 233 new houses and, of that, 95 new houses have been delivered in remote communities.
Another key achievement for Government is that 92% of all tendered contracts for the delivery of new housing has been awarded to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, and 81% of all repairs and maintenance under the agreement is being completed by Indigenous businesses.
In terms of tenancies managed by remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander councils, a total of 79% of tenancies have residential tenancy agreements in place with a rent collection rate of 53%. There are also 17% of all council-managed tenancies in arrears on repayment plans. Work continues to improve these outcomes for 2018.
The achievements under NPRH for 2016-17 demonstrate the strong record the Queensland Government has in delivering improved outcomes in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
In April 2017, I met with Mayors from Queensland’s sixteen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Local Governments, where we discussed progress against the agreements. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are looking to capitalise on the opportunity for economic growth, social and community development and employment outcomes that they deliver.
To further strengthen Queensland’s performance, the Government agreed with Mayors and has committed to cut the time needed to approve new housing construction in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities by 16 weeks.
These outcomes are creating significant opportunities in remote communities. There is uncertainty of funding for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities when NPRH ends on 30 June 2018. The lack of public commitment from the Commonwealth Government to continue funding arrangements under NPRH is discriminatory and should be called out for what it is. The Queensland Government has publically advocated for ongoing funding certainty for remote communities beyond the life of the current NPRH and calls on the State Opposition to support the program and end uncertainty for local workers, and communities.
PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE
ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 04 Asked on 30 June 2017
THE PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND PUBLIC WORKS AND MINISTER FOR SPORT (HON M DE BRENNI) —
QUESTION:
With reference to page 46 of the Department of Housing and Public Works SDS and the strategic objectives of the Residential Tenancies Authority, specifically around delivery of value for money services; addressing financial sustainability, and a focus on business process improvements, how has the RTA Board performed and what strategies are being put in place to improve the Authority’s balance sheet?
ANSWER:
The Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) experienced an increase of 97,439 frontline client interactions compared to the previous financial year. Whilst this represents an overall average 8.1% increase in service delivery to stakeholders in the rental sector in the areas of contact centre calls and support, investigations, dispute resolution and bond lodgements, refunds and management, some service functions experienced an increase of more than 23%. A temporary increase in frontline positions was required to support the introduction of new business systems and develop improvements to service.
The Board of the Residential Tenancies Authority (the Board) has ensured value for money services by:
• answering 2.3% more calls (8,719) year to date in 2016-17, compared to 2015-16, through better workforce planning and management
• increasing productivity and timeliness in dispute resolution by 11.4% through the implementation of an intake and assessment model
• realising operational efficiency gains allowing for 3.7% more dispute resolution cases (27,405) in 2016-17, compared to 2015-16 (26,428)
• introduced a 'client support service' for clients with higher needs focussed on: o providing clients with self-resolution strategies, o sustaining tenancies through better informed stakeholders, o reducing the instance of disputes and the number of matters escalating through the justice system
• undertaking 23.8% more investigations (889) of breaches of the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008, compared to 2015-16 (701), with all prosecutions being successful.
• upgrading and expanding electronic service facilities to achieve a 50% increase in electronic forms being submitted which resulted in faster finalisation of transactions for clients; and
• actively promoting the use of electronic communication to assist clients to have their service needs met more quickly.
The Board has implemented business process improvements by:
• implementing a new bond and client management system which automates many processes, is customer-centric and enables targeted client services through new reporting and analytic capability. This system also significantly improves the internal control environment
• conducting an external review and implementing post-implementation enhancements to the new system to maximise efficiency gains
• implementing improved coordination of rental bond processes through an increase of 28 frontline positions; a reduction of 10 positions from estimated actual FTE for 2016- 17
• conducting post implementation business process reviews across all areas of the RTA and completing targeted action plans to realise efficiency in workflow management, and operational processes to complement the opportunities the new business system provides
• implementing an online service request portal for more efficient management of all internal technical, facilities, communications, governance and legal, human resources and data management requests
• implementing improvements to privacy, data and analytics, communications and education, mail management and digital business processes to support productivity and service delivery
• upgrading the internal intranet and external websites to enhance client services, and internal efficiency and knowledge management
• expanding the capacity of quality and training expertise across frontline business units, and 98% staff completion of 10 mandatory training and cultural improvement sessions
The Board has implemented strategies to address financial sustainability by:
• improving the budget position of the RTA by $8.8 million in 2016-17, and achieving an unaudited interim surplus of $0.4 million (compared to the SDS budget deficit of $8.4 million)
• reporting an unaudited reserve balance of $33.45 million at 30 June 2017 compared to the SDS budget of $19.1 million
• achieving net additional cost savings of $0.34 million (1%) through cost containment in the areas of lower training expenses, and processing costs.
• implementing a buy and maintain strategy for 43% of the rental bond portfolio which promotes income stability and reduces financing risk
• emphasising cross-skilling and implementing flexible staffing arrangements in operational areas to drive efficiency in the RTA's cost base. As at 30 June 2017 approximately 74.25% of Contact Centre and Dispute Resolution staff are trained and competent in at least 2 roles within the RTA.
• increasing the use of electronic correspondence to clients thereby reducing postage and associated costs by $335k, despite an increase in work volumes.
• 2017-18 SDS published budged to stabilise operating expenses at no more than $34.9 million.
PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE
ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 05 Asked on 30 June 2017
THE PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND PUBLIC WORKS AND MINISTER FOR SPORT (HON M DE BRENNI) —
QUESTION:
With reference to page 35 of the Department of Housing and Public Works SDS and the QBCC’s objective to be an effective regulator, can the Minister advise how the Commission’s information technology and other systems and structures could be improved to deliver better customer service?
ANSWER:
During 2016, the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) underwent an organisational redesign to ensure the organisation is effectively structured to deliver its primary function as a regulator.
The new functionally-driven QBCC structure took effect on 1 July 2017.
Through the redesign the QBCC has progressed a number of initiatives to enhance its business activities, including: - a data intelligence and regulation project to provide insights into industry, business operations and customers, through the use of data analytics - a multi-disciplinary team pilot which is trialling a new service delivery model designed to improve case completion times through streamlining business processes - established an Education and Engagement team which has completed ten Tradie Tours across the state to provide practical advice on common defects to licensees - implemented an emerging leaders and leadership capability framework - completed a review of all Queensland Building Commission Board and operational policies.
System improvements, as part of the QBCC redesign, will result in more consistent and reliable outcomes for licensees and homeowners through enhanced back office functions and online service delivery.
During 2016-17, key IT system enhancements were delivered to improve customer experiences, including: - transition of the system for lodgement of notifiable works forms, to a more functional and stable online environment through myQBCC. Between April and May 2017, a total of 7,232 notifiable works forms were lodged electronically, compared with manual form lodgements of only 550. - an online service for payment of insurance premiums was introduced to provide customers with an additional and more flexible option to lodge insurance payments.
Further improvements to information technology systems are intended over the next three years. This will include modernisation of core systems and migration of QBCC information technology infrastructure to a cloud environment to increase reliability of systems and scalability to grow. Upgrades to online services for myQBCC and the QBCC website are planned during 2017-18. PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE
ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 06 Asked on 30 June 2017
THE PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND PUBLIC WORKS AND MINISTER FOR SPORT (HON M DE BRENNI) —
QUESTION:
With reference to page 35 of the Department of Housing and Public Works SDS and the review of the Minimum Financial Requirements Policy to improve capability and capacity to act on financial irregularities and reported payment issues in the industry, can the Minister advise how much money has been lost by subcontractors affected by building and construction company collapses under this policy?
ANSWER:
Data on the amount of money lost by subcontractors affected by building and construction company collapses is not collected by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) or the Department of Housing and Public Works. Data of this nature would be held by liquidators or administrators.
Under the current Minimum Financial Requirements policy, made by the Queensland Building and Construction Board on 28 August 2015, effective 9 October 2015, QBCC licensees are required to pay all undisputed debts, as and when the debts fall due, and within industry trading terms. Failure to do so may result in a loss of licence.
From October 2015 to 30 June 2017, as a result of QBCC intervention, industry participants have received $12.382 million in payments legitimately owed to them.
As the industry regulator, the QBCC has a responsibility to minimise the incidence of financial failure in the building and construction industry. However, the current Minimum Financial Requirements Policy alone cannot prevent insolvency events from occurring.
The Queensland Government made an election commitment to review the issue of security of payment for subcontractors. Following extensive public consultation, the Queensland Government is considering a suite of proposed reforms intended to improve security of payment for subcontractors. The reforms look at many areas including the Minimum Financial Requirements Policy and QBCC’s financial investigation powers. PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE
ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 07 Asked on 30 June 2017
THE PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND PUBLIC WORKS AND MINISTER FOR SPORT (HON M DE BRENNI) —
QUESTION:
With reference to page 11 of the Department of Housing and Public Works SDS, can the Minister advise what steps are being taken to increase opportunities for local suppliers?
ANSWER:
The Queensland Government is committed to increasing opportunities for local suppliers. Improving opportunities for local suppliers can help to create genuine, secure, ongoing jobs for Queenslanders.
The Department of Housing and Public Works is leading the development of a Queensland Government Procurement Strategy, along with a revised Queensland Procurement Policy.
Together these documents will set the framework to drive improved access to supply opportunities for Queensland businesses:
• the Queensland Government Procurement Strategy will outline for industry how procurement will be used to help Queenslanders prosper, create and sustain value, and how government is making it easier for local businesses
• the revised Queensland Procurement Policy will action reforms, identified through the government’s review of procurement, to improve local supplier opportunities.
The department is also developing guidance material, for use by procurement officers across the public sector, about how to improve opportunities for local suppliers.
Housing and Public Works has developed new strategies to maximise opportunities for local contractors to participate in government projects.
These new strategies are being applied to most projects (exceptions include existing contracts such as standing offer arrangements, however, these contain local content weightings) being managed by the department.
Strategies include: • tender documentation encourages the use of local subcontractors and consultants for each project • significant weighting is given in tender assessments to the extent of local content proposed to be engaged by the tenderer • definition of “local subcontractors” is outlined in the tender and contract documentation and is based on proximity to the individual project • after contract award, if a local subcontractor is not engaged, the contractor will be required to provide evidence, satisfactory to the department, of their efforts to source a local subcontractor, and seek approval to engage subcontractors outside the local area.
PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE
ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 8 Asked on Friday, 30 June 2017
THE PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND PUBLIC WORKS AND MINISTER FOR SPORT (HON M DE BRENNI) —
QUESTION:
With reference to page 5 of the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing SDS and Stadiums Queensland’s sporting facilities, can the Minister outline how the Gabba was not available for the Women’s AFL Grand Final for our Brisbane Lions?
ANSWER:
Consistent with previous years, The Gabba was hired exclusively for cricket by Queensland Cricket Association (QCA) and Cricket Australia in 2016-17 from October to March. In November 2016, Stadiums Queensland advised QCA of plans to host the Adele concerts at The Gabba in March 2017, and successfully worked together to relocate a Sheffield Shield Match scheduled for 14 to 19 March 2017.
The Brisbane Lions Men's Australian Football League (AFL) team schedule for 2017 was confirmed at The Gabba in October 2016, this included dates for finals. Stadiums Queensland was not advised of the possibility of the Women’s Australian Football League (AFLW) Grand Final being held at The Gabba until just before the ‘bump-in’ for the Adele concerts in late February 2017 (one month before the proposed match). Up until the confirmation of the AFLW Grand Final, The Gabba had been working towards the Brisbane Lions’ first regular men’s AFL season match on 1 April 2017, and planned a turf recovery program around this date.
The Queensland Government was extremely motivated to host the AFLW Grand Final at The Gabba and the grounds team worked hard to bring field readiness forward to accommodate the request. However, multiple independent tests showed that the recovery of the wicket block was not to a level that was satisfactory to host the AFLW Grand Final. The decision to not host the AFLW Grand Final was based on player safety concerns, as any surface instability can pose safety risks to players, particularly in a game like Australian Rules Football where players are sliding or quickly changing direction.
Some areas of the wicket block were re-turfed after being damaged in the concert to return them to a safe, playable surface. Unlike other concert venues, The Gabba has a permanent wicket-block, which is clay-based, so turf is laid without roots or dirt. The turf on the wicket block takes longer to grow than the turf on the outfield (which is laid with roots and dirt), which recovered much faster.
While it was disappointing that The Gabba wasn’t ready in time, it was pleasing that the match was still held in Queensland. More than 15,000 fans attended the match for free at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast.
The Gabba hosted the Brisbane Lions’ first scheduled home match of the 2017 AFL season on 1 April 2017 as originally planned. PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE
ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 9 Asked on Friday, 30 June 2017
THE PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND PUBLIC WORKS AND MINISTER FOR SPORT (HON M DE BRENNI) —
QUESTION:
With regards to page 6 of the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing SDS and the Get Started Vouchers program, can the Minister outline why changes were made to the Referral Agent process?
ANSWER:
The Get Started Vouchers program (the program) provides eligible children and young people with a voucher worth up to $150 to assist with the cost of membership or participation fees at sport and active recreation clubs registered for the program.
The predominate eligibility criteria for the program is for the child or young person, or the parent, carer or guardian, to hold a valid Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card with the child’s or young person’s name on it. A referral agent is not required in these instances. A referral agent is only required if the child or young person does not hold a valid card and requires financial assistance.
Referral agents include police liaison officers, school guidance counsellors, youth justice case workers, school principals, police officers and employees of various government agencies, including Child Safety Officers and staff from Housing and Homelessness Services.
For a child or young person who did not hold a valid card to be eligible for a voucher during rounds 1 to 8 of the program, they needed to have two referral agents signing a statement declaring that a child or young person would benefit from a voucher. Internal reviews identified issues in the potential misuse of referral agents in order to receive a voucher. Feedback also indicated a number of clubs, parents and referral agents believed families who did not need assistance were receiving vouchers via the referral agent process.
The referral agent process was modified in order to better target those who would benefit from the financial assistance. In 2016, the then Minister for Sport approved changes to the referral agent process and these were implemented in Round 9 in January 2017. Under the new process, children and young people now only require one referral agent to nominate them. Referral agents agree to the terms and conditions of the program, confirming that to the best of their knowledge, the eligibility criteria are met and information provided to them is true and correct.
The new process allows referral agents to better support families applying for Get Started Vouchers who experience literacy, internet access or computer literacy issues that may inhibit them from applying by themselves. The changes also make the process easier for referral agents, as they register once and remain registered for the life of the program. Once registered, referral agents can nominate a number of children they believe require financial support from the program and who, without the support, would not be able to join a sport or active recreation club. Additionally, referral agents are now able to refer children and young people outside of the public rounds. This means that they are not restricted by the ‘first come, first served’ process, but have a separate allocation.
Further, the new process allows for direct voucher allocation to specific agencies, such as the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council and resettlement agencies, which allows the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing to better target culturally and linguistically diverse people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, children involved in youth justice, domestic violence victims and hard to reach families.
A review following Round 9 of the program found that the majority of referral agents were satisfied with the new referral process, with feedback indicating ‘the money is definitely going to where it is needed and it is ensuring our youth are engaged and active’.
PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE
ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 10 Asked on Friday, 30 June 2017
THE PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND PUBLIC WORKS AND MINISTER FOR SPORT (HON M DE BRENNI) —
QUESTION:
With regards to page 6 of the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing SDS and the Get Started Vouchers program, can the Minister outline: a) The number of vouchers redeemed under Round 9 compared with previous rounds? b) How was this funded?
ANSWER:
More than 31,200 vouchers of the allocated vouchers were redeemed in sports clubs across Queensland. This is the largest number of vouchers redeemed in the life of the program.
Vouchers in Round 9 were used to assist children in participating in the widest range of activities since the program’s inception, participating in 90 different activities including football, abseiling, calisthenics, dragon boating and boccia.
Round 9 of Get Started Vouchers initially opened on 25 January 2017. An additional allocation of $1.25 million was added to the round to accommodate the high public interest, increasing from $4.2 million to $5.45 million for the round. These additional funds were reallocated from within the existing Sport and Recreation Services grant budget.
A comparison of the vouchers redeemed under each round is outlined in the table below.
Round Financial Year Round Allocation ($M) Vouchers Redeemed 1 2012-13 0.9 9,507 2 1.8 9,389 2013-14 3 1.8 24,750 4 1.7 11,369 2014-15 5 3.2 26,035 6 1.5 9,369 2015-16 7 3.6 24,650 8 1.8 9,640 2016-17 9 5.45 31,213
PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE
ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 11 Asked on 30 June 2017
THE PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND PUBLIC WORKS AND MINISTER FOR SPORT (HON M DE BRENNI) —
QUESTION:
Reference is made to SDS page 19, Staffing, Housing and Homelessness Services and Note 4: “Variance between 2016-17 Adjusted Budget of 1336 and Estimated Actual of 1392 as due to the Government’s decision not to proceed with the Logan Renewal Initiative and increase of technical IT staff…”
Can the Minister advise the total number of staff increase due to the Logan Renewal decision and the total number of staff for IT systems development – reported separately?
ANSWER:
The former government’s plan to privatise public housing in Logan would have involved a forcible reduction in the Department of Housing and Public Works’ staffing of 40 full-time equivalent employees, whose jobs as public servants would have been compulsorily ended.
This government’s decision has saved the jobs of those 40 public servants, allowing them to continue their careers.
There has been a budgeted increase of 19 full-time equivalent temporary technical staff for IT systems development.
PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE
ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 12 Asked on 30 June 2017
THE PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND PUBLIC WORKS AND MINISTER FOR SPORT (HON M DE BRENNI) —
QUESTION:
SDS, page 20, Departmental income statement states the operating position for the department for 2017-18 is an estimated deficit of $169 million and note: “This is mainly due to the cost of social housing not being met by rent revenue from social housing tenants.” Can the Minister advise the total amount of rent that is outstanding at the end of June 30, 2017 compared with the same date for the past three years, and list the number of tenants where rent is in arrears for more than one month for the same corresponding dates?
ANSWER:
The table below contains four years of data as requested and an additional five for the sake of transparency.
Financial Year Percentage of Total rent arrears Number of tenancies of tenancies in rent arrears arrears 4 weeks or more 30 June 2017 1.8% $1,261,724 981 30 June 2016 1.3% $901,448 682 30 June 2015 1.1% $663,617 579 30 June 2014 1.3% $706,136 700 30 June 2013 1.7% $413,085 931 30 June 2012 2.5% $1,389,870 1,371 30 June 2011 1.6% $781,491 885 30 June 2010 1.6% $806,563 881 30 June 2009 1.4% $707,123 776
In 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 Queensland had the highest efficiency for rent collection rate for public housing across all jurisdictions. Source: Report on Government Services 2017 – Table 18.48
The data also shows that the as a percentage of rents charged, the amount of rent in arrears fluctuates around 2 per cent.
PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE
ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 13 Asked on 30 June 2017
THE PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND PUBLIC WORKS AND MINISTER FOR SPORT (HON M DE BRENNI) —
QUESTION:
SDS, page 22, Employee expenses, shows a $20.437m increase from the Adjustment Budget of 2016-17 of $192.499m to $212.936m in 2017-18.
Notes 2, 6 provide a very brief explanation.
Can the Minister provide a full and detailed account of why Employee expenses are budgeted to be 10.6% higher in 2017-18, given overall staff numbers will increase 4.3% and general public sector wages will increase 2.5%, and provide a tabulated breakdown of this budgeted increase in relation to staff and other expenses?
ANSWER:
The higher employee expenses in 2017-18 from 2016-17 adjusted budget are due to:
• $7.234 million for Enterprise Bargaining and pay increment increases • $5.791 million for delivery of Housing and Homelessness Services ICT systems projects • $3.807 million for resourcing for programs including Indigenous Home Ownership and National Partnership on Remote Housing tenancy management • $2.564 million for re-instatement of the Woodridge Housing Service Centre • $1.041 million for other, including internal transfer functions within the agency.
PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE
ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 14 Asked on 30 June 2017
THE PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND PUBLIC WORKS AND MINISTER FOR SPORT (HON M DE BRENNI) —
QUESTION:
SDS, page 62, QFleet Service summary for 2017-18 lists: “developing a strategy to increase the number of electric vehicles in the fleet.”
Can the Minister detail: a) the number and type of electric vehicles currently in QFleet vehicle fleet; b) (i) the average gross purchase cost per electric vehicles currently in QFleet vehicle fleet, and (ii) electric vehicles identified for purchase; c) (i) the average running costs per kilometre for the life of the electric vehicles currently in QFleet vehicle fleet, and (ii) electric vehicles identified for purchase; d) the capital costs of installing charging bays for the electric vehicles; e) the reasonably expected disposal price of the electric vehicles; and f) compare above points (a) to (d) with the same data from other light passenger vehicles currently in the Qfleet stock?
ANSWER: a) As at 30 June 2017, there are 45 electric vehicles comprising: • two battery electric vehicles (BEVs) - these vehicles are electric carts • thirty three petrol/electric hybrid passenger vehicles (non-plug-in) • ten Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs). b) (i) The purchase price of vehicles in or proposed to be in the QFleet vehicle fleet is commercial-in-confidence as per agreements signed with vehicle manufacturers. (ii) Electric vehicles identified for purchase are: • BEVs – Varley Electric Vehicles • non-plug-in – Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Toyota Prius C and V. • PHEVs – Mitsubishi Outlander SUV c) (i) The average running costs per kilometre for the life of the electric vehicles are: • BEVs – $0.04/km (calculated on an estimation on the average battery recharge times and average cost of cents/kilowatt hour) • non-plug-in – $0.06/km (calculated on the manufacturer published litre/100km data and average cost of fuel as per monthly fuel report). • PHEVs – $0.06/km (calculated on the manufacturers specifications, recharge times, average kilometres travelled in electric mode and fuel purchased) (ii) as per response provided in b) (ii). d) The charging stations installed by QFleet to support the use of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV cost an average of $4,177.00 (including GST) to supply and install. e) As at 30 June 2017, it is reasonably expected that BEVs will achieve a sale value of approximately $2,100.00 (including GST) when sold at auction.
As at 30 June 2017, it is reasonably expected that non-plug-in vehicles will achieve a sale value of approximately $12,600.00 (including GST) when sold at auction. f) As at 30 June 2017: a) QFleet owns 62 light passenger vehicles b) (i) the purchase price of vehicles by QFleet is commercial-in-confidence as per the agreements signed with vehicle manufacturers b) (ii) the light passenger vehicles offered to customer agencies are Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio c) (i) the average running cost per kilometre for these vehicles is $0.08/km (based on manufacturer published litre/100km data and average cost of fuel as per monthly fuel report) e) it is reasonably expected that these vehicles will achieve a sale value of approximately $8,400 (including GST) when sold.
PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE
ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 15 Asked on 30 June 2017
THE PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND PUBLIC WORKS AND MINISTER FOR SPORT (HON M DE BRENNI) —
QUESTION:
SDS, page 63, QFleet performance statement Note 6 lists a reduction in vehicles available for sale in 2017-18.
Can the Minister provide details on the number of vehicles, by category, passenger vehicle, people-mover/passenger van, utility, light truck, truck etc, purchased and sold in the past three years, including total buying costs and sales proceeds for the same?
ANSWER:
The purchase price of vehicles by QFleet is commercial-in-confidence as per agreements signed with vehicle manufacturers.
The table below provides the details of vehicles, by category, purchased and sold in the past three years, including sales proceeds for the same.
2014/15 to 2016/17 (inclusive) Vehicle Segment Purchases Sales Proceeds ($M) Passenger (excluding People Mover) 3,136 4,133 49.016 People Mover 171 200 4.964 Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) 2,309 1,980 47.362 Light Commercial 2,972 3,045 75.732 Heavy Commercial/Truck 69 54 1.701 Plant & Equipment 18 20 0.092 Totals 8,675 9,432 178.867
PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE
ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 16 Asked on 30 June 2017
THE PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND PUBLIC WORKS AND MINISTER FOR SPORT (HON M DE BRENNI) —
QUESTION:
SDS, page 5, 2017-18 service area highlights (table with targets) lists the Percentage of under-occupied government-owned and managed social rental housing.
Can the Minister provide details on the total number of government-owned and managed social rental housing (houses, units etc) including by region and the percentage that are ‘under-occupied’ and un-occupied?
ANSWER:
As at 30 June 2017, the figures are as follows:
Under-occupied Properties Un-occupied Properties Region Number Percentage Number Percentage Brisbane 1,863 12.0 213 1.4 South West 2,760 18.4 261 1.7 Central and North Coast 2,208 17.5 350 2.7 North Queensland 1,077 17.1 264 4.1 Far North Queensland 506 13.0 69 1.8 Total 8,414 15.8 1,157 2.1
PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE
ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 17 Asked on 30 June 2017
THE PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND PUBLIC WORKS AND MINISTER FOR SPORT (HON M DE BRENNI) —
QUESTION:
SDS, page 3, Departmental overview – safer and fairer building and residential living industries through effective policy, legislation and administration –
Can the Minister provide details on the outcome of his investigation into unregistered boarding houses, announced December 19, 2016 and finalised March 31, 2017, including the total number of properties investigated and the total number of residential rooms, the location (town/suburb) of the properties and the outcomes in terms of the number that were unregistered, the number that were shut-down and the number (and location) where compliance works are still be completed?
ANSWER:
The final report on the finding of the targeted investigation into illegal boarding houses and rooming accommodation is currently a matter subject to Cabinet processes.
I propose to release the report in the context of introducing legislation in the near future.
PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE
ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 18 Asked on Friday, 30 June 2017
THE PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND PUBLIC WORKS AND MINISTER FOR SPORT (HON M DE BRENNI) —
QUESTION:
I refer to page 5 of the National Parks, Sport and Racing SDS in relation to Get in the Game funding and ask –
What level of funding is provided towards Get Started, Get Going Clubs, Get Playing Places and Spaces and Get Playing Plus in 2017/18 (reported separately) and what is the allocation towards this program across the forward estimates?
ANSWER:
The next three year commitment, announced on 24 July 2017, will increase the Get in the Game program to $125.5 million over three years from 2018 to 2020. This commitment, the largest to date, broadens the scope of support for sport and active recreation in Queensland to include targeted facility development and planning projects.
The budget for Get Started Vouchers, Get Going Clubs, Get Playing Places and Spaces and Get Playing Plus for 2017-18 is $50 million. A breakdown of the budget is provided below:
2017-18 Program ($ million) Get Started Vouchers (Rounds 10 to 11) 7.000 Get Going Clubs (Round 6) 3.500 Get Playing Places and Spaces (Round 4) 2.080 Get Playing Places and Spaces (Round 5) 7.700 Get Playing Places and Spaces (Round 6) 7.206 Get Playing Plus (Round 1) 2.894 Get Playing Plus (Round 2) 19.613
Get Playing Places and Spaces Round 5 continues on with a $1.3 million budget allocation in 2018-19 and Round 6 continues on with a $6.5 million budget allocation in 2018-19 and $1.295 million in 2019-20. Get Playing Plus Round 2 continues on with a $11.083 million budget allocation in 2018-19 and $4 million in 2019-20.
PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE
ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 19 Asked on Friday, 30 June 2017
THE PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND PUBLIC WORKS AND MINISTER FOR SPORT (HON M DE BRENNI) —
QUESTION:
I refer to page 5 of the National Parks, Sport and Racing SDS in relation to Stadiums Queensland support funding and ask –
Can the Minister provided an itemised breakdown of what this funding is allocated towards for 2017/18 and across the forward estimates?
ANSWER:
Stadiums Queensland receives grants from the Queensland Government to assist with items such as operating its venues, funding capital improvements and land tax payments. The increase in funding referenced in the SDS relates to Stadiums Queensland’s operating grant.
Over the past 11 years, the Operating Grant funding in particular, has only increased from $15.1 million in 2005-06 to $15.5 million in 2016-17, an average annual increase of 0.23 per cent.
In real terms and accounting for this minimal annual increase, Stadiums Queensland has essentially driven efficiencies across its business and operations of circa 30 per cent.
Stadiums Queensland incurs fixed costs in excess of $42.4 million per annum before it ‘opens the doors’ of its venues.
The funding increase over the forward estimates is an operational grant that will assist in meeting the escalating fixed costs, operating costs, community sport and recreation service obligations, and annual maintenance costs to ensure all Stadiums Queensland venues remain safe, building compliant, fit for purpose and competitive with interstate venues to attract events to Queensland. PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE
ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 20 Asked on Friday, 30 June 2017
THE PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR HOUSING AND PUBLIC WORKS AND MINISTER FOR SPORT (HON M DE BRENNI) —
QUESTION:
I refer to page 5 of the National Parks, Sport and Racing SDS in relation to the State Development Program and ask –
Can the Minister provide a breakdown of the allocation for this program in 2018/19 and 2019/20, reported separately, and how projects will be allocated under this program in 2017/18?
ANSWER:
The State Development Program 2017-2019 provides financial assistance to Queensland based sport and active recreation organisations to support a robust, innovative sport and recreation sector and get more Queenslanders up, out and active. It is a calendar year service delivery program currently supported across four financial years.
The budget allocation for this program across the four financial years is as follows:
Financial Year Amount ($ million) 2016-2017 5.25 (Estimated Actual) 2017-2018 10.82 (Budget) 2018-2019 10.72 (Budget) 2019-2020 5.39 (Budget) Total 32.18
Payments are made against Grant Deed milestones in two instalments per year.
In 2017-2018, funding will be allocated as follows:
• $9.45 million to 77 State level organisations to deliver participation, governance and grassroots support activities; • $900,000 to support eight organisations deliver participation and/or training and development activities and develop competition pathways in rural and remote Indigenous communities; • $315,020 to support 11 regional championship events held outside of south east Queensland; and • $153,284 to support six strategic projects with the State level organisation co-contributes 20% or more to the total project cost. Responses to questions taken on notice at hearing – 27 July 2017
PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE ESTIMATES QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 1
asked on 27 July 2017
MS J MILLER ASKED THE ACTING MINISTER FOR ENERGY, BIOFUELS AND WATER SUPPLY (MINISTER BAILEY)—
QUESTION:
Has the government done any independent assessment of the impact on energy costs to downstream industrial customers as a direct result of the potential closure of the new Acland coal mine. Will the Government consider this?
ANSWER: The Government has not done any independent assessment of the impact on energy costs to downstream industrial customers as a direct result of the potential closure of the new Acland coal mine.
The Department of Energy and Water Supply is not currently considering undertaking modelling the impacts of the closure of the Acland coal mine.
Author Approved Gayle Leaver Approved Benn Barr Business Unit Business Unit Energy Industry Policy Business Unit Energy Telephone Telephone 3166 7170 Telephone 3199 4977 Date 27 July 2017 Date 28 July 2017 Date 28 July 2017
PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE ESTIMATES QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 2
asked on 27 July 2017
MR R MOLHOEK ASKED THE ACTING MINISTER FOR ENERGY, BIOFUELS AND WATER SUPPLY (MINISTER BAILEY)—
QUESTION:
What financial analysis is being done by the Department of Energy and Water Supply on the impact of the 50 per cent Renewable Energy Target on coal royalties and future dividends to Government from GOCs, CS Energy and Stanwell corporation?
ANSWER:
The Department of Energy and Water Supply (DEWS) is not undertaking further financial analysis on future dividends, as they were considered as part of the Queensland Renewable Energy Expert Panel work and by Queensland Treasury Corporation.
The Government through DEWS commissioned the Queensland Renewable Energy Expert Panel who engaged Jacobs to undertake electricity market modelling to assess credible pathways to 50 per cent renewable energy generation in Queensland by 2030.
The Department also commissioned Queensland Treasury Corporation to undertake financial analysis of the impact of the 50 per cent target on government-owned generators. This analysis was prepared for the purposes of briefing Cabinet.
Neither the Department or the Queensland Renewable Energy Expert Panel have undertaken or commissioned financial analysis in relation to the impacts of the 50 per cent Renewable Energy Target on coal royalties. It is noted that royalties on domestic coal are estimated to represent less than 2 per cent of total royalty revenue in 2016-17.
Author Mitch McCrystal Approved Phil Richardson Approved Benn Barr Pricing Policy and Business Unit Business Unit Consumer & Pricing Business Unit Energy Analytics Telephone 3199 4979 Telephone 3199 4901 Telephone 3199 4977 Date 27 July 2017 Date 27 July 2017 Date 28 July 2017
PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE
ESTIMATES HEARING QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 01 Asked on 27 July 2017
ISSUE:
During the Committee’s hearing held on 27 July, the Member for Burnett asked if the Minister for Housing and Public Works could make available a copy of a submission lodged with the Department of Housing and Public Works, in early 2016, by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission in response to a discussion paper on security of payments.
The Member for Burnett observed that there may be issues of security or confidentiality.
RESPONSE:
The Security of Payment Discussion Paper was released for public consultation on 17 December 2015 and consultation closed on 31 March 2016.
The discussion paper made express commitments to protect the privacy and confidentiality of respondents and their submissions.
Specifically, the discussion paper contained a written undertaking ‘not [to] disclose or publish, in full or part, any submissions in response to this discussion paper except as required under the Right to Information Act 2009’.
In accordance with this statement, the Department of Housing and Public Works has not released any submissions received on the discussion paper.
In his answer to Question on Notice 1165, tabled on 18 July 2016, the Minister has previously advised the Member for Burnett that:-
“Submissions to the discussion paper closed on 31 March 2016. We received 145 submissions, as well as extensive feedback which was gathered throughout the consultation sessions around Queensland. The people that made submissions have put their trust in me and the Palaszczuk Government. Since the beginning I have maintained that submission would not be published and I stand by the promise.”
Question Taken on Notice
No. 1
Asked on Thursday, 27 July 2017
The Member for Glass House asked the Acting Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports (HON S MILES) —
QUESTION:
Please provide the number of electric vehicles operating in Queensland broken down by make and model
ANSWER:
I thank the Member for Glass House for the question.
As at 27 July 2017, there were 535 electric vehicles registered in Queensland. This consists of 39 different manufacturers and 62 different models.
Manufactures with the most electric vehicles operating on Queensland roads include Tesla (265 vehicles), Nissan (86 vehicles), Mitsubishi (48 vehicles) and BMW (30 vehicles).
In addition to this, as at 27 July 2017, there were 18,409 Petrol-Electric and Diesel-Electric vehicles registered in Queensland.
A full list of electric, diesel-electric and petrol-electric vehicles currently registered in Queensland can be found below:
Number of Electric vehicles on Queensland Register as at 27 July 2017
Make Description Model Description Total BEV HYUNDAI BLADE ELECTRON 3 BLADE ELECTRON 1 BMW I3 30 BASIC 1 BZOOMA BEAUTY 1 CARGO 1 PUMA 1 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 1 CITROEN G SERIES 1 CLEAN MOTION ZBEE 1 CUSTOM BUILT SPECIALLY CONSTRUCTD 1 DAIHATSU MIRA 1 PYZAR 1 DATSUN 1200 2 E-MAX VMOTO ZERO 1 E-SCOOT EM06 5 EMO8 5
Make Description Model Description Total ERIDER ANNABELLA 1 THUNDER BOLT 1 FONZARELLI 100 1 125 8 FORD FOCUS 1 GLOBAL GENERATION EMAX 1 HONDA CITY 1 HUASHA ERATO NOPE 1500 7 HYUNDAI GETZ 1 JAGAS NOPE J50 NEO 2 NOPE J50 RETRO 1 KYBURZ DXP 1 MAZDA2 1 MAZDA MAZDA6 1
MX-5 1 MG TF 1 MITSUBISHI I MIEV 43 MINICAB 5 MORRIS MINOR 1 NISSAN LEAF 85 TIIDA 1 QJ EVADER EV1000 2 SCOOTERETTA SR-OE800W 1 VRETTA 300 1 SUBARU BRUMBY 1 SUZUKI MIGHTY BOY 2 SWIFT 3 SWEI SW0008 1 MODEL S 193 TESLA MODEL X 69
ROADSTER 3 ECHO 3 TOYOTA HILUX 1
PRIUS 4 TUK TUK E- TUK 1 VECTRIX MAXI 4 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 1 KOMBI-VAN 1 XIAMAN TD8 1 Z ELECTRIC VEHICLE 5000LA 1 7100 LR 2 DS 5 FX 2 ZERO S 6 SR 5 Total 535
Number of Diesel Electric vehicles on Queensland Register as at 27 July 2017
Make Description Model Description Total FUSO CANTER 1 300 SERIES 68 HINO 714 HYBRID 3
DUTRO 1 LANDROVER RANGE ROVER 6 RANGE ROVER SPORT 8 C300 24 MERCEDES-BENZ E300 27
S300 4 MITSUBISHI CANTER 1 FE SERIES 1 VOLVO B5RH 1 Total 145
Number of Petrol Electric vehicles on Queensland Register as at 27 July 2017
Make Description Model Description Total AUDI A3 12 330E 22 335I 4 ACTIVE HYBRID 3 3 BMW ACTIVE HYBRID 5 5
I3 40 I8 27 X5 9 CADILLAC ESCALADE 1 HARLEYDAVIDSON XL1200C 1 HOLDEN VOLT 32 ACCORD 9 CIVIC 481 HONDA CR-Z 86 FIT (IMPORT) 1 INSIGHT 254 JAZZ 60 HYUNDAI IX35 1 M35H 5 INFINITI Q50 25
Q70 5 CT200H 1,046 ES300H 200 GS300H 16 GS450 131 IS300 1 IS300H 468 LEXUS LC500H 1
LS600H 8 LS600HL 32 NX300H 586 RX100 1 RX400H 137 RX450H 776 C350 43 MERCEDES-BENZ E350 1
GLE500 9 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER 358 NISSAN PATHFINDER 100 PORSCHE CAYENNE 46 PANAMERA 1 AURIS 1 CAMRY 6,664 COROLLA 432 TOYOTA CROWN 1 ESTIMA 1 HARRIER 2 PRIUS 6,111 YARIS 1 VOLVO XC90 7 Total 18,264
Question Taken on Notice
No. 2
Asked on Thursday, 27 July 2017
The Member for Southport asked the Acting Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports (HON S MILES) —
QUESTION:
Can you advise how many times camera recordings from taxis have been required or used in the last 12 months?
ANSWER:
I thank the Member for Southport for the question.
Security cameras approved by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) are installed in almost all taxi vehicles in Queensland, with cameras being optional for non-metered areas such as rural towns.
Authorised download officers, usually employees of taxi booking companies, must notify TMR when a security camera download has occurred following a request by the QPS.
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) may use images recorded by an approved security camera in the investigation of an incident or complaint. The nature of the investigation could pertain to matters relating to the taxi and its occupants as well as the investigation of matters that occurred within the vicinity of the taxi (e.g. a robbery).
The below Table 1 indicates the number of incident download notifications received by TMR for each month in the period 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017.
Table 1: Taxi Security Camera Download Notifications Received by TMR from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017 Month No. Incident Download Notifications Received July 142 August 97 September 96 October 81 November 65 December 92 January 101 February 70 March 77 April 61 May 88 June 84 TOTAL 1054
Question Taken on Notice
No. 3
Asked on Thursday, 27 July 2017
The Member for Southport asked the Acting Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports (HON S MILES) —
QUESTION:
How many penalties have been issued in regard to holding or not holding proper authorisation and for illegal pick-ups at taxi ranks by rideshare operators? What is anticipated in the year ahead in terms of budget?
ANSWER:
I thank the Member for Southport for the question.
Reform in the Personalised Transport sector has been implemented progressively since the announcement of Queensland’s Personalised Transport Horizon – Five Year Strategic Plan for Personalised Transport Services 2016-2021 in August 2016.
The Transport and Other Legislation (Personalised Transport Reform) Amendment Act 2017 was passed by Parliament on 24 May, 2017. These changes will be progressively implemented over the next six months.
Initial changes were implemented on 5 September 2016 that allowed for the legal operation of ride-booking services. Offences relating to this framework commenced between 5 September and 1 November 2016.
To support the phased implementation of these new regulatory changes, a significant number of warnings have been issued.
Between 5 September 2016 and 20 July 2017 494 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) were issued to rideshare drivers with a total value of $122,998. This included two PINs where the driver was operating a service when they did not hold the requisite driver authorisation and 214 incidences of stopping an unauthorised vehicle in a taxi zone. A full breakdown of the offences is included in the table below.
The Department does not undertake budget projects with respect to PINs, however the Department continues to undertake compliance activity to support the introduction of the new regulatory framework.
Offence Description Number of PINs Value Disobey No Entry Sign 1 $170 Stop Unauthorised vehicle in Taxi Zone 214 $52,083 Use/Permit Use Of Unreg 4 Cylinder Or 2 Rotor Motor 22 $6,434 Vehicle Use/Permit Use Of Unreg 5 Or 6 Cylinder Or 3 Rotor 4 $1,573 Motor Vehicle Use/Permit Use Of Unreg 7 Or 8 Cylinder Motor 1 $390 Vehicle
Offence Description Number of PINs Value Driving an uninsured class 5, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20 or 1 $243 21 motor vehicle on a road Driving an uninsured class 1, 2, 6, 8, 13, 16 or 24 4 $1,948 motor vehicle on a road (car) Operate a public passenger vehicle with an 3 $3,657 unauthorised driver Provide a public passenger service when operator is 1 $1,462 not accredited Operating relevant service without required DA 2 $486 Failure to display a sign on a booked hire vehicle 97 $23,661 Allowing vehicle to be used to provide BHS without 4 $2,436 safety certificate Failure to make safety certificate available for 13 $7,917 inspection Fail to carry Drivers Authorisation 27 $6,588 Drive/Park Veh If Parts/Equip Not In Safe Condition 3 $729 Drive/Park A Defective Veh 94 $11,394 Owner Does Not Possess Current COI 3 $1,827 Ride-Booking Total 494 $122,998
Documents tabled at hearing – 27 July 2017
Documents tabled at the hearing – 27 July 2017
DEWS analysis of increases in residential electricity prices 2017-18, tabled by 1. Hon Curtis Pitt MP, Acting Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports
Wholesale electricity prices – national electricity market (NEM), tabled by Hon 2. Curtis Pitt MP, Acting Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports
Copy of email from dodo Power and Gas regarding changes to energy bill 3. instalments dated 26 July 2017, tabled by Mr Michael Hart MP, Member for Burleigh
Hansard extract dated 19 July 2017, tabled by Mr Shane Knuth MP, Member for 4. Dalrymple
Nature Play Qld Passport, tabled by Minister de Brenni, Minister for Housing and 5. Public Works and Minister for Sport
Lions AFL media article from 15 March 2017, tabled by Mr Jon Krause MP, 6. Member for Beaudesert
Courier Mail article from 16 March 2017, tabled by Mr Jon Krause MP, Member 7. for Beaudesert
Courier Mail article from 17 March 2017, tabled by Mr Jon Krause MP, Member 8. for Beaudesert
Increases in residential electricity prices 2017-18
NT 0.5%• QLD 3.3% WA t • 10.9% SA 19.9% NSW 11.5% t ACT 19% VIC 9.6%
Notes: Price increases for WA, ACT, Tasmania and Northern Territory are the headline increases announced by the regulators TAS . Price increases for SA, NSW, and Victoria have been ca lculated based on annual consumption of a typical regional customer in Queensland SOURCE: DEWS analysis - based on (4,173 kWh) using corresponding AGL standing offer rates. 2% • Price increases apply from 1 July 2017 except Victorian price increase which applied from 1 January 2017. data from state regulators and retailer standing offers Wholesale prices - 1 March to 24 July 2017
Tabled by: '\c"""s.wcS' f'~ At: 'Es-\, "" cJic..s ~- ~ s Tim e/date: '2'1.\•\\\ Signature: ~ c'c~.e,.( • .
QLD $86.49
SA $122.34 NSW $94.03
VIC $107.04
TAS $115.74 SOURCE : DEWS analysis based on AEMO data Wholesale Electricity Prices - National Electricity Market {NEM)
Wholesale electricity price increases Time/date: ---'='""""f-"+"""+-~ 2014-15 to 2016-17 Signature: --"=~~~~l!!B!!!i
200% 177% 180% 160% 140% 13.1% 119% 120% 103% 100% 77% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% NSW QLD SA TAS VIC Source: Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)
YEAR NSW QLD SA TAS VIC 2014-15 35.17 52.52 39.29 37.16 30.35 2015-16 51.6 59.99 61.67 102.7 46.14 2016-17 81.22 93.12 108.66 75.4 66.58 : !%change ; 131% i 77% 177% 103% 119% . --- ··--~- ...... J. . ... - -,,.--·· ··---'-'-- . - - · - --~ -·--·-··---'-·-..--_...... J .. ----· ------~--· -·- '
Wholesale electricity price increases 2011-12 to 2014-15
• 90% 81% 80%
70%
60%
50%
40% 30% • 30% 19% 20% 14% 11% 10%
0% N~ ~D ~ TAS VIC Source: Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)
YEAR NSW QLD SA TAS VIC . 2011-12 29.67 29.07 30.28 32.58 27.28 2012-13 55.1 67.02 69.75 48.3 57.44 2014-15 35.17 52.52 39.29 37.16 30.35 !% 19% 81% 30% 14% 11% ~~. ~_n. _g ~_ ~ \ ' POWER & GAS
Dear~ ·· 26/07/2017
Electricity Account:~ Electricity Address: :
CHANGES TO YOUR INSTALM ENTS
We want to help you avoid large balance to pay on your energy accounts, to assist with this we have reviewed your regular instalments.
We are proposing to adjust your electricity instalments to $176.00 per week, effective 06 Sep 2017.
Managing Your Energy Bills We are always looking for ways to help you manage your energy bills, if you would like to make changes to your automatic payment plan, this can now be done through our new review feature on the account management page at www.dodo.com.au or you can check out our energy saving tips.
If you do not agree to this change please contact us by the effective date so we can discuss your options.
Any questions? Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this notice, please contact our friendly Customer Care team on 13 dodo (13 36 36), Monday to Friday between Barn and 6pm AEST.
Kind regards, · Dodo Power & Gas Team
M2 Energy Pty Ltd I ABN 15 123 155 840 I trading as Dodo Power & Gas PO Box 631 , Col lins St Wes t, Vi ctoria 8007 I P 13 dodo (1 3 36 36) I F 1300 37 47 76 I [email protected] Estimates-State Development, Natural Resources and Mines 19 Jul 2017 (Proof)
The cost of purchasing undertaken by Queensland Water Infrastructure Pty Ltd should not be compared to the current sale proceeds, as the cost of purchasing included compensation payments in addition to property value. Those people were paid compensation, as well as the property value. Mr PERRETT: I do not believe that that is correct. Dr LYNHAM: Many of the properties were sold either in a different configuration or with different improvements onsite. Therefore. there are many instances where it is not possible to compare like with like on the purchase and sale. As it states, there was purchasing plus compensation. You are comparing purchasing plus compensation with just a raw sale price. Mr PERRETT: Minister, I have not referred to the other costs that were also included. There was $200 million by QWI to build a case, plus the loss of business. I ask the director-general: has the department learnt from this process and would it do that again? Mr Schaumburg: We are looking at doing something similar in the Beaudesert area at the moment. We certainly take on board any processes that we have done previously and make sure that the department learns from those instances. ·-\J> Mr KNUTH: Minister, the Mission Beach safe boating facility project has been on the state government's website for major projects since 2011. The service delivery statement, at page 2, states that a key priority is securing long-term tourism, sporting and community benefits through the delivery of major projects. With this in mind, Minister, can you fast-track or give an indication of the time till the breakwater is completed? Minister, will you support the community by agreeing to start construction of the boat ramp and recreational aspects of the project while waiting for the approvals from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, as the authority needs to give the approval only to the breakwater area and not the recreational aspects of the project? Dr LYNHAM: I know that the member has been very interested in this area . I also note that the Mission Beach area is in the federal electorate that is represented by Mr Bob Katter, who has made representations to me regarding Mission Beach. Member for Dalrymple, it is a credit to you that you have been intimately involved in this project since before the redistribution. I know you have been engaging with the people of Mission Beach. For the benefit of other members of the committee, I can say that we have allocated $15.3 million and the Australian government has committed $5.5 million in funding towards providing safer boating infrastructure at Mission Beach. The project will assist the Mission Beach community through the re-establishment of the reef-based tourist market and by providing improved recreational boating facilities . I have visited the site and personally undertaken negotiations with the various community groups to reach a resolution on what was, as you will agree, a difficult issue at that time for the community. I thank you for your assistance and the role that you have played in reaching a resolution for this particular site. Concerns were raised because, as you will remember, there was an overtopping breakwater at the Perry Harvey Jetty, as well as consideration given to the Clump Point boating facility. Funding has now been redirected to the Clump Point facility. The Clump Point facility does go into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority territory and Maritime Safety Queensland is also involved. I understand that there has been a great deal of community consultation and, at the start, there was a great deal of community angst about which was the most appropriate project to go ahead. I understand also that the community wants this project started as quickly as possible. With it going into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park zone, various approvals now have to be obtained. I am pleased to report that, with those approvals, the level cooperation with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has been exemplary. We are still some away. I am happy to update you on progress. I am happy to contact the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority on this. We have worked closely alongside the Department of Transport and Main Roads, the Cassowary Coast Reg ional Council and representatives from community groups. The process has now been passed to the Department of Main Roads and Transport, so this project is now under the auspices of Minister Bailey. I suggest that, when he appears before estimates, he can provide you with an update on where the boat ramp is at, as well as the roadways, et cetera, leading up to the boat ramp. I am happy to contact the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and find out at what stage the approvals are at and advise you accordingly. In finalising, I thank you for your involvement and for stepping in when you did. The project was rather difficult and the community was quite flustered about where this project was heading. Thanks to Estimates-State Development, Natural Resources and Mines 62 19 Jul 2017 (Proof) the great cooperation between yourself and the state government, we have been able to sort out this project, which we inherited from the previous LNP government. Mr KNUTH: Minister, in regard to the- CHAIR: I am sorry, member for Dalrymple. You have to communicate with these guys a little more, to make sure that you get some time. We have gone well over this time. I am happy to give you the questions, if we can get them allocated. I go to the member for Keppel. Mrs LAUGA: Minister, with reference to page 3 of the SDS, how have you assisted businesses in Queensland in becoming more internationally competitive? Dr LYNHAM: I know that the member is pleased to see the Palaszczuk government working hard to support Queensland's manufacturers and to help them grow jobs. As I said, this is a $20 billion industry that is the sixth largest employer in this state. It is 16,400 companies employing almost 170,000 workers, 80 per cent of whom are full-time workers. Manufacturing employment grew by 5.5 per cent in the 12 months to November 2016. In 2015, Queensland's manufacturing export earnings totalled around $16 billion or nearly one-third of Queensland's total export earnings. I know that many Queenslanders working in the manufacturing industry, like those at Dinmore meat works, are quite pleased to see that advanced manufacturing was identified as a key priority sector by the Palaszczuk government. By contrast, the LNP was so dismissive of the role that manufacturing plays in the Queensland economy they did not even include it in their four-pillar strategy. Credit where credit is due, though: the LNP have recycled the four-pillar strategy into what I understand is now a five-pillar strategy that includes manufacturing. It has been only five years since they tossed it aside. I am not sure how much they spent on redesigning the floor plan with that extra pillar or how much was spent on new wallpaper, paint or real estate agents. However, I can promise this: the Queensland public will not buy it at the next election campaign, when they go along promoting manufacturing. By contrast, the Palaszczuk government has an Advance Queensland Advanced Manufacturing 10-year road map and action plan. Part of that road map is a benchmarking program that allows businesses to measure their performance against international best practice and identify how they can improve to grow and innovate. That benchmarking program underpins our highly successful $20 million Made in Queensland initiative. Made in Queensland aims to support existing jobs while increasing the number of jobs in Queensland manufacturing and growing Queensland's economy. Companies start with the benchmarking program . This allows them to identify innovations they can make. They can then apply for dollar-for-dollar grants, from $50,000 to $2.5 million, to help them become more internationally competitive and adopt innovative processes and technologies. The benchmarking shows them what they can do to move to new levels of efficiency and growth, and the funds allow them to implement those changes. This is all about making our small to medium manufacturing enterprise companies more productive and competitive, creating jobs as they grow. I went to Toowoomba to meet the first recipients of these grants, Gessner Industries from Toowoomba and Global Rotomoulding from Helidon. Gessner Industries manufactures equipment solutions for the agricultural, industrial, mining and construction sectors. Global Rotomoulding produces plastic products, such water tanks. Both companies will use their funds to streamline their operations. Since the Made in Queensland program opened in 30 January 2017, 504 registrations of interest have been received to participate in the program, 248 participants have completed a benchmark, and 40 applications are currently being actively assessed across the pharmaceutical, metal processing, food, agriculture and construction equipment sectors. Manufacturing is fundamental to a modern and competitive economy and is vital as a source of innovation, exports and jobs. Made in Queensland is a clear demonstration of the practical and tangible assistance that the Palaszczuk government is providing to small and medium manufacturers in this critical sector to help them to compete, innovate and grow the highly skilled, highly paid jobs of the future . CHAIR: With reference to page 3, Minister, could you please outline how the Department of State Development is working to encourage investment in Queensland? Dr LYNHAM: The Palaszczuk government understands the need to attract Queensland projects that support job creation, regional growth, increased innovation and the building of local supply chains. That is why we announced the $40 million Advance Queensland Industry Attraction Fund in the 2016-17 budget. This scheme has been established to attract geographically contestable projects to Queensland. The scheme is open to overseas and interstate companies seeking to relocate or establish
7/26/2017 Lions committed to Gabba AFL Women's Grand Final - lions.com.au
Tabled by: /1J ~r-th;;:t;; er~ ''$ At: p i)){)(< . I ) -1 t Time/date: _.1'. 17pm d, 7 Jj dt1 '-1) ~
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Lions committed to Gabba AFL Women's F < I I f Grand Final
Steele Tallon March 15. 2017 12:57 PM NEAFL: Lions vs Redlands Q2 2:11pm Jul 25, 2017
NEAFL : Lions VS Redlands Q1 2:10pm Jul 25, 2017
Aud io: Chris Fagan on SEN 10: 12am Jul 25. 2017
Danny Daly on Radio TAB 4:50pm Jul 24 , 2017
The Gabba. (Photo: AFL Media)
The Brisbane Lions have restated their "absolute commitment"' to having RELATED the AFLW Grand Final played at the Gabba.
Media reports have suggested the Adele concerts at the stadium last week Lions secure Grand Final caused damage that will take six weeks to recover. or risk damaging the pitch for the Ashes Cricket Test starting on November 23.
That would mean moving Saturday week's historic AFLW Grand Final and the Lions' opening two home rounds of th e AFL season.
Brisbane Lions Follow @brisbanelions
Qld Sports Minister Mick De Brenni tells tells media that Gabba is "on track" to host "historic" AFLW Grand Final on Sat week @l1onsaflw http://www.lions.com.au/news/2017-03-15/lions-committed-to-gabba 1/3 7/26/2017 Lions committed to Gabba AFL Women's Grand Final - lions.com.au 10:07 AM - 15 Mar 2017 27 74
Lions CEO Greg Swann - who attended this morning's media conference with Lions Women's CEO Breeanna Brock and Women's Coach Craig Starcevich - said the undefeated women's team had earned the right to play the season's showcase game at the Gabba.
Swann said the Gabba curators had done an outstanding job getting the ground back up to speed after the Adele concerts and there was no doubt in his mind that the ground would be right for Saturday week and beyond.
"There's 253 days until the Ashes Test at the Gabba in November - I'm certain that's plenty of time to get the grass right by then, given the quality of the stadium ground staff' sa id Swann.
''The AFLW competition has captured the imagination of Queenslanders in recent months. and we are hoping sense will prevail in all th is.
"It would be nonsensical to not play such an important game in the development of women's sport at the best venue.
"Our women's team have been simply magnificent this season and have been the story of the year in Queensland sport, and they deserve to play the Grand Final at our home on the Gabba."
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http://www.lions.com.au/news/2017-03-15/lions-committed-to-gabba 2/3 16 Mar 2017 Tabled by: memb-€ r. toe BeaudeSerT Courier Mail, Brisbane At: Pw l/C Gs+ 1 wyfe Heurl n y Author: Trenton Akers• Section: General News •Article type : News Item Time/date: 5 · oq pwi ;;(, / Ji1! 'j -;;/. o I I Classification : Capital City Daily• Audience: 144,788 ·Page: 1 . . . . /(tf~ffu. Printed Size: 1228.00cm2 •Market: QLD •Country: Australia• ASR: AUD 21,§6¥ 1a,ure. ;pc · Words: 590 •Item ID: 741912478
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TIME TO DROP-IN ON THE GAB BA TRENTON AKERS
A DROP-IN wicket could prove the solution to The Gabba's sporting clash woes, according to Sports Minister Mick de Brenni. He also yesterday played down damage to the centre wicket following Adele's sold out concerts, claiming it was in great shape and would be ready in time for next Satur day's AFLW grand final. Minister Cricket officials have lob bied Stadiums Queensland to puts happy keep all activity off the ground in November. root, which would rule out for six weeks to prepare for spin on pitch Cricketing officials an AFLW grand final along November's Ashes test. claimed last week's Adele with the first two Brisbane Mr de Brenni said Queens solution concert nearly ruined the Lions home games of the land was well-placed to curate wicket square. 2017 premiership season. a drop-in wicket, similar to TRENTON AKERS Mr de Brenni said The Lions are desperate other Australian grounds. Queensland had the techno to play at The Gabba for REPORT S P12 ·13 THE GABBA could their first home game in get a drop-in wicket logy and skill needed to cu rate a drop-in wicket, similar round 2 against Essendon. after Sports Minis However, Mr de Brenni ter Mick de Brenni to the MCG and other Aus tralian grounds. played down the damage to backed the idea the centre wicket, saying the yesterday as a "We've got the best tech nological advice, the best ground was in great shape way of avoiding due to weeks of prior prep- future clashes ground skills, we've got the between AFL and best stadium management, aration to ensure The Gabba cricket. we've got the best facilities in wicket would be fit for play The centre square the nation, so there's no rea in time for the AFLW grand of Brisbane's iconic son why we can't have the final on Saturday. ground will undergo a most up-to-date, cutting A leading Brisbane curator rigorous independent as edge innovations like the supported Mr Mitchell's sessment this week to type of drop-in pitches we are claims, saying any regrassed determine if it is fit to seeing," he said. wicket square required six to host the inaugural AFLW Chief curator Kevin Mit eight weeks rest before any grand final next Saturday chell Jr said the wicket traffic was to go over it. without affecting the square needed six weeks Despite the first Ashes traditionally bouncy wicket without any traffic over it for Test being eight months for the first Ashes Test match the replanted area to take away, curators say it is vital for pitches that are going to 16 Mar 2017 Courier Mail, Brisbane Author: Trenton Akers • Section: General News • Article type : News Item Classification : Capital City Daily• Audience: 144,788 •Page: 1 Printed Size: 1228.00cm2 •Market: QLD ·Country: Australia• ASR: AUD 21 ,567 Words: 590 •Item ID: 741912478
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be used during the summer to be rested and have the correct top dressing applied over the winter period. A Stadium Queensland spokeswoman said: "I can confirm that we do not cur rently have the infrastructure to install and maintain a drop in wicket, and there are no current plans to install one." Queensland Cricket last night said they would not be commenting on the issue. 17 Mar 2017 Courier Mail, Brisbane Tabled by: rnem'o~v F-ar 6 Qt1 udec;,er7 Author: Matthew Connors •Section: General News •Article type : News Item At: L "'!_U c_ t;. s.-firnc'i.k.c. Heav'l;i§ Classification : Capital City Daily· Audience : 144,788 • Page: 6 Tlmt>/u .o te: _"§..L ':i. pm . ':t. 7 SlvJT 1 7 2 Printed Size: 462.00cm • Market: QLD •Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 8, 114Sig iat , " . --..d'..!L&a. 7 . Words: 327 •Item ID: 742577875 · 1 u. ~ · · · ~-
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Labor Senator breaks ranks on Gabba pitch
MATTHEW CONNORS Gabba through Stadiums Queensland, to rule out a THE Gabba deck is so his drop-in wicket. toric it shou Id be listed on The Gabba pitch has been the Queensland Heritage a happy hunting ground for Register to protect it from bowlers such as Jeff "Thom sporting desecration, says a mo" Thomson, Dennis Lillee Queensland Labor Senator. and Shane Warne. The wicket is under Australian football and repair following the Adele cricket have shared the concerts and The Gabba is to ground as far back as 1905. host the opening Ashes Test Senator Chisholm said in November. the Government needed to But it is at further risk do everything in its power from the inaugural AFLW to ensure it was protected. Grand Final tomorrow week "Any suggestion we and the looming men's AFL move to a drop-in pitch season. needs to be knocked on the Senator Anthony Chis head straight away," he said. holm hit out at his state col Mr de Brenni yesterday leagues for suggesting The said he knew how important Gabba's centre square could The Gabba was to all be replaced with a drop-in Queenslanders and was con pitch, yesterday pitching a tinuing negotiations with short delivery at Sport Min Stadiums Queensland. ister Mick de Brenni. "I've sought an assurance "It's outrage that whatever decision is ous that they taken for the next set of are considering events and matches at The touching the Gabba, it won't put us on a wicket," Sena path towards having a tor Chisholm drop-in pitch," he said. said. "Along with "The only change I Lang Park, The want to see at the Gabba is one of the Gabba is the in most iconic sporting • stallation of new locations Queensland." He called on the State Gov ernment, which The Correspondence
Correspondence
1. 19 April 2017. Letter from Steve Dickson MP, Member for Buderim
22 June 2017. Letter from Tim Nicholls MP, Leader of the Opposition, Shadow 2. Minister for Arts and Major Events
3. 6 July 2017. Letter from Jo-Ann Miller MP, Member for Bundamba
4. 18 July 2017. Letter from Shane Knuth MP, Member for Dalrymple
1 August 2017. Letter from Minister de Brenni, Minister for Housing and Public 5. Works and Minister for Sport
STEVE DICKSON MP MEMBER FOR BUOERIM I QUEE SLAND LEADER - ONE NATION
PO Box 187, Buderim, 4556 Tel: 5450 1115 Fax: 5453 7802 [email protected] www.stevedicksonmp.com.au
19 April 2017 RECE :\JED 2 6 APR 2017 Mr Shane King MP Chair PWUC Public Works and Utilities Committee Parliament House George Street BRISBANE QLD 4000
Dear Mr King
I seek leave to appear with your committee in Estimates Hearings during July 2017 for the purpose of asking questions of government Ministers regarding their portfolios. Whilst I understand that Ministerial portfolios will not be allocated to each committee until budget week, I am making this formal request now in order to give you timely advice of my request to appear.
Yours sincerely
~~ Member for Buderim I Queensland Leader - One Nation Tim Nicholls MP Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister for Arts and Major Events
Mineral House 41 George Street Brisbane Qld 4000 PO Box 15057 City East Qld 4002 Telephone 07 3838 6767 Email [email protected]
22 June 2017
Mr Shane King MP Chair Public Works and Utilities Committee Parliament House George Street BRISBANE QLD 4000
By email: [email protected]
Dear Mr King
2017 ESTIMATES COMMITTEE HEARING
Pursuant to section 181 (e) of the Standing Rules and Orders of the Legislative Assembly, I write to seek leave for the following non-government members of Parliament to attend the public estimates hearings of the Public Works and Utilities Committee, scheduled for Thursday, 27 July 2017:
• Tim Nicholls, Member for Clayfield • Deb Frecklington, Member for Nanango • Jeff Seeney, Member for Callida • Andrew Powell, Member for Glass House • Michael Hart, Member for Burleigh • Stephen Bennett, Member for Burnett • Jon Krause, Member for Beaudesert
Should you have any queries, please contact Peter Coulson of my office.
Kind regards
TIM NICHOLLS MP Leader of the Opposition Jo-Ann Miller MP State Member for Bundamba PO Box 122 GOODNA Q 4300 [email protected] Ph 34479100 Fax 3818 1613
RECFIVED Mr Shane King MP 0 6 JUL 2017 Chair Public Works and Utilities Committee Queensland Parliament PWUC Cnr Alice & George Streets BRISBANE Q 4000
Dear Chair
I refer to Standing Order 181 (e) which states “a member who is not a member of the portfolio committee may, with the committee’s leave, ask questions.”
In accordance with the Standing Order, and past precedent, I therefore seek leave of the Committee to attend and ask Questions.
Yours sincerely
)-Ann Miller MP "Member for Bundamba
Jo-Ann gets things done
Find us on B Facebook blUtbbGr @JoAnnMillerMP
Serving Dalrymple
SHANE KNUTH MP
18 July 2017
Mr Shane King Chair of the Public Works and Utilities Committee Parliament House George Street Brisbane Qld 4000
By email: [email protected]
Dear Mr King
In accordance with Standing order 181 (e), I seek leave to attend the Public Works and Utilities Committee estimates hearing on Thursday 27 July 2017.
Yours sincerely
Shane Knuth MP Member for Dalrymple
Silo Central Shopping Centre PO Box 1667 Atherton QLD 4883 Ph: 07 4091 5861 Fx: 07 4091 4675 Free Call: 1800 245 247 Email: [email protected]
Minister for Housing and Public Works Queensland Government Minister for Sport
1 William Street Brisbane Queensland GPO Box 2457 Brisbane Queensland 4001 Australia Telephone +617 3719 7270 Our Ref: CTS 20704/17 Facsimile +61 7 301 2 9017 E: [email protected]
1 August 2017
Mr Shane King MP Chair Public Works and Utilities Committee Parliament House George Street BRISBANE QLD 4000
Dear Mr King
I write to you regarding the Estimates Hearing on 27 July 2017 by the Public Works and Utilities Committee (the Committee).
Upon reviewing the Hansard Proof from the Estimates Hearing, I have identified a number of clarifications in relation to my portfolio that I would like to bring to the Committee's attention. The clarifications are outlined in the attached enclosure. I provide these clarifications for consideration of the Committee and ask that this additional information be considered when preparing the Committee's final Estimates Report.
If you need more information or help with this matter, Mr Philip Halton, Chief of Staff in my office can be contacted on (07) 3719 7276 or via email [email protected] .
Yours sincerely ~·
Mick de Brenni MP Minister for Housing and Public Works and Minister for Sport
Encl Estimates - Public Works and Utilities Committee - Housing and Public Works and Sport portfolio
Further clarifications to the Hansard Proof Transcript
HOUSING AND PUBLIC WORKS
There are probably very few places considered more There are probably very few places considered more remote remote than Aurukun, and we have previously than Aurukun, and we have previously committed 73 I Capital program in I Mr de Brenni Aurukun committed $29 million to government employee $29 million to government employee and social housing in housing in that region. that region. SPORT Sport and Under the program we have supported 72 clubs at Under the program we have supported 72 clubs at level 1 76 I Recreation Disaster I Mr de Brenni level 1 funding to a total amount of $742,280 funding to a total amount of $742,780 Recovery Program I have committed a further $1.87 million over the I have committed a further $1.87 million over the next three next three years to the Queensland Outdoor 80 I Nature Play I Mr de Brenni years to the Queensland Outdoor Recreation Federation to Recreation Foundation to continue to deliver Nature continue to deliver Nature Play activities Play activities - Sport and Over 172 applications have come in and been Over 172 applications have come in and been approved, 81 I Recreation Disaster I Mr de Brenni approved, totalling $742,280 totalling $742,780 Recovery Program Sport and That is why, in addition to disaster relief That is why, in addition to disaster relief arrangements, I 82 I Recreation Disaster I Mr de Brenni arrangements, I have brought forward the opening have brought forward the opening dates for the next round Recovery Program dates for the next round of Get Playing Plus, of Get Playing Places and Spaces, I will check on that. Yes, it is the same for the state, I will check on that. Yes, it is the same for the state, the Young Athlete the $200. It is for anything in the state at a 85 1 I Mr de Brenni $200. It is for anything eligible in the state at a Travel Subsidy representative level. I will get some details to clarify representative level. I will get some details to clarify that. that. Membership of Steve Renouf- people will be very familiar with 85 1 I Mr de Brenni Steven Renouf- people will be very familiar with 'The Pearl' Boards 'Pearl'