COM: Glenelg Tramline Upgrade

[urban]

A few of the projects mentioned by Ben and Will have been around for a while.

A company that does artist's impressions used renders of the Grand Junction Rd underpass in their advertising material before the South Rd underpasses were announced.

At least a year ago a tender was advertised for a feasibility study into electrification of the train system.

These projects have all been considered and will happen when the funding can be arranged. I am sure the state govt has presented a large number of projects to both the federal labor & liberal parties hoping to pick-up funding as part of the election pork-barelling.

The electrification of the train system was knocked back by both parties.

[Bulldozer]

Just remember that this state has just come out of a recession and doesn't have money coming out of its ass yet.

So continuously increasing GST and surging stamp duty revenue, increases above inflation for fees and taxes and so on isn't money coming out of its arse? SA has never had as much money to play with as it does today.

[Norman]

And they are spending it too...

[JamesXander]

And they are spending it too...

about time too

[rubberman]

Bulldozer,

The states and territories do NOT have money enough to run their services.

I refer you to the research report by the Australian Parliamentary Library on the matter.

http://www.aph.gov.au/LIBRARY/Pubs/rn/2 ... 03rn13.htm

Australia is still one of the most fiscally vertically imbalanced federations in the world.
ie the Federal Government still has most of the taxing powers but with the least of the financial outlays, and the State Governments have the least taxing powers but with the majority of financial outlays.

That means that a Feral(sic) Government can raise taxes (or just not index them) and have plenty of money left over so that it can look as if it is a good financial manager. The States can cut to the bone so that services are dilapidated, and still not have enough money.

I worked at one stage for a State Govt instrumentality, and when we had the Feds come to visit, they used to have two or three times as many reps come flying in (at your cost mate) as the State did. And then they would lecture us on economy before going back to the bar in their four star hotel (at your cost mate).

The present state of our hospitals, transport and education can be sheeted home to a Federal system that inherently makes the Feds look good and the States look bad. (Which is true whichever party is in power, none of them are good in this matter).

[Will409]

If we do have a federal Labor Government come to power in a little over a week, then it is possible for some more funding to go to all the states since we will have a wall to wall Government system run by Labor. It is a possibility anyway.

[Will]

If we do have a federal Labor Government come to power in a little over a week, then it is possible for some more funding to go to all the states since we will have a wall to wall Government system run by Labor. It is a possibility anyway.

Although Kevin Rudd and federal Labor do not want to give the appearance of excessive spending, there will come a time, when the federal government will have to increase funding to the states. The reason is because at the moment the federal Liberal government has cut funding to the Labor states. The reason is to give the appearance that the Labor states are irresponsible with money, as the states now have to cover a larger share of the costs associated with things such as health and education. On the other hand, the federal Liberal government by cutting funding, are able to generate a larger federal surplus to highlight their 'carefull' management with money. This is effectively the reason for the blame game between the states and the Commonwealth as it is the best interest for both parties, as they can blame each other for problems. However if we had Labor governments everywhere, the blame game would have to stop, because the states or the Commonwealth will no longer have the luxury to blame one another for problems, as this will reflect bad on Labor.

[BillD]

Thanks to friend John for the news that H Type tram 370 ran tonight's express service. It's in the front yard tonight which might suggest that it'll be out again tomorrow, or perhaps the weekend H runs will be reinstated ?

Bill

[Norman]

Thanks to friend John for the news that H Type tram 370 ran tonight's express service. It's in the front yard tonight which might suggest that it'll be out again tomorrow, or perhaps the weekend H runs will be reinstated ?

Bill

Why were they cut?

[Xaragmata]

Why were they cut?

Minor clearance problems, and mods to brakes, according to a conductor.

[SRW]

Bulldozer,

The states and territories do NOT have money enough to run their services.

I refer you to the research report by the Australian Parliamentary Library on the matter.

http://www.aph.gov.au/LIBRARY/Pubs/rn/2 ... 03rn13.htm

Australia is still one of the most fiscally vertically imbalanced federations in the world.
ie the Federal Government still has most of the taxing powers but with the least of the financial outlays, and the State Governments have the least taxing powers but with the majority of financial outlays.

That means that a Feral(sic) Government can raise taxes (or just not index them) and have plenty of money left over so that it can look as if it is a good financial manager. The States can cut to the bone so that services are dilapidated, and still not have enough money.

I worked at one stage for a State Govt instrumentality, and when we had the Feds come to visit, they used to have two or three times as many reps come flying in (at your cost mate) as the State did. And then they would lecture us on economy before going back to the bar in their four star hotel (at your cost mate).

The present state of our hospitals, transport and education can be sheeted home to a Federal system that inherently makes the Feds look good and the States look bad. (Which is true whichever party is in power, none of them are good in this matter).

Indeed. I made the same point about the same thing in another discussion, and it's a point which really does bear remembering

[BillD]

Flexity 104 is out tonight with all-over Sky City advertising. (No photo's yet)

[Pistol]

Flexity 104 is out tonight with all-over Sky City advertising. (No photo's yet)

FARK! Just can't get away from that place...

[rubberman]

Are the H cars running on the weekends?

The 2.30pm today was a no-show.

[BillD]

Saturday, November the 17th.

While I was shooting Flexity 104 (our third all-over ad tram), H Type 370 arrived at the City-West terminus.

Some tech-types were giving the transponder controlled points and lights a good workout and they wanted to ensure that things were working with H's as well.

No problems were evident.

Here's Flexity 104, and a fire hydrant:


And a couple of H-370: