PRO: Port Adelaide Tramline | $260m

[AtD]

How are the intermediate stops coming along?

[BillD]

Here's the canopy at the Entertainment Centre stop.

[BillD]

Here's 202, the last of the currently expected Citadis trams arriving at Glengowrie depot.
The OD Transport drivers just get better and better at reversing.

[ChrisRT]

Apparently the extension will be open one month from today, March 7. Good luck crew, lots more overtime to come!!
I hope the tests are successful without any derailments! What time does it open?

No idea but I'm wondering if a fanfare or party has been planned for the opening? I would think it would have to be delayed until after the election since it would be unfair for current ministers to speak at publicly-funded events (like a tram extension opening) when they are running for re-election.

[DM8]

Here's 202, the last of the currently expected Citadis trams arriving at Glengowrie depot.
The OD Transport drivers just get better and better at reversing.

Gee they took longer than I expected. We came back from Melbourne on the 28th January and stopped at the truck stop when we saw Citadis 206 waiting there - the drivers said they were dropping that off that night, then heading straight back for the last one (i.e. 202). I was expecting they would have done that by mid last week.

I would think it would have to be delayed until after the election since it would be unfair for current ministers to speak at publicly-funded events (like a tram extension opening) when they are running for re-election.

I doubt it. He's not called Media Mike for nothing, and he'll take all the publicity he can get.

[waz94]

Apparently the extension will be open one month from today, March 7. Good luck crew, lots more overtime to come!!
I hope the tests are successful without any derailments! What time does it open?

No idea but I'm wondering if a fanfare or party has been planned for the opening? I would think it would have to be delayed until after the election since it would be unfair for current ministers to speak at publicly-funded events (like a tram extension opening) when they are running for re-election.

If you think that Media Mike and Co wont be at the opening of the Tram extension and Entertainment Centre then you are kidding yourself. Is it a coincidence that they are rushing this through for completion just 13 days out of an election? I think not! Its called politics.

[Westside]

Now that more track has been laid in concrete on this new extension from City West to the entertainment centre, I think it looks awful. There is sections that are higher one side than the other. I would of liked to see the track built after West Tce in the same manner as the north-westen edge of Victoria sq, built within Grass. This would of looked much nicer down the middle of Port Road than the ugly concrete track we will be left with.

I think the reason it is laid in concrete is so emergency services can use the corridor when, inevitably, Port Rd is backed up. Would have been nice in grass tho.

[Shuz]

Well; it makes sense - since the "hospital" may be built nearby.

[ChrisRT]

@waz94: I don't need a lecture on politics thanks.

There are actually regulations to cover these sorts of situations, however I'm not sure how well they are enforced at state level.

When a Federal election is called, all government departments go into 'election mode'. This essentially means a freeze on 'non-essential' spending. For example they are not meant to hire new staff or commence any major new projects until after the election. Spending on an opening party for a new piece of infrastructure would probably fall under 'non-essential' spending however I'm unsure if these same rules apply to state elections.

[The Scooter Guy]

Here's the canopy at the Entertainment Centre stop.

When the tramway officially opens, maybe one day I'll catch a tram to the pub on left of this pic!

[rhino]

When the tramway officially opens, maybe one day I'll catch a tram to the pub on left of this pic!

That'd be The Gov, wouldn't it? Go see the Zep Boys next time they come.

[mattblack]

@waz94: I don't need a lecture on politics thanks.

There are actually regulations to cover these sorts of situations, however I'm not sure how well they are enforced at state level.

When a Federal election is called, all government departments go into 'election mode'. This essentially means a freeze on 'non-essential' spending. For example they are not meant to hire new staff or commence any major new projects until after the election. Spending on an opening party for a new piece of infrastructure would probably fall under 'non-essential' spending however I'm unsure if these same rules apply to state elections.

Wouldnt call that a lecture ChrisRT, just a general comment. If you want a lecture maybe you should go to uni and sit through a 2 hour lecture on 'Sustainability - a global persective' every week, then you'd have something to complain about Cant wait for the appearance of Media mike on this one, I love the guy.

[ChrisRT]

@mattblack - nevertheless unless they hurry up and finish soon, the scheduled opening could be right in the middle of an election campaign. If this happens technically Mike Rann and Patrick Conlon would no longer be ministers when it opens. They would not have powers to approve spending on the opening party and, should one happen anyway, the department head responsible would probably be required under law to allow other candidates from other parties to speak at the event also. In short - there is probably a lot of pressure right now to get this project done so it can be opened before the election is called.

[rubberman]

ChrisRT, that is NOT correct.

During the election period and until they resign their commissions, all Ministers remain Ministers of the Crown.

They retain ALL their powers.

So they can legally open the tramline in the same way that they could do it before the election.

It is only a convention that caretaker governments use less power.

However, the convention is that they make no Major policy initiative that would bind a future government, nor should they involve public servants in anything that could be construed as political.

They would no doubt prefer to do it before the caretaker period, but they can do it after if it suits them with absolutely no legal or constitutional worries.

The following is from the South Australian Cabinet Handbook (according to the .edu ref) and details the lot for those wishing to become more informed. However, note the following quote: "Adherence to these conventions and practices (which have no formal legal standing) is ultimately the responsibility of the Premier. " (my emboldening).

Like I said, they can do what they want as far as the law is concerned.

http://epress.anu.edu.au/anzsog/caretak ... 05s02.html

[ChrisRT]

Hey rubberman

Thanks for correcting me and apologies to anyone I inadvertently misled.

The point remains however that Mike Rann and co would open themselves to attacks of unfairly benefiting from their positions of power if they were to personally open the line during the caretaker period. This could play into the Liberal's hands by further reinforcing public perceptions of Mike Rann as a media manipulator and someone who can't be trusted with the reigns of power.

So it will be interesting to see how he handles this one and if his media-obsessed urges get the better of him.