State Government wont reveal costs of artworks after $1 billion Cross River Rail blowout

The State Government is refusing to reveal the exact amount it has spent on a crucial part of the Cross River Rail project, despite costs blowing out by more than $1 billion.

The state government won’t reveal exactly how much it has spent on artwork for Cross River Rail train stations, after the project blew out by more than $1b.

Underground stations will feature 14 separate artworks from 13 highly renowned Queensland Indigenous artists, however the total cost spent on the art remains a secret.

Cross River Rail has been plagued with major blowouts and delays, with the project now exceeding $6b, forcing the state to ask the federal government for an additional $43m handout.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner cut the cost of artwork on the Metro project to save money. Picture: Liam Kidston

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner last year cut $24 million from council’s Metro public transport project amid a $400m budget blowout to keep it at “an affordable level”.

He said at the time that only cosmetic aspects would be scrapped from the Metro plan, including artwork.

“We’ve reduced the contribution of public art,” he said.

“This is about adjusting the project to try and reduce the costs and keep project at an affordable level.”

One of the artworks at the Woolloongabba Cross River Rail station.

LNP Integrity spokeswoman Fiona Simpson questioned why the government would want to withhold details on the Cross River Rail project.

“If they’re proud of the work and proud of the cost, they should just share it with Queenslanders,” she said.

But a Cross River Rail project delivery authority spokesman refused to reveal how much the combined total of artwork cost for the train stations, saying prices for each art contract fell under commercial-in-confidence.

“Station art was a requirement built into the major contract for the four new underground stations awarded in 2019,” he said.

An artist’s impression of the Albert Street Cross River Rail station.

“The cost of the art is incorporated into the construction cost of each station.

“The specific details around cost, compensation and usage rights for each artwork, remains a matter between the artist and the contractor and is commercial-in-confidence.”

The spokesman claimed procurement of the artwork had been “highly cost-efficient” with most obtained in a digital format and printed on glazed panels.

Train advocate Robert Dow said the $1bn cost blowout wasn’t “too bad” compared to other major infrastructure projects, and agreed the artwork should be delivered as planned.

“Going up (in cost) only 20 per cent over five or six years isn’t too bad, although no one wants to see blowouts,” he said.

“There does need to be a review into how governments can do these projects in a cost effective way.”