Infrastructure Funding for Queensland

[Stillwater]

Ms Trad carried on like a pork chop in Parliament today, making clear that her No.1 top priority is Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2.

http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/game-changer/new-prime-minister-malcolm-turnbull-a-friend-of-the-gold-coast-and-could-back-light-rail/story-fnvizjmv-1227527374288

[#Metro]

I heard she brought into parliament two photographs of Malcolm Turnbull on the tram. That was werid...almost like bringing in a portrait of the messiah.

Maybe she should have brought in a picture of a big ATM... 

[SurfRail]

Ms Trad carried on like a pork chop in Parliament today, making clear that her No.1 top priority is Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2.

http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/game-changer/new-prime-minister-malcolm-turnbull-a-friend-of-the-gold-coast-and-could-back-light-rail/story-fnvizjmv-1227527374288

There is something of a time imperative involved.

She would of course be better served by coming up with the dosh within Queensland...

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 16th September 2015 page 13

State should capitalise on leadership change

[verbatim9]

"https://www.facebook.com/AlboMP/videos/1010230895677689/" Albo keen to change the the status quo

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2015/9/16/new-infrastructure-fund-to-kickstart-development-and-boost-jobs

Media Statements
Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Jackie Trad
Wednesday, September 16, 2015

New infrastructure fund to kick-start development and boost jobs

The Palaszczuk Government will deliver more than $59 million in new funding to invest in catalytic infrastructure to unlock development opportunities, create jobs and drive economic growth.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, Jackie Trad, said the new Catalyst Infrastructure Program will allow councils and private proponents to apply for co-investment funding to build road, water, sewerage and other infrastructure.

"Often development can be stalled by the lack of critical infrastructure such as roads, water supply, wastewater or stormwater infrastructure," Ms Trad said.

"By investing in this catalyst infrastructure, we unlock the potential for economic growth and jobs.

"Councils, developers and water distributors-retailers will embrace this opportunity with the Palaszczuk Government co-investing in infrastructure to kick-start the development of their projects."

Ms Trad said the Palaszczuk Government is investing $10.1 billion in infrastructure this financial year, supporting 27,500 jobs.

"Today's announcement is another key initiative from the Palaszczuk Government to drive infrastructure investment in Queensland," Ms Trad said.

"Over the forward estimates, the government's capital investment spend will be more than $35 billion."

The Deputy Premier said the key criteria for the Catalyst Infrastructure Program is proposed infrastructure must generate, facilitate or accelerate economic benefit.

"We are now talking to councils and calling for potential co-investors to speak to us about what projects they would like to see funded through the Catalyst Infrastructure Program. We are looking for shovel-ready projects which demonstrate significant flow-on economic benefits for the community," Ms Trad said.

"Jobs and economic growth are key priorities of this government and all councils will be eligible to apply for catalyst infrastructure funding under the program."

Successful proponents will receive funding on an interest-free basis to be repaid over time. These repayments will allow for the sustainable, ongoing funding of the program.

The proponent must also co-invest between 10 and 50 percent of the total direct costs, and be ready to commence construction within 12 months.

The $59 million Catalyst Infrastructure Program will be delivered by Economic Development Queensland.

To view the program guidelines visit www.edq.qld.gov.au

[ozbob]

[Stillwater]

Brisbane Times story reveals the list of Queensland infrastructure projects Premier Anna Palaszczuk raised with new PM, Malcolm Turnbull:

"I raised the Gold Coast light rail, the Townsville stadium, the Bruce Highway ......."

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/phone-call-with-pm-turnbull-most-constructive-since-palaszczuk-became-premier-20150916-gjo1hi.html#ixzz3ltz6RNYp
Follow us: @brisbanetimes on Twitter | brisbanetimes on Facebook

[ozbob]

Twitter

Melinda Howells ‏@MelindaHowells 51s

Dep Prem @jackietrad says Qld has lodged submission with Infras Aus - cross river rail top priority.

Also GC light rail and sun coast rail

======================

[Stillwater]

How can Qld lodge an application to IA for Cross River Rail?  They don't know what they will build yet. V3.0 is in the pre pre-feasibility stage, we have been told.

Thank goodness something has been lodged with IA.  Up until yesterday, Qld Labor had not lodged one submission for an infrastructure project with the feds.  Ms Trad has been outed .... but let's hope what has gone forward is not some half-arsed, smart-arsed project application, incomplete and full of political minefields.  If so, it will be rejected.  Let's hope Ms Trad doesn't then go into some sort of political tirade about Qld missing out on its share of federal Infrastructure funding.

[colinw]

Sigh.  Why, oh why, did the previous LNP Government give up the resumptions at Yeerongpilly?   Aaaargh.

Neither team blue or team red is clothed in glory on this issue.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Qld infrastructure submission lists river rail, Coast light rail, highway work

.. Queensland has submitted its wish list of infrastructure projects to Infrastructure Australia, with cross river rail still the No.1 priority.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the submission outlines 12 of the government's "nationally significant infrastructure priorities", building on the submissions it has already made to the federal government on projects, such as the Gold Coast light rail, second stage, which also makes the list.

Bruce Highway upgrades, Cunningham and Pacific Highway upgrades, the southern and inland rail corridors, and the duplication of the Sunshine Coast rail line between Beerburrum and Nambour also made the list ...

[#Metro]

Any possibility we can get our hands on the submission?

[#Metro]

It sounds a lot like QLD wants the Feds to pay for everything. Townsville Stadium? Stadia are a well known area for questionable community benefit...

It sounds like a long list. Let me guess, they want the feds to pay 80%?

Ms Trad is also hoping to include the Townsville Stadium on its list, seeking Infrastructure Australia's advice on the matter, as the project does not fit what the body usually examines.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/qld-infrastructure-submission-lists-river-rail-coast-light-rail-highway-work-20150917-gjopjn.html

[verbatim9]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2015/9/17/new-infrastructure-priority-list-to-plan-for-queenslands-future?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Statements QLD

Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Jackie Trad

Thursday, September 17, 2015

New infrastructure priority list to plan for Queensland's future

Major public transport projects and key motorway upgrades top the Palaszczuk Government's 2015 Infrastructure Australia (IA) submission.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning Jackie Trad said Queensland's list of projects for federal government funding met IA's key goal to prioritise and progress nationally significant infrastructure that could boost national productivity and transform cities.

Ms Trad said the 12 priority projects nominated were vitally important to ensure Queensland's future economic productivity.

"South East Queensland is home to one in seven Australians and in the next 25 years an additional 2.2 million people will move into the region. That's why it is critical to ensure key infrastructure projects are planned immediately," Ms Trad said.

"Infrastructure Australia has already recognised Cross River Rail is the number one priority infrastructure project for the nation and it remains so for the Queensland Government.

"We continue to call on the federal government to come to the table with funding so this project can be delivered to address the Brisbane CBD capacity constraints identified in the Australian Infrastructure Audit.

"A second rail river crossing will ease congestion, unlock economic opportunities and make Queensland a more internationally competitive state.

"The submission also includes the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2 on the priority list. Currently the major roadblock to funding this project has been a lack of support from the federal government but it is a vitally important project to improve connectivity between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

"The 12 infrastructure projects in Queensland's IA submission include major public transport and road projects through the state that will underpin our economic growth and jobs into the future.

"In addition to the projects identified for inclusion on Infrastructure Australia's priority list, we have also highlighted our preliminary work on a range of other important projects, including North Queensland Infrastructure, water infrastructure, and aviation infrastructure. 

"We have also sought IA's advice about the potential inclusion of the Townsville Sports and Entertainment Centre on the list, as projects like this have not historically been included in IA's remit."

Ms Trad said the Palaszczuk Government is committed to calling for infrastructure funding to deliver projects that will sustain the construction industry and create a lasting and beneficial legacy for the people of Queensland.

"The Palaszczuk Government's first Budget delivered a $10.1 billion building program to support 27,500 jobs and our government building program is the second highest in the nation," Ms Trad said.

"We are getting on with the job of delivering Queensland's first State Infrastructure Plan in three years to ensure there is certainty for industry and our state does not miss out on the vital infrastructure projects the community needs.

"In contrast, under Mr Abbott's leadership Canberra retreated from its traditional funding responsibilities in infrastructure and not a single new infrastructure project was announced for Queensland in the last federal budget.

"We remain hopeful that the new Turnbull Government will take a different approach to investing in critical public transport infrastructure projects -- which were ignored by the former Prime Minister."

The Queensland Government IA submission including seven new priority projects and five existing projects from the 2013 Infrastructure Priority List.

The full project list:

Queensland Government submission –

Projects on the 2013 Infrastructure Priority List to be retained and updated

Cross River Rail

Bruce Highway Upgrades

Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade

Mount Isa – Townsville Rail Corridor Upgrade including Townsville Eastern Access Corridor (TEARC)

Ipswich Motorway –Rocklea to Darra – State 1


New initiatives and projects for Infrastructure Priority List consideration

Gold Coast Light Rail – Stage 2

Cunningham Highway – Yamanto to Ebenezer/Amberley upgrade

Pacific Motorway – Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes capacity upgrade

Inland Rail/Southern Rail Corridor

Pacific Motorway – Gateway/Pacific Motorway merge


Initiatives in development

Smart Road Infrastructure for SEQ – Managed Motorways

National Land Transport Network Renewal

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament - Online Tabled Papers

Letter (undated) from the Deputy Premier Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Trade, Hon Jackie Trad, to Mr Mark Birrell, Chair Infrastructure Australia, enclosing a Queensland Government submission to detailing specific project investment and policy reform priorities

>> http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/tableOffice/TabledPapers/2015/5515T1111.pdf

[Stillwater]

Several things here:

The first is that the letter is from Jackie Trad to Mark Birrell, the chair of IA.  The more conventional protocol would be for the letter to go minister to minister, and then to IA.  So Ms Trad just p%ssed off Warren Truss, dismissing him as an irrelevancy.  A letter to Mr Truss would have given Mr Truss' office an opportunity to pass the letter on to Mr Birrell, with a cover letter explaining which of the projects on the wish list the federal government would support.

Alternatively, Ms Trad could have written a letter to Mr Truss, explaining the detail and also informing the federal minister that a similar letter had gone from Neil Scales to Mr Birrell.  That would be acceptable.  Not only has she poked Mr Truss in the eye, she clearly doesn't have faith in her DG.

Ms Trad is setting up the feds politically.  Chances are they will fund 2-3 things from the list, allowing Ms Trad to go into the usual mode:  "We can't implement the state agenda because the feds won't let us."  It is easy to see Ms Trad going to Townsville and calling upon the community to lobby Mr Truss for funding for a stadium, even though she concedes it falls outside the guidelines for what the feds will examine for funding.  Of course, the state can implement its agenda if it makes some tough decisions re funding.

This statement is a bit rich: "Infrastructure Australia has already recognised Cross River Rail is the number one priority infrastructure project for the nation and it remains so for the Queensland Government."  IA backed CRR Version 1.  There is no version of CRR on the table for IA to evaluate.  If Ms Trad just wants a truckload of money from Canberra without a thorough evaluation of what's being proposed, she has rocks in her head.  Who goes into the car yard, to be assaulted by the sales person demanding that you hand over $50,000 and he or she will decide which car gets sent around to your place the next day?

Re GC Light Rail Stage 2, this is a disingenuous statement: "The submission also includes the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2 on the priority list. Currently the major roadblock to funding this project has been a lack of support from the federal government but it is a vitally important project to improve connectivity between Brisbane and the Gold Coast."

The impediment is a lack of funding, full stop.  If Sir Richard Branson phoned Ms Trad tomorrow and offered money for the project in return for advertising space on the trams, would she tell him: "Sorry, I have to make sure that IA signs off on this."?

This letter is special pleading from Queensland Government in the absence of proper business case studies for the projects mentioned.

Ms Trad is reacting to Mr Truss' revelation that, before now, not one submission has come forward from the state government, requesting infrastructure funding.  Is Ms Trad informed as to how much money she is seeking?  Why doesn't the letter say something along the lines of "Dear Mr Birrell, the Queensland Government is seeking $100 billion from the Commonwealth for the projects listed below and the Queensland Government is prepared to contribute $20 billion as its co-payment."? Or words to that effect.

Here is the core of the media statement, however: "Ms Trad said the Palaszczuk Government is committed to calling for infrastructure funding to deliver projects that will sustain the construction industry and create a lasting and beneficial legacy for the people of Queensland."  The state government is committed only to the CALLING for infrastructure funding to come from someone else to fund Queensland Infrastructure projects.

Ms Trad is still standing outside Mr Truss' office shouting SHOW ME THE MONEY!

[#Metro]

I'm confused. None of this is making much sense. 

Does anyone have a link to the source document?

Cross River Rail submission to IA is now out of date because the prices must have moved around quite a bit, even if we were building to CRR1 plans. That could completely change the financial indicators for the project.

The fact that preliminary designers were called for also suggests that the CRR1 plan is the one that is NOT going to be built to. Otherwise you would only need to do tweaks.

And nobody knows anything about what the actual plan is. There is no diagram! For example what does it do after Roma Street?  :conf

[ozbob]

I'm going back to the ' make believe ' thread, it makes more sense ...   

> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11578.0   

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard Ministerial Statements

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2015/2015_09_17_DAILY.pdf

<Infrastructure Projects

Hon. JA TRAD (South Brisbane—ALP) (Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Trade) (10.01 am): The Palaszczuk Labor government follows in the tradition of past Labor governments, particularly in regard to infrastructure planning, privatisation and funding. Our first budget contains a $10.1 billion building program that supports 27,500 jobs. On a comparative basis, our general government sector building program is the second highest in the nation on both a total and per capita basis. We are getting on with delivering Queensland's first State Infrastructure Plan in three years, something those opposite failed comprehensively to deliver on for this state. Yesterday I announced a new $59 million Catalyst Infrastructure Fund to provide zero interest loans to fund infrastructure that will help kickstart job-creating developments.

I am pleased to inform the House that today we are lodging our comprehensive submission of more than 200 pages to Infrastructure Australia, outlining our 12 priority infrastructure projects for the Queensland government. I now table a copy of this submission, excluding those components containing commercial-in-confidence material.

Table paper: Letter (undated) from the Deputy Premier Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Trade, Hon Jackie Trad, to Mr Mark Birrell, Chair Infrastructure Australia, enclosing a Queensland Government submission to detailing specific project investment and policy reform priorities.

This submission is intended to inform IA's update of the 2013 infrastructure pipeline, as well as the new Australian Infrastructure Plan and it builds on the numerous individual submissions we have already made to the Commonwealth on specific projects such as the Gold Coast Light Rail. Cross River Rail remains our No. 1 priority in the 2013 Infrastructure Priority List. This project directly addresses the Brisbane CBD capacity constraint issues identified in the Australia Infrastructure Audit. However, still the federal government has not committed to funding this or the other critical large-scale infrastructure projects needed to ease congestion and drive productivity. Stage 2 of the Gold Coast Light Rail system and the duplication of the rail line servicing the Sunshine Coast from Beerburrum to Nambour are also high on our list.

Our submission also includes a reform proposal to deliver a sustainable asset renewal, preservation and operations program on Queensland's national land transport network. We believe it is critical that the Australian government fulfils its responsibility and provides more funding for maintenance to enable more efficient and reliable freight access, improved road safety and reduced whole-of-life costs.

Other new projects being put forward for Infrastructure Australia's consideration and inclusion in the updated Infrastructure Priority List include: additional Bruce Highway upgrades; Cunningham Highway, Yamanto to Ebenezer/Amberley, upgrade; on the Pacific Motorway, the Gateway/Pacific Motorway merge and Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes capacity upgrade; inland rail/southern rail corridor—the Queensland section of this nation-building infrastructure program; and smart road infrastructure for South-East Queensland's Managed Motorways. In addition to the 12 projects identified for inclusion in IA's priority list, we have also highlighted our preliminary work on a range of other important projects, including North Queensland infrastructure, water infrastructure and aviation infrastructure. We have also sought IA's advice about the potential inclusion on the list of the Townsville Integrated Sports and Entertainment Centre, as historically projects such as that have not been included in the IA remit.
This government understands the importance and value of Infrastructure Australia's work. That is why we have provided this submission ahead of the finalisation of our own State Infrastructure Plan early next year. We will continue to work with the federal government and Infrastructure Australia on nationwide infrastructure reforms to advance Queensland's infrastructure priorities and fight for Queensland's fair share of infrastructure funding from the federal government. We will also continue to work with Canberra to align the State Infrastructure Plan with the Australian Infrastructure Plan, so that both governments are working towards the best outcomes for Queensland. We remain hopeful that the new Turnbull government will take a different approach

[Stillwater]

Ms Trad continues to gild the lily: "We are getting on with delivering Queensland's first State Infrastructure Plan in three years, something those opposite failed comprehensively to deliver on for this state."

Infrastructure Queensland is yet to devise a credible Infrastructure Plan.  We are told it will be ready early next year.

Will it contain lots of projects for which no funding has been identified or sourced?

Will it have lots of footnotes stating: *This project subject to federal funding.

[#Metro]

Hopefully this 200 page tabled document will appear on the Tabled Papers section of the QP website within a day or so.
https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/tabled-papers/online-tabled-papers

[Stillwater]

Here is what is available re the Landsborough-Nambour duplication (half of the SCL duplication):

http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/L/Landsborough-to-Nambour-Rail-Corridor-Study.aspx

You have to wonder how many of the 200 pages are devoted to CRR and just what they say.  A business case for CRR (V3.0) would run to 1500 pages, I would have thought.

While CRR is 'top priority' a project is yet to emerge.  The rail project with all the preliminaries in place is the SCL duplication.

[Stillwater]

By her actions, Ms Trad has signalled that we are going down exactly the same path as the process that generated a meaningless document known as Connecting SEQ 2031.

Her document will have a similar sounding name and a new deadline for all actions to be implemented -- maybe 2041.  It will be based on wishful thinking and a revenue stream from a mythical source.

[ozbob]

At least some projects have been re-identified 

Frankly,  CRR is many many years away if ever.

Priorities for now should be Sunny Coast Line and GCLR 2 ...

CRR can be mentioned, but realistically they must start on what is actually achievable for now .. while that is happening develop CRR3 into a real solution - technically and economically.

[Stillwater]

Interesting comments by PM Malcolm Turnbull when announcing his ministry.  He said the majority of Australians lived in the cities and their development and liveability was the responsibilities of the three levels of government, including the federal government.  He said infrastructure funding should go to the project that solved the problem more efficiently.

He has appointed Jamie Briggs (currently 2IC to Truss in Infrastructure) to work with Greg Hunt in Environment to 'work up a range of policy initiatives' to improve Australia's cities.  Jamie Briggs is now  Minister for Cities and the Built Environment, so maybe chance FG will change stance on funding urban transport infrastructure.

Mr Turnbull has disclosed his thinking with these comments today:

"The most valuable capital in the world today is not financial capital, there's plenty of that and it's very mobile.  It is human capital. Men and women like ourselves who can choose to live anywhere.  Liveable cities, efficient productive cities, the environment of cities, are economic assets.

"Historically the federal government has had a limited engagement with cities, and yet that is where most Australians live.  It is where the bulk of our economic growth can be found. We often overlook the fact that liveable cities, efficient productive cities, the environment of cities, are economic assets.

"Roads are not better than mass transit or vice versa, each has their place. Infrastructure should be assessed objectively and rationally on its merits there is no place for ideology here at all."

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/cabinet-reshuffle-malcolm-turnbull-appoints-jamie-briggs-minister-for-cities-20150920-gjqzk2.html#ixzz3mHSdvoLT
Follow us: @smh on Twitter | sydneymorningherald on Facebook

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Queensland delivers transport wish list to IA, appeals for Fed funding

[colinw]

No need to go back to the drawing board really. CRR 1.0 was "ready to proceed" and had top IA rating.  Nothing has changed since then except some boofhead sold off the resumed land for the usual pathetic ideological purposes that taint everything in this backwater.

I see no reason not to put CRR forward based on the original planning, even if it means re-resuming the land at Yeerongpilly or tweaking the location of the tunnel dive.  Certainly no point doing a major re-plan which will only end up recommending much the same thing anyway.

[SurfRail]

Reality is that they did do a fair amount of work on BaT - I don't have a problem on them looking at what can be salvaged.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's PT pledge sparks Brisbane cross-river dispute

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's PT pledge sparks Brisbane cross-river dispute

^

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 1m

. @Team_Quirk Brisbane's bus problems easily solved by network reform, and you know it ..  #qldpol

> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=11649.0 ...

@jackietrad

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Federal Labor backs cross river rail for Brisbane

[verbatim9]

Do reckon the will get bi partisan support for that project as Vic needs 12 billion to build theirs too? Hope they can build Crr before 2020 with a station at George St

[#Metro]

Every State and Territory wants the level of Gov't above them to pay. And they cannot all be funded.
Some people are going to be disappointed.

I think States and Territories need to fund more of their own things, especially when projects do not have Federal character to them. This does mean tweaks to the tax scheme but that is a whole other area...

[ozbob]

Do reckon the will get bi partisan support for that project as Vic needs 12 billion to build theirs too? Hope they can build Crr before 2020 with a station at George St

Personally, I think Melbourne would be better off fixing up the existing network, accelerating the level crossing grade separation program.

Victoria has had a lot of IA funding of late with RRL.  Just sayin' ..

[verbatim9]

Yeah good point and Electrficatuon to Ballarat and Geelong

[SurfRail]

^ Geelong yes. 

Questionable whether there is any benefit in electrifying any V/Line routes other than as gradual extensions of the existing metropolitan services or as a way of justifying running a better class of electric train for the longer routes.  The only metropolitan electric extensions that stick out in my mind anywhere near the present time would be:

- South Morang to Mernda (which is basically a given)
- Frankston to Baxter (same - potentially push towards Mornington and not to Stony Point unless there is a massive population boom)
- Sunbury to Gisborne
- Sunshine to Bacchus Marsh, initially to Melton
- Upfield to Roxburgh Park
- Werribee to Wyndham Vale (new route altogether)

Leery about extending the other lines - there's no scope for it either due to geography or running out of "Melbourne" to service.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Sunshine Coast says 'What about me' as public transport funding debate grows

A Beattie Government promise in 2005 to build a rail link to Caloundra by 2015 has not even started.

And plans to improve the rail line north of Beerburrum are on hold while the Queensland Government asks the federal government for funds.

While all three levels of government on the Gold Coast are strongly pressing a case for $300 million for light rail for the Gold Coast to the new federal government, Sunshine Coast leaders argue their case is far more urgent.

The Sunshine Coast has the main North Coast Line – which runs from Brisbane to Caboolture to Beerwah to Beerburrum to Landsborough, to Nambour and ultimately north to Cairns.

A second rail corridor – as yet with no actual train lines – is planned to run as a spur line from Beerwah towards the coast to Caloundra and north to Maroochydore where 350,000 people live.

The 1999 CAMCOS rail corridor project – Caboolture to Maroochydore rail corridor study - has essentially stalled with plans to build rail lines have been cancelled twice.

In 2005, former Beattie Government transport minister Paul Lucas promised rail lines would be in Caloundra by 2015 in a media announcement of $480 million to do work on two sections.

"We will establish the line from Beerwah to Caloundra by 2015 and up the coast to Maroochydore by 2020, bringing rail to the Sunshine Coast," Mr Lucas said in that 2005 media announcement.

That rail line never went ahead and a decade later Caloundra is described as "restructuring".

Mr Lucas also promised work on the separate North Coast Line in the section between Caboolture to Beerburrum, which was finished in 2009.

Mr Lucas declined to speak on the issue last night. Fairfax Media understands complex issues with the council at the time stalled the project.

Campbell Newman's LNP state government at the January 2015 state election promised $532 million to "duplicate" the single rail line – meaning trains now have to stop and wait to pass each other – from Beerburrum to Landsborough. However the LNP lost office and Labor says it has no money.

Buderim LNP MP Steve Dickson said Sunshine Coast residents had been dudded and "duplicating" the Beerburrum to Landsborough section was a real priority to let passenger and freight trains pass.

"We are the Gold Coast five to 10 years ago," Mr Dickson said.

"We have been the poor cousins for years," he said.

"And we have a population of 350,000 and within the next five to 10 years we will be at the same benchmark that the Gold Coast was at," he said.

"And we do not have the rail link and we do not have the good highway link," he said.

"And it just needs to be put in place."

Sunshine Coast residents said poor transport links were hurting the Sunshine Coast's prospects.

Mr Dickson said the Sunshine Coast's new hospital – the $2 billion Sunshine Coast Public University Hospital - was now being built at Kawana without adequate road connection.

"It is serviced by a two-lane road," he said.

Mr Dickson's priorities

1 - Duplicate the single rail line from Beerburrum to Landsborough; and eventually to Nambour.

"That will ease a whole lot of pressure; that Landsborough to Beerburrum section," he said.

2 – $440 million Mooloola River Interchange from Kawana Way - widen from two lanes to four lanes to help access to the new hospital.

"If you start the road today, it still won't be open in time," he said.

"That's the problem."

Sunshine Coast mayor Mark Jamieson agreed the Sunshine Coast needed better rail connections and the Beerburrum to Landsborough section was the highest priority.

"Most definitely and onto Nambour as well," Mayor Jamieson said.

"Successive reports point to the fact that this is the most congested part of the North Coast rail line, adding significantly to the cost of transporting freight, greatly increasing Bruce Highway traffic and creating regular problems for commuter passengers who are just trying to get to and from work," he said.

"The Sunshine Coast has experienced a significant funding deficit for many years."

Cr Jamieson said transport infrastructure was not keeping pace with the rapidly-growing Sunshine Coast.

"We have the second highest growth rate of any region in Queensland yet public investment in critical road, rail and transport infrastructure has not been forthcoming," he said.

"We need both sides of politics to understand the core infrastructure needs of this region and to work towards providing a solution."

Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Jackie Trad in May approved new train stabling yards at Woombye to let more passenger train services between Beerburrum and Landsborough from 2016.

She told reporters on Monday the Queensland Government had raised Sunshine Coast rail issues with the federal government.

The Sunshine Coast's Beerburrum to Nambour rail line is on the list of high-priority infrastructure projects given to Infrastructure Australia on September 17.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Labor slammed over lack of vision

[Stillwater]

^^ Re SCL duplication -- Mal Brough, Wyatt Roy et al -- should get Jamie Briggs to the Sunshine Coast to see the problems first hand.  Mr Lucas is yesterday's man, what he said was a politician's promise.  So is Mr Beattie yesterday's man. SCD should have hit Ms Trad with a story that STATE LABOR promised to build heavy rail to Caloundra by 2015.  State Labor wears that obligation today, and first stage to getting there would be duplication to Landsborough North.

State Labor (Anna Bligh when Premier) promised 'fast rail' to the SC, with commuting time to Brisbane being 'about an hour'.  Slick trains don't do that job, but duplicated and realigned rails do.

Investment in SCL duplication would allow Ms Trad and Ms Palaszczuk to prop themselves in every state seat to Cairns and tell the locals that 'Labor is investing in this state's future and ensuring that inter-regional passenger trains and freight trains essential to your region's prosperity will operate efficiently and faster.  Freight from this region will get to southern markets faster and we will reduce the number of trucks on the Bruce Highway.'

SCL duplication is a state project, not just a SC project.