RAIL - Back On Track Forum

Thank you.
Not every passenger is a vehicle driver.
That said, obviously it depends upon the length of the freight train and the capacity (design) of the passenger train.
I need to be accurate with my statistics or back them up with published studies.

From The Age (Victoria)

THE average freight train takes 110 trucks off the road, new economic research shows.
And one passenger train removes 525 cars from the road, says a study, by Deloitte Access Economics for the Australasian Railway Association.

Reference: https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/trains-taking-trucks-cars-off-the-road-20110810-1imwd.html

I met with an electorate representative of Nicklin MP, Hon. Robert Skelton last week, to discuss the current Sunshine Coast rail duplication (B2N) plan, and what I see as its failings.

I was due to have a briefing by TMR (as part of my B2N North - Community Reference Group questions) on the proposed passing loop extensions at Woombye, Eudlo and Landsborough. The scheduled meeting was postponed on 10 December, the day before it was to occur.
I was told that it would be rescheduled in the new year.

This occurred ONE or TWO days after the Director-General of Transport and Main Roads, Mr Neil Scales, blocked me on Twitter, without explanation.
It MAY be because of this tweet.

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1336288237401198593


I have today asked when the briefing will occur.
The Electorate Office representative and (I understand) the MP for Nicklin, Hon Robert Skelton MP is also keen to attend.
I have passed on that request.

Meeting with Transport and Main Roads regarding the passing loop extensions for the Beerburrum to Nambour (#B2N) project has been rescheduled for Monday 15 February 2021.
Thank you TMR. 

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1356703081744928768

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Political foes to 'join forces' in Nambour rail push $

Quote
Partisanship has been set aside as political foes attempt to turn friends in a bid to deliver long-awaited rail upgrades to the region.

Federal Member for Fairfax, the LNP's Ted O'Brien, and state Labor MP for Nicklin, Robert Skelton, have started discussions in a bid to deliver rail duplication through to Nambour.

The olive branch was extended in the wake of news assessments done for the North Coast Connect fast rail project, led by a private consortium and backed by a group of Queensland MPs, had settled on preferred routes which didn't include duplication through to Nambour.

Infrastructure Australia is yet to deliver its assessment of the North Coast Connect business case, but moves were now under way to try and push for rail duplication to Nambour as part of the Beerburrum to Nambour upgrades. ...

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1362000983769800707

Quote from: Fares_Fair on February 19, 2021, 20:20:10 PM
Sunshine Coast Daily --> Political foes to 'join forces' in Nambour rail push $

Quote
Partisanship has been set aside as political foes attempt to turn friends in a bid to deliver long-awaited rail upgrades to the region.

Federal Member for Fairfax, the LNP's Ted O'Brien, and state Labor MP for Nicklin, Robert Skelton, have started discussions in a bid to deliver rail duplication through to Nambour.

The olive branch was extended in the wake of news assessments done for the North Coast Connect fast rail project, led by a private consortium and backed by a group of Queensland MPs, had settled on preferred routes which didn't include duplication through to Nambour.

Infrastructure Australia is yet to deliver its assessment of the North Coast Connect business case, but moves were now under way to try and push for rail duplication to Nambour as part of the Beerburrum to Nambour upgrades. ...

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Political foes to 'join forces' in Nambour rail push $
(Live link in ozbob #2560 post above)
Friday 19 February, 2021

Quote"Early works have started on the first stage of the Sunshine Coast rail duplication from Beerburrum to Landsborough, which includes an expansion of Nambour's park n ride," he said.

"I'd like to see our community benefit by having the rail line duplicated all the way to Nambour, which is stage two of this project, so if Ted O'Brien can win support from his government to pay its fair share for that to happen, I'll be right behind him."

Local councillor David Law was understood to be supportive of the more collaborative approach being taken, while long-time rail advocate Jeff Addison's support was also being sought, along with key local business groups.

Cr Law said rail duplication to Nambour was a "long overdue requirement for Nambour and the hinterland".

Mr O'Brien said the efforts were a "defiant response" to the North Coast Connect snub of Nambour.

"I am so disappointed that the assessment done by the consortium landed on a preferred scenario of connecting Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast excluded Nambour," Mr O'Brien said.

"But the fight is far from over.

"There's no easy ride to winning huge transformational projects and that's what this is.

"My long-term vision remains for a fast rail connection between Nambour and Brisbane, along with a connection through to Maroochydore.

"However, the best pathway forward is to secure full duplication of the existing network from Landsborough to Nambour and this should be designed in a way to accommodate for faster rail when the time is right."

Quote

I was given the opportunity to respond to this story, follow up story to come on Monday 22 February 2021.

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1364486065919119360

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1365555149779869700

Delighted to see opposing political parties talking #SunshineCoast rail duplication.
I sincerely appreciate the efforts of Hon Robert Skelton MP (ALP Nicklin) and Hon Ted O'Brien MP (LNP Fairfax) in meeting together to push for rail.
The best way forward is together.

I had forgotten this one below, but in light of the latest greatest glossy brouchure making plan called Creating Better Connections for Queenslanders.

This from the much earlier SEQIPP 2005 - 2026 Plan... amongst the many that never eventuated, never even came close.

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1430129030984966145


https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1432589358268227588

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1432619777739034628

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1437709070589333507

In a radio interview with Annie Gaffney on the ABC Sunshine Coast radio Drive program, on Tuesday 19 July at 3:50pm the Transport Minister, the Hon Mark Bailey MP confirmed that tenders would be called for the B2N stage 1 heavy rail works by the end of 2022 with completion expected in 2025.

This is the stage 1 works:
The stage 1 {funded} works are:
    Duplication of track between Beerburrum & Glass House Mountains on improved alignment (~7.2km)
    Duplication of track between Glass House Mountains and Beerwah within existing corridor (~6.6km)
    Realignment of a 1km section of Steve Irwin Way between Nursery Road and Moffatt Road to accommodate the new rail corridor and track infrastructure.
    Beerburrum Rd and Steve Irwin Way intersection upgrade including new road overpass on Beerburrum Rd.
    Expansion of the park 'n' ride facility on the northern side of Beerburrum station (200 carparks)
    Replacement of the Barrs Road level crossing in Glass House Mountains with a new road overpass connecting Barrs Rd to Moffatt Rd.
    Replacement of the Burgess Street road-over-rail bridge with a new road overpass.
    Construction of a new bus interchange at Landsborough.
    New park 'n' ride facility on the eastern side of Landsborough station (300 carparks)
    Expansion of the park 'n' ride facility on the eastern side of Nambour station. (50 carparks)

This is the stage 2 unfunded works:
    Duplication of the North Coast Line between Beerwah and Landsborough stations (~4.1km in length)
    Expansion of park 'n' ride facilities at Palmwoods (90 carparks?)
    Replacement of the Caloundra Street level crossing in Landsborough with a grade separated crossing
    Passing loop extensions at Landsborough, Eudlo and Woombye stations.
    Replacement of the temporary single platforms at Mooloolah, Eudlo, Palmwoods and Woombye stations
    with permanent dual platforms connected by lifts and overbridges.

Even after the stage 2 (unfunded) works, freight trains will be limited to just 950m long.

Last night (Thursday 4 August 2022) I spoke to the Nambour Chamber of Commerce on the history and current status of the rail duplication to Nambour.

There was a collective audible gasp when I mentioned the 9x bus/rail infrastructure spending disparity between us and the Gold Coast over the 2011-21 decade. It was reported by Courier-Mail / Sunshine Coast Daily journalist Tegan Annett on May 5, 2022 - 8:00AM (link below)
$150.7 million on the #SunshineCoast in that decade compared to a massive $1.38 billion spent on the #GoldCoast
The #SunshineCoast is two-thirds the size of the #GoldCoast.

I spoke for 26 minutes.

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/sunshine-coast/sunshine-coast-and-gold-coast-public-transport-spending-revealed/news-story/7fb12e8885c241e168cbfde68b9ad4a6

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1554805106985824256

THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY
Nambour #rail to be undertaken by 2020
(Aug 2005)
Jackie Trad 'we've put it firmly on the agenda'
(May 2015)

#SunshineValleyGazette Wed 10 Aug 2022, p11
Whatever happened #2tracks duplication to #Nambour?
#qldpol #transport #SunshineCoast #publictransport https://t.co/fFGYWZoTzx


https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1557120109835337729

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1556856015915991040

Hon Robert Skelton MP (Nicklin) Meeting 24 Aug 2022

At my instigation, I met with the Hon Robert Skelton MP, (ALP Nicklin) on Wednesday 24 August 2022.
It was also attended by two representatives of Transport and Main Roads.
It was for a half hour.

I live in the electorate.

It was a good meeting - and at the outset the MP handed me a Research Brief of Sunshine Coast rail - history produced by the Queensland Parliamentary Library and Research Service, which was appreciated.
It covers both historic and recent history.

It was an opportunity to put forward the case for proper rail duplication to Nambour, for its freight and logistics advantages (as well as collateral passenger improvements).
I was asked by TMR what MY priority was for rail, CAMCOS (now called the Direct Sunshine Coast Line) or rail duplication to Nambour.

I said that while I support CAMCOS (DSCL) for its passenger transport improvements - rail to Nambour was my main priority as it also improves supply logistics with freight up to Cairns and this is currently hindered by short passing loops. The shortest of them all (682m) being at Palmwoods, my beautiful home town.
I mentioned that the current funded B2N plan still ends #2tracks some 26km south of Nambour.

The federal budget is due to be handed down in October. so it was an opportune time to meet.
I thanked the MP and the representatives for their time.
I felt that it was well worthwhile.

Unfortunately, this meeting did not turn out to be worthwhile.
There has been no movement on the B2N project.

Heavy rail works have not even started, no contract yet signed for them, after almost 6 years (9 June 2018).
The early works (read road works) have been completed comprising park-n-rides and carpark expansions and realignment of the Steve Irwin Way.

No redress to the extra 9 trains promised to Woombye residents in May 2015 at the Woombye Bowls Club
[I have the audio and the local newspaper report]

HUGE NEWS

Sunday 25 February 2024 I (gratefully) awoke to a call from Robert Dow (RAIL - Back on Track administrator) to alert me to the Sunday-Mail news story of the state government announcing $2.75 billion for the Direct Sunshine Coast rail Line.

Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line on track for delivery
https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/99782

Multi-billion-dollar direct rail line to Sunshine Coast announced, but some say it's not good enough for the Olympics
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-25/sunshine-coast-direct-railway-cameron-dick-bart-mellish/103509408

Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line on track for delivery

Published Sunday, 25 February, 2024 at 09:59 AM

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier
The Honourable Steven Miles

Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment
The Honourable Cameron Dick

Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services
The Honourable Bart Mellish

    The Miles Government is investing in region-shaping infrastructure to directly connect the Sunshine Coast's growth areas to South East Queensland's rail network.
    The Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line will provide a fast, reliable and sustainable connection between the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay and Brisbane.
    First stage cost estimate is $5.5 billion to $7 billion.
    Business case has been submitted to Infrastructure Australia for assessment.
    Initial Queensland Government commitment of $2.75 billion will require matching funding from the Federal Government to enable construction by 2032. The Federal Government has already committed $1.6 billion.
    Will help to unlock more than 3000 affordable homes on the Sunshine Coast.

A new heavy rail connection is tracking towards construction on the Sunshine Coast, that will make a trip to Brisbane at least 45 minutes faster than a car.

The Miles Government is committing an initial $2.75 billion to deliver Stage 1 of the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line project, which includes protection of the updated rail alignment all the way to Maroochydore.

The first stage will see a 19 km dual track built from Beerwah to Caloundra, the longest spur line in the south-east passenger network.

Staged delivery will see the line ultimately run to Birtinya and Maroochydore. This will deliver faster rail to the Sunshine Coast, with trains able to reach speeds of 140km per hour on some sections of the track.

The Beerwah to Caloundra stage could be operational in time for Brisbane 2032, subject to a matched funding agreement from the Federal Government.

The Sunshine Coast is one of the fastest growing regions in the state, and is forecast to be home to 600,000 people by 2046.

Modelling shows most of the population growth will be concentrated along the first stage of the rail line, around Caloundra South (Aura).

Stage 1 of the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line will be a significant enabler for new housing, including supply for 50,000 people at Caloundra South and up to 100,000 people at Beerwah East.

It's expected the initial stage of the project will accelerate the delivery of more than 3,000 affordable and diverse homes already planned within the region.

The funding envelope for Stage 1 is expected to be between $5.5 billion and $7 billion, with final costs to be confirmed at the completion of the procurement phase.

A 'funding envelope' is an approach taken on other similar projects around the world, allowing costs to be finalised when contracts are executed.

It's expected that Stage 1 of project will support 2,200 good jobs in the region.

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

"A direct rail connection to the Sunshine Coast will unlock thousands of homes in the growing Sunshine Coast region and accelerate the release of new, affordable developments.

"Without the rail line, that development would bring an unmanageable level of congestion to the local road network, making this connection essential for new housing to be brought forward.

"The Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line is another record investment in Queensland's rail network from our government, building on the multi-billion dollar rail revolution currently underway.

"Through Cross River Rail, we are removing the bottleneck in Brisbane's CBD and creating opportunities to provide better rail services to some of South East Queensland's fastest growing regions.

"With better, more connected rail options available we hope commuters will leave the car at home, reducing congestion and lowering transport emissions on the path to net zero".

Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier and Treasurer Cameron Dick:

"The Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line will transform South East Queensland.

"The Sunshine Coast has a growing economy and approximately 11 million annual visitors who currently rely on private vehicles, so this project will make it easier and faster to work, holiday, or travel to see friends and family.

"The Miles Government that can deliver this transformation, thanks to the strength of our budget and the capacity enabled by our investment in Cross River Rail.

"We look forward to the Federal Government hopping on board to match our commitment, so we can deliver this project, not just for 2032 but for decades to come."

Quotes attributable to Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish:

"Direct Sunshine Coast Rail will revolutionise public transport - making a trip to from Caloundra to Brisbane at least 45 minutes faster than a car.

"For the first time, residents in the region will have a direct, fast and reliable connection to the South-East."

"Direct Sunshine Coast Rail will not only help ease congestion, but also help unlock future housing development on the Sunshine Coast.

"Sunny Coast residents will also get another first - a direct rail journey to the AFL or the Ekka, thanks to Cross River Rail. No station change needed. Suncorp Stadium will also be just a short walk from Roma Street.

"The project will also deliver cleaner and greener transport for a more sustainable Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and provide a lasting legacy for these communities."

Quotes attributable to Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt:

"Expanding the South East Queensland rail network with this direct line will benefit Queenslanders well into the future.

"This rail line will connect people on the Sunshine Coast to Moreton Bay and Brisbane for work, medical appointments, sporting and cultural events.

"We are committed to maintaining the liveability of the Sunshine Coast region. Direct Sunshine Coast Rail will help to support sustainable growth that ensures that we spend less time in traffic, and more time doing the things that we love.

Fast facts:

    The Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line is a proposed 37.8km rail extension between Beerwah and Maroochydore to increase public transport opportunities and improve connectivity to Moreton Bay, Brisbane and beyond.
    The detailed business case has determined an optimal realignment of the corridor between Beerwah and Maroochydore, which enables rail speeds of up 160km/h. The current trains can and do travel 140km/h, their maximum speed.
    The realignment aims to minimise environmental impact and reduce curves in the line to allow for faster train speeds. The new corridor will be protected in 2024.
    Over 80% of community feedback received during community consultation in 2023 were supportive of Direct Sunshine Coast Rail, helping inform the business case.

For more information, visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au/directsunshinecoastrail.

I welcome the $2.75 billion money offered towards this project by the state, but like previous rail projects announced for us (#B2N), the money is not enough and it requires additional federal funding of $1.1 billion to proceed.
The project unfortunately is staged, with no money for future stages 2 (from Caloundra to Birtinya) and 3 (from Birtinya to Maroochydore).

Under this announcement, we will not get rail to Maroochydore in time for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

World Farce, it will be.

HUGE NEWS

Friday 1 March 2024.
Opposition Leader David Crisafulli announces that the LNP will build the rail project all the way to Maroochydore.

It was mentioned in a budget reply speech in Parliament almost 2 years ago, where thy said that they would match the coalition's $1.6 billion in funding to get this line built.

It 'could' be done by 2032 they say, but they are not guaranteeing that that will occur.

https://twitter.com/DavidCrisafulli/status/1763389289197703646