23 Nov 2021: SEQ Advancement on the CAMCOS project welcomed

[ozbob]

Advancement on the CAMCOS project welcomed

23rd November 2021

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers welcomes movement on advancing the CAMCOS rail project on the Sunshine Coast. CAMCOS is an acronym for the Caboolture to Maroochydore Corridor Study ( https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/caboolture-to-maroochydore-corridor-study ).

Transport Minister Mark Bailey recently indicated Government would look at progressing rail to Caloundra and Maroochydore in 2022. This is after continued pressure from Sunshine Coast locals, Council, and numerous community and business groups (including RAIL Back On Track), as well as Federal MP Ted O'Brien ( Brisbane to Maroochydore rail line prepares to leave the station https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/brisbane-to-maroochydore-rail-line-prepares-to-leave-the-station-20211119-p59ad6.html ).

The line would branch of the existing Sunshine Coast line at Beerwah, run eastward to Caloundra, then north along the coastal strip to the Maroochydore CBD.

CAMCOS has been spoken about for decades, but never delivered ( e.g. Statement 25th May 2007 https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/46799 ). In the meantime, traffic on the Bruce Highway has continued to grow, and public transport users have suffered journey times significantly longer than driving. There has been a rolling programme of motorway upgrades on the Sunshine Coast, whilst rail upgrades have progressed at an agonizingly slow pace, and frequently politicised.

Robert Dow said: "The Sunshine Coast line has the lowest rail frequency in the SEQ network and some of the lowest speeds.
You've also got a real issue with the major stations of Beerwah, Landsborough and Nambour being a long distance from the booming coastal area, these have held the region back, because the rail service currently being provided by the government just isn't very good."

With the Olympics coming in 2032, a need to reach net zero emissions and a growing population, it's more important than ever to give the Sunshine Coast the rail link they have been waiting so long for.

Cross River Rail and the duplication to Beerwah are both due for completion by 2025.
These projects were prerequisites to CAMCOS, and when these bottlenecks are fixed, there's no longer anything stopping greatly increased rail services when the line is constructed.

RAIL Back on Track wants planning and construction of CAMCOS to be expedited (and even occurring in parallel with the rail duplication works). This would mean CAMCOS trains could sooner take advantage of the infrastructure already under construction.

Robert Dow said: "You don't have to wait for Cross River Rail or the duplication to be completed to start construction on the CAMCOS railway.  Forward thinking means building them all projects concurrently and running trains through seamlessly upon completion."

If you support rail to Caloundra and Maroochydore, now is the time for citizens to contact your local MP and express your support.

TOP 10 reasons to build CAMCOS

1 - Reduces overall travel times significantly between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
2 - Improves public transport within the Sunshine Coast itself, and also provide a new active transport corridor.
3 - Places new stations closer to major population areas as well as growth areas such as Aura, eliminating the need for long bus rides to Landsborough or Nambour.
4 - Inline with net zero emissions by 2050.
5 - Would form part of a future SEQ Fast Rail network.
6 - Gives people an alternative to congested roads in and around the Sunshine Coast.
7 - Allows for seamless connections with the proposed Sunshine Coast light rail system and expansion of the Maroochydore Airport precinct.
8 - Improved economic outcomes for the region, including supporting the development of the Maroochydore CBD.
9 - Supports tourism and access to major events.
10- Finally puts an end to decades of delays and broken promises.

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track https://backontrack.org

[ozbob]

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