Draft 2012 Timetable Update 101

[Fares_Fair]

Draft 2012 Timetable Update 101

Beerburrum to Landsborough Rail duplication to start in 2014-15?

The Beerburrum to Landsborough rail duplication is the first step in providing dual tracks that reach the Sunshine Coast.
They are an important milestone and will have significant transport benefits to the burgeoning area.
The Caloundra South and Palmview population growth centres, totalling 87,000 new residents within 10 years, being cases in point.

Transport infrastructure to service these centres is crucial to establishing early transport alternatives to the car, before that mode becomes entrenched due to a lack of bus and rail links.

On the 18 March, 2011 the former Transport Minister and now Leader of the Opposition, Annastacia Palaszczuk responded to e-Petition 1565-10, presented by the Hon Andrew Powell.
In her reply the former Transport Minister said;
"I refer to petition number 1565-10 lodged with the Legislative Assembly by Mr Andrew Powell MP, Member for Glass House on 16 February 2011 in support of the need to 'fast track' the rail upgrade from Beerburrum to Nambour."
"The rail upgrade from Beerburrum to Landsborough is currently programmed to commence in the delivery time period 2014-15 to 2019-20."

Reply found here: http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/TableOffice/TabledPapers/2011/5311T4076.pdf

According to the reply these works are required to start in 2014-15 in order to meet the Labor government's promise of a 2019-20 completion date.
Is it still the case?

I ask this in light of the recent decision by Queensland Rail, to suspend its $3.3 million Disability Discrimination Act upgrade of the Nambour Railway Station, and the upcoming Queensland State budget in September.

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e-petition 1882-12 Railway duplication – Nambour to Beerburrum

Please help me make a difference to our commute.

Sign the e-Petition: 1882-12 for Railway duplication - Nambour to Beerburrum.
If you are under 18 and understand it, you too can sign.

Please ask family and friends to sign up and be counted. Show that collectively we can make a difference.
http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/petitions/e-petitions

[somebody]

I think it matters little what the previous government said about it.

[Fares_Fair]

The following questions were asked on Wednesday, 11 July 2012. In accordance with the Standing
Orders, answers are required by email to TableOffice@parliament.qld.gov.au by Friday, 10 August 2012.

376       MR WELLINGTON ASKED THE PREMIER (MR NEWMAN)—

With reference to the Premier's answer to Question on Notice No. 117 of 2012—

Will the government honour the previous government's commitment that the rail upgrade from
Beerburrum  to  Landsborough  is  currently  programmed  to  commence  in  the  delivery  time
period 2014-2015 to 2019-2020 and if the government cannot honour this commitment, what
is the government's commitment for this important infrastructure project?


FF comment:
This question will be a pivotal one, and one that requires a careful answer given the public e-petitions by the local LNP member, the Hon Andrew Powell MP, now Minister for the Environment and Heritage Protection, to bring forward the timing of the duplication of the rail line.
If there is any delay it will actually be extending the deadlines for these works to Landsborough and also to Nambour, well beyond the current Labor party induced 2031 timeframe.
To try and blame it on the current economic situation whilst at the same time going ahead with the redevelopment of the Parliamentary precinct shows where the Government's true priority lies. I can only hope that the answer is NOT predictable.