Sunshine Coast Railway

[ozbob]

A Sunshine Coast Railway  -  has been mentioned in the press on and off.  
Light rail, heavy rail, there will be a need for an effective system as grid lock and then the prohibitive cost of  motor vehicle fuel takes its toll.  Forward planning to secure rights of way is something else our Governments have often failed to do.

A line north from Recliffe, Caloundra, Noosa?  Loop back onto the main northern line.

Something will have to happen.

[LadyGuard]

Has the Governmet even secured land for a future railway up the coast?

[ozbob]

Hi LadyGuard,

On the SEQ Infrastructure Plan and Program 2006 http://www.oum.qld.gov.au/?id=359

North Coast http://www.oum.qld.gov.au/docs/pdf/SEQIPP_final_v7_partB-5.pdf suggests they might be starting to consider some acquisitions. As this is a plan it would be important that the plans are turned into action.

Now is the time to get the right of ways secure, and prepare to lay track.  Look at the gross errors made with the new Gold Coast line.  Experts grossly underestimated traffic loads.   At least there is some attempt to increase capacity on that line.  

There are some major deficiencies with the town planning processes. Rail being one. Dams another?

Regards
ozbob

[mufreight]

Seems like any proposals for the Sunshine coast while nessecary at present has little chance of getting off the ground
The corridor should be reserved and work started.
But Ministerial media statements are more hot air than substance, we have 100+ years of the line to Kippa-Ring so maybe?
In June 2006 the then Premier said that construction would commence on the Springfield line in early 2007 and that the project was expected to be completed within three years of commencement which would have been in 2010, then it crept back to 2011 and now to 2015 so what hope has a Sunshine Coast line
More Spin or something of substance?
form your own opinion but write to your local member and ask him/her and get theirs, maybe if enough people do that they might realise there is a need and it could affect future electoral trends.  A few unemployed politicians might do wolders.  Up to you.

[brad C]

Mufreight - great to see this much needed extension getting some coverage.
The corridor for the proposed sunshine coast rail spur is identified to branch from the north coast line at Beerwah.
Beerwah station has been reconstructed with this in mind and to accommodate the duplication of the NCL initially to Landsborough.
Most new refedexes show the line nearing the coast near Pelican Waters and then paralleling the David Lowe Way and Sunshine Motorway to the Maroochy Airport.
Duplication of the NCR stages 1 and 2 is due to be completed by 2012, with the possibility of heavy rail to Maroochydore by 2015, and on to the airport by the early '20s.
This is the timetable outlined in the SEQ infrastructure plan , but as always, will be subject to competing priorities and funds
(Can't you tell I write ministerial correspondence!!)
Catalyst will be duplication works on the NCL you must check out the massive earthworks north of Caboolture associated with this project - dwarfs the Gold Coast railway in the mid 90s!!!

Brad c

[Arnz]

Seems like any proposals for the Sunshine coast while nessecary at present has little chance of getting off the ground
The corridor should be reserved and work started.

The corridor is already reserved.  Any owners affected by the route already has sold their land.

[glossyblack]

What a great idea not just to Noosa but how about Rainbow Beach, Hervey Bay and rejoin NCL at Bundaberg. Dual line heavy rail would provide relief for NCL
cliff