I-METT with consideration of new Proposed Rail line / Siding

[jason]

In reading a development proposal on DIP website, i noticed that there is a proposal for a new passenger rail line or siding on the Beenleigh / Gold Coast lines.

The overall development proposal is for a World Class F1 Indy race track, commerical and retail precient, as well as a theme park. In talking to some associates there could be a proposed Disney Land or Universal Studios Park.

From what i am lead to believe the idea is to create a tourist attraction drawcard equilevent to the Unite States Hollywood etc on the Gold and Sunshine Coast, to encourage more tourism.

The Proposal would include a branch line or siding to cater public transport infrastructure to the area. As this would be a part time line only used for event purposes, i am not sure if it will be electrified or if QR  will reintroduce desiel locos as a cost effective approach. If they do this could reopen the possibilities to introduce Desiel powered passenger services to Beaudesert and west to Gatton.

As this is still in prelim EIS stage with development proposed post 2010 to 2012 it is interesting to see what possibilities QR and Translink opens up.

[ozbob]

Thanks for this information Jason, very interesting.

I noticed an article on the proposed race track on the CM site yesterday but wasn't aware of the branch line.
So this is great news.

Sounds like a great move if the project goes ahead to incorporate rail.

Regards
Bob

[ozbob]

Found this.

Super motor circuit bid

From  Albert and Logan News click here!

Super motor circuit bid

BEENLEIGH: Residents are being invited to have their say on whether 400 hectares of Beenleigh caneland is transformed into a world-class motor racing complex.

The State Government?s Department of Infrastructure and Planning has released the draft terms of reference for the i-METT project?s Environmental Impact Statement, a major part of approval process.

I-METT ? which stands for Integrated Motorsport Education Tourism and Technology ? wants to build a $650 million precinct with motor racing circuit, designed by world-famous Forumla One architect Hermannw Tilke, a hotel and theme park all within botanic gardens.

Co-ordinator-General Colin Jensen said the release allowed the public to comment on the project which, if approved, would see more than 400ha of cane farms developed.

"The scale, potential effects and complexity of approvals ... requires a rigorous EIS to consider the potential social, natural, economic and cultural impacts,?? he said.

"Given those potential impacts i-METT Queensland Group must prepare a detailed EIS outlining the area?s existing state, the project?s proposed effect on it and what they will do to minimise any negative effects.??

Mr Jensen said the project could be a major boost to the area, with 2000 jobs created through construction, but said the development was "not currently?? compatible with planning regimes for the area.

Member for Albert Margaret Keech, who has spoken out against the project, urged residents to take advantage of this public input stage.

"It is important that the local community has its say and I am encouraging residents not to miss this opportunity,?? she said. "Residents have expressed their concern over the environmental, noise, traffic and lifestyle issues a major motorsport complex might represent for the region.

"The Gilberton Rocky Point area is extremely important to the people of Albert and any proposed land use change must consider feedback from the local community.??

This is the first of two consultation phases as part of the Government review.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Phone 3807 0809 or 32278548 or visit www.dip.qld.gov.au. Submissions close on July 28.

[mufreight]

This proposal if it gets off the ground will be another nail in the coffin for the local sugar industry.

The degree of local opposition to the proposal is considerable and the proposal would in ecenomic terms be at best marginal.

In terms of location it would have to compete with the present theme parks concentrated at Coomera/Oxenfod and the racing precinct concept has already had a number of very costly failed attempts in the region, the theory might be great but as for chances of getting off the ground and then surviving zilch.

[ButFli]

Who's paying?

[ozbob]

If it was to go a head I would expect part of the development plan.  But I think there might be doubt if this project goes ahead due to the considerable local impacts and concerns.

As can be noted from the North Bank mess, the Government is responding to strong concerns as elections creep ever closer ...  If the opposition to this project is strident, and I expect it will be, it might never see the light of day.

[jason]

Can someone point me in the direction of where the objection is coming from.

I live, work and have businessess in the area and not have heard of any objections to this development, only nuteural or support for

[ozbob]

Mu knows more about the history of previous development proposals in the area. I would expect with the consultation process some opposition.

The local news papers will be worth following. To me it seems that this development is more likely to proceed as opposition will be locally focussed as opposed to broad base with respect to North Bank.
http://www.dip.qld.gov.au/projects/tourism-arts-and-recreation/i-mett-project.html

Having a rail line is a great idea and will provide high capacity transport in and out for sure.

[ozbob]

From Quest Albert and Logan News 2 July 2008 click here!

Super motor circuit or cane fields?

NORWELL, July 2: Residents are being invited to have their say on whether 400 hectares of Beenleigh caneland is transformed into a world-class motor racing complex.

The State Government?s Department of Infrastructure and Planning has released the draft terms of reference for the i-METT project?s Environmental Impact Statement, a major part of approval process.
I-METT ? which stands for Integrated Motorsport Education Tourism and Technology ? wants to build a $650 million precinct with motor racing circuit, designed by world-famous Forumla One architect Hermannw Tilke,  a hotel and theme park all within botanic gardens.

Co-ordinator-General Colin Jensen said the release allowed the public to comment on the project which, if approved, would see more than 400ha of cane farms developed.

?The scale, potential effects and complexity of approvals ... requires a rigorous EIS to consider the potential social, natural, economic and cultural impacts,?? he said.

?Given those potential impacts i-METT Queensland Group must prepare a detailed EIS outlining the area?s existing state, the project?s proposed effect on it and what they will do to minimise any negative effects.??
Mr Jensen said the project could be a major boost to the area, with 2000 jobs created through construction, but said the development was ?not currently?? compatible with planning regimes for the area.

Member for Albert Margaret Keech, who has spoken out against the project, urged residents to take advantage of this public input stage.

?It is important that the local community has its say and I am encouraging residents not to miss this opportunity,?? she said. ?Residents have expressed their concern over the environmental, noise, traffic and lifestyle issues a major motorsport complex might represent for the region.

?The Gilberton Rocky Point area is extremely important to the people of Albert and any proposed land use change must consider feedback from the local community.??

This is the first of two consultation phases as part of the Government review.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Phone 3807 0809 or 32278548 or visit www.dip.qld.gov.au. Submissions close on July 28.

[ozbob]

That would seem to be where the opposition is coming from Jason. The local member Ms Keech is probably getting local constituent feedback ...

[jason]

Funny enough i had a meeting with Cr Keech yesterday regarding a seperate unrelated development application and she admitted that only 2 objections to the proposal, which only came about after she made a cold calls. And those objections weren't about the actual proposal, but regarding the local infrastructure re: power supply as the objectors said that they didn't believe there was adequate lines to the area. But they objectors were in favour to the overall development proposal

[mufreight]

Having spoken to two cane growers with farms at Woongoolba and Gilberton, they were both strident in their oposition, their voiced concerns are that the loss of cane land will if continued mahe the Rocky Point Sugar Mill unenomical, if that happens the cogeneration power plant will be lost, the numbers of people working the various cane farms in the area will lose their employment and or income as will the staff at the mill
The cane lands act as breathing space between the coast and Brisbane which will then be lost.
The value of their farms will drop, much of the land in the Woongoolba area presently being farmed would be of little use for any purpose other than cane farming.
Opposition to the proposal from the immediate area, the owners and operators of the Rocky Point mill, almost every cane grower in the district except a somewhat shorted sighted few whos vested interests in getting a price for their properties with no concerns for the future of the area is paramount at this time.

[jason]

ok

this will come to a sticky head i see, on one hand you have several businesses who will either loose or be affected by change, against potential growth

new business has and always will replace old business, or else the economy will eventually come to a stand still, unfortunately that is what has happened at North Bank.

[ButFli]

Yes but at what cost, jason? Progress for progresses sake is not the solution.

If what the cane farmers say has some truth behind it we could be faced with a situation where many businesses with some value (social if not economic) disappear to make way for what could be a short-lived, worthless enterprise.

[O_128]

Not to be rude but a recent visit to my friends house at beenleigh through rail outlined a few things that  heavily make me support this and my friend supports it aswell.

1.Beenleigh is to be frank a hole the area is horrible and is in desperate need of a facelift and bussiness renewal.
2.Beenleigh station is incredibly dangerous and must it only be acccessed through underpass?
3. A possibility of DISNEYLAND with a rail spur.

To be economical and work though the line would have to be electric adn dual track.