19 Mar 2023: Call to re-instate the track duplication through to Landsborough

[ozbob]

Call to re-instate the track duplication through to Landsborough

19th March 2023

Greetings,

On the 9th June 2018, Minister Bailey in the company of the then Deputy Premier Trad confirmed that it was ' GO for Sunshine Coast rail commuters with the upgrade Beerburrum to Nambour including duplicate track Beerburrum - Landsborough ... " (

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https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1005247557709303814 )
Since then the track duplication has been cut back to Beerwah.  Why?  This means single line working north of Beerwah, with the lack of train paths for interurban services, freight trains and long distance rail passenger services. It would be cost effective to do the section Beerwah to Landsborough as part of the upgrade from Beerburrum to Beerwah, rather than have to come back at a later date.

A recent article on the Sunshine Coast News 'Frustration builds over rail duplication project ..'
https://www.sunshinecoastnews.com.au/2023/03/17/frustration-builds-over-rail-duplication-project/

It was reported:

" ... Sunshine Coast News was waiting for a response from TMR, about why initial plans to duplicate the rail from Beerburrum to Landsborough (20km) were then changed to include Beerburrum to Beerwah (about 13km). But it's believed to be due to costs. ... "

There is plenty of money for a new stadium at the 'Gabba but penny pinching to seriously operationally compromise the long overdue track amplification of the Sunshine Coast line is simply unacceptable.  The bus interchange at Landsborough station is planned to be upgraded " A new bus interchange will also be created, servicing routes to the coast. Buses servicing hinterland routes will continue to operate from the existing, western side. " https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/beerburrum-to-nambour-rail-upgrade-stage-1
Having the two tracks through to Landsborough will mean more reliable and frequent services to match the bus interchange facilities and passenger requirements.

RAIL Back On Track calls on the Queensland Government to reinstate the works to enable the proper duplication of the line between Beerburrum and Landsborough as a priority.

This was always the plan, for very good reason.  To think that Beerwah, which might one day be the junction for the railway to Maroochydore will take pressure off Landsborough is hopeful thinking.  Trains will need to continue to run on the mainline, at ever increasing frequency and demand. The Queensland Government cannot even manage to upgrade the Sunshine Coast line properly, what chance is there for the branch line to Maroochydore?  Lets be real.

The Sunshine Coast has been neglected for too long. 
Time to treat the transport needs of the Sunshine Coast seriously.

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

[ozbob]

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