Ministerial Statement: HAVE A SAY ON RAIL CORRIDOR STUDY

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Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
01/10/2007

HAVE A SAY ON RAIL CORRIDOR STUDY

Residents between Landsborough and Nambour can have their say on a study of the proposed upgrade in their area of a 22km section of the north coast rail line.

The study will examine a double track railway along a predominantly new route starting at Landsborough station and extending north to Nambour.

Transport Minister John Mickel said the study would begin with a comprehensive Community Values and Transportation Survey of the communities within the study area.

"These communities will be able to give us information that helps to determine possible locations for the preferred route," Mr Mickel said.

"Anyone who lives or works in the study area, or uses the north coast line, can help this process by completing a survey and providing information to the study team.

"We need to understand from people who live and work in the study area, what they value about the region, the issues and opportunities facing the local area, their transport usage in the local area and how they feel stations and rail services operate in the area.

"There's no doubt this section of the north coast line needs to be improved to meet growing passenger and freight demands.

"There are a number of technical studies to determine possible locations for the preferred route, and those studies combined with information from the community will help us to develop possible route options.

"We'll be asking the community for more feedback later this year, and Queensland Transport will take all that into consideration when we determine the preferred route."

The rail corridor study is an early phase of an overall $600 million Landsborough-to-Nambour rail project and will include comprehensive community consultation, identification of a preferred route, and an environmental impact statement.

"This project will include construction of a double-track railway along a predominantly new route, with room for extra tracks if required," Mr Mickel said.

"It will improve the efficiency, service frequency, reliability and operating speeds of trains, and cater for the increasing demand for rail services in the corridor caused by population and freight transport growth.

Improving the north coast Line by addressing the section between Landsborough and Nambour will supplement other major upgrades between Caboolture and Landsborough. Other public transport studies in the region relate to the provision of a quality bus system between Caloundra and Maroochydore, and planning for a rail service between Beerwah and Maroochydore.

For a copy of the Community Values and Transportation Survey, call 1800 221 991, or visit www.landsborough-nambour.com.au.

October 1, 2007