22 Mar 2011: SEQ: Sunshine Coast line crisis

[ozbob]

Media Release 22 March 2011

SEQ:  Sunshine Coast line crisis

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has called for the urgent reassessment of the time lines for the upgrade of the railway line from Beerburrum to Landsborough, and then on to Nambour.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"A response to an E-petition calling for a Rail upgrade from Beerburrum to Nambour has been received (1). In our view the advice given to the Minister for Transport in compiling the response is seriously flawed.  The response says in effect, in our words, 'the government has no plans to resume duplicating the Sunshine Coast Line before 2014, and can't guarantee even that date due to budgetary considerations and limitations that prevent funding being committed from one financial year to the next.  Completion to Nambour by 2031 remains indicative only.' This is contrary to previous commitments made by the then Minister for Transport in 2006 (2 - 5)."

"The Sunshine Coast Line has strategic and significant economic importance, particularly as peak oil starts to bite.  A staged progressive upgrade can be achieved."

"The line north of Beerburrum, particularly between Landsborough and on to Nambour already is causing delays and limitations to passenger and freight trains. To not proceed immediately with infrastructure upgrades is alarming to say the least.  In view of looming peak oil crises, and the projected population growth and developments on the Sunshine Coast it is essential that an urgent reassessment of the time lines for the upgrades be carried out."

"The importance of these upgrades was recognised by previous Governments (2-5 ). If anything, the priority now for the Sunshine Coast Line is more acute, why the back-burner?"

"In our view this is appalling situation  and shows that the present State And Federal Governments and their advisors have absolutely no idea about the real issues of traffic congestion, cost of road trauma and peak oil."

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

References:

1. http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/EPetitions_qld/Responses/1565-10.pdf

2. Minister Lucas, April 21, 2006:
http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=45627

The SEQIP RAIL Alliance will deliver four major projects over the next six years including:

* Caboolture to Beerburrum Duplication ($240 million)
* Robina to Reedy Creek Extension ($75 million)
* Corinda to Darra Third Track ($110 million)
* Beerburrum to Landsborough Duplication ($240 million)

3. Minister Lucas, August 14, 2006:
http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=47844

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas said today that plans had been approved for a new rail corridor between Beerburrum and Landsborough.

Mr Lucas said that commuters were now a step closer to a high speed rail service between Brisbane, Caloundra and Maroochydore.

"Construction of the $550 million rail corridor is expected to start in early 2009 and be completed by mid-2012," the Minister told State Parliament today.

4. Minister Lucas, August 29, 2006:
http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=42417

"Mr Lucas also released for public comment the government's preferred rail corridor - an upgrade of a further 17 kilometres from Beerburrum to Landsborough.

To deliver both these important projects, the Beattie Government has made a total commitment of $480 million.

"The upgrade of the entire section between Caboolture and Landsborough seals the Beattie Government's promise to build a $1 billion fast passenger rail service along the CAMCOS corridor," he said.

"We will establish the line from Beerwah to Caloundra by 2015, and up the coast to Maroochydore by 2020, bringing rail to the Sunshine Coast."

5. Minister Lucas, December 21, 2006:
http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=49759

""Currently, a single winding rail track runs between Caboolture and Beerburrum stations," Mr Lucas said.

"This upgrade of 13.7km of rail line between Caboolture and Beerburrum will service both passenger and freight customers.

"Work should be completed in 2009 and will include a second rail line, realignment of some local roads and an upgrade of Elimbah and Beerburrum stations."

"We're also planning to realign and duplicate the 17km of track between Beerburrum and Landsborough, which is expected to be completed by 2012."

[ozbob]

Discussion thread E-petition --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=5643.0