Peter Wellington MP : Question without Notice to Parliament re: Nambour Station

[Fares_Fair]

From the Hansard
Thursday, May 12, 2011.

http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/legislativeAssembly/Hansard/documents/2011.pdf/2011_05_12_DAILY.pdf


Nambour Railway Station

Mr WELLINGTON: My question is to the Minister for Transport. In last year's budget, money was
allocated to upgrade railway stations in South-East Queensland. When will the minister release the
proposed plan for Nambour Railway Station and when will construction start?
Ms PALASZCZUK: I thank the member for Nicklin very much for this very important question. As
members would be well aware, in the last budget and over the last year or so we have been rolling out a
very important $200 million station upgrade project to upgrade stations on our Queensland rail network.
Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to go with local members and look at the concept
plans for these station upgrades in their local electorates. Recently I have been out to Newmarket,
Enoggera, Moorooka and Woodridge. I have also been out to Deagon to inspect these upgrades. In
fact, in my own electorate Darra station has recently been upgraded.
As part of this upgrade program it is also very important to consider the accessibility of these
stations to make sure we have disability access. The member for Nicklin has raised with me on a
number of occasions the importance of disability access for his local community around the Nambour
area. I thank him very much for raising this issue. Next to the Nambour station is a senior citizens hall.
Many people from the community would be using this station to access that facility. Today I am pleased
to announce that the $3.3 million disability upgrade is going to go ahead at the Nambour station. That is
very, very good news for the Nambour community and very good news for the local member, who has
been a champion and raised this issue with me on a number of occasions.
Mr Wellington: When will it start?
Ms PALASZCZUK: I can advise that the plans have been drawn. I will release those plans to the
member later today. Construction will be commencing later this year. We expect to have a fully
upgraded disability compliant train station operational at least by the middle of next year or, at the very
latest, the end of next year. This is great news. It is a great initiative of the Bligh government to upgrade
these stations and improve the network right across South-East Queensland. The shadow minister for
transport will be happy to note that Taringa station in his area will be upgraded as well. There is good
news for the member for Indooroopilly as well.
Mr Emerson: You promised that in 2006!
Ms PALASZCZUK: It is happening. Wait and see. I thank the member for raising these very
important issues. The stations will be upgraded. I will have more good news for people over the coming
months as we continue this very, very important initiative.

[Fares_Fair]

Her's what we were told ... from another post.

CRG North Coast Line meeting held last night at the Red Bridge Motor Inn, Woombye.
Meeting attended by 9 people.
This included 2 representatives from QR.
Subject discussed was the proposed $4m Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) upgrade to Nambour Station.

It comprises a new glass lift and extensions to the existing subway with new stairs and landings and a much more open configuration with good lines of sight for security.

Concept sketch plans were handed out for discussion and review and a number of good points were raised and noted.

We were told that the works are scheduled for construction in August.
I myself thought that was quite optimistic given the level of detail in the conceptual plans.
I would expect a Christmas present to Nambour with it's final completion.

Now the Minister says it's the end of next year !!!

Hopefully it will go ahead, it is good news for Nambour Station.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Stillwater]

I think the Minister was guessing on her feet and, not wanting to mislead the House, gave her QR troops lots of leeway.  A Xmas finish may be a bit optimistic: completion by mid-2012 realistic.

[mufreight]

Her's what we were told ... from another post.

CRG North Coast Line meeting held last night at the Red Bridge Motor Inn, Woombye.
Meeting attended by 9 people.
This included 2 representatives from QR.
Subject discussed was the proposed $4m Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) upgrade to Nambour Station.

It comprises a new glass lift and extensions to the existing subway with new stairs and landings and a much more open configuration with good lines of sight for security.

Concept sketch plans were handed out for discussion and review and a number of good points were raised and noted.

We were told that the works are scheduled for construction in August.
I myself thought that was quite optimistic given the level of detail in the conceptual plans.
I would expect a Christmas present to Nambour with it's final completion.

Now the Minister says it's the end of next year !!!

Hopefully it will go ahead, it is good news for Nambour Station.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

Is there provision for the construction of a second through platform or will this once again be a half thought out project that makes no allowance for the future already defined needs which will as is the case with too many such improvement projects require a considerable portion of the new work to be demolished with the attendent disruption and avoidable cost to do the job properly.

[Fares_Fair]

That question was asked in the meeting.
These works are only for the DDA upgrade of the station.
AIUI, they do not impact upon the tracks per se.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[mufreight]

They do have effect on the subway which will have to be rebuilt to accomodate a future second platform.

[Stillwater]

The subway will be extended on the town side (near McDonalds), but not to the west, and opened up near the station buildings.  The lift will be positioned at the back of the toilets and the toilets refurbished.  You make a good point, Mufreight.

[Sunbus610]

This sounds like some positive news for Nambour station however.......and apologies for the cynicism here, but I'll believe it when I actually see the construction works commencing.

Over the years, I've written letters to various concerned parties with regards to making improvements to the Nambour railway station precinct but like in many cases........their replies have very little positive content or info in my opinion. One main concern I've raised regarding the Nambour station and bus interchange is the lack of nearby short term parking facilities (CBD side). You have this ruddy big slab of concrete that's been left there from the old Nambour co-op days of years ago taking up valuable space which could be utilised for extra short term parking however no body (ie Queensland Rail or Sunshine Coast Council) wants to commit any funding or responsibility etc to have it removed.

This is just one example of which I've raised concerns over the years re improvements to Nambour station. I am also hoping that the recent news of the proposed mill site re-development (including new shopping centre + new road access routes + parking etc etc) and improvements FINALLY getting that big tick of approval from the Sunshine Coast Council might..........just might, spill over somewhat to the railway station area!!! 2031 is just too far away to wait for the Landsborough to Nambour rail corridor project to be completed, some moderate improvements need to be planned and implemented sooner than that.

[Stillwater]

I think some bigger plans are in train (excuse pun) for Nambour station and surrounds, but none of them involve duplication at this stage.  Mufreight makes a good point.  Whatever happens should not close off options for duplication, when it comes.  The station precinct has the potential to be the lynchpin for the Nambour CBD, but there are a number of players involved, including Coles.  Let's hope they can coordinate their activities.

Moving train stabling to Yandina would open up possibilities and opportunities, including a multi-deck car park with offices above.

What's needed is a Nambour master plan rather than a site that develops in fits and starts with no coordination and pedestrian linkages etc.  In future, this will be quite a busy bus interchange too.

[Sunbus610]

Moving train stabling to Yandina would open up possibilities and opportunities, including a multi-deck car park with offices above.

What's needed is a Nambour master plan rather than a site that develops in fits and starts with no coordination and pedestrian linkages etc.  In future, this will be quite a busy bus interchange too.

These make pretty good sense Stillwater but gawd........could you imagine this current SC council under the reigns of 'I still call Noosa home' aka......Big Bob actually initiating any sort of master plan for a non coastal tourist $$ town like Nambour 

[mufreight]

Moving train stabling to Yandina would open up possibilities and opportunities, including a multi-deck car park with offices above.

What's needed is a Nambour master plan rather than a site that develops in fits and starts with no coordination and pedestrian linkages etc.  In future, this will be quite a busy bus interchange too.

These make pretty good sense Stillwater but gawd........could you imagine this current SC council under the reigns of 'I still call Noosa home' aka......Big Bob actually initiating any sort of master plan for a non coastal tourist $$ town like Nambour 

Why not there is a quid in it for the Shire.

[Sunbus610]

Nambour Railway Station Upgrade >> the news has also hit the local press SUNSHINE COAST DAILY
18 May 2011