Article: Rail plan threatens 200 properties (Nambour to Landsborough)

[ozbob]

From the Sunshine Coast Daily click here!

Rail plan threatens 200 properties

Rail plan threatens 200 properties

12:00p.m. 2 April 2008

| By Kerryn Manifold

Almost 200 properties are threatened by State Government plans to upgrade rail services between Nambour and Landsborough by 2026.

Queensland Transport today released updated maps which showed a preferred 60m-wide corridor for the upgrade.

The government plans to run the track through the middle of the corridor to allow for quicker train travel between the two towns.

According to the maps, properties affected include Kalora Park in Palmwoods, Palmwoods Bowls Club, Clio?s Function Centre, the Old Scout Hall in Woombye and 11 commercial premises on the eastern side of Price Street, Nambour.

Clio?s Function Centre owner Carol Sherley said she would need to find new premises to operate the business from.

Ms Sherley said she was relieved a decision had been made and she wanted to know more about the government?s plans.

?We know they?re going to take it and we need to work out something from there,? Ms Sherley said.

?We would like to set up a new business and the fact we have time up our sleeve gives us that option but we had no plans for selling in the next year or so.

?There are quite a few staff employed and weddings booked for this year and next year.

?As far as I know, nothing should affect us in the near future.?

Landsborough businesses and houses will also be affected.

The majority of properties are in the Nicklin electorate and independent MP Peter Wellington said the plans were not final.

Mr Wellington said people living in the preferred corridor would have a chance to make submissions to the government.

He said the Palmwoods community had been anxious about the plans and residents needed to plan for the future.

?This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make sure we can get the best for the Palmwoods community,? Mr Wellington said.

?I have no doubt in the future, people will be living in Palmwoods and commuting to Brisbane.

?We need to make sure we have infrastructure upgrades on the table.?

He said this did not just include the rail way but also included bridges, car parking and roads to cope with a growing population.

It is understood Nambour, Palmwoods and possibly Eudlo will need new stations as part of the upgrade.

The maps show the new track will be laid either just to the west of the existing line or following it.

The government also considered an eastern corridor but choosing that route would have affected more houses.

Government officials say the exact lay out of the track still needed to be worked out.

?The final land requirements for the rail corridor will continue to be refined and optimised along the preferred route in consultation with affected landowners and communities in the coming months.?

The coordinator general has declared the work a complex project and an Environmental Impact Statement will need to be completed.

[albiwan]

I am a property valuer who did resumptions for roads for many years. I can only hope that political interference does not compromise the best possible route despite the hardship the resumptions will cause. Its an informative website too. people.http://www.landsborough-nambour.com.au/about-study/area.html