• Welcome to RAIL - Back On Track Forum.
 

Letters to the Editor (Sunshine Coast rail duplication #2tracks)

Started by Fares_Fair, August 12, 2019, 13:29:35 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

Fares_Fair

UNPUBLISHED

Dear Sunshine Coast Daily Editor,

Re: Story on p9 of the SC Daily yesterday (Friday 9 August 2019)

There are some pertinent facts that seem to be omitted from the Premier's claims aired in the Daily yesterday about our #2tracks Beerburrum to Landsborough rail duplication.

Firstly, the state government committed just $160.8 million as announced in June 2018 at Nambour Rail Station. Not the $190 million stated by the Premier.
The $160.8 million amounts to 20% of the $780 million original cost - and state now claims it's up to an $803 million cost.
We are getting further behind by the year.

It would be lovely if they have secretly committed $30 million dollars more to it, but given their record to date, sadly I doubt it. They seem determined to play with our 'critical infrastructure' (their words) as a ransom in a state federal funding squabble.

State LNP have committed to fund it 50%, but we won't get an answer to that commitment until the results of the 31 October 2020 election.
Labor have been in power for 25 of the past 30 years this December, so perhaps there is a light at the end of our funding squabble tunnel.

It appears that nothing gets built in Queensland without Federal funding unless it's a large pet project in a Treasurer's seat, near a house, in South Brisbane.

Our only hope it appears may be in a Fast rail funding boost by the Federal Government in our bid for Olympic (transport) glory for 2032.

Secondly, the Premier claims to have started work on the rail upgrade. That is true, however, in the last financial year only $14.6 million was allocated to the project.
The State Infrastructure Pipeline reveals that of that $14.6 million, only $3.5 million was spent. I'd hate to see their spending on a non-critical project !
This financial year the budget showed $50 million to be spent on our rail.
We will find out next year how much they actually spend of that money.

I couldn't help but notice this week's announcement of $351 million found by the state government to spend on the next stage 3A of the Gold Coast Light Rail project, meanwhile the Sunshine Coast remains $253 million (their latest figure) short of the money for our critical rail link.

Mr Bailey and the Premier were able to announce the start date as immediate (if federal funding flows) for the Gold Coast Light Rail with a completion date to boot.

Meanwhile we languish in a rail infrastructure no-mans' land with no construction start date announced for our project.
The Premier, the Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk is not prepared to blink when it comes to funding our region's vital rail link.
Regards,
Fares_Fair


Fares_Fair

PUBLISHED

Funding shortfall

Sunshine Coast Daily
Wednesday 14 August 2019, pp16-17.



      REGARDING "Premier calls for funds fasttrack" (Daily, August 9).
      There are some pertinent facts that seem to be omitted from the Premier's claims about our Beerburrum to Landsborough rail duplication.
      Firstly, the State Government committed just $160.8 million as announced in June 2018 at Nambour Rail Station. Not the $190 million stated by the premier.
      The $160.8 million amounts to 20 per cent of the $780 million original cost — and state now claims it's up to an $803 million cost.
      We are getting further behind by the year.
      It would be lovely if they have secretly committed $30 million dollars more to it, but given their record to date, sadly I doubt it.
      State LNP have committed to fund it 50 per cent, but we won't get an answer to that commitment until the results of the 2020 election.
      Labor have been in power for 25 of the past 30 years this December.
      Our only hope it appears may be in a fast rail funding boost by the Federal Government in our bid for Olympic glory for 2032.
      Secondly, the Premier claims to have started work on the rail upgrade.
      That is true, however, in the past financial year only $14.6 million was allocated to the project.
      The State Infrastructure Pipeline reveals that of that $14.6 million, only $3.5 million was spent. I'd hate to see their spending on a non-critical project.
      This financial year the budget showed $50 million to be spent on our rail.
      We will find out next year how much they actually spend of that money.
      I couldn't help but notice the recent announcement of $351 million found by the State Government to spend on the next stage 3A of the Gold Coast Light Rail project, meanwhile the Sunshine Coast remains $253 million (their latest figure) short of the money for our critical rail link. Transport Minister Mark Bailey and the premier were able to announce the start date as immediate (if federal funding flows) for the Gold Coast Light Rail with a completion date to boot.
      Meanwhile we languish in a rail infrastructure no-mans' land with no construction start date announced for our project.

JEFFREY ADDISON, Palmwoods
Regards,
Fares_Fair


ozbob

Half baked projects, have long term consequences ...
Ozbob's Gallery Forum   Facebook  X   Mastodon  BlueSky

ozbob

Letter to the Editor Sunshine Coast Daily 14th August 2019 pages 16 - 17

Funding shortfall

Half baked projects, have long term consequences ...
Ozbob's Gallery Forum   Facebook  X   Mastodon  BlueSky

Fares_Fair

Quote from: Fares_Fair on August 12, 2019, 13:29:35 PM
PUBLISHED

Dear Sunshine Coast Daily Editor,

Re: Story on p9 of the SC Daily yesterday (Friday 9 August 2019)

There are some pertinent facts that seem to be omitted from the Premier's claims aired in the Daily yesterday about our #2tracks Beerburrum to Landsborough rail duplication.

Firstly, the state government committed just $160.8 million as announced in June 2018 at Nambour Rail Station. Not the $190 million stated by the Premier.
The $160.8 million amounts to 20% of the $780 million original cost - and state now claims it's up to an $803 million cost.
We are getting further behind by the year.

It would be lovely if they have secretly committed $30 million dollars more to it, but given their record to date, sadly I doubt it. They seem determined to play with our 'critical infrastructure' (their words) as a ransom in a state federal funding squabble.

State LNP have committed to fund it 50%, but we won't get an answer to that commitment until the results of the 31 October 2020 election.
Labor have been in power for 25 of the past 30 years this December, so perhaps there is a light at the end of our funding squabble tunnel.

It appears that nothing gets built in Queensland without Federal funding unless it's a large pet project in a Treasurer's seat, near a house, in South Brisbane.

Our only hope it appears may be in a Fast rail funding boost by the Federal Government in our bid for Olympic (transport) glory for 2032.

Secondly, the Premier claims to have started work on the rail upgrade. That is true, however, in the last financial year only $14.6 million was allocated to the project.
The State Infrastructure Pipeline reveals that of that $14.6 million, only $3.5 million was spent. I'd hate to see their spending on a non-critical project !
This financial year the budget showed $50 million to be spent on our rail.
We will find out next year how much they actually spend of that money.

I couldn't help but notice this week's announcement of $351 million found by the state government to spend on the next stage 3A of the Gold Coast Light Rail project, meanwhile the Sunshine Coast remains $253 million (their latest figure) short of the money for our critical rail link.

Mr Bailey and the Premier were able to announce the start date as immediate (if federal funding flows) for the Gold Coast Light Rail with a completion date to boot.

Meanwhile we languish in a rail infrastructure no-mans' land with no construction start date announced for our project.
The Premier, the Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk is not prepared to blink when it comes to funding our region's vital rail link.

This years spending figures are in, and no, they did not spend the budgeted $50 million.
I will publish the latest information under The Sunshine Coast Case : Rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour
Regards,
Fares_Fair


🡱 🡳