Press Release: Green light for future Landsborough to Nambour Rail project

[Fares_Fair]

Hello All,

I recieved a copy of this press release issued today by the Deputy Premier and Treasurer, Andrew Fraser.
It's all old news and an insult to Sunshine Coast commuters in light of the e-petition response received yesterday.

This I see as a tawdry attempt to deflect attention away fom the Minister's letter yesterday, which declared these important works not to be delivered until 2031 (twenty thirty-one).

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

The Coordinator-General
Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation

9 November 2011

Green light for future Landsborough to Nambour Rail project

Planning for the Sunshine Coast's $1.7 billion Landsborough to Nambour rail upgrade is on track
with the release of the Coordinator-General's report recommending that the project can proceed.
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for State Development and Trade Andrew Fraser said the
project proposes to upgrade, realign and duplicate around 22 kilometres of the existing North Coast
line between Landsborough and Nambour.

The project will be managed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR).
"This is obviously a major piece of transport infrastructure that will cater for increasing demand
between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast," Mr Fraser said.

"The rail upgrade will increase the frequency, operating speed and reliability of trains to meet
demand well into the future.

"The Coordinator-General's findings provide a basis for long-term planning to secure the corridor".
"The corridor will be established along a predominantly new route and will have capacity for an
ultimate four-track configuration to allow for future upgrades," Mr Fraser said.
"New stations will be built at Mooloolah, Eudlo, Palmwoods and Woombye and the tracks will also
be realigned to be straighter and less steep so they can accommodate faster trains.
"Decommissioning of the existing railway will occur once the new rail has been constructed and is
operational.

"It will also involve removing the existing railway and dedicating land to alternative uses. In some
cases, the land may be remediated and revegetated to provide valuable natural habitat."
Coordinator-General Keith Davies said his recommendation recognised that further investigation of
environmental impacts by TMR, would be needed further down the track as part of the detailed
design phase.

"The proposal is unusual in that construction is not intended to follow shortly after the evaluation
report is completed," Mr Davies said.
"My evaluation report of the project's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) now allows the
reference design for the project to proceed."

Media contact: Deputy Premier's office – 3224 5982 / 3224 4551[\quote]

[Golliwog]

Still, it is at least progress towards it being done. It's better to have this approval now, than have to worry about getting it further on down the track.

[Stillwater]

Key points:

"The Coordinator-General's findings provide a basis for long-term planning to secure the corridor."
Translation: The government is only planning to purchase the land required to build the duplication, not build the track.

"My evaluation report of the project's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) now allows the reference design for the project to proceed."
Translation:  Not only are we being slow in purchasing all the land, we haven't even got the engineering drawings, and they won't be prepared anytime soon.

"The proposal is unusual in that construction is not intended to follow shortly after the evaluation report is completed."
Translation:  We are sticking to the 2031 construction timeline, and it may even be later.

Summary:  Nothing's changed.

[Fares_Fair]

This was from the Minister's response yesterday ..

The $298 million Caboolture to Beerburrum track duplication completed in 2009
represents the first stage in upgrading the rail corridor to Nambour. Significant planning
has already been undertaken for the Beerburrum to Nambour section with environmental
impact studies for the realignment and upgrade of the rail corridor completed for both
Caboolture to Landsborough and Landsborough to Nambour.      

Hi Golli,
As you can see it is old news, the EIS's are completed.
But yes, you have found the small spark of hope.  

Regards,
Fares_Fair.                                            

[Stillwater]

Note also there is no mention of a Nambour station upgrade beyond the DDA compliant works.

[mufreight]

Seems that the responses to the E Petition might have touched a raw nerve.
Land acquisition was supposedly completed for the Beerburrum - Landsborough section and was also a work in progress from Landsborough Nambour, if this is not now the case someone has been again telling more porkies, a bit more deceit from Anna B Liar and company.

[Stillwater]

And Mr Fraser has other things to worry about: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/fraser-on-track-to-lose-seat-poll-20111109-1n6x0.html

[#Metro]

Mt Coo-tha BUZ?

[Gazza]

First his hair, now his seat, does it get any worse?

[mufreight]

Turned upside down he might have some hair but would look just as bad and be no more useful

[colinw]

Definitely touched a raw nerve there.  This Government KNOWS it has done the wrong thing by the people of the Sunshine Coast by walking away from clear promises about Beerburrum to Landsborough that are easily located in the ministerial media releases.

It plain to see that the abrupt cessation of Beerburrum to Landsborough works soon after Ms Male lost Glasshouse is nothing more than political bastardry. Alas, bar one or two articles in the Sunshine Coast papers, the media in this state is too blind or lazy to report on such things and the Government gets a free run.

As for Fraser losing his seat ... one can only hope. That man reminds me of Costa in NSW, and I blame many of the failings of the last few years on the iron hand of treasury - QR & TransLink can only do so much with what they are given.

Not that I like the LNP's alternative mean spirited baldy any more. (No prejudice implied - I'm a chrome dome myself).

Whoever wins the next election - LNP odds on favourite - I expect we shall all lose.

[Stillwater]

The 'green light' on this project has been on for some time.  Let's go back to once upon a time land when the then Transport Minister issued the media release below ... in 2005.  It's worthwhile noting the main points in bolded text.  Public consultation closed in October 2005.  It has taken until today for the Cordinator-General to give his sign-off.  That's six years!  How long will the design stage take?  And that is before we get to the start of construction.


Making tracks on the Sunshine Coast

A $480 million project to boost northern rail services and provide the vital first link in the CAMCOS high speed service to the Sunshine Coast was launched today by Transport and Main Roads Minister, Paul Lucas.

The Minister said the project would give the green light to the Beattie Government's commitment of a high speed rail service between Brisbane, Caloundra and Maroochydore.

"When the project is completed, the community will reap real benefits in reduced travel times.

"The project will be constructed in two stages, starting from today.

"The rail line between Caboolture and Beerburrum will undergo a major upgrade, cutting travel times by 30 percent for all travellers using the line.

"Funding of $262.4 million has been provided for a new rail corridor for that 14 kilometre section. It will be completed by mid 2009," he said.

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.

"The upgrade between Caboolture and Beerburrum will iron out the sharp curves and duplicate the line, providing faster, more efficient services for the 400,000 people living in the Caboolture and Sunshine Coast areas," Mr Lucas said.

"Average trip times along this section of track will be cut by around three minutes per journey - an annual saving of 30 hours on a journey to and from work.

"It also means faster, more efficient rail services for all other parts of the state from Caboolture north.

"All the land owners affected between Caboolture and Beerburrum are being contacted personally from today by Queensland Transport officers to discuss their individual needs," Mr Lucas said.

"The Caboolture to Landsborough section of line is one of the weakest links in the Queensland rail network. It is a single winding track, forcing all trains to slow and severely restricting the capacity of rail services.

"The Sunshine Coast needs a rail service that will keep pace with population growth and provide a swift, efficient link to Brisbane.
"The Caboolture and Sunshine Coast areas will have a combined population of about 604,500 by 2026. Rail services must keep pace with that population growth," he said.

Mr Lucas said the preferred rail corridor for the further extension of the upgrade from Beerburrum to Landsborough would provide a safer and more efficient rail service, with further time savings for travellers.
.
"The corridor is slightly outside the existing one in some places, but provides a much better long-term planning solution," he said.

"The new corridor does impact on some landowners, and those people will be consulted about their individual needs.

"This preferred rail corridor will provide substantial long term benefits and has room for future expansion within it.

"We need to adopt the best solution possible to provide the service improvements needed for the Sunshine Coast now, and for generations to come," Mr Lucas said.

State Member for Glass House, Carolyn Male, said the preferred rail corridor provided a solution that limited impacts on the local community.
"Local people are grateful to the Government for having such an extensive consultation process, and for listening to and acting on the feedback from the community," she said.
Mr Lucas said public comment on the preferred corridor between Beerburrum and Landsborough was sought from today until October 21, 2005.
Details of the corridor, including maps, are available at www.arup.com.au/clrs or at Queensland Transport customer service centres, local council administration centres, libraries, selected Australia Post offices and sub-agents throughout the study area.

Further information is available on freecall 1800 221 991.
Media Inquiries: 3237 1947 or 0438 768 734

[Fares_Fair]

and there's no we all lived happily ever after in this fairy tale. We may well all be retired.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[colinw]

The Government decided that the seats along the Springfield & Kippa-Ring lines were more contestable.

Must have been a world class green light.

[mufreight]

While the infrastructure upgrade is essential for Sunshine Coast Passenger services it is even more critical for freight services, train paths are limited and trains are restricted in length.
Untill such time as the realignment and duplication of selected sections of the line between Beerburrum the capacity of freight services is limited with increasing tonnages of freight being forced on to the Bruce Highway already acknowledged as being at capacity and considered to be sub standard in terms of safety.
The already identified and proposed realignment and duplication coupled with selected extensions of passing loops would enable the operation of longer and faster freight services reducing the number of trains that would be needed to cater for the ever increasing tonnages of freight to and from the north of the state which would take freight off the highway and reduce the freight costs of goods for the north and just to keep the tree huggers happy make a significent reduction in those terrible greenhouse emissions.
More hot air, spin and press releases achieve nothing other than to emphasise the duplicity of a government that ceased work on the Beerburrum to Landsborough duplication within weeks of loseing a bi election for the seat of Glasshouse.

[Jonno]

First his hair, now his seat, does it get any worse?

What is exactly wrong with loosing your hair. Never found it to have any effect on my intelligence, my abilities at work, my luck at marrying a beautiful girl and my compassion for my fellow people and the plant.

[Fares_Fair]

While the infrastructure upgrade is essential for Sunshine Coast Passenger services it is even more critical for freight services, train paths are limited and trains are restricted in length.
Untill such time as the realignment and duplication of selected sections of the line between Beerburrum the capacity of freight services is limited with increasing tonnages of freight being forced on to the Bruce Highway already acknowledged as being at capacity and considered to be sub standard in terms of safety.
The already identified and proposed realignment and duplication coupled with selected extensions of passing loops would enable the operation of longer and faster freight services reducing the number of trains that would be needed to cater for the ever increasing tonnages of freight to and from the north of the state which would take freight off the highway and reduce the freight costs of goods for the north and just to keep the tree huggers happy make a significent reduction in those terrible greenhouse emissions.
More hot air, spin and press releases achieve nothing other than to emphasise the duplicity of a government that ceased work on the Beerburrum to Landsborough duplication within weeks of loseing a bi election for the seat of Glasshouse.

I had an interesting conversation with a freight rail person this week. He told me that the freight situation would not improve until the duplication goes through to Nambour.
He reiterated (confirmed) that just going to Landsborough did not solve the freight issues.
Your notes above mufreight, pretty well confirm what I was told though he didn't expect it to be a staged approach.

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Gazza]

First his hair, now his seat, does it get any worse?

What is exactly wrong with loosing your hair. Never found it to have any effect on my intelligence, my abilities at work, my luck at marrying a beautiful girl and my compassion for my fellow people and the plant.

Well obviously it did effect Andrew Fraisers ability to do these things (I don't know about his marital status, but the rest holds true!)

Checkmate 

[somebody]

He reiterated (confirmed) that just going to Landsborough did not solve the freight issues.

Assuming that the passenger train frequency remains the same, of course.  What if the duplication goes to Beerwah, with hourly or half hourly trains to Landsborough, but a slight reduction in frequency Landsborough-Nambour from 90 minutes to 120 minutes, but with buses Landsborough-Nambour meeting the Landsborough terminators?  That would abolish the cross in the single track area and free up freight paths.

[HappyTrainGuy]

I thought it would have been north of Nambour considering the tight curves from there on out is what impacts on their running times.

[somebody]

I thought it would have been north of Nambour considering the tight curves from there on out is what impacts on their running times.

The freight train path restricting section?  Possibly.

[mufreight]

I thought it would have been north of Nambour considering the tight curves from there on out is what impacts on their running times.

The realignment and duplication of the entire Beerburrum to Nambour section would considerably reduce transit times for all trains but without either passing lane or crossing loop extensions between Nambour and Gladstone the operation of longer length trains as far as Rockhampton is severely restricted as are improvements in transit times, the prefered option is passing lanes at selected locations which would enable both the crossing of trains moving in opposing directions and the overtaking of freight services by trains such as the tilt services with the minimum of disruption giving further reductions in transit times.
The most pressing present need is to provide for increased train paths between Beerburrum and Nambour.

[Fares_Fair]

From the Landsborough to Nambour Rail project
Coordinator-General's report on the environmental impact statement
November 2011


4.3   State approvals
4.3.1   Development approvals and permits  
Whether the rail corridor is designated as exempt development in the SCRC
planning scheme or not, a number of approvals and permits would be needed to
construct the proposed railway.  Given the long-term nature of project, it is not
possible to accurately anticipate the likely state approvals required. The Coordinator-
General is not expected to be involved in future phases of the project. In accordance
with section 35A of the SDPWO Act, this report will lapse four years after its
completion. Given the scheduled timing of the project, the requisite approvals to
construct and operate the railway are anticipated to be sought by the proponent well
after the four-year currency period of this report. Accordingly, no conditions are
stated for the project in this report.

*groan*

Full Report can be found here (scroll down to 9 November 2011) p21 quoted above: http://www.deedi.qld.gov.au/cg/landsborough-to-nambour-rail-project-2.html

Regards,
Fares_Fair.