Article: Rail upgrade off tracks

[Fares_Fair]

Article: Rail upgrade off tracks
13th April 2012 3:54 AM
Sunshine Coast Daily
by Bianca Clare

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2012/04/13/rail-upgrade-off-tracks/

IT is unlikely an independent audit of the Sunshine Coast's inadequate rail network will speed up the much-needed duplication of the Beerburrum-to-Landsborough line.

The overdue assessment, announced by new LNP Minister for Transport Scott Emerson yesterday, will look into rail reliability and integrity in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ipswich and Sunshine Coast.

However, while he admitted on the Sunshine Coast "there was clearly an issue with infrastructure capacity" given the "tight budget situation", the duplication would form "part of a pipeline of projects".

The blow to commuter hopes of a guaranteed fast track came as the State Government yesterday renewed its election pledge of $1 billion towards fixing the Bruce Hwy within 10 years.

A soon-to-be-formed Bruce Hwy Crisis Action Group, the Department of Transport and Main Roads will compile an "engineering-based" crisis plan with priorities.

Mr Emerson said that undoubtedly would include sections through the Sunshine Coast but did not specify any details.

Member for Glass House Andrew Powell said the priority for the Sunshine Coast stretch of the highway was the interchanges at Bells Creek Rd and Sippy Downs which are a "daily danger".

He said Coast residents had to be realistic about their hopes of an upgrade to six lanes between Caloundra and Brisbane.

"You can't look at the highway alone as a solution for congestion," Mr Powell said.

"I will continue to highlight the importance of duplicating the 17km stretch of rail to Landsborough and then also to Nambour.

"I am committed to meeting the former state government's promise of a 2031 deadline."

Sunshine Coast commuter advocate Jeff Addison said the rail services to the Sunshine Coast and to North Queensland could not improve until the single-track stranglehold was rectified.

"Freight services, passenger trains and long-distance trains all share the predominately single-line track," he said.

"It is unique in the Australia for the types of services it carries."

He said he hoped for a firm LNP commitment to a realistic duplication construction schedule once the state's finances had been assessed.

"Our region has been severely neglected over the past few years, in particular with the rail network, where duplication work stopped 24 days after the 2009 state election."

The LNP highway funding is conditional on the Federal Government kicking in additional money.

Member for Fisher Peter Slipper had promised to make this a priority when appointed Speaker in December last year. However his office did not return calls yesterday.

[Fares_Fair]

I have received word that Hon Andrew Powell MP has unfortunately been misquoted.
He states that his position has not changed, and that position is to fight to get the duplication to Nambour happening before (the former state government's) 2031 deadline.
The online story has been corrected, see below.

"You can't look at the highway alone as a solution for congestion," Mr Powell said.

"I will continue to highlight the importance of duplicating the 17km stretch of rail to Landsborough and then also to Nambour.

"I am committed to meeting the former state government's promise of a 2031 deadline.

Mr Powell said he would be doing everything he could to see if LNP could deliver the duplication sooner than the former government's 2031 deadline.

"I am very supportive and appreciative of the government's initiative to recognise the need for improved infrastructure in the area."

[mufreight]

To commence the upgrade and duplication in 2030 instead of 2031 is of little advantage in reality and even without considering any growth in passenger traffic there are considerable savings that would acrue from an immediate start on progressive upgrades of selected sections of the line between Beerburrum and Nambour.
The gradual elimination of the "temporary platform extensions", the elimination of some of the worst curves allowing accelerated running times, the provision of double track on these realigned sections would allow the passing of trains without loss of time waiting for opposing movements and the ability to operate longer freight services which would reduce the number of freight services that would need to be operated or provide the capacity for growth and the removal of some freight off the road system.
Obviously time to reprogram the bean counters and ministerial advisers.

[Fares_Fair]

To commence the upgrade and duplication in 2030 instead of 2031 is of little advantage in reality and even without considering any growth in passenger traffic there are considerable savings that would acrue from an immediate start on progressive upgrades of selected sections of the line between Beerburrum and Nambour.
The gradual elimination of the "temporary platform extensions", the elimination of some of the worst curves allowing accelerated running times, the provision of double track on these realigned sections would allow the passing of trains without loss of time waiting for opposing movements and the ability to operate longer freight services which would reduce the number of freight services that would need to be operated or provide the capacity for growth and the removal of some freight off the road system.
Obviously time to reprogram the bean counters and ministerial advisers.

The Co-ordinator Generals report on the Environmental Impact Statement for Landsborough to Nambour rail duplication, says it will expire after 4 years.
The report was released on 9 November, 2011.
If work is not started by 8 November, 2015, then the EIS will need to be redone, costing the State more money.

It also said the project is ready to proceed.

[Stillwater]

A start must be made before 2015 or the government that says it wants to cut waste and costs will be doing the exact opposite in respect of the SCL duplication. 

Now, who is squirming over past promises that the electorate noew expects to be honoured?

Unfortunately for Mr Andrew Powell MP, his attempt to correct his 'misquote' only confuses the situation further.  On the one hand, Mr Powell is quoted as saying: " I am committed to meeting the former state government's promise of a 2031 deadline."  In that statement, he is saying that the LNP promise on SCL duplication is the same as the ALP's!

Next it is reported that 'Mr Powell said he would be doing everything he could to see if LNP could deliver the duplication sooner than the former government's 2031 deadline.'  So, the current government's deadline for completing duplication to Nambour remains the same as the former government's.

Mr Powell needs to be reminded of words he does not dispute, words he made in June last year.  On 8 June 2011, Mr Powell said:

"Andrew Powell says he 'will be watching with keen anticipation' that next week's (2011) State Budget does not let down his electorate.  Mr Powell said a priority should be given to funding for the North Coast Rail Duplication following the delay announced last year that the duplication from Beerburrum to Nambour would be until 2031.  "This vital infrastructure is the centrepiece of our region's public transport network and if the Sunshine Coast is to accommodate an expanding population the Bligh Labor Government must allocate funding to restart this project now," Mr Powell said.

Less than 12 months ago, Mr Powell was calling for an immediate start on the SCL duplication, now he will do his best to meet the ALP's promise to complete the project by 2031.  What's going on?

To use Mr Powell's own words, his electors will be watching the upcoming LNP Budget for signs that Mr Powell has not let them down.  If he does, he will be letting himself down.

[Stillwater]

Mr Powell has no choice but to explain how far in advance of 2031 he hopes the line to be duplicated to Nambour.  However, that is not enough, he must also reveal when work will start and how fast the pace of activity will proceed.  That would determine a budget.  Anything beyond a start in 2015 will waste the cost of the EIS.  Is not this LNP Government saying it will do whatever necessary to cut costs?

[Golliwog]

Definitely worth pushing on. Both to clarify the local members comments, and to find out the governments plan in terms of wasting already spent $$$