SCL Rail Upgrade Campaign History for the record...

[Fares_Fair]

Rail Upgrade Campaign History

There's an active public campaign to bring forward the rail duplication from Beerburrum to Landsborough, and then onto Nambour. The (then 2013) timeframe for completion of these works is to Landsborough by 2021 (originally 2012), and to Nambour by 2031 (originally 2016). These timeframes having been determined by the former Anna Bligh led, Labor Government and reiterated by the Campbell Newman led, LNP government, despite numerous calls to have the works upgraded as a matter of urgency whilst in opposition. On 13 January, 2015 the LNP promised rail duplication from Beerburrum to Landsborough, at a cost of $532m.
It was subject to a mandate at the looming State election to lease state assets for terms ranging from 50 years with an extension option of 49 years.
The LNP government was defeated and replaced by an Annastacia Palaszczuk led Labor government after the January 31, 2015 election.
With that result, the rail duplication promise vapourised, literally overnight.

The significant benefits of rail duplication, (known on Twitter by the handle #2tracks), is recorded in the Landsborough to Nambour Rail project; Coordinator-General's report on the environmental impact statement; dated 9 November 2011.

On p33 it states;

Although acknowledging stakeholders' concerns about local social and economic impacts, the EIS highlighted a range of potential economic benefits of the project to the region including:

improvements to the overall public transport network in the region
savings in time taken to travel for commuters, local passengers, long distance tourist trips and freight
savings in private vehicle operation costs and a reduction in road accidents
enhancement of local business opportunities, and employment clusters—in particular, encouraging the economic development and the economic function of Nambour as a major activity centre
a total of $4.57 billion of output generation into the Queensland economy (including SEQ) over the entire construction period (seven years) and a total of 2786 jobs on average at any point in time.

A Queensland Rail Submission to the Productivity Commission, dated 5 July 2006, stated that for an outlay of $300 million ($2006), there would be $434 million ($2006), in savings. These savings over 20 years.

This report area includes the entire NCL from Brisbane to Cairns. It states on p94;

QR has recently undertaken a cost-benefit study of investment in the North-Coast Line (Brisbane to Cairns). This study sought to identify the economic benefits from investment in the North-Coast Line. A similar approach is also being carried to future investment in the Central-Queensland Coal Network.

Box 10 North Coast Line Study

This analysis includes an estimate of the future transport task (based on underlying market growth rate estimates) in the corridor and identification of the economic benefits for government and society associated with investment in rail.

This analysis also provides an indication of other considerations required in terms of the question of a viable and sustainable general freight rail network such as transport pricing and funding arrangements.

An investment of circa. $300 million ($2006) in a number of "Below rail" projects on the NCL could result in:

• Extraction of just over 850,000 tonnes of general freight / containerised traffic from road to rail on NCL markets
• Road accident cost savings of Present Value (PV) $43 million over 20 years
• Environmental gains valued at PV $23 million over 20 years
• Road pavement / maintenance savings of PV $94 million over 20 years from reduced heavy truck movements
• Benefits associated with better transit times, improved service reliability and improved service availability valued at PV $127 million over 20 years
• Benefits to rail operators and customers valued at PV $143 million over 20 years
• Potential reductions in rail freight costs in the range of 2% to 6% across NCL markets if gains to "above rail" operators are passed on to the customers
• An increase in GTKs on the NCL associated with additional containerised traffic of 34% 'over and above' underlying growth.

The History Begins...

The Queensland State election was held on 21 March 2009, and the state seat of Glass House, in which the Caboolture to Beerburrum rail duplication works were occurring, was won by the local LNP candidate Andrew Powell. The Labor party went on to win the election and just 24 days later, on the 14 April 2009, all works stopped on this rail duplication project. The rail duplication works to Landsborough were scheduled for completion by 2012. The Hon Paul Lucas MP, then Minister for Transport and Main Roads, issued a media statement on Monday August 14, 2006: [4]

It said; Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas said today that plans had been approved for a new rail corridor between Beerburrum and Landsborough. Mr Lucas said that commuters were now a step closer to a high speed rail service between Brisbane, Caloundra and Maroochydore. "Construction of the $550 million rail corridor is expected to start in early 2009 and be completed by mid-2012," the Minister told State Parliament today. On Monday 29 August 2005, Mr Lucas described the Caboolture to Landsborough section of track as "one of the weakest links in the Queensland rail network!"

It is clear that the rail duplication works were to continue on to Landsborough, and a contract had been signed with the TrackStar Alliance to build these works. No explanation was ever given for the stoppage. This was despite the fact that a Qld. Dept. of Transport and Main Roads, Ministerial Briefing Note obtained by Mr Jeff Addison, under a 8 March 2011 'Right to Information" (RTI) request and titled 'Caboolture to Beerburrum Track Duplication Project', dated June 2009 states; "The benefits of increased capacity will not be fully realised until the next stage (Beerburrum to Landsborough) duplication is undertaken."

In other words, it admits that the rail duplication works that stopped suddenly at Beerburrum in April 2009, will achieve little - if anything - for increased capacity, until the remaining section to Landsborough is built. These works to date had cost $298 million.

In 2007, the Landsborough to Nambour - Initial Advice Statement by Arup Engineers, called for the rail line to be duplicated from Landsborough to Nambour, and warned of the likelihood of adverse socio-economic effects should the North Coast Line (NCL) between Landsborough and Nambour not be upgraded.

On 19 December 2010, Mr Jeff Addison, a Sunshine Coast commuter advocate and prominent public campaigner for the rail duplication works wrote to the then Liberal party federal member for Fairfax, Alex Somlyay MP, to discuss the federal funding case for the North Coast Line (NCL) and to request a meeting with the Hon. Anthony Albanese MP, (Labor) then Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and the Hon. Simon Crean MP, then Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government.

The rail line is a part of the National Land Transport Network and part of a significant shared freight artery for the east coast of Australia, from Sydney to Cairns. On the 21 March 2011, Mr Addison received a reply from Mr Albanese, inviting Mr Addison to make a submission on the 22 February 2011 draft National Freight Strategy, to Infrastructure Australia. Mr Albanese responded that "The timing for delivery of these projects is a matter for the Queensland Government. I recommend that you raise this matter directly with the Queensland Government."

As advised, Mr Addison lodged a submission to Infrastructure Australia (IA) on 29 April 2011 and sought a meeting with Queensland's Transport Minister, the Hon. Annastacia Palaszczuk. member for Inala. A subsequent follow up of this IA submission revealed it had not been received by the due date (end of April 2011). The submission was not received by IA due to a technical glitch in the email address system. It was finally confirmed as received on 9 May, 2011.

Mr Somlyay requested that Mr Addison gather together as many state MP's who would support the case for the rail duplication, to attend a meeting to be held at his Maroochydore office. On 15 March 2011, a meeting and MS PowerPoint presentation was made by Mr Addison. Attendees were Andrew Powell MP, Fiona Simpson MP, Steve Dickson MP, Jarrod Bleijie MP and Tracy Davis MP. The meeting was hosted by Alex Somlyay MP.

The presentation was put forward highlighting the case for (part) federal funding of the rail duplication works. It was agreed that once costs and LNP policy announcements were made, then an approach could be made to Mr Albanese. The LNP (Andrew Powell MP) put a Question on Notice (No. 405) to the then Qld Transport Minister on the costs of the duplication works and this was expected to be answered by 27 April, 2011. A specific answer to the question was not received [5]and no further response was pursued on this matter.

On Saturday 4 December 2010, a public meeting was held to discuss amendments to the train timetables for the Caboolture and Sunshine Coast rail lines at the Nambour Community Centre. The express services that once ran from Caboolture to Bowen Hills (20 stations) were to be removed for all but the 2 (at that time) Gympie North trains, and replaced by shorter express legs from Caboolture to Northgate (14 stations) and Northgate to Petrie (9 stations). There was anger at the Nambour Community Centre meeting that these moves would create overcrowding on the Sunshine Coast line trains due to the extra passengers entering the train at the 6 to 11 extra stops now added. The claims were seemingly ignored, possibly due to the fact that there would be extra services put on between Caboolture and the City during peak times. The new timetables were rolled out on 6 June 2011. As predicted by commuters, there was massive overcrowding experienced on the new 5:18pm Roma St to Nambour train. The 5:19pm Petrie service also experienced massive overcrowding. Train carriages were packed with 140 passengers per car, around 840 people per 6 car train. This new service replacing the former 5:16pm 20 station express service.

It received widespread media attention. Stories appearing in the Sunshine Coast Daily [6] and in the Courier-Mail [7]. Local ABC radio station 90.3 Coast FM also airing the story.

On 4 December 2010, a letter was written and circulated to commuters, addressed to the then Transport Minister, the Hon. Rachel Nolan MP, to protest at the proposed timetable changes and warning of the crowding issues that were sure to follow. It also lamented the 15% fare hikes and their impacts on long-haul commuters. It was ignored.

A concerted public campaign was launched, I included a personal invitation to the new Transport Minister, the Hon. Annastacia Palaszczuk to observe the crowding herself. A letter and attached photographs having been sent to the Minister that first night. To her credit she did so, and on the afternoon of 7 June 2011 the Minister came down and observed the situation at Platform 6 Central Station, for herself.

On 17 March 2011 a train boycott was held in protest over savage 15% Go card fare increases and the loss of discounted weekly, monthly, 3, 6 and 12 month tickets. This was led by rail commuter Toni Carroll, and received widespread publicity on local television news, radio and print media.

On Wednesday 29 June 2011, in response to the severe overcrowding of June 6, a media release announced the changes [8]. This was a great win for literally long-standing commuters. On Monday 11 July 2011, in response to the massive crowding, 2 new services were initiated to the Sunshine Coast. One was an extension of the 5:00pm City to Caboolture service, now going to Nambour. These new 6 car services, departing Roma St at 5:00pm and 5:24pm, were comfortably full from their very first day of operation. The Transport Minister herself travelling on the 5:24pm service from Central Station, egressing at Northgate. It was on that service that Mr Addison requested a meeting directly with the Transport Minister to raise his concerns. 2 previous requests through his local MP, Andrew Powell, having been rejected.

In July 2011 a submission was put to the LNP State Conference, held in Brisbane. The original written proposal submitted was this: That this Convention of the LNP recommends that the next LNP State Government and/or the next Coalition Commonwealth Government adopts a policy to resume the rail duplication works for the North Coast Line (NCL) from Beerburrum to Nambour on the Sunshine Coast as a matter of high priority. It was passed virtually unanimously.

On Tuesday 30 August 2011, Jeff Addison met with the then Transport Minister, Annastacia Palaszczuk, to put forward the case for rail duplication. He presented 'The Sunshine Coast Case Report' highlighting the facts and quoting government documents that support the case. That report is found here, under his Rail Back on Track blog pseudonym, Fares_Fair. [9].

Throughout this period many major rail delays were being experienced by commuters due to problems caused by lack of maintenance, signal failures, electrical problems and regular rail crossing boom-gate crashes. The first of what would become 6 petitions and/or e-Petitions were launched to protest the ongoing regular faults and inherent rail reliability issues on the Caboolture/Sunshine Coast line. There has been no less than 6 paper and electronic petitions since February 2011, calling for the Beerburrum to Nambour rail duplication works to be brought forward. There were no less than 4 Questions on Notice, by both sides of parliament on this issue; QoN1136 (21/8/2007); QoN1484 (10/10/2007); QoN405 (24/03/2011) & QoN1320 (4/08/2010).

3 petitions were sponsored by Andrew Powell MP, LNP member for Glass House, and now Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection, whilst he was in opposition.
3 petitions were sponsored by Peter Wellington MP, the Independent member for Nicklin.

All 6 Petitions (2 paper and 4 electronic) since February 2011 have called for the same thing, that is to fast track the rail duplication works to Nambour. e-Petition 1565-10 [10] e-Petition 1712-11 [11] e-Petition 1795-11 [12] Paper Petition 1897-12 [13] e-Petition 1882-12 [14] Paper Petition 1955-12. A response to this was tabled 20 September 2012 by the Hon. Scott Emerson MP, Minister for Transport and Main Roads.

On 9 November 2011, the then (Labor) Treasurer, the Hon. Andrew Fraser MP released the Coordinator-General's report on the Environmental Impact Statement for the Landsborough to Nambour rail project. (see opening remarks). This document gave approval for the works to proceed, however it was highly unusual given that there was no money or timeframe allocated for these works to start. This EIS report is due to expire after 4 years and so on the 9 November 2015, it will become defunct and a new report will have to be produced.

On 22 December 2011, Jeff Addison wrote to the leader of the LNP in Queensland, Campbell Newman, requesting a meeting to discuss this issue and present the case for the rail duplication to him personally. Mr Newman's team replied on 8 February 2012, stating; "..Mr Newman would like me to make you aware that he is in contact with the Shadow Minister and looks forward to working with Mr Emerson and his policy committee regarding this issue." "Thank you again for taking the time to contact us and bring this issue to our attention." "I invite you to contact us again at a later date to discuss the progress of these issues."

On the 21 February 2012, Mr Addison met with the Hon. Peter Slipper MP (Fisher) to put forward the case for federal funding of the rail duplication. Mr Slipper was at that time Speaker of the House of Representatives. It was to request a meeting with the Hon. Anthony Albanese MP member for Grayndler and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport (also leader of the House). The request went unanswered - and after 16 weeks without reply, Mr Addison wrote directly to Mr Albanese on 25 June 2012. On 4 July 2012, a reply was received from the General Manager, Rail and Intermodal Branch, Nation Building - Infrastructure Investment, on behalf of Mr Albanese. The reply stated that the Minister was unavailable to meet in the near future due to other commitments. It advised Mr Addison to pursue the matter with Queensland's Transport Minister, Hon. Scott Emerson MP.

After the Queensland State election of 21 March 2012, the LNP gained power with a massive majority. On Friday 30 March 2012, they appointed the opposition spokesman on Transport, the Hon. Scott Emerson MP, as the new Transport and Main Roads Minister. 6 Sunshine Coast MP's were also rewarded with cabinet portfolios, with one, the Hon. Fiona Simpson MP, member for Maroochydore, being made Speaker.

An LNP State Government submission was subsequently lodged with Infrastructure Australia in August 2012, for funding under the Nation Building 2 program, for the rail duplication works from Beerburrum to Landsborough. These works now listed at a cost of $770 million.

Mr Addison wrote to Mr Emerson (in his new role) and his office replied on 28 September 2012. It reiterated the State Government's timeline for completion of the works from Beerburrum to Landsborough by 2021, and Landsborough to Nambour by 2031, at a cost of $1.7 billion (July 2009 figure).
These timeframes having been called into question many times by Andrew Powell MP, whilst in opposition.

On 29 January 2013, Mr Addison contacted the office of the Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon. Warren Truss MP, federal member for Wide Bay to put forward the case for federal funding. He met with Mr Truss on 23 April 2013. Mr Truss agreed that it was worthy of consideration and that if the State Government put forward the issue in talks being held with the Coalition, then a federal coalition would consider it.

On 10 June 2013, Mr Addison wrote to all 73 sitting LNP MP's informing them of the result of the meeting with Mr Truss, and appealed to them to act upon it.
Of the 73 (email) letters sent to Queensland's Liberal National Party MP's, there were 24 replies, including 2 formal responses.

On 14 July 2013 a formal response was received from the Hon. Andrew Powell MP, member for Glass House and Minister for the Environment and Heritage Protection.

On 18 October 2013, Mr Addison received a formal reply from the Premier of Queensland, the Hon. Campbell Newman MP.
In it he stated his support for vital infrastructure such as the NCL and thanked me for pursuing it at a federal level.

The reply acknowledged that there was a Federal responsibility for the rail upgrade and confirmed that the Queensland State Government is lobbying the Federal Government for these upgrade works. They stated that the Minister for Transport, the Hon. Scott Emerson MP, member for Indooroopilly has asked the Department of Transport and Main Roads to find innovative ways to deliver projects, such as the North Coast Line rail upgrade.

NEW TRAINS
As from 20th January 2014, the Sunshine Coast and Caboolture will each receive 2 new daily services.

Sunshine Coast:
The AM peak service departs Nambour at 5:07am, and runs express from Caboolture to Northgate (14 stations), arriving at the CBD at 6:53am.
The PM peak service departs the CBD at 4:22pm, and runs express Bowen Hills to Northgate to Caboolture (19 stations), arriving at Nambour at 6:10pm.

Sunshine Coast timetable modifications:
The current 4.34pm Nambour express service will depart Central station 6 minutes later at 4.40pm.

Caboolture:
A PM peak service will depart Central at 3.55pm and will run express Northgate to Petrie (9 stations), arriving at Caboolture at 4.50pm.
A PM peak service will depart Central at 4.10pm and will run express Northgate to Petrie (9 stations), arriving at Caboolture at 5.05pm.

Caboolture timetable modifications:
The current all stops Caboolture service departing at 4.07pm, will terminate at Petrie. If you normally catch this train to stations beyond Petrie, you will need to transfer.
The current 4.22pm Caboolture express service will depart Central station 6 minutes later at 4.28pm.

Gympie North timetable modifications:
The AM northbound service will depart Central station 4 minutes earlier at 9.33am. It will arrive at Caboolture at 10.17am and Gympie North at 12.39pm.
The PM northbound service will depart Central station at 5.51pm - arriving at Nambour at 7.44pm and Gympie North at 8.48pm.
This is 6 minutes later than the current 5:45pm departure time.[/color]

Further information can be found here --> [/color] http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/1046/details

Though the additional 2 services are very good, and around 10-12 minutes quicker then equivalent services, ultimately the Sunshine Coast is falling further behind.
The reason is frequency of services - the driving force to increasing patronage on any train line.
The most stark example of this is the increase to the Ferny Grove line patronage since its services went to a 15 minute frequency under an LNP election commitment 2 year trial.

After 20 January 2014, when the 7.5% fare hikes will have kicked in, the Gold Coast will have peak hour services at 8 minutes frequency. 
In stark contrast to this, the Sunshine Coast will have a dog's breakfast of train frequencies.
In the AM, these range from 2 services 17 minutes apart, 1 service 24 minutes apart and the remainder at 1/2 hour to 1 hour frequency.

It's why we desperately need #2tracks rail duplication from Beerburrum to Nambour.


In February 2014, the Australian Rail Track Corporation Ltd (ARTC), a company under the Corporations Act whose shares are owned by the Commonwealth of Australia, were invited to assess areas of the Queensland Rail network that they could develop for freight on a commercial basis – this specifically included the North Coast Line (NCL), as the Transport Minister made very clear to us at a lunch held on 23 April 2014.
The ARTC are due to report back to the State Government by mid-year (June 2014).

The Transport Minister said during the 23 April 2014 lunch (possibly in reference to last year) that the ARTC spent $6 billion on rail infrastructure, but only 1% of that was spent in Queensland. The reason for this glaring shortfall in equality is that the ARTC are currently leasing just 95 km of track from the Queensland / NSW border up to Acacia Ridge.

On Wednesday 12 March 2014, Queensland Treasurer, Hon Tim Nicholls MP (Clayfield) visits the Sunshine Coast and says that if we want projects e.g. like the rail duplication to Nambour, then the State Government needs to sell assets to reduce the current debt.

In an ABC Sunshine Coast radio interview on Thursday 13 March 2014, and in a Sunshine Coast Daily article on Friday 14 March, 2014, p18.
Story here https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/444212397499088896]https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/444212397499088896]https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/444212397499088896
Mr Addison called the linking of critical rail duplication with assets sales as 'political blackmail'
ABC Sunshine Coast radio 'political blackmail' interview here: https://soundcloud.com/abc-sunshine-coast/mornings-jeff-addison-on-asset

On Tuesday 18 March 2014, 90.3 Coast FM (ABC Sunshine Coast) played an interview on Mornings with Annie Gaffney.
In it, the Qld Treasurer & Trade Minister, the Hon Tim Nicholls MP, was asked to respond to my claims of 'political blackmail' towards the Sunshine Coast.
He says, and I quote verbatim;
"Mr Addison still hasn't found a solution to paying down the debt that would free up funds for the Queensland Government to be able to invest in infrastructure."

Mr Nicholls then says of Mr Addison; "He still has not provided a source of funding" and "He doesn't have a solution for where the money's coming from to pay for it."
Mr Nicholls' full interview found here: https://soundcloud.com/abc-sunshine-coast/state-treasurer-tim-nicholls

In response to the radio interview of Thursday 13 March 2014, Qld Parliament Speaker & Maroochydore State MP, Ms Fiona Simpson issued a Media Release on Friday 14 March 2014.

In it she said she would like to see a Sunshine Coast infrastructure guarantee with the rail duplication at the top of the list for well costed and needed regional infrastructure. She stressed that the infrastructure had to be properly costed and necessary to economic growth.

Hon. Ms Simpson Media Release; http://www.fionasimpson.com.au/News/LocalNews/tabid/69/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/1115/Simpson-urges-infrastructure-guarantee.aspx

Astonishingly, in his Tuesday 18 March 2014 interview, Treasurer Tim Nicholls refused to give an infrastructure guarantee commitment as requested by the Hon Ms Simpson, this despite the fact that he had used it as a 'carrot' just 6 days earlier.
He stated that no decisions had been made on what the money would be used for.

On 24 March 2014, the Sunshine Coast Daily printed a story on p3, headlined 'Newman asks for region's priorities.'
In it the Premier claimed not to know what the Sunshine Coast held as its' 3 or 4 major priorities for the region moving forward.
He claimed to be getting different stories from community leaders and organisations.

That same day Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson went onto ABC Sunshine Coast radio.

...  Sunshine Coast mayor Mark Jamieson told ABC radio on Monday morning [24th March] that he was shocked by the Premier's comments.
"Look I was a little stunned, I must admit,'' Mr Jamieson said of the article in the Daily today. "If the Premier is criticising the council for not outlining our vision... our priorities for the region, then he is wrong.''
"I personally outlined our economic development strategy to the Premier,'' Mr Jamieson said.
He said the strategy was the culmination of work by chambers of commerce, the development industry, community groups and the university.
He said he had met with the Local Government Minister [David Crisafulli] to outline the region's priorities.
Mr Jamieson said he had also set up a Sunshine Coast First group which aimed to unite the council with state and federal MPs, business leaders, chambers of commerce and peak development groups.
He said if the Coast's six sitting MPs could not convey the region's needs, he did not know what more he could do ...

A search through Mr Addison's mobile phone found a photograph of a newspaper story that he had captured on 24 December 2013, where on p17, in an opinion piece by Mayor Mark Jamieson, he (Mayor) stated;

"With my creation of Sunshine Coast First the region now speaks with one voice on major infrastructure needs, such as the widening of the Bruce Highway between Caboolture and the Coast, duplication of the railway to Nambour and funding to expand our airport."

Clearly there was a massive communication disconnect or confusion between our local MP's, the Mayor and the Premier.

On Wednesday 26 March 2014, 4 Sunshine Coast MP's, interviewed on ABC Sunshine Coast radio were asked to list their key infrastructure priority for the region.
Responses were tweeted by radio host, Annie Gaffney;

Member for Noosa Glen Elmes lists duplication of north coast rail line as an important key priority for Coast. Wants to see it go north to Gympie.
Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson says duplication of rail line is a key priority for the Coast.
Member for Buderim Steve Dixon lists duplication of north coast rail line as a key priority for the Coast.
Member for Caloundra Mark McArdle lists duplication of north coast rail line as top priority for the Coast.

Member for Glass House Andrew Powell said he would provide a statement later on
Member for Nicklin (Independent), Peter Wellington was attending a function at the time of going to air.

Only 1 MP (out of 7) on the Sunshine Coast made no comment, member for Kawana and Queensland Attorney-General & Minister for Justice; Jarrod Bleijie.

Mr Addison went on twitter to declare it #2tracks rail duplication day, as this was the first time the Sunshine Coast MP's had all publicly announced it as a key or top infrastructure priority.

On Monday 7th April, Clive Palmer was interviewed by Sunshine Coast ABC's' Annie Gaffney.
In the interview he claimed to be 'working hard on rail duplication.' He said that he would be making some announcements at the Queensland Press Club on (Saturday) 19 April 2014 regarding plans for (Federal seat of) Fairfax and Queensland to 'get things going.'
Interview here [refer approx. 15 minute mark on] --> https://soundcloud.com/abc-sunshine-coast/clive-palmer-answers-your

On 15 April 2014 Clive Palmer issues a Media Release, titled Making a Difference in Fairfax. In it the Palmer United Party leader says that he has 'Campaigned for the immediate upgrade of Sunshine Coast infrastructure, including the Maroochydore Airport and the duplication of the railway line to Brisbane'
No other information is available as to who he has spoken to - if anyone at all - and what he has actually done to make this probably unjustified rail 'claim.'

On Saturday 26 April 2014, the Sunshine Coast Daily ran this story on p4
United front on rail line upgrade

THE duplication of the Sunshine Coast railway line has now  been  identified  by  all Coast MPs and both mayors as the region's number one infrastructure priority.
But there will be no funding for it in the State Government's (budget) next financial year. The news came at a lunch meeting on the Sunshine Coast this week with Tran-sport Minister Scott Emerson. The minister's spokesman later confirmed the Bruce Hwy, along with Brisbane's BaT (a five-kilometre under-ground bus and rail project) and  Toowoomba Second Range Crossing were the "state's transport priorities".
"While the Bruce was the priority  for  local  members, now that the LNP has secured a $10 billion funding deal with the Bruce Hwy, the duplication is the next priority," he said.
Rail  advocate  Jeff  Addison, who was at the  lunch meeting, was heartened to hear local MPs were behind the rail duplication. However,  it was "bad news" there was no money in the  upcoming  State  budget for rail duplication. "Mr  Emerson said after the lunch that he had all Sunshine Coast LNP MPs in a room and that the one single issue stated as the top priority for the Sunshine Coast was rail duplication," Mr Addison said. "He acknowledged it, he heard the message, he knows it, the Government knows it."
Mr Addison was also "heartened" to hear of Noosa Mayor Noel Playford's strong support.

Mr Addison attended the Strong Choices public forum on Wednesday 23 April 2014 - hosted by Hon Tim Nicholls MP, Treasurer & Minister for Trade.
There were approx. 50 in attendance (no more) and around 10 staff. Started at 5:30pm, finished at 7:45pm.

During the meeting Mr Nicholls acknowledged Mr Addison's strong passion as an advocate for the North Coast Line rail duplication, he said that he knows about it, he knows the Coast MP's want it, but we need to get the debt level under control.

During the meeting and with the final question of the night, Mr Addison told the Treasurer that the Hon Ms Fiona Simpson had again that day (at the lunch with the Transport Minister), called for an 'infrastructure guarantee' to be linked to asset sales. She had issued a Media Release on 14 March 2014, calling for it.
"Will your government do that?" Mr Addison asked.
The Treasurer's response to the question was essentially, 'No!' but like any good politician, using many more words to say so.

Mr Addison had another brief chat after the meeting with the Treasurer. He delighted in telling him the irony of the shortest passing loop in the 1668km from Brisbane to Cairns being at his home town of Palmwoods.
He also told the Treasurer that the corridor serviced 58% of the Queensland population and that the choke point of the entire line was between Beerburrum and Nambour.
He told the Treasurer that the cost benefit ratio (for Landsborough to Nambour rail duplication) was 2.285.

After the meeting Mr Addison asked what Attorney General and Minister for Justice, the Hon Jarrod Bleijie's views were on rail duplication (since he had not responded to the ABC Sunshine Coast radio interview on Wed 26 March) when 4 Sunshine Coast Politicians came out in support, he said that his position was the same as all the others however the $80 billion debt needs to be resolved.

We now know that ALL Sunshine Coast MP's both LNP and Independent Peter Wellington, support rail duplication as the top priority for the Sunshine Coast.
Both Sunshine Coast and Noosa Councils' support it as a top priority as well.

In short, the case has been won, with Councils, State Gov't and Federal Gov't all agreeing on its importance - now all that's needed is the continual pressure to act and the money to build it !
At the end of the meeting, Mr Addison told the Hon Treasurer, Tim Nicholls MP,  that he would continue to knock on his door.
Mr Nicholls reply was a gem, he said to maintain the pressure - because that is what they respond to.

INTERESTING FACTS FOR THE RECORD
Queensland Rail has 7,205 km of track, Aurizon, a freight rail company has 2,300 km, the Airtrain has 8.5 km.
Rail system total =  9611.5 km of track, state-wide.
The ARTC may well be the coup de grace to the region's 'rail-build' infrastructure apathy. We await their report back to the Government due June 2014.

On 16 June 2014, the Transport, Housing and Local Government Committee led by Chair Howard Hobbs MP (Warrego) released its report into the Agricultural rail freight network in Queensland. It was tabled in State Parliament.
Its contents were scathing of the network throughout Queensland and the Media Release is reproduced below:

MEDIA RELEASE
Report Recommends Big Shake up for Rail
"Rail Service to the Agricultural Sector is currently in a shambles; infrastructure is out-dated and inefficient; there is limited access to train paths; serious inefficiencies in the supply chain; and the above rail service is inefficient, unreliable and inflexible," Member for Warrego, Chairman of the Parliamentary Transport, Housing and Local Government Committee, Howard Hobbs MP said today.
The Committee was tasked by the State Government with inquiring into rail freight in Queensland and the report was tabled in State Parliament today.
"The Committee has been disturbed by reports of either no rail freight service – even where rail lines exist, or slow and unreliable rail services for the non-mining sector, occur right across Queensland" Mr Hobbs said.
Queensland is a significant producer of agricultural commodities with a gross value of $11.1 billion last year. The State Government's Agriculture Strategy aims to double the value of Queensland's food production by 2040 to respond to global food demand.
Mr Hobbs said the Committee found this projected growth will place an enormous burden on the State's already congested roads unless rail infrastructure is modernised and bought into the twenty-first century, and the above-rail service is transformed into an efficient, reliable and flexible business that can adapt quickly to market opportunities.
"Doing nothing is not an option," Mr Hobbs said.
"The Report states the current freight system will not cope with the forecast demand and roads will quickly reach capacity."
"The Port of Brisbane Motorway is estimated to reach full capacity by 2026. Rail freight is the only solution – a single grain train can take at least 500 trucks off the road. Given the predicted growth in the freight business it would seem evident that rail freight can be transformed into a commercially viable business," he said.
Mr Hobbs said the Committee developed a comprehensive set of recommendations on actions the State Government can take to, not only arrest the decline in rail freight use by agricultural industries, but to develop a vision, strategies and an action plan to ensure the State's rail freight service is transformed into a modern, state-of-the-art system - a system that facilitates industrial, mining and agricultural growth and becomes the "industry preferred method" for transporting freight across the State.
Ends – 16 June 2014
Recommendations and the full report can be viewed at http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-committees/committees/THLGC

The following day, local newspaper the Sunshine Coast Daily published a story titled; Railway line duplication on Coast gets another run quoting Mr Hobbs on the need for rail duplication to the Sunshine Coast.
He said the government would have to look at reprioritising funding to ensure some crucial projects, including the Coast line, were put back on track.
"The infrastructure taskforce has been tasked with identifying quick-fix infrastructure areas that need doing," Mr Hobbs said.
"The (duplication of) the Sunshine Coast line is in there. It should start sooner than that (the next five years)."
The committee says the government will also look to public-private partnerships as there is a strong business case for freight.
http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/our-railway-dream-gets-another-run/2292777/

On Sunday 22 June, 2014 the Queensland Government's Community Cabinet came to the Maroochydore State High School's Jubilee Hall.
Mr Jeff Addison a local Sunshine Coast Commuter Advocate had requested a meeting with the Queensland Premier, the Hon. Campbell Newman MP to discuss the North Coast Line rail duplication.
The purpose of the meeting was as follows;
"The proposed duplication of the North Coast Line (NCL) from Beerburrum to Nambour and the impact of its' cessation to the Sunshine Coast region, in particular with respect to proposed developments adding a city the size of Gladstone (approx. 50k people in 10 years) to the southern end of the Sunshine Coast. The Halls Creek land proposal potentially adding more impetus for public transport infrastructure improvements. The freight and shared track limitations that impact the viability of this line up to Cairns."

Mr Brian O'Connor from Rail Back on Track, an online public transport advocacy group [founded and led by Robert Dow], also attended.
We were granted a 15 minute audience with the Hon. Premier Campbell Newman MP (Ashgrove) and the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, the Hon. Scott Emerson MP (Indooroopilly).
The Hon Deb Frecklington MP (Nanango), Minister Assisting the Premier, also was in attendance. Representatives from Queensland Rail and the Department of Transport and Main Roads attended, along with Ministerial advisers.

As we arrived at the venue, Police were everywhere, Mr Addison estimated 30 or so as we walked down to the entrance.
A small group of about 25 anti-asset sales protesters were behind barricades, and yelled out to us "no asset sales in Qld." as I drove in.
They held placards saying 'Down with the LNP', under the 'No Asset Sales' pitch.

After our introduction and greetings, I opened the conversation by asking the Premier if he recalled what his first act was upon becoming LNP leader (from outside Parliament) on 2 April 2011.
He nodded and I said it was to enact the 'CanDo Queensland' slogan.
It had previously successfully been used when he was Mayor of Brisbane City Council, as 'CanDo Brisbane.'

Mr Addison then formally asked the Premier that his government consider the funding of the (39km) north coast line rail duplication from Beerburrum to Nambour.

It was a $2.2 billion question - but one that needs to be answered for the people of the Sunshine Coast and those who rely on freight up to Cairns, as the line serves 58% of Queensland's population.

It was a good, if not brief, meeting. Mr Addison spoke followed by Mr O'Connor and then the Premier responded.

Mr Addison wanted the Premier to be personally aware of the extraordinary facts that make the case so unique and why it is so desperately needed.
They outlined the critical facts in the meeting and both left written submissions with the Premier.
Mr O'Connor raised the issues in the Hobbs Report released on the prior Monday (see above) and other matters supporting the case for the rail duplication. 

Mr Addison's parting comment to the Premier was a quote from 35th American president John F. Kennedy, who said on 27 September 1963.
"We do these things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard."
The Transport Minister quickly quipped "It's not going to be as hard as landing a man on the moon."

The following day, Monday afternoon at 2:46 PM on 23 June 2014 the Government media office tweeted:
QLD Gov Media Office @QGovMO   Jun 23   
@theqldpremier said it was a successful Community Cabinet and that the no 1 issue raised was the Sunshine Coast rail line. #qldpol

The result of the meeting... there will be $8.6 billion in infrastructure funding to be made available for Queensland - provided that the State Government gets a mandate to sell and lease assets after the next state election, due in March 2015.
The current state budget allows $1 billion for rail expenditure.
The Government had promised to take the sale of assets to an election.

While no guarantee of funding for the North Coast Line was made during the meeting, the Premier made it unequivocally clear to Mr Addison and Mr O'Connor that we will know what funding may be available for the North Coast Line rail duplication before the next election.
A decision is expected in 6 - 7 months (due December 2014 / January 2015).

"Like Abraham Lincoln, I am a firm believer in the people, and, if given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crises. The great point is to bring before them the real facts." 
Douglas MacArthur, General of the US Army, April 1944.

It will be up to the people of Queensland to decide at the election.

Later that Monday 23 June 2014, the Queensland Premier was interviewed about Community Cabinet, here is part of what he said;
"But the single biggest one that we heard yesterday was that people want this rail infrastructure upgrade for the North Coast railway line, and we've taken that on board." He continued ... "We will pencil that one down as one of the big ticket infrastructure items that we have to deliver around this State."
Interview found here:

The Premier also made it clear that it is linked to the Strong Choices campaign to sell and lease assets (worth approx. $33.6 billion).

On 17 September, 2014 the Queensland State Government announces that it will rely upon long-term leases and not asset sales, to raise the funding for infrastructure spending.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-17/queensland-treasurer-tim-nicholls-backs-down-on-asset-sales/5749494
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government-plans-to-lease-out-key-electricity-infrastructure/story-fnihsrf2-1227061937034

The estimate of around $33.6 billion is considered to be conservative, i.e. actual income may well be more than has been budgeted.
A decision on funding for the North Coast Line is expected by the end of September 2014.
This did not occur.

No decision has been forthcoming in the release of the Strong Choices Final Plan document of Tuesday 7 October 2014, after a special Queensland Cabinet meeting was called to vote on proposals for 50 year leases of assets (no sales) and a further option to extend another 49 years for bidders. Maximum 99 year lease possible.
Money raised through these leases was upgraded to $37 billion, up from the original $33.6 billion announced.
Of this money, $25 billion is to pay down state debt, $8.6 billion is dedicated to infrastructure and $3.4 billion to address 'cost of living' pressures.



LNP MPs aiming for rail upgrade
Monday 9th January, 2015 (source: Sunshine Coast Daily online)
http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/lnp-mps-aiming-for-rail-upgrade/2506985/
FIVE sitting LNP members of Parliament and one candidate have ventured into the heart of the only Sunshine Coast electorate the party does not hold to pledge their support for duplication of the rail line between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

The "LNP six" fronted up in blue shirts for a media conference yesterday morning at Centenary Square, Nambour, virtually opposite the office of independent sitting member for Nicklin Peter Wellington.

They announced they would work as a team for the much-needed public transport improvement.
Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson rated duplication of the rail line as the team's "No.1 priority".

But the commitment by Ms Simpson, and members for Glass House, Andrew Powell, Caloundra, Mark McArdle, Kawana, Jarrod Bleijie and Buderim, Steve Dickson, and LNP candidate for Nicklin Matt Trace fell short of a promise.
They said they would "fight" and "lobby" for the duplication and the LNP was the only party with a plan to fund infrastructure - by leasing assets - but had no funding allocation or timeline for it.

When asked what had been done about duplicating the rail line while they had been in government during the past three years, they blamed the hangover of Labor's debt.
"We inherited $80 billion of Labor debt. We have one plan that will create the funds, that will create the infrastructure," Ms Simpson said.
"I'm confident that when we can work together as a team. We can deliver this."

Mr Wellington said duplication of the rail line was one of the first issues he raised with Premier Campbell Newman and Transport Minister Scott Emerson when the LNP was elected "and they didn't want to know about it".
Mr Wellington said if the LNP was "fair dinkum" about duplicating the rail line, it should put money on the table that could be matched by the Federal Government to get the project going.


Tuesday 13th January, 2015  RAIL DUPLICATION TO LANDSBOROUGH ANNOUNCED
After a relentless campaign of just over 4 years...

The Queensland Premier, the Hon Campbell Newman MP, member for Ashgrove announces the $532 million rail duplication of Beerburrum to Landsborough, subject to the LNP winning the 31st January Queensland state election and leasing assets to produce $37 billion, $8.6 billion of which will fund major infrastructure works.

Standing alongside was Transport Minister, the Hon. Scott Emerson MP, Queensland Speaker, the Hon. Fiona Simpson MP, Environment and Heritage Protection Minister, the Hon. Andrew Powell MP and member for Glass House in which the works reside, National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing Minister, the Hon Steve Dickson MP, and finally Mr Matthew Trace, the LNP candidate for the seat of Nicklin (currently held by Independent, Peter Wellington MP)
Also in attendance were Hon. Jarrod Bleijie MP, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Hon. Mark McArdle MP, Minister for Energy and Water Supply and Hon. Glen Elmes MP, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting the Premier.

It was a BIG announcement...

What does it mean for us?

It will mean the elimination of the ubiquitous rail bus for commuters from Landsborough to Caboolture.
Currently 26 of these rubber wheeled behemoths ply our roads daily, in replacing trains, in and out of stations along the route.
They comprise 42% of our daily trains due to the shared track congestion with freight services and long-distance (to Cairns and Rockhampton) trains.

It will mean over 150 extra services available per week for Sunshine Coast commuters.
That's 75 return trips in 7 days = >10 extra every day.

It will mean a reduction in travel times of at least 8 minutes.
For the record, duplication to Nambour would save 17 minutes and 40 seconds according to one Gov't study.
It will mean that our trains could reach a top speed of 140 km/h along the line.
It will mean less than 30 homes will be impacted by resumptions, with many owners already aware of their home's position within the corridor, because of the 2009 Labor plan to duplicate the line, ending prematurely at Beerburrum.
It will mean that the works will start immediately after the election with completion in 2019.
It will create over 3000 jobs during construction.
It will mean less cars on the Bruce Highway.
More importantly, it will mean less BIG trucks on the Bruce Highway.

For freight, it will mean improvements for freight train access to the Port of Brisbane with reduced congestion from Landsborough southwards.

Works to begin immediately after the election, in 2015/16 financial year and expected to be completed by 2019.
Media release found here:  http://www.andrewpowell.com.au/2015/01/13/funding-commitment-for-north-coast-rail-duplication/

This is wonderful news for the people of the Sunshine Coast and for public transport.
Next stop..   Nambour.

Saturday 31st January, 2015  Queensland State election

In the Queensland State election held 31 January 2015, the LNP were swept from office after only 1 term.
The election resulted in a Labor minority government with support by Independent Nicklin MP, Hon. Peter Wellington.
He was named Queensland's Speaker.

Whilst Mr Wellington holds the balance of power in the Queensland parliament, he offered to support Labor early, before election results were finalised.

To give Labor power in Queensland, the Hon. Mr Wellington was able to:
a) negotiate the restart of the $3.3m Nambour Rail Station DDA Upgrade project,
b) receive written assurances that problematic parking around Nambour Hospital would be looked at,
c) receive an undertaking that rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour would be assessed by a new body, called Building Queensland (BQ).

Should the assessment of its viability by BQ be successful, the State would seek help from the Commonwealth for funding.
This request was made knowing the Federal government's stated position not to fund urban public transport, as this is considered a state responsibility.
Rail duplication however, as part of the national north-south freight line from Melbourne to Cairns, should qualify.

The Nambour Rail Station Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) Upgrade had been stopped by Queensland Rail, citing capital works cost concerns, (but essentially by the LNP) shortly after they came to power.

With the January 31, 2015 election results, the LNP promised, $532 million rail duplication Beerburrum to Landsborough (due for completion in 2019) vapourised - literally overnight.
With it the hopes and dreams of this campaigner for a rail service appropriate for the ~330k population of the Sunshine Coast, tipped to be over 533k by 2031.

To the mind of this author, it's the cheapest cost for any minority government to gain power in Queensland's history;
just $3.3m, two reviews and the Speaker's chair in parliament.

In an Sunshine Coast daily newspaper article http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/q-and-a-dispels-project-rumours/2656295/ dated 31st May 2015, the Hon Peter Wellington MP (Independent, but supported Labor minority Gov't twice) says "That is long-term, down the road when the (rail) duplication happens."

On 9 November 2011, the then (Labor) Treasurer, the Hon. Andrew Fraser MP released the Coordinator-General's report on the Environmental Impact Statement for the Landsborough to Nambour rail project. This document gave approval for the works to proceed.
That EIS report expired on the 9 November 2015.

In the first week of November 2015, the Deputy Premier, the Hon Jackie Trad MP, announced a preliminary North Coast Line Action Plan, a 10 year plan to address the freight rail bottleneck that strangles our freight and passenger rail transport.

On 9th November 2016, I was invited to a meeting with Building Queensland and representatives from Translink and Transport and Main Roads to discuss the latest Annastacia Palaszczuk Labor Government proposal for rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour. The new plan, costed at $780 million, included duplication from Beerburrum to Landsborough on an improved alignment and associated works from Landsborough to Nambour.

RAIL:
The plan of 'associated works' includes extending passing loops, at Landsborough, Eudlo and Woombye, to assist freight and passenger train passing.
The plan also includes providing permanent second platforms, connected by lifts and over-bridges, at Woombye, Palmwoods, Eudlo and Mooloolah.
It proposes to extend the Park and Ride facilities at Nambour, Palmwoods, Landsborough and Beerburrum.
ROADWORKS:
Replace the Barrs Road level crossing near Glass House Mountains Road with a new connection to Coonowrin Road in Glass House Mountains.
Replace the Caloundra Street level crossing in Landsborough with a road over rail solution (to be confirmed).
Improvements to the Steve Irwin Way and Beerburrum Road intersection at Beerburrum.


The 'associated works' as it turns out, are bitterly disappointing as they will lock in the 1891 tortuous alignment (literal 'S' bends) through Eudlo, e.g. for decades to come.
It will stymie future services and speeds to the Sunshine Coast and impact freight up to Cairns. A deeply retrograde step.

Building Queensland told me that the business case for Rail Duplication to Landsborough and associated works (loop extensions, park and rides etc.) from Landsborough to Nambour MUST be completed by 31 March 2017. As it turned out, the Business Case was completed and submitted before this deadline. It was issued on 16 January, 2017.

This Business Case was not submitted to Infrastructure Australia until July 2017, 6 months after its release. A classic example of the real lack of concern for Sunshine Coast rail infrastructure by the Labor State Government.

In a visit to open the Nambour Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) Railway Station Upgrade in September 2017, the Deputy Premier Jackie Trad MP, stated that their Government's priority was for Cross River Rail which they were funding totally (though they are expected to seek federal dollars as the project progresses and provide further information to support the Business Case)
The Business Case submitted to Infrastructure Australia (IA) raised questions over its inflated patronage projections and inclusions, given that patronage has fallen by 10 million from 2008-2016.

On February 16, 2017 Rail Back on Track member 'Stillwater" reported that ABC FM Radio 90.3 Sunshine Coast morning news carried a story in which Transport Minister and Deputy Premier Jackie Trad MP was interviewed ... she said Sunshine Coast Line Upgrade was 'absolutely needed' as it formed part of a multi-purpose railway line and, as a tease, invited people to await the state budget.

On the 13th June, 2017 the Queensland State Budget was handed down.
No money was allocated to the Sunshine Coast Line (SCL) rail duplication.

On Wednesday 25th October 2017, the Queensland Leader of the One Nation party, Hon Steve Dickson MP (Buderim ONP) said in a statement that the party would use $850 million from that (Cross River Rail) project to funding the entire length of the Sunshine Coast Line rail duplication. See story below.
As an aside, the entire 39km length of rail duplication from Beerburrum to Nambour is projected to cost around $2 Billion.
It was estimated to be around $1.8 Billion in 2011.

On Wednesday 1st November 2017, at 10:28am, LNP Leader, the Hon Tim Nicholls MP visited Landsborough Railway station with Deputy, the Hon Deb Frecklington MP and all of the Sunshine Coast MP's including Shadow Transport Minister the Hon Andrew Powell MP. Mr Nicholls announced $300 million towards Sunshine Coast rail duplication, with works to 'get cracking.' The remaining $300 million is to come from the Federal Government under their $10 Billion over 10 years rail infrastructure development fund.
This was very welcome news.. it was the third time that rail duplication to Landsborough has been announced.

1). Labor announced it in 2006, and stopped it at Beerburrum without explanation, in April 2009. Literally 24 days after Labor won the election and LNP won seat where work was occurring.
2). LNP announced it on 13 January 2015, for $532 million and it was subject to LNP winning the election. They lost on 31 January 2015.
3). LNP announce $300 million towards SCL, with $300 million to come from the Federal Government $10 Billion / 10 year rail fund.

A revised Business Case will need to be submitted to Infrastructure Australia and normal protocols followed to secure the additional Federal funding.

That said, I was happy to be there for the announcement.

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/925691262568513538

http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/lnp-flags-sunshine-coast-rail-duplication/news-story/da14ea55fe2131085fac9dd006754a32

The news was also published by the Australian newspaper, in a story by journalist, Charlie Peel.

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/925653464289394688
https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/925653423734718465
https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/925653341828399106
https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/925653256717590528On


On Thursday 9 November, the Sunshine Coast Daily published the latest developments in the #2tracks saga.
Federal funding will be key to progress if LNP win Govt.

https://m.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/rail-is-not-all-about-brisbane-says-advocacy-group/3260145/

On Monday 13 November 2017, the South East Qld Council of Mayors incorporate the #2tracks hashtag into their tweets, along with my picture of our single track as viewed looking south from the Blackall Range Road bridge at Woombye. The picture was first used on the cover of my 'The Sunshine Coast Case' report of 30 August 2011. This report was personally handed to the Hon. Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, then Minister for Transport.

The fact that her Government has committed no funding towards the construction of this project will appear to be her lasting legacy. Doing nothing.

https://twitter.com/SEQMayors/status/929885905694814208

On 25 November, 2017 the Queensland State Election was held.
On the Sunshine Coast it appears that all the LNP members will be returned, except for Noosa, with twice Labor supporting 'Independent' Peter Wellington's 19 year hold of Nicklin, going to the LNP's Marty Hunt.

Many do not realise that Labor have been in power in Queensland for 23 of the past 28 years (as at 2017).

Rob Borbidge was the last conservative Premier of Queensland, his reign lasted up until 26 June 1998.
Campbell Newman's single term in 2012-15 being the only other hiatus.

Whilst Labor have been in power, since 2009, no Sunshine Coast rail duplication works have occurred.
Labor promised nothing for #2tracks in the 2017 election campaign - and received no seats in return.

THURSDAY 18 JANUARY, 2018
NORTH COAST CONNECT (NCC)

My rail campaign world was turned upside down (and for the better) by an announcement at a press conference held at Nambour railway station on Thursday 18 January 2018, that commenced at 9:25am.
The Hon Ted O'Brien MP, the LNP Federal Member for Fairfax, invited me to the occasion.

Over the past few months I had been assisting Ted with technical information, history, advice and reports for a fast train proposal that he was putting together so as to seek funding under the Federal Government's $10 billion over 10 years National Rail Program announced in the 2017-18 federal budget.
This fund is specifically targeted towards providing improved passenger rail services between cities and regional (inter-urban) areas.
He had organised a group within the Federal Parliament called 'Team Queensland', comprising a combined 26 MP's and Senators, who would present a united front in advancing issues of importance to Queenslanders.

Of the $10 billion set aside in the National Rail Program, we know that there is already a $500m commitment to upgrade rail lines in Victoria including the North-East, Gippsland and Geelong. That leaves $9.5 billion up for grabs.

I first met with the Hon member for Fairfax, (he was just Ted O'Brien back then), in 2010 when I invited him to my home to put forward a proposal to the LNP State Conference of 2011, to make the 39km Sunshine Coast rail duplication a priority for an LNP Government.
I vividly recall showing he and his wife the papers and various news articles and reports strewn across our lounge room floor as I discussed the issue and history of the litany of broken promises, with him.
I had joined the LNP at that time to progress the Sunshine Coast rail case, and many members of that organisation were very supportive.
My membership lasted 4 years, and ended in 2015.

I wrote up the proposal and was invited as a delegate to the State Conference.
The motion (number 27 on the list) was passed virtually, if not unanimously, at the event.
Since that time rail duplication has been promised by the LNP on 2 occasions, just prior to an election, but each time the election was lost and thus disappeared the dream of proper rail infrastructure to our region.



THE ANNOUNCEMENT
The Press Conference was called to announce a proposal for a Very Fast Train (not High Speed) between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
A consortium comprising KPMG (Accountants), SMEC (Consulting Engineers), Urbis (Town Planners) and Stockland (Developers) had been put together by the Hon Ted O'Brien MP, to prepare the business case.
The proposal was one of 11 before the Federal Government, after the NCC (Fast Rail) won placement for consideration from an initial field of 26, all vying for a place in the top three.
The top 3 winners would each win an equal slice of $20 million towards preparing a business case for their projects.
Upon completion of the business cases, they were to be submitted to Infrastructure Australia for appropriate assessment and potential funding under the $10 billion over 10 years National Rail Program (NRP) with $9.5 billion remaining after Victorian commitments cited above.

NRP Funding is available from 2019-20 to 2026-27 or when the $10 billion is expended.
The North Coast Connect proposal was 'guesstimated' to cost between $3-$5 billion.

The Sunshine Coast Daily ran the story: https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/fast-rail-travel-from-the-coast-to-brisbane-in-45-/3312862/

A story in the Sydney Morning herald on 8 May 2017 also stated:

"Three business cases for fast-rail connections between "big cities and nearby regional centres" will be funded. The commonwealth will spend $20 million paying half the cost of the businesses cases, inviting submissions later this year from state and territory governments and private sector groups interested in partnering to design, build and operate fast rail in key transport corridors."

Source: https://www.smh.com.au/national/federal-budget-2017-fastrail-projects-on-commonwealth-infrastructure-agenda-20170508-gw09g6.html

The design of the train line was envisaged to support speeds of 160-220 km/h, and resulting in a journey time of just 45 minutes from Nambour (and Maroochydore) to Brisbane.
The project was to be carried out in 3 stages. First were upgrades to the line between Brisbane and Beerburrum. Second stage was rail improvements from Beerburrum to Nambour and the third stage would start at Beerwah and follow the CAMCOS corridor across to Caloundra and up to Maroochydore.
The timeline for completion were also ambitious, the plan envisages fast train rail to Nambour in 5 years and to Maroochydore in 10 years.
The proposal was supported by the Mayor's of Brisbane (Cr Graham Quirk), Moreton Bay (Cr Allan Sutherland), Sunshine Coast (Cr Mark Jamieson) and Noosa (Cr Tony Wellington). It was also supported by the 26 member 'Team Queensland'.

The benefits of a visionary project like this cannot be over-estimated. They are huge - for commuters between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast; for freight all the way up to Cairns; and for tourism to our beautiful region.
Not to mention the impact of a fast rail service on the currently congested Bruce Highway, people will be leaving their cars in droves. Trucks that don't need to be on the highway, won't be.

This project utilises existing rail corridors (and potentially a new one along Trouts Road), existing technologies and is NOT a 'pie in the sky' pre-election venture. It will be shown to be viable and achievable.

A decision on the top three contenders was expected to be made mid-February by the the Hon Barnaby Joyce MP, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure and Leader of the Nationals. As transpired in public events, the Minister resigned from his role and as Leader of the party. He was replaced by Hon Michael McCormack MP, on 26 February, 2018.

FRIDAY 9 MARCH, 2018
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER VISITS NAMBOUR

On Friday 9 March at 9:00am a press conference was held at the Nambour train station.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon Michael McCormack MP, member for Riverina (NSW), Leader of the National Party and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport attended. He was accompanied by the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Liberal member for Bradfield and Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities.

The purpose of the event was to announce that the North Coast Connect (Sunshine Coast to Brisbane Fast Rail) proposal had won one of the top three spots allocated for Federal funding of the business case. It is eligible for a one-third share of the $20 million set aside by the Government.
The Government had said it will contribute $20 million to partner with proponents of fast rail projects to develop business cases for up to three projects that better connect our cities with major regional centres. These projects will ease pressure on our larger cities, grow our regional cities, and unlock land for more housing.

The other two winners were the Consolidated Land and Rail Australia (CLARA) proposal for Fast Rail from Melbourne to Greater Shepparton (approx. 190km). It will investigate the development of two new SMART cities with connections to High Speed Rail along a new dedicated corridor. CLARA will use a private based value capture model to provide the required resources from the value uplift of the land to fund the related infrastructure including the High Speed Rail.
Website with further detailed information found here: http://www.clara.com.au/

The second proponent is the Sydney to Newcastle proposal (approx. 161km). It includes an upgrade to the existing line with segregation of freight from passenger services, level crossing removals and alignment improvements. The NSW government has indicated that travel times between Sydney and Newcastle could be reduced from approximately three hours to two hours.

Whilst the cost of the business case is yet to be revealed, there will be $6.67 million from the Federal Government towards it.
The remainder of funding to be sourced from Local Government bodies; Sunshine Coast Regional Council; Noosa Shire Council; Moreton Bay Regional Council; Brisbane City Council and by the State Government.

At 11:24am, the Queensland Transport Minister, the Hon Mark Bailey MP, released a media statement saying, "We welcome the announcement of funding for the North Coast Connect business case." He said, "The Palaszczuk Government will provide this business case to the North Coast Connect consortium as an in kind contribution – worth $5 million. We look forward to working with them on the development of their business case for North Coast Connect."

It's great to see the different levels (and persuasions) of Government working together to achieve for the people of the Sunshine Coast, the people of the Moreton Bay Region and the people of Brisbane.
Indirectly some 58% of the Queensland population are serviced by the North Coast Line up to Cairns.

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2018/3/9/statement-from-transport-and-main-roads-minister-mark-bailey


TUESDAY 27 MARCH, 2018
INFRASTRUCTURE AUSTRALIA

Infrastructure Australia announce that the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade has made it on to their 'Priority List'

This is an historic occasion.
Never before has a Sunshine Coast rail project made it onto an Infrastructure Australia 'Priority List.'

Infrastructure Australia
Project Evaluation Summary
Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade - see PDF link below.

http://infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/projects/files/Project-Evaluation-Summary-Beerburrum-to-Nambour-Rail-Upgrade.pdf

Priority List - see link below.
http://infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/projects/infrastructure-priority-list.aspx

The Sunshine Coast Daily reported:
https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/722m-rail-upgrade-plans-get-tick-of-approval/3371521/

AUSTRALIA'S leading infrastructure body has placed Sunshine Coast rail duplication back on the to-do list.
Infrastructure Australia has just approved the business case for Beerburrum-Nambour rail upgrades in an updated Infrastructure Priority List released today.
The business case submitted by the State Government is for a $722 million upgrade consisting of duplication of the 20km section of North Coast Line from Beerburrum-Landsborough and extending passing loops from Landsborough-Nambour.
Route realignments, level crossing removals, station improvements, and supporting works are all included in the northern section upgrades with the project set to improve passenger and freight efficiencies and relieve pressure on the Bruce Hwy.
The Beerburrum-Nambour upgrade has been listed as a priority project with an indicative delivery time frame set within the next five years.

The net benefit of the yet to be funded project is estimated by the State Government to be $262 million.
Sunshine Coast Rail Back on Track advocate Jeff Addison said there were issues with the speed capacity of the proposal and he hoped the North Coast Connect fast rail proposal would remain the priority of both the State and Federal Governments.
Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien said the business case approval was good news for the region and he was 100 per cent supportive of both rail duplication and the region's fast rail bid.
He said he would be lobbying for federal funding towards duplication, but hoped during design and construction consideration would be given to ensure the project could accommodate high-speed rail.
Mr O'Brien said the project complemented the North Coast Connect proposal.


From IA website
Project description http://infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/projects/map/

Problem addressed
Capacity issues on the North Coast Line between Beerburrum and Nambour were identified as a priority in the Queensland Government's Moving Freight strategy, and the Northern Australia Infrastructure Audit. As Queensland's major north–south rail corridor, the line facilitates freight and passenger movements between Queensland's coastal population centres from Brisbane to Cairns. This section of the line also has an important role in carrying commuter traffic and will be a key enabler of future public transport developments within the Sunshine Coast.
The Northern Australia Infrastructure Audit indicates that northern Queensland's population is expected to grow by 1.9% on average per year to 2031, driving an expansion of the freight task along the north–south corridor.
Further to the south, the Sunshine Coast's population is expected to grow by two-thirds between 2016 and 2041, according to the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2017. Modelling undertaken suggests that passenger demand on this route could grow by between 3 and 9% per annum until 2036.
The existing rail line will not provide enough capacity to meet future levels of passenger and freight demand. The route's configuration as a single track with limited passing loops constrains capacity on the line. Without rail network enhancements, increased commuter movements between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane are likely to significantly increase traffic on the constrained Bruce Highway.
Proposed initiative
The proposed project is located on the North Coast Line between Beerburrum and Nambour stations. This project involves duplicating the 20 km section from Beerburrum to Landsborough, extending existing passing loops between Landsborough and Nambour, route realignments, level crossing removals, station improvements, and supporting works. The proposed improvements will improve the efficiency of both passenger and freight services, and take pressure off the Bruce Highway.
Economic, social and environmental value

The project will deliver significant economic benefits in the form of travel time savings, with associated social and environmental benefits including reduced air and noise pollution and lower vehicle crash rates. The net benefit to Australia is estimated by the proponent at $262 million (net present value), with a stated benefit–cost ratio of 1.5 using a 7% real discount rate and P50 cost estimate.


In the business case presented by the Qld Government (7 months after its completion) the Queensland Government is offering 20% of the total cost.

The proponent (#Qldpol Govt) capital costs and funding is as follows:
Federal Government to fund #2tracks to the tune of $577.9 million out of total cost of $722.4 million. (80%)
Queensland Govt offered $144.5 million. (20%)
https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/978394773546352640


Mr Addison looks forward to seeing the State and Federal Governments working together for the good of the Sunshine Coast.


THURSDAY 3 MAY, 2018
#2TRACKS GETS $390 million FEDERAL FUNDING

The Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Michael McCormack visited Landsborough Station with Hon Paul Fletcher MP, to announce funding for the Queensland Government proposal - submitted to Infrastructure Australia in July 2017 - for rail duplication to Landsborough and associated works between Landsborough and Nambour, involving extension of passing loops at Eudlo and Woombye, dual platforms at Eudlo, Palmwoods and Woombye which includes accompanying lifts and overbridges as well as expanded Park and Ride facilities.

This equates to a 50% contribution towards the project which will become a wholly owned state asset.
It equates to a 54% contribution if you use the Infrastructure Australia response to the Qld Business Case which costed it at $722.4 million.
I have always maintained that a 50/50 split is a fair contribution, given it is a part of the National Land Transport Network and carries (shared) freight.

It is to be announced in the 2018 Federal Budget this Tuesday evening, 8 May, 2018.

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/992351576172908544

THURSDAY 3 MAY, 2018
HOUSE STANDING COMMITTEE ON INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT AND CITIES

Mr Addison was invited to be a witness at this House of Representatives led inquiry, and to be examined on the transport situation on the Sunshine Coast.
The Committee was chaired by the Hon John Alexander OAM, MP, member for Bennelong (Sydney, NSW) and former tennis champion.
Other members were Hon Andrew Wallace MP (Fisher, QLD), Hon Ted O'Brien MP (Fairfax, QLD) and Hon Sharon Bird MP (Cunningham, NSW)

He was given an unexpected recognition, thanked for his advocacy for rail commuters over many years, by the Hon Andrew Wallace MP and Hon Ted O'Brien MP.
I will upload a Hansard transcript of the proceedings here:
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22committees%2Fcommrep%2Fb065bf4d-64a3-4edf-9e24-bce1bb661061%2F0005%22



Saturday 9th June, 2018  Qld Labor announce $160.8 million for Sunshine Coast Rail duplication

Queensland Deputy Premier, the Hon Jackie Trad MP, member for South Brisbane and Transport and Main Roads Minister, the Hon Mark Bailey MP, member for Miller - held a press conference at Nambour Railway Station at 9:30am, Saturday 9th June, 2019.
They announced that the Queensland State Government, in the State Budget to be handed down on Tuesday 12 June, would commit $160.8 million towards the Sunshine Coast rail duplication.
It will provide an improvement in transit times to Brisbane of 3 minutes.
It will provide an additional 126 services per week (18 per day announced) to the Sunshine Coast.
It will create an additional 312 jobs.

The Beerburrum to Nambour (B2N) Rail Project, here is a description of the works from the Transport and Main Roads website (information on page current as at 24 May, 2018)
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/B/Beerburrum-to-Nambour-Rail-Upgrade-Project

The B2N Project business case investigated the duplication of the North Coast Line on an improved alignment between Beerburrum and Landsborough, which may include:
replacement the Barrs Road level crossing near Glass House Mountains with a new connection to Coonowrin Road in Glass House Mountains
replacement of the Caloundra Street level crossing in Landsborough with a grade separated road over rail solution
improvements to the Beerburrum Road and Steve Irwin Way intersection at Beerburrum
extension of the passing loop at Landsborough to the North
expansion of the park and ride facilities in Landsborough and Beerburrum.
The B2N Project business case also investigated a range of other potential upgrades to the existing infrastructure from Landsborough to Nambour to enhance the benefits of the duplication. These include:
expansion of the park and ride facilities in Nambour and Palmwoods
replacement of the temporary single platforms at stations with permanent dual platforms connected by lifts and overbridges (Mooloolah, Eudlo, Palmwoods and Woombye)
extension of passing loops at Eudlo and Woombye to improve train operations.
It is expected that the B2N project would:
enable an increase in the number and frequency of passenger and freight services
improve transport network integration and access
increase track capacity and reliability
reduce the infrastructure maintenance and operating costs for this section of track over the life of the project.

The business case identified the project's benefits, the issues to be addressed and the most appropriate way to achieve the desired outcomes. It also builds on the findings of previous studies undertaken by the Queensland Government, which resulted in the protection of a future rail corridor from Beerburrum to Landsborough since 2011.
In developing the reference design for the business case, the project team used this gazetted future rail corridor as much as possible.

The project team also undertook environmental surveys, engineering and geotechnical investigations, traffic assessment and noise monitoring in and around the project area.

Robert Dow from Rail Back on Track https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1005193755786448899

Mr Bailey announced that (planning) works would begin immediately, with action to occur in the 2019/20 financial year. A construction period of 5 years was expected to enable passenger and rail services to continue without or with minimal disruption, during the construction phase.

Unfortunately, it is a mere 20% contribution towards their own $780 million plan.

The Federal Liberal Government offered $390 million towards it in May 2018.

Never before has Federal money, from either the Labor or Liberal parties, been offered for the Sunshine Coast rail duplication - until the LNP announcement in May 2018 (see above).

Never before has there been an 80-20 funding split for rail, in Australia. Period.


My thoughts: https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1005346755817291776


Yes, the North Coast Line is a part of the National Land Transport Network, and as such it is eligible for Federal funding. Mr Addison should know. That is what he has been campaigning for since 2010.


PERSONAL COMMENT.  I BELIEVE THAT THE TRUTH MATTERS.
What was galling to hear was the half-truth that the Deputy Premier and Transport Minister said at the press conference when trying to lay the blame at the Campbell Newman LNP Government, saying that Andrew Powell MP and the LNP did nothing whilst in office. He did. By the end of their first term he had succeeded in getting an announcement to build it, with work to start immediately upon their election.
There was no such response from the Labor Government at the end of their first term.
In fact Labor have been in power in Queensland for 24 of the past 29 years (as at 2018)

At the end of the LNP's first (and only) term they announced rail duplication, 100% fully funded by the State, for $532 million, but they lost the subsequent election.
At the end of the Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk Government first term, they announced NOTHING for the Sunshine Coast rail duplication.

In the lead up to the 2017 November 25th state election, again the LNP promised money towards the rail duplication.
This time it was $300 million towards the rail duplication, with a 50% contribution to be sought from the Federal Government. A 50-50 split.
Again, the Hon Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk MP Government promised nothing towards rail duplication.

The last time that the Labor party promised rail duplication was in August 2005, by the then Transport Minister, the Hon Paul Lucas MP.
He said that our rail was the weakest link in the Queensland Rail network and that the works would be complete to Landsborough by 2012.
It's been long time coming.

All work stopped (and a then $300m construction contract had been signed for the works with the TrackStar Alliance), under the Anna Bligh Labor Government in April 2009, and in which Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, was then a Cabinet Minister.
It was stopped literally 24 days after the LNP had won the seat of Glass House where the works had been occurring.

The State Government seems intent on playing political hard-ball with the long-suffering rail-deprived residents of the Sunshine Coast.

Playing puerile politics for what they must see as a political gain, is why they have not secured one seat here on the Sunshine Coast.
At the last State election they promised nothing, and received nothing (no seats here) in return.
END PERSONAL COMMENT


Here is how the news has been reported:

The Brisbane Times https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/it-s-about-time-all-aboard-for-160-million-sunshine-coast-rail-upgrade-20180609-p4zkjj.html
The Announcement: The Sunshine Coast Daily https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/state-gives-green-light-to-north-coast-rail/3437195/
Coast Federal MP's respond to 20% offer by the Annastacia Palaszczuk Govt: The Sunshine Coast Daily https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/coast-mps-let-fly-over-rail-funding-shortfall/3437841/
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson's response https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/mayor-state-government-rail-funding-not-enough/3437618/

Channel 7 Brisbane https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1005360375905189888


I look forward to this project starting immediately, as was announced by the Deputy Premier and Minister on Saturday 9th June, 2018.
With the planning and construction drawings already produced for these works back in 2008/09, it shouldn't be long before we can see tracks being laid.

The Sunshine Coast deserves nothing less.



Friday 15th June, 2018  Qld LNP announce $390 million for Sunshine Coast Rail duplication

Then, on the 15th June 2018 came another announcement.
This one was from the Hon Deb Frecklington MP, Leader of the LNP Opposition and member for Nanango.
The LNP commit to a 50-50 split ($390 million) to get Sunshine Coast Rail Duplication complete.

A 50% contribution that would see the works get done should they win government on the Saturday 31 October 2020 state election.
No more political ploys.

We have a choice between a party that has committed to a 50-50 state and federal funding split and one that is committed to an 80-20 funding split, knowing full well that no railway in the nation has ever received an 80-20 funding split - from any government, be it Labor or Liberal.

One party that has committed to 100% of the works.
One party that seems propelled to find any excuse not to complete the works.
The choice couldn't be clearer.


https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1007395588025905152

Sunshine Coast Community Cabinet

Sunshine Coast Community Cabinet happening this week from Monday 11 March, 2019.
I am meeting with the Hon Mark Bailey MP, Member for Miller and Minister for Transport and Main Roads on Monday afternoon, to discuss various public transport (rail and bus) issues and make some constructive suggestions.
This to be followed by the Premier's Reception tomorrow evening.

I have prepared an agenda of items raised by members of the community, and including Rail Back on track, to be presented and discussed with the Minister.


Friday 3 May, 2019.
Federal Labor quietly announce via Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Media Release that they will match the Federal Government offer of $390m for #2tracks Sunshine Coast

A newspaper report in the Courier-Mail of 3 May 2019 was all that has been 'said' about the 50% rail duplication matching funding by Federal Labor.
No public announcements or 'pressers' mentioning these commitments have been made by either Federal or State Labor, which does give rise to a cause of concern about the true level of 'commitment'.
Media release by Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Member for Grayndler, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development and Shadow Minister for Tourism, found here:
https://anthonyalbanese.com.au/media-release-federal-labor-commits-to-major-queensland-infrastructure-package-friday-3-may-2019

That said it is wonderful news.

It means that (finally) both sides of politics have committed to the long-awaited, critically needed, Sunshine Coast rail duplication.
State Labor Transport and Main Roads Minister the Hon Mark Bailey MP, Member for Miller and Minister for Transport and Main Roads did mention in a follow up news story in the Sunshine Coast Daily on Tuesday 7 May 2019, that the cost of these works was now $800 million, up from $780 million. See SCD story here -->  https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/minister-says-mp-is-accepting-canberras-rail-fund-/3720184/

Ever since the historic Federal Liberal Coalition Government's announcement of funding for these works was made on 3 May 2018, the State Labor Government has been calling for an 80% funding commitment.
Now, their own Federal party (currently in opposition - but widely reported likely to win Government on 18 May) has committed just 50% to the project, and not the 80% demanded by the State Labor Government.

The increase in the cost of the project now said to be $800 million, leaves its total funding shortfall now at $250 million (30%), it remains to be seen what will transpire between Queensland and the Feds should Labor win the Federal election. Will Queensland continue to call for an 80% commitment from the Federal Government or will they stump up the required $250 million, given that it is state owned infrastructure on state owned land run by a state government funded body; Queensland Rail.

Only time will tell if the 330,000 people of the Sunshine Coast are further denied our critical rail infrastructure while 'like Government's' squabble over percentages.

In what was a surprise to the nation and to pollsters everywhere, the Liberal National coalition is returned to power , with a majority, under the Hon Scott Morrison MP, 30th  Prime Minister of Australia.

Wednesday 12th June, 2019 QLD BUDGET RESPONSE
The Qld Govt budget was handed down on Tuesday 11 June. It had no extra funding for #2tracks rail duplication. It was an opportunity for the Hon Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, and her government to put aside 10 years of cancellation and commitment delays and fund the rail 50%. They chose not to and continue to insist on an 80/20 federal/state funding split while we languish with less than half of the services that Redcliffe Peninsula Line opened with in October 2016. The #SunshineCoast today has just 320 services/week. Of those 320, 75 are buses that run from Caboolture to Nambour. We have just 245 trains. Of the 245 trains, just 18 go through to Gympie North. The buses comprise 23.4% of our trains.

At 12:30pm on Wednesday, the member for the federal seat of Fairfax, Hon Ted O'Brien MP, held a press conference to respond to the Queensland state budget, handed down by Deputy Premier and Treasurer, the Hon Jackie Trad MP.
Mr Jeffrey Addison, as a representative of Rail Back on Track, was invited to raise/air his concerns over the lack of progress and funding for the rail duplication. No start date had been announced for these works, with the original $160.8 million funding announcement made just over one year ago (Saturday 9 June at Nambour station, see above).
The press conference was held in Maroochydore and included Bruce Atkinson from 90.3 FM ABC Radio Sunshine Coast, Bryce Heaton and Jordan from WIN Nine News, Simon Nicholls from Seven Local News and Scott Sawyer from the Sunshine Coast Daily.

12 June 2019 Sunshine Coast Daily story here --> https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/rail-advocate-mps-fume-after-state-fails-to-match-/3752074/

12 June 2019 Seven Local News 'Sunshine Coast locals are frustrated' story no. 1 here --> https://twitter.com/7NewsSC/status/1138692142606344192

12 June 2019 Seven Local News 'The Gloves are off' story no. 2 here --> https://twitter.com/7NewsSC/status/1138719800937467905

12 June 2019 WIN news story here --> https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWINNewsSunshineCoast%2Fvideos%2F363119377678130%2F&display=popup&ref=plugin&src=video

The Minister responded to these stories via the Sunshine Coast Daily, here --> https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/minister-bailey-hits-back-at-rail-funding-critics/3752798/

The Transport Minister took exception to these media stories but the fact remains that all of the information said, is true.
In a extraordinary response to the Seven Local News story, he commented thus --> https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1139143659549446144

My assumption is the reason that the LNP did not do a business case for the rail duplication in 2012-2015 was that the previous business case from the broken contract of 2009, was only circa 6 years old and could still apply.

Mr Addison has offered to meet with the Minister and discuss our differences, perhaps with the Premier present, is what he suggested.
Mr Addison received correspondence back from the Minister on the 6th June, from his meeting of 11 March, 2019, and it contained no good news on any of the points he raised for Sunshine Coast #publictransport.
He has good reasons to be angry.

Thursday 13th June, 2019 
QLD HANSARD - OPPOSITION BUDGET REPLY SPEECH by Hon Deb Frecklington MP
Reiterated commitment of $390 million (in 50/50 split) for Sunshine Coast Rail Duplication

See --> https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2019/2019_06_13_DAILY.pdf
Sunshine Coast rail duplication was mentioned 15 times in Hansard, by Opposition State MP's, following the budget reply speech by Hon Deb Frecklington MP, member for Nanango and Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Trade.
It was also mentioned by Hon Mark Bailey MP, Minister for Transport and Main Roads.

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1139361573690937345


Written in the third person for effect or for excerpts (in context) to be used by media.
Any enquiries, the Author, Jeffrey Addison, may be contacted on 0435 987 903

EDIT: Updated 23/06/2019 at 07:32 pm

[ozbob]

 

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

24th September 2013

Sunshine Coast Line:  Rail Upgrade Campaign History

Greetings,

Interesting read this. 

Sunshine Coast Line: Rail Upgrade Campaign History

--> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10227.0

How politics determines transport policy, with failure outcomes.

Best wishes
Robert

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org
RAIL Back On Track http://backontrack.org

[Stillwater]

^^^^^^^
"There is an active public campaign to bring forward the promised rail duplication from Beerburrum to Landsborough, and then onto Nambour. The current timeframe for completion of these works to Landsborough by 2021, and to Nambour by 2031. These timeframes having been determined by the former Anna Bligh led, Labor Government and reiterated by the new Campbell Newman led, LNP government, despite numerous calls to have the works upgraded as a matter of urgency whilst in opposition."

Need to correct ..... 2013 to 2031

[Fares_Fair]

^^^^^^^
"There is an active public campaign to bring forward the promised rail duplication from Beerburrum to Landsborough, and then onto Nambour. The current timeframe for completion of these works to Landsborough by 2021, and to Nambour by 2013. These timeframes having been determined by the former Anna Bligh led, Labor Government and reiterated by the new Campbell Newman led, LNP government, despite numerous calls to have the works upgraded as a matter of urgency whilst in opposition."

Need to correct ..... 2013 to 2031

Thank you SW, done.

[Fares_Fair]

Campaign history updated in main post at top of this thread.
Updated for 7 April 2014 Sunshine Coast ABC radio interview   

[Fares_Fair]

Updated history to include the PUP Media Release of 15 April 2014 where Clive Palmer MP makes the highly spurious claim to have campaigned for rail duplication.
There is no evidence to suggest this has occurred except for the statement made in the Release.

[huddo45]

Updated history to include the PUP Media Release of 15 April 2014 where Clive Palmer MP makes the highly spurious claim to have campaigned for rail duplication.
There is no evidence to suggest this has occurred except for the statement made in the Release.

I remember the CD/DVD from Clive that found its way to my letterbox before the election. He never mentioned anything about rail at all, just some vague reference to 'infrastructure'. whatever that meant.

[Fares_Fair]

Campaign history updated for events of 23 April 2014.
Please refer to the start of this thread.

[Fares_Fair]

Campaign history updated for the events of 16 and 22 June 2014.
Campaign history updated for the event of 17 September 2014 where State assets are to be leased - NOT sold, and raising some $33.6 billion (conservative estimate)


Please refer to the bottom of the initial post in this thread.

[Fares_Fair]

Campaign history updated for the event of 17 September 2014 where State assets are to be leased - NOT sold, and raising some $33.6 billion (conservative estimate)

Please refer to the bottom of the initial post in this thread.

[Fares_Fair]

Campaign history updated for the (non)-event of any announcement regarding duplication of the North Coast Line from Beerburrum to Nambour.
At a community cabinet meeting held on 22 June 2014 we were told we would know by the end of the year.
This date was later moved (via official correspondence) to September 2014.

It's now October ... 


Please refer to the bottom of the initial post in this thread.

[Fares_Fair]

Campaign history updated for the BIG event of 13 January 2015.
Please refer to the start of this thread.

[Fares_Fair]

Campaign history updated for post January 31 election.
Please refer to the start of this thread

[Stillwater]

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) in 2014 commissioned a North Coast Line Capacity (NCLCI) Project.  It was due to be completed in January 2015.

The project was sub-divided into a number of tasks, including an assessment of the rail corridor conditions (infrastructure, traffic task and performance) and an investigation into the freight market on the North Coast corridor; as well as the identification of potential policy and infrastructure options to increase the utilisation of the rail corridor.  The feasibility of running longer freight trains on the NCL was a further consideration.

Where is that report?

[Fares_Fair]

Source: https://secure.publicworks.qld.gov.au/etender/contract/view.do?tenderId=12051

Advisory Services for the North Coast Line Capacity Improvement Project   

Agency   Department of Transport and Main Roads
Address   85 George Street, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 4000
Agency Unit   Department of Transport and Main Roads - Translink
Reference number   TTA14076
Associated with Tender   Advisory Services for the North Coast Line Capacity Improvement Project (TTA14076)
Type of Work   Goods and Services
Title   Advisory Services for the North Coast Line Capacity Improvement Project
Description   
  The Department of Transport and Main Roads is inviting offers (Invitation to Offer No. TTA 14-076) from suitably experienced and qualified service providers undertake the North Coast Line – Capacity Improvement Project (NCLCI). This ITO document identifies the scope and requirements for the provision of these services to undertake strategic transport planning, rail operations assessment, freight capacity analysis and freight demand modelling with high level engineering.

Closing Date   12 May, 2014
UNSPSC 1   Transport operations - (100%) 
Procurement Method   open offer process
Period Contract   Yes
Total Value of the Contract   $433,400 (Estimate) 
Region/s   Cairns & Far North Queensland
Townsville
Mackay Whitsunday Region
Rockhampton
Gladstone
Wide Bay Burnett
South East Queensland

Award Date   5 Jun, 2014
Final Expiry Date   30 Jun, 2015
Number of Submissions   9
Contact   Geoff Wilson 
Phone   OFFICE: (07) 3338 4092 
E-Mail   geoff.wilson@translink.com.au 

Contractors 

1)   Ranbury Management Group Pty Ltd

Level 18, 270 Adelaide Street, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 4000
Price: $ 0.00 

[Stillwater]

Thanks FF, the contract completion date is 30 June 2015.  Allow the government two months to digest the contents and nut out a strategy before releasing it.  So, we should put the end of August in our diaries for the next instalment in respect of the SCL saga.  It would be a safe bet to say the study will confirm all the findings of previous studies, but maybe with more up-to-date figures.

[Fares_Fair]

SCL Rail Upgrade Campaign History for the record...  information updated to include announcements of rail duplication by One Nation and the LNP.
Labor.. where are you? Doing the old 'Do Nothing' Option again are we? You know your own report criticised such inaction.

Please refer to the end of the initial post.

[Fares_Fair]

Updated for SCD newspaper story.
Go to the top (original) thread for the latest information.

[Fares_Fair]

Updated for South East Queensland Council of Mayors tweet incorporating the #2tracks #hashtag and my photo.
I was delighted to oblige.

Please go to the end of the initial post in this 'thread' for the latest news.

[Fares_Fair]

#SunshineCoast Line #Rail Upgrade Campaign History for the record...
Updated for 26 November 2017 election result (results not finalised and thus subject to change).

Please refer to the bottom of the initial post in this thread.

[Stillwater]

No doubt there will be a lot of soul-searching about the implications for federal politics following the outcome of the state election.  It is not hard to imagine this scenario at the next federal election, where the Coalition will want to hold onto Queensland seats and where there are three federal seats on the Sunshine Coast...

Following endorsement of the business case for SCL duplication by IA, a federal Coalition government announces it will meet half the cost of SCL duplication Beerburrum to Landsborough North.  The SCL is on the National Transport Network (the network of road and rail connections that the Feds fund) and CRR is not. Inter-regional freight versus urban commuter rail.  That is an important distinction.

A Coalition government in Canberra could make things difficult for state Labor by saying there will be no funds for CRR because the ALP has said Labor would fund the project entirely using state funds  ... so there is no need for federal funding to make it happen ... while also making it hard for state ALP on the Sunshine Coast.  While offering half the funding, the offer would be made knowing that a cash-strapped state government would not be able to cough up its share (about $300m).

The political message?  Malcolm Turnbull and the Coalition are delivering for the people of the Sunshine Coast while Anna Palaszczuk just delivers a kick in the guts for SC residents - again.

Its all ugly, crude politics, but that is how the game is played in Queensland, unfortunately.

[ozbob]

During the next term of the State Government it is possible that there may well be a change of Government at the Federal level.  If the ALP are successful then some funding for Cross River Rail will no doubt flow.  This then would free up state funds for the SCL and other projects.

[Fares_Fair]

SCL Rail Upgrade Campaign History for the record...

Information updated to include latest news on the North Coast Connect fast rail proposal which won a top three spot for funding of the business case.

Additions start at:
THURSDAY 18 JANUARY, 2018
NORTH COAST CONNECT (NCC)

Refer to the bottom part of the initial post for the latest news.

[Stillwater]

From infrastructure.gov.au website:

FASTER RAIL PROSPECTUS – PROPOSAL FACT SHEET

NORTH COAST CONNECT – BRISBANE AND THE REGIONS OF MORETON BAY AND THE SUNSHINE COAST

The North Coast Connect Consortium will explore upgrades to the rail connection between Brisbane and Nambour as well as a new rail spur to Maroochydore.  This new and upgraded infrastructure would facilitate higher speed passenger rail services between Brisbane and the regions of Moreton Bay and  the Sunshine Coast.

Travel times could be reduced from approximately 2 hours to 45 minutes between Nambour and Brisbane and the trip between Brisbane and Maroochydore is also expected to take 45 minutes.

The business case undertaken by the North Coast Connect Consortium would assess three stages of work covering corridors between Brisbane, Nambour and Maroochydore:

Stage 1a – involves an upgrade of 64.5km of the North Coast Line from Brisbane to Beerburrum through curve easing, level crossings removal and systems upgrade.

Stage 1b – involves an upgrade of 40km of the North Coast Line from Beerburrum to Nambour through curve easing, level crossings removal and systems upgrade.  This work would include duplication of the North Coast Line which is part of a Queensland Government proposal currently subject to an Infrastructure Australia assessment. The Australian Government would require the North Coast Connect Consortium take into account the Queensland Government's proposal. 

Stage 2 – involves a new passenger rail service comprising a spur line with 40km of new track from Beerwah to Maroochydore, and include several new stations. 

Benefits 
Improve travel time reliability (from 2 hours to 45 minutes) and increase capacity.
Increase comfort and amenity at stations and on new trains capable of reaching speeds in excess of 160km/hr, with new stations created on the Beerwah to Maroochydore line. 
Maximise safety for the travelling public on both rail and road including the Bruce Highway. 
Minimise the impact of transport on the environment. 
Revitalise the historic railway towns like Nambour.   
Improve connectivity to the surrounding region through integrating public transport services with improved rail services. 
Unlock housing supply and job growth between Brisbane and the regions of Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast; the third most populated region and the fastest growing region in Australia. 

Estimated business case cost

The Australian Government has committed $20 million in funding to develop faster rail business cases.  The North Coast Connect proposal is one of three successful proposals that will receive a funding contribution from the Australian Government. 

Costs will be confirmed in coming weeks. However, it should be noted that financial support for the development of a business case does not indicate Australian Government support for delivery of a construction project.

Timeframes

Business cases are expected to be delivered to the Australian Government in the next 12 to 18 months.  The business case will need to demonstrate faster rail travel times through new infrastructure or upgrades to existing rail infrastructure.  Completed business cases will be considered in the context of the Australian Government's wider infrastructure priorities and future Budgets, and any future funding commitments will take into account state and private sector financial support.

[#Metro]

I assume that they take public submission given that the public is paying?

[Fares_Fair]

#SunshineCoast Line #Rail Upgrade Campaign History for the record...
Updated for 27 March 2018 historic announcement by Infrastructure Australia

Please refer to the bottom of the initial post in this thread.
Starting from headline:

TUESDAY 27 MARCH, 2018
INFRASTRUCTURE AUSTRALIA

[Fares_Fair]

#SunshineCoast Line #Rail Upgrade Campaign History for the record...
Updated for 06 May 2018
Historic announcement by the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP, Prime Minister of Australia, Government.

Please refer to the bottom of the initial post in this thread.
Starting from headline:

WEDNESDAY 3 MAY, 2018

[Fares_Fair]

SCL Rail Upgrade Campaign History for the record...
Information updated to include latest news on #2tracks rail duplication funding announced by the Queensland Government.

Saturday 9th June, 2018  Qld Labor announce $160.8 million for Sunshine Coast Rail duplication

Queensland Deputy Premier, the Hon Jackie Trad MP, member for South Brisbane and Transport and Main Roads Minister, the Hon Mark Bailey MP, member for Miller - held a press conference at Nambour Railway Station at 9:30am.
They announced that the Queensland State Government, in the State Budget to be handed down on Tuesday 12 June, would commit $160.8 million towards the Sunshine Coast rail duplication.
It will provide an improvement in transit times to Brisbane of 3 minutes.
It will provide an additional 126 services per week (18 per day announced) to the Sunshine Coast.

GO TO THE BOTTOM OF THE INITIAL THREAD IN THIS POSTING. ^

[Fares_Fair]

SCL Rail Upgrade Campaign History for the record...
Information updated to include latest news on #2tracks rail duplication funding announced by the Queensland Opposition Leader, the Hon Deb Frecklington MP, member for Nanango.

Friday 15th June, 2018  Qld LNP announce $390 million for Sunshine Coast Rail duplication, in a 50-50 funding split with the Federal government.

Please go to the bottom of the initial thread in this post.

[Fares_Fair]

Sunshine Coast Community Cabinet happening this week from Monday 11 March, 2019.
I am meeting with the Hon Mark Bailey MP, Member for Miller and Minister for Transport and Main Roads on Monday afternoon, to discuss various public transport (rail and bus) issues and constructive suggestions.
This to be followed by the Premier's Reception.

Please go to the bottom of the initial thread in this post, titled 'Sunshine Coast Community Cabinet,' for further details.

[Fares_Fair]

Updated for the quiet Federal Labor announcement of matching the 50% funding ($390 million) contribution committed by to by the Liberal National Coalition Government in May 2018.

Please go to the bottom of the initial thread in this post for further details.

[Fares_Fair]

Updated for the Press Conferences in response to the 2019 Queensland Budget, where just $50 million in state funds was allocated for #2tracks rail duplication and the Minister cannot even give us a start date!
It was later reported by ABC Radio as to be in the next 2 years.

Hansard information added.

Please go to the bottom of the initial thread in this post for the latest details.

[Fares_Fair]

Updated for Hon Andrew Powell MP response on Friday 21 June 2019.
Works to start immediately.

Please go to the bottom of the initial thread in this post for the latest details.

[Fares_Fair]

The original thread at top of screen has reached its 100,000 character limit.. 

On Tuesday 13 August 2019 Infrastructure Australia released its 2019 Audit.
The original post at start of this thread will be continued in a new post starting below.
Thank you.

[Fares_Fair]

Rail Upgrade Campaign History - Part 2
Friday 21st June, 2019.
LNP confirm immediate start to Beerburrum to Landsborough rail duplication works if elected on 31 October 2020,
in 50/50 funding split with the Federal Government who have also committed $390m

Hon. Andrew Powell MP, member for Glass House, Shadow Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning, in a letter to the Editor (posted on Facebook),
and in a news report by View News Sunshine Coast.

Letter here:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10156333865028715&id=104798568714

See Twitter post for link.
https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1141913329922789377

After 10 years of trying, I've had enough of the litany of broken commitments, I've had enough of his excuses not to build our line with proper funding, I've had enough of the false inferences about #SunshineCoast rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour 'design and planning', when the construction drawings from 2009 are available.
We need a new Minister, someone who can deliver.
I call on the Hon Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, to take over the Transport and Main Roads portfolio.
She delivered for us in 2011. We need her intervention.

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1143855634716086272?

June 2019

On Tuesday 13 August 2019 Infrastructure Australia released its 2019 Audit.
It lists the Beerburrum to Nambour rail duplication as a Priority Project to be delivered in the near term (0-5 years).
It sparked a series of Transport related stories by ABC News Brisbane.
Going Nowhere Story here --> https://youtu.be/PlkSwDzrR6U


South East Queensland City Deal Stakeholder meeting
6 September 2019

Local commuter advocate and Sunshine Coast Rail Back on Track spokesperson Mr Jeffrey Addison has been invited to a SEQ City Deal roundtable discussion.
The roundtable will be hosted by the Australian Government Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure, the Hon Alan Tudge MP, plus representatives of the Queensland Government, the Deputy Premier and Treasurer of Queensland, the Hon Jackie Trad MP who was absent due to Townsville Parliament sitting (represented by an official from Queensland Treasury) and the Chair of the Council of Mayors (SEQ), Brisbane Lord Mayor, Councillor Adrian Schrinner who was absent and represented by Sunshine Coast Mayor, and COMSEQ Councillor Mark Jamieson.

There were 18 representatives from various business and community groups.
The invitation stated that the Australian Government is partnering with the Queensland Government and the Council of Mayors for South East Queensland (COMSEQ) to develop a 20 year City Deal.

City Deals offer a significant opportunity for all three levels of government, working with the private sector and the community, to develop a shared long term vision and to commit to action to better manage population growth, accelerate job creation, boost investment and ensure our cities are even better places to live and work.
Understanding local perspectives on a long term vision for South East Queensland is an important early step in the development of these City Deals.
We want to hear your vision for a future of the region.

I am grateful for the opportunity to present our unique circumstances and situation to the Federal Government.
The effects of the lack of action over our rail has become stark in Nambour. When I walked through it shopping last week it was littered with unleased buildings and empty shopfronts.

We (Sunshine Coast) contribute around $1.6 billion in taxes into the State economy, but see very little return on our taxes in the form of public transport rail infrastructure.
A similar circumstance exists with Federal funding.

A Queensland Transport Landsborough to Nambour Initial Advice Statement dated February 2007 says:
'"It is likely that the region would experience adverse socio-economic effects should the NCL between Landsborough and Nambour not be upgraded."
"Increases in demand are likely to significantly challenge the ability of the current infrastructure to support an acceptable level of rail service in the future."
Sadly today, that advice is ignored and there is no funding or imminent state government plan to duplicate the line to Nambour.

12 years on we see the evidence of that state sponsored failure.

I mentioned the current situation on #2tracks rail state funding at the SEQ City Deal Roundtable held on Friday morning.
The Federal Minister, the Hon Alan Tudge MP (Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure) responded that they had been holding productive discussions with the Queensland Government. 

The Federal Minister also confirmed that the North Coast Connect (Fast Rail) business case was due 'any week now."

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1169761690440720384

David Bannister Report into Cross River Rail - Design Flaws

At the conclusion of the meeting I presented the Federal Minister with a copy of a report prepared by Mr David Bannister, a highly experienced rail infrastructure expert who now works as a Consultant for the UK Govt. His report highlights major flaws in the current design of Queensland's Cross River Rail.
This report was also handed to the Queensland Treasury representative (in lieu of the Hon Jackie Trad MP, Deputy Premier of Queensland and Treasurer, and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships).

The report itemises serious issues that have been raised with the Queensland Co-ordinator General in June 2019, but were ignored in the department's response.
Amongst other issues, these design flaws impair the ability of Cross River Rail to improve service levels to the Sunshine Coast.

On 10 September 2019 I wrote to the new Minister for Cross River Rail, the Honourable Kate Jones MP, and presented her with the Bannister report, and sought a response.
On 10 October 2019, I have received a response from the Hon Minister.
That response suggested I contact the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority and told me that the major contracts had already been let. It said that it would require a rescoping of the project.
In essence, the warning has been ignored.

I contacted the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority as suggested by the Minister.
They declined to answer or confirm my written questions.
Cross River #RailFail, here we come.

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1184035866756313088?s=20

Prime Minister visits Queensland to announce $90m of Federal $390m brought forward for #2tracks
20 November 2019

On Wednesday 20th November 2019 the Prime Minister visited Queensland and announced (among a raft of rail and road infrastructure announcements) that $90m of the existing $390m Federal Government contribution for #2tracks #SunshineCoast rail duplication would be brought forward so that the State can access the money and draw it down immediately.

Despite both State and Federal Government contributions being announced almost 18 months ago (Federal announced $390m on 3 May 2018, State announced $160.8m on Saturday 9 June 2018)

The 9 June 2018 announcement of $160.8 million state government funding, it was also said that construction would start in the 2019/20 financial year. That's by June 30, 2020.


In May 2020 I tried to hold the State Government to account over their 2015 promise by Hon Jackie Trad MP to provide us with hourly trains during the day.
We were told there would be 4 southbound and 5 northbound (from Brisbane) services. I was understandably angry with the Transport Minister as all he did was make excuses or not even answer the question put directly to him by Sunshine Coast ABC radio, on 20 February 2020 with Annie Gaffney.
The Minister just would not answer the question of when their promise would be fulfilled.

See Tweet below with link to the audio. Listen as the Minister steadfastly refuses to address their blatant broken promise on our nine trains.

In the Sunshine Valley Gazette story response (see at bottom of post below) the Minister makes the false allegation that I co-wrote an LNP media release by Marty Hunt MP (Nicklin).

See:

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1230274004893569024

Sunshine Valley Gazette, p5
Wednesday 20 May 2020
Where are our nine extra (train) services, as promised?: MP
See post below for more details.

In August 2020, I was asked to write an Opinion Piece for the local newspaper; the Sunshine Valley Gazette to explain the circumstances of the 80/20 federal/state funding split.

Sunshine Valley Gazette, p20
Wednesday 26 August 2020
Rail duplication and the 80/20 funding split
See post below for more details.


Friday 20th June, 2020.
Tenders called for Stage 1 early works of the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (B2N).

The following is from the Transport and Main Roads website
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/beerburrum-to-nambour-rail-upgrade

We have started preconstruction activities for Stage 1 of the B2N project.
Tenders for early works were called in June 2020.

Stage 1 will provide passenger benefits through:

    increased capacity and patronage
    improved connectivity between passenger transport modes
    increased park 'n' ride capacity
    more frequent feeder bus services
    improved train service reliability.

Key design features for Stage 1:

    duplication of the track between Beerburrum and Glass House Mountains on an improved alignment
    duplication of the track between Glass House Mountains and Beerwah within the existing corridor
    realignment of a 1km section of Steve Irwin Way between Nursery Road and Moffatt Road to accommodate the new rail corridor and track infrastructure
    Beerburrum Road and Steve Irwin Way intersection upgrade including a new road overpass on Beerburrum Road
    expansion of the park 'n' ride facility on the northern side of Beerburrum station
    replacement of the Barrs Road level crossing in Glass House Mountains with a new road overpass connecting Barrs Road to Moffatt Road
    replacement of the Burgess Street road-over-rail bridge with a new road overpass
    construction of a new bus interchange at Landsborough
    a new park 'n' ride facility on the eastern side of Landsborough station
    expansion of the park 'n' ride facility on the eastern side of Nambour station.

Full freight benefits will be realised in future stages.

The timing for delivery and staging of construction works will be finalised, confirmed and communicated following the detailed design phase.
We are continuing discussions with the Australian Government regarding funding for future stages to deliver the full scope under the business case.

Key design features for Stage 1(more details from July 2020 TMR PDF
• Duplication of the track between Beerburrum and Glass
House Mountains on an improved alignment.
• Duplication of the track between Glass House Mountains
and Beerwah within the existing corridor.
• Realignment of a one-kilometre section of Steve Irwin Way,
between Nursery Road and Moffatt Road, to accommodate
the new rail corridor and track infrastructure.
• Beerburrum Road and Steve Irwin Way intersection upgrade,
including a new road overpass on Beerburrum Road.
• Expansion of the park 'n' ride facility on the northern side
of Beerburrum station, adding around 200 parking spaces.
• Replacement of the Barrs Road level crossing in Glass
House Mountains with a new road overpass connecting
Barrs Road to Moffatt Road.
• Replacement of the Burgess Street road-over-rail bridge
with a new road overpass.
• Construction of a new bus interchange at Landsborough
station.
• New park 'n' ride facility on the eastern side of
Landsborough station, adding around 300 parking spaces.
• Expansion of the park 'n' ride facility on the eastern side
of Nambour station, adding around 50 parking spaces.

The timelines for the delivery of the project is as follows:

Mid-2020 - Tender for Stage 1 Early Works
Mid-2020 - Tender for Stage 1 Major Construction (delayed until late-August)
Early 2021 - Stage 1 Early Works Start
Early 2022 - Stage 1 Early Works Finish
Mid-2022 - Stage 1 Major Construction Starts
Late 2024 - Stage 1 Major Construction Finish

Next steps

Request for proposals for the main construction contract is now open. (as at 30 November 2020)


Business

Queensland Times Online Story
Days numbered to bid for major rail upgrade contracts
The Beerburrum to Nambour (B2N) Rail Upgrade is ready to begin early 2021, with tenders for the design and construction set to open in August 2020. A new park 'n' ride facility will be constructed on the eastern side of Landsborough station.

by Amber Hooker
14th Aug 2020 2:00 PM
Subscriber only

Tenders will close later this month for the first works on the Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade, which is set to transform Sunshine Coast hinterland transit centres and improve the region's connection to Brisbane.

A 300-space park 'n' ride facility and bus interchange at Landsborough station is one of a number of upgrades in the preliminary-works pipeline and will cut the need for commuters to cross the level crossing to find a carpark.

Plans revealed: 333 jobs up for grabs in major rail upgrade

Park 'n' rides will also be expanded at Nambour and Beerburrum.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the early works were tipped to deliver 333 jobs, with preliminary works contracts to close later this month and be awarded later this year.
The Beerburrum to Nambour (B2N) Rail Upgrade is ready to begin early 2021, with tenders for the design and construction set to open in August 2020. The project includes a number of new road over rail bridges, including at Barrs Rd.

"We're getting closer to seeing work on the ground and people in jobs on this project which is exciting," Mr Bailey said.

"We held industry briefings on the project last month to give local businesses some indication on what kind of work was coming down the line."

$6.5m investment for hinterland bike and hike trail

Proposed works for Stage one on the rail upgrade currently include:

•Duplication of track north of Beerburrum

•Construction of road-over-rail bridges at Beerburrum Rd, Barrs Rd and Burgess St

•Expansion of park 'n' rides at Beerburrum, Landsborough and Nambour

•Bus interchange at Landsborough

•Relocation of utilities
The Beerburrum to Nambour (B2N) Rail Upgrade is ready to begin early 2021, with tenders for the design and construction set to open in August 2020. The project aims to better connect the Sunshine Coast with Brisbane.
The Beerburrum to Nambour (B2N) Rail Upgrade is ready to begin early 2021, with tenders for the design and construction set to open in August 2020. The project aims to better connect the Sunshine Coast with Brisbane.

New 24-hour 7-Eleven opens at hinterland's door

'Shovel ready by first budget': Pledge to fix intersection

Early works to support the upgrade are expected to start early next year, with major construction to follow in 2022.

Mr Bailey said eliminating the need for commuters to cross the level crossing to find a carpark at Landsborough was just one of a series of positive design outcomes the Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade would deliver.

The Beerburrum to Nambour upgrade will help drive economic benefits for the Sunshine Coast region and Queensland through additional peak hour passenger services, enhanced freight connectivity and improved accessibility.

[Fares_Fair]

Sunshine Valley Gazette, p5
Wednesday 20 May 2020
Where are our nine extra (train) services, as promised?: MP
See story picture at bottom of this post.

https://www.sunshinevalleygazette.com.au/blog/woombye-asks-where-are-our-nine-extra-train-services?rq=Addison


Sunshine Valley Gazette, p2
Wednesday 3 June 2020
Mould excuse on the nose, says advocate

Woombye residents are still fighting for a peaceful night's sleep as the beleaguered NGR trains continue to make noise all day and night.
Also wanting to know why the trains that were promised to them by the Deputy Premier herself still have not arrived with no action from the Minister, the Hon Mark Bailey MP.

https://www.sunshinevalleygazette.com.au/blog/queensland-rail-comes-clean?rq=WCRG


In August 2020, I was asked to write an Opinion Piece for the local newspaper; the Sunshine Valley Gazette to explain the circumstances of the 80/20 federal/state funding split.

Sunshine Valley Gazette, p20
Wednesday 26 August 2020
Rail duplication and the 80/20 funding split
See story picture at bottom of this post.

[Fares_Fair]

Rail Upgrade Campaign History - The Fast Rail without Nambour mystery
Sunday 1st November 2020.

Business
Fears Nambour's fast rail dream has become ghost train
By Scott Sawyer

5th Nov 2020 5:00 AM

Nambour's fast rail dreams might've already run out of steam, with fears the former economic hub of the Coast has been left off high-speed rail plans.

Mapping published in September as part of the SEQ Council of Mayors' push for a connected fast rail network in southeast Queensland showed Nambour left off the proposed fast rail corridor.

Adding further concern is the inability of North Coast Connect representatives to confirm whether Nambour was even included in the group's fast rail proposal which is currently at a business case assessment stage with Infrastructure Australia.

Money train: Light rail investigations near $12m

North Coast Connect was first floated in 2018 as a fast rail project set to slash travel times to 45 minutes from the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane.

VISION: A map of a possible future fast rail network in the southeast.

The project was being driven by a corporate consortium of Stockland, KPMG, Urbis and Smec, and backed by a group of Queensland MPs including Member for Fairfax Ted O'Brien.

It was initially pitched as a plan to deliver fast rail services to Nambour and Maroochydore to Brisbane, with a connection to Nambour in five years and Maroochydore in 10 years.

It was envisaged a possible 2032 Olympic bid could fast-track federal and state investment in the project, which was seen as a critical element of the SEQ Council of Mayors' vision for a fast rail-connected southeast, with links from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Toowoomba.

New council boss has major transport projects to name

The council of mayors pitched their vision, ConnectedSEQ, with two pricing options, $16.9 billion for a 60-minute region and $28.8 billion for a 45-minute region model.

The State Government had already contributed to a fast rail business case currently with Infrastructure Australia for high speed services between Nambour and Brisbane, with a spur line to Maroochydore.

But it was understood the numbers were not stacking up to justify a fast train to Nambour, and the omission from recent mapping, which showed a fast rail link diverting at Beerwah and running from Caloundra to Maroochydore, was cause for concern for long-time rail advocate Jeff Addison.

Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien and rail advocate Jeff Addison, right, back in 2018.

Mr Addison said he understood why the large population centres would be serviced, but he was disappointed if what had initially been touted as a fast rail service to Nambour would now ignore the former mill town.

"There's a lot of disadvantage heading Nambour's way," Mr Addison said.

He said in "20-50 years" Nambour would be in the centre of the Coast's major population hubs, and it needed improved rail services for freight and passenger needs.

A North Coast Connect group spokeswoman was unable to confirm if Nambour was being considered by Infrastructure Australia as part of the proposal, or if it had been removed, or only included as an option.

"The business case is subject to a rigorous and independent assessment by Infrastructure Australia and at this stage we cannot comment further while this process is under way," the spokeswoman said.

Fast rail: Travel from Brisbane to Coast in 45 minutes

The spokeswoman had earlier pointed out the North Coast Connect business case had been prepared "independent of the ConnectedSEQ plans" which had been prepared by the Council of Mayors, and it "therefore is not a matter we can comment on".

Currie Street, Mill Lane and Nambour Civic Centre from above.

The North Coast Connect business case was accepted for Infrastructure Australia evaluation in mid-August.

"Why can't they confirm it (Nambour is still included in the proposal)," Mr Addison said.

He questioned the impartiality of the business case if Nambour had been overlooked, given Stockland was involved in the consortium, and had a "clearly vested interest" in ensuring its major residential development at Caloundra South was serviced by fast rail.

Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien said the business case was currently before Infrastructure Australia and he understood it had been presented to the assessment body with options including Nambour.

Meanwhile early works were set to begin on the $550 million Beerburrum to Nambour rail duplication upgrade project next year, with first-stage tenders being assessed by the State Government in September.

Last week the Council of Mayors said their fast rail network plans were on track, after pre-election commitments from Labor, LNP and the Greens to commit to further exploration of the project, although questions still surrounded the ALP's intention regarding the western corridor.

I was doing research for an article for the Sunshine Valley Gazette (circulation 10,000 fortnightly) at the request of the Editor, when I stumbled upon an interesting omission. I found that Nambour was no longer included in the Fast Rail Business Case (BC) despite the fact that it had been announced as a general objective with Fast Rail to Nambour within 5 years and to Maroochydore within 10 years.
I found this out on the 1st November, but my Sunshine Valley Gazette article would not appear until Wednesday 18th November. I raised my concerns with the Sunshine Coast Daily and the above story was the result.

I discovered that both the National Faster Rail Agency (BC submitted December 2019) and Infrastructure Australia (BC submitted 20 August 2020), both had their description of the works of the Business Case as only going to Beerwah! Two webpages couldn't be wrong?

All that was about to change - dramatically.

Fast Rail was an ambitious plan that the Hon Ted O'Brien MP, federal member for Fairfax, had worked hard to secure.
It involved a private consortium called the North Coast Connect (NCCC) and it comprised Stockland, KPMG, Urbis and Smec.


Sunshine Valley Gazette, p2
Wednesday 18 November 2020
Fast Rail De-railed. Will Nambour be shunted again?
The consortium had won a one-third share of $20 million to prepare a Business Case.

Sunshine Valley Gazette
Wednesday 18 November 2020
FAST TRACK DE-RAILED.
WILL NAMBOUR BE SHUNTED AGAIN?
by Jeffrey Addison
Sunshine Coast Commuter Advocate

The announcement was: "The general objective is that we would have fast rail up to Nambour in five years and to Maroochydore in ten years."
So said Ted O'Brien, Federal MP for Fairfax, on 18 January 2018 at Nambour rail station. Granted, it wasn't a promise. But it was an ambitious plan.
A business case was to be prepared by a consortium comprising Stockland, KPMG, Urbis and SMEC.
The North Coast Connect Consortium was one of three proponents to win a share of $20 million in federal funding for a business case. Winners were announced in March 2018.
The Consortium was hamstrung by a limited budget from the outset. The Queensland Government made no monetary contribution towards the business case, but offered an 'in-kind' contribution (of reports and information) that they valued at $5 million.
The business case was completed in December 2019, submitted to the new National Faster Rail Agency (NFRA) and handed to the State Government in February 2020. It was submitted to Infrastructure Australia in August 2020.
The North Coast Connect Consortium was originally tasked to investigate options for upgrades along the existing rail corridor from Brisbane to Nambour and a spur line from Beerwah to Maroochydore. The objective: a 45 minute trip to Brisbane.
What is of concern is that the National Faster Rail Agency website now shows that route options have changed to what was announced at Nambour on that sunny January morning. It says "The detailed business case investigated options for a spur line from Beerwah to Maroochydore, upgrades along the existing corridor from Brisbane to Beerwah (not Nambour) and a range of faster rail speeds."
When did that criteria change, why did it change, and why weren't we told?
Beerwah to Nambour residents (with a single track rail line) deserve to know why their fast rail has been derailed.
If not fast rail, at least ensure they get duplicated tracks for their tortuous, congested, freight-shared corridor.
The NCCC could not confirm if Nambour fast rail was in the mix.
Ted O'Brien MP said that he understood that it had been presented with options to Nambour.
Why does the National Faster Rail Agency website state otherwise?
I ask the National Faster Rail Agency to release the business case in the interests of transparency, once Infrastructure Australia has released their report on it.
A consortium with members interested in a fast rail line to their Caloundra invested developments will never be amenable to it reaching Nambour first. Perhaps the plan was flawed from the start.
I am not against a fast rail service to Maroochydore. If the Federal and/or State Governments want to fund it and the advantaged proponents make significant contributions towards it, then please do so.
Passenger rail services are heavily subsidised by the state government (and so they should, we pay taxes).
For every $1 a commuter pays, it costs the state $3.
I have always campaigned for Nambour rail duplication due to the freight benefits which are economic and positive.
Improved passenger services are collateral advantage.
Nambour doesn't deserve more hardship – headed its way on a single track.

MAP: Recent mapping from the SEQ Council of Mayors showed no fast rail corridor being continued through to Nambour fuelling fears the former mill town, hospital hub and council HQ may miss out yet again.

https://www.facebook.com/SunshineValleyGazette/posts/3419549231475323?comment_id=3419641221466124

Then on the 16th Nov 2020 at 11:30 AM, a bombshell was dropped by Scott Sawyer of the Sunshine Coast Daily.
A secret document showed that there were only two options to go forward in the Fast Rail Business Case - and both of them went to Maroochydore.
Not only that, but the document revealed that the first stage of both options were to go from Beerwah to Caloundra from 2024 - 2027.
Stockland just happen to have a massive residential development going ahead at Caloundra, called Aura.

https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/revealed-the-10b-rail-plan-bypassing-nambour/4140602/

Business
REVEALED: The $10b rail plan 'bypassing' Nambour
Qld to benefit from $80 billion in infrastructure projects
by Scott Sawyer

16th Nov 2020 11:30 AM

A fast rail connection tipped to cost almost $10 billion is one of two options, both appearing to bypass Nambour, preferred by a consortium pushing for high-speed rail.

The options were revealed in secret briefing documents from a report presented to stakeholders on a site tour of the region in July, 2019.

Nine short-listed options for North Coast Connect were compiled, with two recommended as worthwhile pursuing.

The two options put forward for progression focused on connecting Maroochydore to Brisbane.

The North Coast Connect project was launched in 2018 with a pitch to slash travel times from the Coast to Brisbane to 45 minutes.

Fears Nambour's fast rail dream has become ghost train

The project was being driven by a corporate consortium of Stockland, KPMG, Urbis and Smec, and backed by a group of Queensland MPs including Member for Fairfax Ted O'Brien.

The project steering committee included the SEQ Council of Mayors, Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane councils as well as the private sector.

Recent SEQ Council of Mayors mapping published showed a proposed fast rail corridor from Beerwah heading east along the CAMCOS corridor, with Beerwah to Nambour remaining on the Citytrain corridor.

North Coast Connect was initially pitched as a plan to deliver fast rail services from Nambour and Maroochydore to Brisbane, with a connection to Nambour in five years and Maroochydore in 10 years.

The two preferred options, estimated to cost between $5.42 billion - $5.85 billion and $9.13 billion - $9.49 billion respectively, both relied on upgrades on the North Coast Line as far north as Beerwah, with the existing track to remain in place from Beerwah to Nambour.

A new track would be built from Beerwah along the CAMCOS corridor to Maroochydore, servicing Stockland's Aura community at Caloundra South, with other proposed stops at Caloundra, Kawana and Maroochydore, and onto Sunshine Coast Airport in the second preferred option.

VISION: A map of a possible future fast rail network in the southeast, showing no fast rail corridor to Nambour.

Both preferred routes also included plans for a 700m stretch of tunnel through Little Mountain.

Project objectives included in the July, 2019 briefing were the "realisation of land-use development objectives including urban densification and greenfield development" as well as improved transport efficiency and sub-one hour travel time between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

Money train: Light rail investigation nears $12m

Demand for commuter trips from Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane was forecast to increase by about 62 per cent by 2041.

The briefing papers cited a minimum journey time of two hours between Nambour and Brisbane during morning peaks, despite the preferred options not delivering new or upgraded tracks from Beerwah to Nambour.

"Without intervention, the transport network will be unable to support regional growth," the document stated.

Member for Fairfax Ted O'Brien was understood to have requested from Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge a briefing from the National Faster Rail Agency on the full details of the North Coast Connect business case, including what was handed over to Infrastructure Australia for Evaluation.

It was understood probity advisers had been appointed to oversee the business case development process.

Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien. Picture: Patrick Woods

A spokeswoman for Stockland said the company's role in the business case "has now concluded and the final business case is subject to consideration by governments".

"Any inquiries related to the North Coast Connect business case can be directed to the Federal Government," the spokeswoman said.

An Infrastructure Australia spokeswoman confirmed the organisation was currently evaluating the North Coast Connect business case, having accepted it for evaluation in August.

The spokeswoman cited the Infrastructure Australia website, which said the North Coast Connect proposal included a "new dedicated track along the existing North Coast Line between Brisbane and Beerwah, and a new rail corridor to connect coastal population centres including Maroochydore and Caloundra to the North Coast Line".

The National Faster Rail Agency website stated the detailed business case "investigated options for a spur line from Beerwah to Maroochydore, upgrades along the existing corridor from Beerwah to Brisbane and a range of faster rail speeds".

Nambour Chamber of Commerce president Timothy Smith said the business community was demanding the town be added back into plans for the proposed fast rail corridor.

He said the recent mapping which showed Nambour not included in the fast rail corridor had sparked outrage, and ignoring Nambour in fast rail plans would "represent breathtaking short-sightedness".

"Nambour is a thriving business and cultural hub for the Sunshine Coast, and that's only set to intensify as our population expands," Mr Smith said.
Stockland's Caloundra South development Aura is set for a stop on the proposed fast rail line, according to the preferred options. Picture: Patrick Woods

"To exclude Nambour from the fast rail network is to ignore the vital part our town plays in the expansion of the Coast's population and economy over the next 50 years and beyond.

"Our community is crying out for a more efficient connection to Brisbane, and a high-speed rail network will facilitate this and also allow for more visitation not only to our part of the Sunshine Coast but provide for a way of decongesting the road network on the coast by way of the bus / rail interchange in Nambour."

New council boss has major transport wins to name

He said the Chamber would launch a campaign to have Nambour reinstated in considerations.

The consortium's two preferred options were forecast to slash travel times from Roma St to Caloundra to 58 minutes and 43 minutes and from Roma St to Maroochydore to 67 minutes and 57 minutes.

The two options had average speeds of 103km/h and 114km/h and maximum speeds of 190km/h and 240km/h respectively.

Further analysis revealed a time saving on one of the preferred options from Caboolture to Beerwah of more than 11 minutes compared to current Queensland Rail peak period travel times and more than 12 minutes from Petrie to Caboolture on the other preferred route.

Both options were proposed to be operated by Queensland Rail, services running every half-hour in peak periods and hourly in off-peak periods.

There are fears Nambour station could be left off the map when it comes to a fast rail service to the Sunshine Coast. Picture: John McCutcheon

Details of possible staging of each of the preferred options was also documented.

Connections from Beerwah to Caloundra (2024-2027) and Caloundra to Maroochydore (2027-2029) were the first two stages of both proposals, while the final stage of the second preferred option was to connect Maroochydore to Sunshine Coast Airport (2035-2036).

The potential for public-private partnerships was also raised as part of the staging section of the briefing papers, with the CAMCOS aspect of the route offering "potential for PPP delivery as an early stage".

That was in part due to the connection it would provide to major employment and residential catchments of Caloundra South, Kawana and Maroochydore, although the Caboolture to Beerwah stretch provided the greatest time saving per dollar spent according to the modelling.

Package sizes of between $1 billion - $4 billion were understood to be considered the best option by contractors for a staged delivery.

I was contacted by the Daily for comment on this as I was at the original Fast Rail announcement made (ironically) at Nambour Station on 18 January 2018.
I requested a copy of the document from the journalist, and he sent it to me.

BUSINESS
Rail advocate calls for audit office probe of Nambour 'snub'

Jeff Addison during his long hall commute from Brisbane to Palmwoods back in 2015. Picture: Marc Robertson

By SCOTT SAWYER
17th Nov 2020 5:00 AM

A dedicated commuter advocate has called for an investigation into the business case for North Coast Connect if reported site tours failed to include Nambour.
The Daily revealed on Monday that two options out of nine short-listed had been pushed for progression by the consortium behind the proposal.
The consortium was made up of Stockland, KPMG, Urbis and Smec.
The options both focus on fast rail links from Beerwah to Maroochydore along the CAMCOS corridor, with Nambour appearing to remain stuck with the existing track.
The two options were estimated to cost between $5.42 billion to $5.85 billion and $9.13 billion to $9.49 billion respectively.
The news of Nambour's apparent snub prompted outcry from the Nambour Chamber of Commerce and it was understood Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien had sought a full briefing of the business case currently under evaluation by Infrastructure Australia.
Long-time Coast rail advocate Jeff Addison said he felt the whole business case process had been "suborned".

Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien and rail advocate Jeff Addison at the time of the North Coast Connect push taking off.

He said the initial announcement, which had spruiked a fast rail link to Nambour in five years and Maroochydore in 10, was clearly not what had been sent for evaluation.
He said he would be interested to see exactly what was in the business case that went to Infrastructure Australia.
Fears Nambour's fast rail dream has become ghost train
Mr Addison said the site tour the Daily reported to have taken place in July last year raised questions about the propriety of the whole situation, given the business case was still being developed.
"Did that tour include a site tour at Nambour?" Mr Addison asked.
If not, he said he thought it demanded investigation by the Australian National Audit Office.
He also questioned why Mr O'Brien had not been kept in the loop, and who advised the change to remove Nambour from the preferred options.
"It raises a lot more questions certainly about what went on behind the scenes," Mr Addison said.
He said the fact the preferred options serviced major Stockland developments raised "serious questions" although the Daily understood probity advisers had overseen the business case development process.
"To see the whole process suborned is reprehensible," Mr Addison said.

https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/rail-advocate-calls-for-audit-office-probe-of-namb/4140944/

I wrote to the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) on Thursday 19 November 2020, seeking an investigation into this situation, as it involved $6.6 million of federal money.
I have written to Infrastructure Australia on 22 November 2020, apprising them of these circumstances.

Questions need to be answered about the probity and objectivity of the North Coast Connect Business Case.
How did it get subverted to exclude Nambour?
When was Nambour excluded from the Business Case, who made that decision and on what basis?
Why was the Hon Ted O'Brien MP kept out of the loop when it was his idea and creation?

Sunshine Valley Gazette
18 November 2020
O'Brien seeks clarification from Minister and agency

Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien, pictured, is seeking a 'please explain' over Nambour's omission from fast rail plans for South East Queensland.

A map, published in September, as part of the Southeast Queensland Council of Mayors' push for a connected fast rail network showed Nambour left off the proposed fast rail corridor.

The original plan included Nambour as the first option, with a Beerwah to Maroochydore option as Stage 2.

Member for Fairfax Ted O'Brien who has been pushing for the ambitious plan since 2018, said he'd written letters to Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge and the Faster Rail Agency.

"I too want to get to the bottom of this," he said. "I've written a please explain to the National Faster Rail Agency and also written to Minister Tudge requesting a full briefing on the North Coast Connect Consortium business case. This is since hearing that apparently there's something on the agency website saying Nambour's out. It has not been confirmed with me either way.

"So the fight continues. The only way to get these projects is to have a go and I'll continue to have a go in the interests of Nambour and the Coast."

Mr O'Brien said the project was to include a new line to Maroochydore and a train line between Brisbane and Nambour which would allow for speeds between 140kph to 210kph depending on the engineering solution.

The current average speed on the line between the Sunshine Coast and the state's capital is about 55kph.

https://www.sunshinevalleygazette.com.au/blog/O%E2%80%99Brien%20seeks%20clarification%20from%20Minister%20and%20agency?rq=o%27brien

Wednesday 2 December 2020
I was invited onto the ABC Sunshine Coast radio's Breakfast Show hosted by the inimitable Mr Robert Blackmore.
It was to discuss the 2020 Qld state budget and what it meant for our #SunshineCoast rail. Thank you Rob for the opportunity to talk rail.

Robert Dow, our faithful and dedicated public transport Administrator here at Rail Back on Track - had downloaded and retrieved the recording, posted it on Rail Back on Track and tweeted it, all in less than 3 hours. Thank you Robert.

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1333944880188440576

I will be following up on these Fast Rail circumstances.. proper due process must be seen to have occurred.

I was invited to write a column for the local Sunshine Valley Gazette by Editor; Cameron Outridge.
The Sunshine Valley Gazette has a circulation of 10,000 copies fortnightly.
It presently covers Palmwoods, Woombye, Nambour, Chevallum, Eudlo, Mooloolah, Hunchy, Yandina, Maleny, Montville, Flaxton, Mapleton and Forest Glen.


Sunshine Valley Gazette
Wednesday 2 December 2020, p23
By Jeff Addison
Sunshine Coast Commuter Advocate
Sunshine Coast Spokesperson Rail Back on Track

Hard copy published version

The Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (B2N). Unravelling the spin

What do you think the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (B2N) actually is?
If you thought it was full rail duplication to Nambour, you have been sadly dis-track't-ed.

The problem is borne out of the limited funding for the 122.6km Sunshine Coast line from Caboolture to Gympie North (and all part of the North Coast Line) and it's enmeshed in the 80/20 federal/state funding squabble that continues to this day.
You may recall that I did an Opinion Piece on this in the SVG (August 26, 2020 p20).
[The original project cost was $780 million, the state contributed $160.8 million (20%) and the commonwealth contributed $390 million (50%), leaving it 30% short-changed. This was the first time in history that our Sunshine Coast rail received federal funding. Public transport, including rail, is primarily the responsibility of the state.]

In actuality, today's short-changed project comprises just 13.8km of rail duplication from Beerburrum to Glasshouse Mountains to (1.5km north) Beerwah.
Yep, it's just two and a bit stations long for a $550.8 million price tag.
The dual tracks stop shy of where the 20 year long-proposed CAMCOS heavy rail corridor is planned to branch off.

The current project could best be known as the Beerburrum to Woombye Rail Upgrade (B2W) IF you include the proposed passing loop extensions at Landsborough, Eudlo and Woombye.
Unfortunately, those passing loop extensions (which will improve freight) are only included in the stage 2 works – and there is not one dollar allocated to stage 2 at this point in time.
[Refer: Catch 22 funding squabble above].
That said, these passing loop extensions MUST be done on an improved alignment or else they will lock in the current tortuous alignment for decades to come.

Thus, there will be NO freight improvements under this current stage 1 rail plan.
The 2016 Business Case (BC) says there will be a 3 minute travel time saving for commuters from Caboolture to Nambour, but that was when the #2tracks actually went to Landsborough.

It seems futile explaining that the shortest rail passing loop in the entire 1668km North Coast Line (NCL) is located at Palmwoods – because it's not slated to be extended.
That loop is 683m long and can only accommodate a freight train up to 650m long. The problem for the NCL being that Queensland should have freight trains 1500m long. But I digress.

The B2N Rail Upgrade according to the 2016 BC was a $780 million (around 20km) 'rail' project, comprising road re-alignments, road over rail overpasses and carpark (park 'n' ride) expansions at Beerburrum, Landsborough, Palmwoods and Nambour. The carparks are to cope with the expected passenger demand by 2036.
The bus interchange at Landsborough is a new addition to the works, not mentioned in the 2016 BC.

Here are some gems from that 2016 Business Case on what is needed:
'Duplication of the Beerburrum to Nambour section of the North Coast line is explicitly mentioned in this strategy as a key transport investment priority and is expected to contribute to achieving the objective of expanding the use of rail freight through improving the efficiency, availability and capacity of the freight paths on the North Coast line.' or this beauty;

'Freight demand By 2023, currently available operator-preferred freight paths on the North Coast line will be at capacity and from this point onwards, additional freight will have to travel via road, given the insufficient availability of train paths between Beerburrum and Nambour.'

I am in favour of calling stage 1 of the project the 'Beerburrum to Beerwah Rail Upgrade' (B2B) with lots of roadworks and carparks (needed by 2036).
Meanwhile the freight task which has a 2023 deadline gets put on the funding back-burner.
It calls into question the expertise of the decision-makers.

The Bruce Highway is being upgraded for 6 lanes from Caboolture to the Sunshine Motorway, Mooloolaba and rest assured those extra lanes will soon be taken up by more cars and an even whole lot more B-double semi-trailers from 2023.
I usually say 'safe travels' or 'stay safe' to friends on road trips.
From 2023, that is about to become much more difficult.

[Fares_Fair]

I was asked earlier this week to comment on the time-savings provided by the Bruce Highway upgrade from Caboolture to Caloundra.
Kat Donaghey is an experienced journalist with the new (free) media outlet 'Sunshine Coast News.'

The BIG question, how long will it last?
Adding lanes to the Bruce Highway year in, year out is not a solution.
There is a famous quote that comes to mind about the definition of insanity..

One passenger train can take 500 cars off the roads.
One 1500m freight train can take 100 semi-trailers off the road.

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1334618001367130118

[Cazza]

One passenger train can take 500 cars off the roads.

An NGR set has a capacity of 964 people. In any further interviews, use the claim "one passenger train can take up to 950 cars off the road". Makes even more of an argument

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/New-Generation-Rollingstock/About-the-NGR-trains#:~:text=for%20emergency%20evacuations.-,Size%20and%20capacity,long%20and%20weigh%20260%20tonnes.