Ministerial Statement - Alternative Rail Corridor Caloundra 25 May 07

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Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Paul Lucas
25/05/2007

Further study on rail corridor approved.

The second phase of an investigation into an alternative rail corridor at southern Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast has begun.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Paul Lucas has announced the draft results of the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) would be presented to the community for feedback mid year.

"This alternative rail corridor has clear advantages over the previous proposal and runs east of the Bruce Highway north of Beerwah to Sugarbag Road in Caloundra.

"It's a shorter route and initial studies suggest it would have less environmental impact.

"But the big bonus is the potential to boost passenger numbers by integrating the proposed rail line into Caloundra City Council's plans for a new city centre at the aerodrome site.

"Caloundra City Council's own Local Growth Management Strategy released late last year identified the aerodrome alignment as a potential rail corridor," he said.

Mr Lucas said the alternative corridor had already passed a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) study with the steering committee recommending this as the preferred option for Queensland Transport.

"It's part of the Caboolture to Maroochydore Corridor Study (CAMCOS) rail project - a proposed extension of the main North Coast railway line at Beerwah to Caloundra by 2015 and Maroochydore by 2020."

"CAMCOS would provide a public transport spine for the Sunshine Coast with plans for a train station to serve the proposed Sunshine Coast Hospital adjacent to the Kawana Town Centre.

"Public transport interchanges would also be developed at the new Caloundra City Centre and at Maroochydore."

Mr Lucas is urging local residents to have their say on the draft Environmental Impact Study.

"The population of the Sunshine Coast is estimated to grow to over 424,000 by 2026 - so we want to ensure we take into account community views on the future transport in the region."

Mr Lucas said the final EIS incorporating community feedback is expected to be submitted to the Queensland Government for approval later this year.

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