Sunshine Coast: North Coast Connect

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> North Coast Connect: Fast rail from Brisbane to Sunshine Coast a step closer

SUPERCHARGED fast rail that rockets passengers between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast in 45 minutes is a step closer with the Turnbull Government to reveal today it is one of three projects across Australia short-listed for a business case.

The three projects will be outlined in Nambour by Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher and new Deputy PM Michael McCormack, who is moving to reach out to Queenslanders after Barnaby Joyce stepped down.

The other projects include rail from Sydney to Newcastle and Melbourne to Greater Shepparton.

North Coast Connect aims to dramatically reduce commuter times from Brisbane to the coast by up to two hours, plus unlock housing supply and job growth between Brisbane, Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast; the third most populated and the fastest-growing region in Australia.

Mr McCormack said $20 million had been set aside for three business cases and $10 billion would be spent on the Government's National Rail Program for urban and regional passenger rail projects.

Mr Fletcher said projects needed to give more people the option of enjoying the lifestyle of regional towns while being able to access the deep job market of a capital city.

Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien, who with Federal Coalition "Team Queensland" colleagues has been demanding a bigger slice of Commonwealth infrastructure spending in the state, said a united Queensland voice in Canberra helped secure the latest step.

"The unity ticket of the LNP's Team Queensland expanded to include local government with the mayors of Brisbane, Moreton Bay, the Sunshine Coast and Noosa coming on board, the Queensland Government and Opposition have been extremely supportive and so too has the business sector and community at large,'' Mr O'Brien said.

"When Queensland unites, good luck trying to hold us back."

Cabinet Minister Peter Dutton said he believed the business case would show the proposal was feasible and vital to the future of the fast-growing region.

"Better rail services will ease pressure on existing transport infrastructure like the Bruce Highway and importantly, provide economic benefits across all of our communities," Mr Dutton said.

Petrie MP Luke Howarth said fast rail would be welcome news for the Moreton Bay region and the 450,000 people who lived in it.

"With the Moreton Bay University to open in 2020, the fast rail will provide fast transport, encouraging those that live out of our region to attend the University."

Brisbane MP Trevor Evans said rapid population growth in southeast Queensland made it critical to investigate future public transport options.

"For Brisbane to connect well with its growing regions and with new technologies becoming available to us; we need to be investing and planning for that future now," Mr Evans said.

"Better public transport will get more cars off the road in Brisbane, boost investment and strengthen our tourism industry."

Fisher MP Andrew Wallace said it highlighted what could be achieved when governments and the private sector worked together.

"This planning study is the first stage in getting our community the rail upgrades we need for our future growth, but now is when the hard work really begins."

FAST FACTS

The North Coast Connect consortium will explore upgrades to the rail connection between Brisbane and Nambour, plus 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 about two hours to 45 minutes between Nambour and Brisbane.

A 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.

[Fares_Fair]

Hallelujah.
One step closer.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/971858374319947776

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Fast train dream takes massive step with Federal funding

BREAKING: A FORTY-five minute train ride from Maroochydore to Brisbane has moved a massive step closer to reality with Federal funding secured to develop a business case.

The North Coast Connect project, which The Daily can reveal is exploring aspects of both North Coast rail duplication and the CAMCOS corridor, was named as one of only three projects around the country to receive access to a $20 million cash stash.

Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien was hopeful a business case could be signed off in 12-18 months.

A four-player consortium of KPMG, Smec, Urbis and Stockland will be tasked with delivering on the business case, once the remaining half of the business case funding can be secured to match the Coast's about one-third share of the $20 million.

The balance of the business case funds are envisaged to come from either the state or local government, private sector, or a combination of the sectors.

The vision is to have fast rail servicing Brisbane-Nambour within five years and Brisbane-Maroochydore within a decade.

Once the business case is completed, Infrastructure Australia would assess the proposal, before determining how much of a slice of the national $10 billion rail fund to serve up for the North Coast Connect project.

The proposal would slash travel times from about two hours down to 45 minutes, increasing passenger capacity on new trains capable of reaching speeds of more than 160kmh.

New stations would be created on the Beerwah-Maroochydore line while towns like Nambour would be revitalised and freight capacity increased.

Mr O'Brien said early plans were for the Brisbane-Nambour stretch to be split into two stages, which would be developed concurrently with some overlap.

The first stage would include upgrades to the 64.5km of rail line from Brisbane-Beerburrum, as well as an upgrade of the 40km from Beerburrum-Nambour, including duplication of the North Coast Line.

The second stage touches on the long-touted CAMCOS corridor, creating a 40km 'spur line' of new track from Beerwah-Maroochydore, with new stations to be created.

"An enormous amount of work has already been done on this (through previous business cases)," Mr O'Brien said.

"We need to leverage all that material."

The North Coast Connect proposal was one of only three out of 26 submissions around the country to secure Federal funding and Mr O'Brien applauded The Daily's efforts in helping drive the case for funding consideration.

Fisher MP Andrew Wallace was equally ecstatic with the progress, after large-scale community support for the project.

"This planning study is the first stage in getting our community the rail upgrades we need for our future growth," he said.

Mr O'Brien said many of the details would be finalised in the business case process, but he expected the new line would service Stockland's Caloundra South community.

He said future growth and development sites may also be identified as a result of the business case process, but it was too soon to know whether land at Halls Creek, Beerwah East or the broader Inter-Urban Break between the Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay would be identified.

"We've got a long way to go on this," Mr O'Brien said.

He'd been buoyed by positive talks with the State Government and believed the project fit alongside Cross River Rail and was not in opposition.

[BrizCommuter]

Sounds like a good opportunity to build the Trouts Rd Line. If this uses the existing corridor via Northgate it will be a great opportunity missed!

[not_available]

If it's apparently 45 minutes via Northgate, what would the journey time via the rather straight Trouts Rd corridor?

[Stillwater]

Questions:

How much will the Business Case cost to prepare and how much of that amount (half?) is the federal government putting in?  What are the actual dollar amounts?

What is the timeline for the additional players to come on board with their funding commitments and will their failure to come on board doom this initiative?  Will the feds now use this as a bat to beat the state with, a la 'unless the state comes on board, this project is stalled.  How serious are they about fast rail to the Sunshine Coast when they don't put money into this Business Case?'  You know, the usual political stoush.

While the Business Case will take 12-18 months to prepare, what is the start date for work to begin on the Business Case?  Can the Business Case start, using the available federal funds, while the additional funding sources are being worked out?

It would seem that 'fast rail in 45 minutes' between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast (Nambour or Maroochydore?) would require a mix of 'superfast stations' (Nambour, Landsborough, Caboolture, Petrie, Brisbane) and sweeper all-station trains picking people up from intermediary stations and dropping them at the 'super' stations for an on-journey to Brisbane or Nambour/Maroochydore.  Is that the case?

[red dragin]

Where does the 45 minutes from 'Brisbane' start from, is it the city or the boundary at the South Pine River?

There used to be an ad years ago for houses on Bribie Island "only 30 minutes up the highway". If you did the maths, it was the distance from Carseldine to the Bribie bridge, divided by 100km/hr. No allowances for traffic, interchanges etc.

[Stillwater]

In Anna Bligh's time, the dream objective was fast train to the Sunshine Coast in 'about an hour'.  That was to Landsborough (on the existing track, but duplicated).

[SurfRail]

The ConnectingSEQ 2031 travel times were not unreasonable, assuming they involved 160kph rollingstock, Cross River Rail and Trouts Rd (and they explicitly did).

There is no way a train will be going from Nambour to Central in 45 minutes on the current route, with any number of upgrades, so I assume their claims relate to something else which may or may not be real.

[Fares_Fair]

Federal Govt committed to 50% of the cost of the Business Case.
State Govt Minister Hon Mark Bailey announced today they will contribute $5m towards it as an 'in-kind' contribution.
This is done via provision of information from the prior business case submitted to Infrastructure Australia (valued by them at $5m).
Federal share comes to $20m divided by the the 3 winners (others are Sydney to Newcastle and Melbourne to Shepparton).
Thus $6.67m from the Federal Govt.

It's Game On for Fast Rail Business Case with $11.67m  in the kitty.


EDIT: added 'in-kind contribution' clarification. i.e. It is not a provision of cash donation, however it is valuable all the same.

[Stillwater]

That is a substantial amount of money!  (State contribution  'contribution in kind'.)  And it means that the revised Business Case will be done to the standard demanded by IA -- not the fudge the figures, questions left unanswered way Queensland state government does these things.  Let's hope there is a component of the Business Case that looks to land-use planning connected to the fast train corridor.

[Stillwater]

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Friday, March 09, 2018

Statement from Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey

We welcome the announcement of funding for the North Coast Connect business case.

Last year we provided our detailed business case for the duplication of the rail line from Beerburrum to Nambour to Infrastructure Australia.

Beerburrum to Nambour is a key element of the North Coast Connect project and we look forward to favourable consideration of our business case so the duplication can get underway as soon as possible.

The Palaszczuk Government will provide this business case to the North Coast Connect consortium as an in kind contribution – worth $5M.

We look forward to working with them on the development of their business case for North Coast Connect.

The Labor party has a clear track record of investing in the public transport infrastructure Queensland needs to support our growing population.

It is important to remember that none of these proposed new rail lines will work without Cross River Rail to open up the network.

The only way extra capacity on the Sunshine Coast can work is if there are no bottlenecks further down the line. The way you ensure that is with Cross River Rail, and we are getting on with the job and building it.

ENDS

[#Metro]

^^ Still banging on about Cross River Rail. If Red Team have committed to build it as they say, they should shut up about it as it is a given now. Reminds me of when Blue Team were in office and would harp on endlessly about "the PREVIOUS government was SOOOO bad" until the harp strings broke.

Federal Govt committed to 50% of the cost of the Business Case.
State Govt Minister Hon Mark Bailey announced today they will contribute $5m towards it.
Federal share comes to $20m divided by the the 3 winners (others are Sydney to Newcastle and Melbourne to Shepparton).
Thus $6.67m from the Federal Govt.

It's Game On for Fast Rail Business Case with $11.67m  in the kitty.

Congrats Fares_Fare. Looks like you might reel in a bigger fish than you were expecting!  #RRR #Tilts

[Fares_Fair]

Here's hoping Metro.
It's game on for Business Case.
Each hurdle is bigger than the preceding one, but the merits of this nationally significant project are truly mind boggling.

Thank you @katherinefeeney for the opportunity to talk #2tracks fast rail on behalf of @railbotforum on Afternoons today.
IV at 3pm  (just before half-way mark at 50:20 on the timeline).
https://t.co/UOfXff8iVj

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/SEQMayors/status/971914974736994304

https://twitter.com/PaulFletcherMP/status/971896904853348352

[verbatim9]

Has this been posted ?

https://infrastructure.gov.au/rail/trains/faster_rail/index.aspx

[Stillwater]

The state government has established this direct link between the SCL duplication and Cross River Rail while presenting each as an either/or proposition, largely as a part of the eternal game of political one-upmanship and posturing around state-federal funding shares for major infrastructure.  That has been resolved largely, with the state now seeking to make a virtue of 'going it alone' and 'fully-funding' CRR. Mr Bailey has confirmed this, saying that Queensland is 'getting on with the job and building it'.  Queensland always seems to want to have a second bite of the cherry about CRR funding from the feds.  It is case closed.

The Business Case for North Coast Connect fast rail most probably will strengthen the cross-city passenger numbers, and therefore the viability of CRR -- and so it follows that the private sector investors in CRR will be more inclined to come on board with additional financial backing.  North Coast Connect also would have opportunities for private sector investors as part of a number of 'planned communities' along the corridor.

So, it is quite possible to present the SCL-CRR nexus that the state has created in a different light. The prospect is for the feds to fund North Coast Connect (addressing its political constituency) while State Labor gets on and funds CRR (serving its voting constituency). When considered as a complete infrastructure package, joint funding is achieved, with state rolling out the dollars for CRR and the feds (most probably) putting dollars into North Coast Connect, with its capacity to increase rail freight operations up the Queensland Coast.  An investment in North Coast Connect will serve the freight logistics sector as far north as Townsville/Cairns.  That's partially the reason why LNP 'Team Queensland' has come on board.

There is nothing stopping North Coast Connect and CRR construction proceeding in parallel, whereas the state's position (unsustainable) is that every other bit of rail infrastructure is on hold until the day CRR opens. If all goes to plan, CRR and North Coast Connect will open about the same time, so that the positive benefits flowing from SCL feeding services into CRR can be achieved virtually from day one.

[#Metro]

The dependency of Cross River Rail is a bit of a red herring isn't it though? CRR is to deal with congestion resulting from the Merivale Bridge squeeze. As Sunshine Coast/Caboolture trains don't use that line what does it have to do with SC Rapid Rail?

[verbatim9]

The dependency of Cross River Rail is a bit of a red herring isn't it though? CRR is to deal with congestion resulting from the Merivale Bridge squeeze. As Sunshine Coast/Caboolture trains don't use that line what does it have to do with SC Rapid Rail?

Will this be dual guage sleepering? Cross River tunnel needs to accomodate for dual guage sleepers. Future proof! As you never know what's around the corner? The Network might still go standard guage in the long term?

[ozbob]

I think we are kidding ourselves if we expect the present northern line (Central to Strathpine) will be able to be widened, amplified and worked to allow a fast rail service on it.  The only way it can work properly is for the North West Transport Corridor be utilised in my opinion.  The northern line will have even more suburban services in time.

I am sure the business case will probably work that out as well.

[Fares_Fair]

I think we are kidding ourselves if we expect the present northern line (Central to Strathpine) will be able to be widened, amplified and worked to allow a fast rail service on it.  The only way it can work properly is for the North West Transport Corridor be utilised in my opinion.  The northern line will have even more suburban services in time.

I am sure the business case will probably work that out as well.

Yes, it's a part that is under consideration as part of the Business Case.

[ozbob]

Here's hoping Metro.
It's game on for Business Case.
Each hurdle is bigger than the preceding one, but the merits of this nationally significant project are truly mind boggling.

Thank you @katherinefeeney for the opportunity to talk #2tracks fast rail on behalf of @railbotforum on Afternoons today.
IV at 3pm  (just before half-way mark at 50:20 on the timeline).
https://t.co/UOfXff8iVj

Well done and thanks FF. 

I have extracted the interview > here mp3 5.5 MB

[SurfRail]

The dependency of Cross River Rail is a bit of a red herring isn't it though? CRR is to deal with congestion resulting from the Merivale Bridge squeeze. As Sunshine Coast/Caboolture trains don't use that line what does it have to do with SC Rapid Rail?

Umm, it actually does a lot more for northside capacity than it does for the southside.

[Fares_Fair]

Some history on fast train proposals..


Minister for Transport & Main Roads
The Honourable Paul Lucas
Monday, August 29, 2005

Making tracks on the Sunshine Coast

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mr Lucas also released for public comment the government's preferred rail corridor - an upgrade of a further 17 kilometres from Beerburrum to Landsborough.

To deliver both these important projects, the Beattie Government has made a total commitment of $480 million.

"The upgrade of the entire section between Caboolture and Landsborough seals the Beattie Government's promise to build a $1 billion fast passenger rail service along the CAMCOS corridor," he said.

"We will establish the line from Beerwah to Caloundra by 2015, and up the coast to Maroochydore by 2020, bringing rail to the Sunshine Coast.

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

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

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

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

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

"The Sunshine Coast needs a rail service that will keep pace with population growth and provide a swift, efficient link to Brisbane.

"The Caboolture and Sunshine Coast areas will have a combined population of about 604,500 by 2026. Rail services must keep pace with that population growth," he said.

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

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

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

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

State Member for Glass House, Carolyn Male, said the preferred rail corridor provided a solution that limited impacts on the local community.
"Local people are grateful to the Government for having such an extensive consultation process, and for listening to and acting on the feedback from the community," she said.

Mr Lucas said public comment on the preferred corridor between Beerburrum and Landsborough was sought from today until October 21, 2005.

Details of the corridor, including maps, are available at http://www.arup.com.au/clrs or at Queensland Transport customer service centres, local council administration centres, libraries, selected Australia Post offices and sub-agents throughout the study area.
Further information is available on freecall 1800 221 991.
Media Inquiries:  3237 1947 or 0438 768 734

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Fast rail a boon for future generations

CONCENTRATED population along the major transport corridors has the Coast's leading business body pumping up the prospects of a fast rail dream making progress.

Sunshine Coast Business Council chairwoman Sandy Zubrinich said the North Coast Connect project, which looks to draw on rail duplication and the CAMCOS corridor, would cater to the bulk of current and future Coast populations.

She said about 65 per cent of the current population of about 170,000 people lived within proximity of the CAMCOS corridor and 85 per cent of the future Coast popualtion growth is to the region's south, in proximity to the rail corridor.

"Locals will benefit significantly from the increased connectivity," she said.

The North Coast Connect project has received Federal Government backing by way of a share in $20 million for a business case to be developed.

It was one of just three projects nationally to secure the funding and the Palaszczuk Government has also committed $5 million towards the business case.

Supported by Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast and Noosa councils, the project is seen by Ms Zubrinich as one perfect for bi-partisan collaboration.

"It is certainly a project that the three tiers of government and the community can get behind and support," she said.

The business case will be delivered by a consortium of KPMG, Urbis, Stockland and Smec and is expected to take 12-18 months to put together.

The vision is to slash travel times from the Coast to Brisbane down to 45 minutes.

[Gazman]

I've been a lurker in the forum for some months now, but a first time poster.

I note in a post above by FF that the Labor gov made some promises about Caloundra by 2015 and Maroochydore by 2020  that obviously haven't/ won't be fulfilled by the said date... I know that we have had the LNP in for a period in between, but how/ why is it that a party just seems to abandon their own partys' prior policies? Or are governments just making promises they know won't be fulfilled because they won't be still around by the time that it gets time to get down and do something about it? No wonder nothing gets done. It seems that's as soon as someone new takes the reins that it's an excuse to abandon all prior planning. See CRR/BAT/CRR for another great example.

[#Metro]

I note in a post above by FF that the Labor gov made some promises about Caloundra by 2015 and Maroochydore by 2020  that obviously haven't/ won't be fulfilled by the said date... I know that we have had the LNP in for a period in between, but how/ why is it that a party just seems to abandon their own partys' prior policies? Or are governments just making promises they know won't be fulfilled because they won't be still around by the time that it gets time to get down and do something about it? No wonder nothing gets done. It seems that's as soon as someone new takes the reins that it's an excuse to abandon all prior planning. See CRR/BAT/CRR for another great example.

Because unlike companies that are regulated by the Corporations Act, Fair Trading, Courts, Anti-Scam legislation etc, politicians are only regulated for absolute corruption, the only recourse is to vote them out of office come election time. You can't sue the Premier if they don't deliver their election promises, and often their promises are vague and heavily caveated anyway.

The Sunshine Coast is reliably Blue Team voting, so there is nothing to be gained politically by expending large amounts of money there by either party.

Queensland needs 4-year fixed elections (to be delivered in the next round) and either proportional representation in the lower house or the re-establishment of a QLD Senate.

PS: Welcome to the forum!

[Gazman]

I note in a post above by FF that the Labor gov made some promises about Caloundra by 2015 and Maroochydore by 2020  that obviously haven't/ won't be fulfilled by the said date... I know that we have had the LNP in for a period in between, but how/ why is it that a party just seems to abandon their own partys' prior policies? Or are governments just making promises they know won't be fulfilled because they won't be still around by the time that it gets time to get down and do something about it? No wonder nothing gets done. It seems that's as soon as someone new takes the reins that it's an excuse to abandon all prior planning. See CRR/BAT/CRR for another great example.

Because unlike companies that are regulated by the Corporations Act, Fair Trading, Courts, Anti-Scam legislation etc, politicians are only regulated for absolute corruption, the only recourse is to vote them out of office come election time. You can't sue the Premier if they don't deliver their election promises, and often their promises are vague and heavily caveated anyway.

The Sunshine Coast is reliably Blue Team voting, so there is nothing to be gained politically by expending large amounts of money there by either party.

Queensland needs 4-year fixed elections (to be delivered in the next round) and either proportional representation in the lower house or the re-establishment of a QLD Senate.

PS: Welcome to the forum!

Thanks.

I guess I've been around long enough to know that a pollies' promise means pretty much nothing... heck, I've lived my life in proximity to the Redcliffe rail link and had seen that forever talked about... but it just astounds me how much time is wasted getting projects off the ground. Long term planning is more about getting glossy brochures out rather than having a concrete plan or anything of substance.

[SteelPan]

Seriously...what is it with all these people....OK, Yes I know, in "practical terms" this document is [maybe] necessary.....but as a rubber stamp only!  Set a 10yr join State/Fed/Private plan and build the thing....geee, do you think over the next 50yrs the Brisbane/SSC region's going to experience materially increased demand, with accompanying materially increased transport pressures? Might as well ask, is water out of the tape wet!

Ditto for New Brisbane/Beenleigh and Brisbane/Toowoomba

Not even I'm saying or expecting it all to happen in the next 5mins....but the way some of these people carry-on, it makes tooth extraction with zero pain killer look more dynamic!

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Get on board for better, faster rail

MEMBER for Fairfax Ted O'Brien wants the community to get on board a campaign for fast rail and rail duplication on the Sunshine Coast.

Mr O'Brien upped the ante yesterday by launching a community campaign for 45-minute train trips to Brisbane.

He has sent a flyer to every address in his Fairfax electorate and he's inviting people to "Get on Board".

"I invite residents to pledge their support by filling in their details on the flyer and posting it back to me at no cost," Mr O'Brien said.

"Each one of us can make a difference by adding our names and voices to the campaign."

In last year's Federal Budget the Coalition announced its $10 billion National Rail Program to fund city and regional passenger rail projects.

"Never before have we had a federal government that's had the appetite to contribute to this type of project and so we can't muck around as a community, we need to go hard and go strong now because there is no guarantee that opportunity will continue to exist into the future," Mr O'Brien said

"My colleagues in Canberra and the State Government in Brisbane need to know there is overwhelming community support for this project and that as a region we will fight for what we deserve."

The North Coast Connect fast rail project has already secured federal funding to produce a business case within 12 to 18 months.

"We're talking about bringing heavy rail onto the coastal strip for the first time in the Sunshine Coast's history," Mr O'Brien said.

"We're also delivering on a vision of our forbears, who were smart enough to resume the CAMCOS corridor years ago in the hope that one day the community might actually get rail through to the Coast."

Mr O'Brien described fast rail as the key game-changing project on the table for the Sunshine Coast right now.

"Faster rail and duplication of the North Coast Line will not only reduce rail commuter travel times, but it will also ease congestion on the Bruce Highway with travellers choosing fast, reliable public transport over their own vehicles, Mr O'Brien said.

"It will open up productivity and export opportunities boosting local businesses and increasing jobs.

" The more the Sunshine Coast grows the more our small and medium businesses export to other regions so we need to ensure their supply chains can move swiftly.

"Rail duplication and fast rail means improvements in freight distribution and with fewer cars on the Bruce Highway truck distribution will also happen more swiftly.

"Faster rail will give people greater flexibility in where they live, work and play.

"As a region we need to leverage our strengths and that means our natural environment and existing industries. Hinterland rail towns will be revitalised as families choose to live on the Sunshine Coast while accessing work in Brisbane.

"And our tourism industry will surge as Brisbane's city dwellers jump on a train for a quick trip to the beach.

"We need to support our current and future populations. On average our population is older and for senior citizens access to transport is vital. We're also going to have a much younger population as we go after a smart, education economy.

"We're going to have the University of the Sunshine Coast linking to the Moreton Campus so there'll be an enormous student corridor there. We need to make public transport more easily accessible and fast rail is exactly the sort of transport we need."

Mr O'Brien said fast rail could also help drive down the cost of housing on the Sunshine Coast.

"Most economic commentators agree that the problem with housing affordability in Australia is related to a lack of supply. Introducing fast rail accelerates supply. Revitalising old railway towns will increase housing supply and opening up a new rail corridor with the potential for housing where none currently exists will also see developers take their stock to market sooner with the increase in supply putting downward pressure on price."

Infrastructure Australia released its 2018 Priority List of projects last month which included the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade but the works remain unfunded.　　

"For years Sunshine Coast residents have been demanding modern infrastructure and we now have record Federal funding for the Bruce Highway and the airport, but we also need funding for rail," Mr O'Brien said.

"Let's swing in behind the vision of faster rail between Brisbane, Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast as the business case for North Coast Connect gets underway."

"We have already built a unity ticket with Federal MPs, State MPs and four Mayors coming on board and now we're inviting residents and the community at large to join the action."

You can also Get On Board and register your support by going online to www.fastrail.com.au

[Stillwater]

Not a bad summary:

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.

[Cazza]

This HAS to be the project where the Trouts Rd corridor is finally put to good use. It's now or never. Our population is booming and we need to build infrastructure to keep up with the pace. We can't let this opportunity slide past.

[Fares_Fair]

Trouts Road corridor is in the mix for assessment under the business case.

[#Metro]

Faster rail, Link: https://infrastructure.gov.au/rail/trains/faster_rail/index.aspx

Fares_Fair, where is that information saying that Trouts Road will be in the mix for the business case?

I would be interested in knowing if the corridor can support both rail and road.

If you look at a map of the area, South Pine/Old Northern Road, Appleby and Webster Roads form bars in a grid. The odd one out is Trouts Road.

A surface arterial road - not a freeway - like Appleby Rd or Webster Road would be useful for completing the grid and bus access.

[Gazman]

Faster rail, Link: https://infrastructure.gov.au/rail/trains/faster_rail/index.aspx

Fares_Fair, where is that information saying that Trouts Road will be in the mix for the business case?

I would be interested in knowing if the corridor can support both rail and road.

If you look at a map of the area, South Pine/Old Northern Road, Appleby and Webster Roads form bars in a grid. The odd one out is Trouts Road.

A surface arterial road - not a freeway - like Appleby Rd or Webster Road would be useful for completing the grid and bus access.

The map of the corridor being investigated indicates the "possible" Trouts Rd corridor.


I too have been wondering if the corridor can support both, without resumptions. I think in the narrowest areas it's about 60m wide, I'm not sure both could fit side by side. Is it possible to have one above the other in some areas?
 

[ozbob]

To get to a travel time of the touted 45 minutes Trouts Road (North West Corridor) has to be used ( or other dedicated rail route ). Simply no capacity or capability on the existing northern line to Strathpine for fast rail.

What worries me a little with this North Coast Connect proposal is that it might kill off the upgrade from Beerburrum to Landsborough, with the end result nothing happens for many years more.

The cost of North Coast Connect will be considerable.  Money that is just not around. I don't expect to see it in my life time to be blunt.

[Stillwater]

Federal Budget in two weeks time likely to contain seed funding only, not the money required for heavy lifting.

[#Metro]

The trouble with higher speed rail is that speed reduces line capacity when multiple stopping patterns run on the same line.
This is because a high-speed train will run up the bum of an all stops train unless extra time padding is put in place to separate them.

It is also not as simple as getting the all stopper train to pull into a siding platform and allowing the hi-speed train to shoot through. The all stopper train may have to stay in the siding platform for a considerable period of time while the fast train behind it performs the overtaking manoeuvre.

Trouts Road corridor could support rail and road, even if the corridor is constrained as a cut and cover trench could be performed, road on top, rail directly underneath.

[matlock]

 If cut and cover is viable in that corridor, then make the top layer for express rail and the bottom for all stops services.

Or even busway/Metro in lieu of local rail.