Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line (was CAMCOS, North Coast Connect)

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1462797103491469327

[ozbob]

If CAMCOS is to be built, we also need NWTC (with enough tracks for local and expresses).

I am hearing you Briz ....   

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1462848731305316352

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1462698835914878980

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Media release: Advancement on the CAMCOS project welcomed

23rd November 2021

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport passengers welcomes movement on advancing the CAMCOS rail project on the Sunshine Coast. CAMCOS is an acronym for the Caboolture to Maroochydore Corridor Study ( https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/caboolture-to-maroochydore-corridor-study ).

Transport Minister Mark Bailey recently indicated Government would look at progressing rail to Caloundra and Maroochydore in 2022. This is after continued pressure from Sunshine Coast locals, Council, and numerous community and business groups (including RAIL Back On Track), as well as Federal MP Ted O'Brien ( Brisbane to Maroochydore rail line prepares to leave the station https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/brisbane-to-maroochydore-rail-line-prepares-to-leave-the-station-20211119-p59ad6.html ).

The line would branch of the existing Sunshine Coast line at Beerwah, run eastward to Caloundra, then north along the coastal strip to the Maroochydore CBD.

CAMCOS has been spoken about for decades, but never delivered ( e.g. Statement 25th May 2007 https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/46799 ). In the meantime, traffic on the Bruce Highway has continued to grow, and public transport users have suffered journey times significantly longer than driving. There has been a rolling programme of motorway upgrades on the Sunshine Coast, whilst rail upgrades have progressed at an agonizingly slow pace, and frequently politicised.

Robert Dow said: "The Sunshine Coast line has the lowest rail frequency in the SEQ network and some of the lowest speeds.
You've also got a real issue with the major stations of Beerwah, Landsborough and Nambour being a long distance from the booming coastal area, these have held the region back, because the rail service currently being provided by the government just isn't very good."

With the Olympics coming in 2032, a need to reach net zero emissions and a growing population, it's more important than ever to give the Sunshine Coast the rail link they have been waiting so long for.

Cross River Rail and the duplication to Beerwah are both due for completion by 2025.
These projects were prerequisites to CAMCOS, and when these bottlenecks are fixed, there's no longer anything stopping greatly increased rail services when the line is constructed.

RAIL Back on Track wants planning and construction of CAMCOS to be expedited (and even occurring in parallel with the rail duplication works). This would mean CAMCOS trains could sooner take advantage of the infrastructure already under construction.

Robert Dow said: "You don't have to wait for Cross River Rail or the duplication to be completed to start construction on the CAMCOS railway.  Forward thinking means building them all projects concurrently and running trains through seamlessly upon completion."

If you support rail to Caloundra and Maroochydore, now is the time for citizens to contact your local MP and express your support.

TOP 10 reasons to build CAMCOS

1 - Reduces overall travel times significantly between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
2 - Improves public transport within the Sunshine Coast itself, and also provide a new active transport corridor.
3 - Places new stations closer to major population areas as well as growth areas such as Aura, eliminating the need for long bus rides to Landsborough or Nambour.
4 - Inline with net zero emissions by 2050.
5 - Would form part of a future SEQ Fast Rail network.
6 - Gives people an alternative to congested roads in and around the Sunshine Coast.
7 - Allows for seamless connections with the proposed Sunshine Coast light rail system and expansion of the Maroochydore Airport precinct.
8 - Improved economic outcomes for the region, including supporting the development of the Maroochydore CBD.
9 - Supports tourism and access to major events.
10- Finally puts an end to decades of delays and broken promises.

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

[ozbob]

Facebook ....

[ozbob]

Interview 22 Nov 2021 ABC Sunshine Coast Host Sheridan Stewart with Jeff Addison RBoT Sunshine Coast spokesperson

> https://backontrack.org/docs/abcsc/abcsc_ja22nov21.mp3 MP3 8.5MB

Great interview.  Well done FF and Sheridan, and thank you.

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1462698835914878980

[Gazza]

Good interview on ABC Jeff, succinct about all the major issues.

This seems to be a rare opportunity where the priorities for all 3 levels of government seem to be aligning.

Previously, a lot of the bus and train dollars over the past decade have mostly focused on the inner sections of the network, and aside from Cultural Centre being dropped I feel like they are pretty ok for now, so focus can very much shift to regional and suburban opportunities.

Enter CAMCOS.

Previously I was thinking we might get a link to Caloundra only, as hinted in some of the 2032 service plans, but hey if we can go the whole hog and get to Maroochydore in one hit, and pay only $1.1b as a state that's not a bad deal at all.

[Stillwater]

Jeff's point about CAMCOS heavy rail extending beyond Maroochydore to the Sunshine Coast Airport is very relevant. Extending heavy rail to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast airports would allow both to attract charter air flights from international destinations, as well as open up both coasts to business and air freight export opportunities. We should not forget the function that the airport at Wellcamp (Toowoomba) is seeking to develop also.

[Gazza]

One thing to consider with rail to the airport is will it actually go where the visitors need to?

For Brisbane Airtrain, that's no problem, all the main hotels are in the CBD, and a few more around Southbank. Good.

For the GC, Light Rail will fill the void. Most Accommodation on the GC is on the beachfront (cos that's why people go there right) so the tram passes most of them.

For the Sunshine Coast its not entirely clear.
There's definitely accommodation around Maroochydore, with other clusters at Coolum, Alex Headland and Mooloolaba.
The issue is heavy rail runs inland from the latter, so most pax will need to use feeder bus to get to their hotel.

This is why Light Rail is important in the long term too, because that will connect from Maroochydore down the beachfront.

[JimmyP]

While there has been articles and previous commitments by the Bligh Government to have the line ready by 2020. Wiki points out that there hasn't been any definitive date for completion. As I recall a lot of these projects were tied to proposed asset sales at the time.

I don't recall election commitments from any State Government since the abolishment of Asset Sales.  They have on the other hand committed to duplication which is needed for part of he project.

That plan is no more hence the better connections plan being drafted.

This particular Wiki does have references so the source can be stated as reliable.  Universities don't use Wiki as they prefer published and peer reviewed works.

Elections aren't the only time Gov't makes commitments/promises. Doesn't make it any less of a broken promise just because it was committed to outside of an election campaign.

[Jonno]

One thing to consider with rail to the airport is will it actually go where the visitors need to?

For Brisbane Airtrain, that's no problem, all the main hotels are in the CBD, and a few more around Southbank. Good.

For the GC, Light Rail will fill the void. Most Accommodation on the GC is on the beachfront (cos that's why people go there right) so the tram passes most of them.

For the Sunshine Coast its not entirely clear.
There's definitely accommodation around Maroochydore, with other clusters at Coolum, Alex Headland and Mooloolaba.
The issue is heavy rail runs inland from the latter, so most pax will need to use feeder bus to get to their hotel.

This is why Light Rail is important in the long term too, because that will connect from Maroochydore down the beachfront.

Heavy rail and light rail are completely 100% complementary. Look at European cities that have awesome networks of both allowing people to access all parts of the city and inter-city/inter-country.

[#Metro]

Bus and LRT to the airport seem better. Even with the bigger airports, rail had capacity, financial and service level problems. QR will almost certainly run trains every 30 minutes, so I wouldn't recommend.

[Gazza]

One thing to consider with rail to the airport is will it actually go where the visitors need to?

For Brisbane Airtrain, that's no problem, all the main hotels are in the CBD, and a few more around Southbank. Good.

For the GC, Light Rail will fill the void. Most Accommodation on the GC is on the beachfront (cos that's why people go there right) so the tram passes most of them.

For the Sunshine Coast its not entirely clear.
There's definitely accommodation around Maroochydore, with other clusters at Coolum, Alex Headland and Mooloolaba.
The issue is heavy rail runs inland from the latter, so most pax will need to use feeder bus to get to their hotel.

This is why Light Rail is important in the long term too, because that will connect from Maroochydore down the beachfront.

Heavy rail and light rail are completely 100% complementary. Look at European cities that have awesome networks of both allowing people to access all parts of the city and inter-city/inter-country.

Indeed, LR to the GC airport will benefit the dense coastal areas, HR to the airport will benefit growth areas like Coomera as well as established business districts like Robina.

However, what I fear with a rail link to MCY is that the passenger numbers of the airport are too low for it to be a priority in the next decade.

I had a look at December 2019 passenger movements
https://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoing

BNE - 2.2m per month
OOL - 600k per month
MCY - 114k per month
Ballina - 51k per month

TSV - 138k per month
CNS - 402k per month
Mackay - 72k per month


So, MCY gets around 3700 passengers flying in and out per day

Though, having read through those statistics, the biggest crime is that CNS gets 2/3 the passenger numbers of OOL but doesn't have a Translink bus service 

At this point in time, you'd get better value in the region by spending the money on Beerwah to Nambour.
The 9km extension from Maroochydore to the Airport involves around 9km of track and of course the bridge over the river, which is a lot of dosh to basically 'encourage' people to fly to that airport.

Thats my rational take anyhow.

*****

Some further info.
Airtrain Domestic gets around 857 entries/exits per day, but there's no doubt that's due to the high fares.

MCY gets about 16 bus passengers per day, but it only gets the hourly #622.

Where it gets wild is that OOL gets 800 passengers per day, so despite being a smaller airport and only having buses not trains, its doing pretty nicely in terms of patronage, no doubt due to the good frequency and lower fares.

https://seqtransit.henrus1.com/

[Jonno]

One thing to consider with rail to the airport is will it actually go where the visitors need to?

For Brisbane Airtrain, that's no problem, all the main hotels are in the CBD, and a few more around Southbank. Good.

For the GC, Light Rail will fill the void. Most Accommodation on the GC is on the beachfront (cos that's why people go there right) so the tram passes most of them.

For the Sunshine Coast its not entirely clear.
There's definitely accommodation around Maroochydore, with other clusters at Coolum, Alex Headland and Mooloolaba.
The issue is heavy rail runs inland from the latter, so most pax will need to use feeder bus to get to their hotel.

This is why Light Rail is important in the long term too, because that will connect from Maroochydore down the beachfront.

Heavy rail and light rail are completely 100% complementary. Look at European cities that have awesome networks of both allowing people to access all parts of the city and inter-city/inter-country.

Indeed, LR to the GC airport will benefit the dense coastal areas, HR to the airport will benefit growth areas like Coomera as well as established business districts like Robina.

However, what I fear with a rail link to MCY is that the passenger numbers of the airport are too low for it to be a priority in the next decade.

I had a look at December 2019 passenger movements
https://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoing

BNE - 2.2m per month
OOL - 600k per month
MCY - 114k per month
Ballina - 51k per month

TSV - 138k per month
CNS - 402k per month
Mackay - 72k per month


So, MCY gets around 3700 users per day

Though, having read through those statistics, the biggest crime is that CNS gets 2/3 the passenger numbers of OOL but doesn't have a Translink bus service 

At this point in time, you'd get better value in the region by spending the money on Beerwah to Nambour.
The 9km extension from Maroochydore to the Airport involves around 9km of track and of course the bridge over the river, which is a lot of dosh to basically 'encourage' people to fly to that airport.

Thats my rational take anyhow.

Completely rational. But the Govt is likely to spend a billion dollars or more anyway widening the freeway to Noosa cementing in car-oriented behaviours and/or development making passengers/patronage numbers growth slow/impossible.  It is this paradigm shift that we need to drive. LRT is never going to get to Noosa/Tewantin/Coolum/Peregian and to be sustainable 60%+ of the trips moving up and down between Noosa and Maroochy/beyond needs to be by active and public transport.  The SEQ Regional Transport Plan doesn't make it easy to determine trips to then calculate the target # of trips by active/public transport within and outside the region.   Thus it is hard to determine what service or infrastructure is actually required.

[Gazza]

Is there any intention to widen the Sunshine Motorway?

I ask because Noosa has a population cap so traffic growth on the Northern Sunshine coast is likely to remain low.

[Jonno]

https://roadsonline.com.au/sunshine-motorway-lane-expansion-gaining-momentum/

[Stillwater]

It is interesting that the population growth has leap-froged Noosa to appear in the Gympie population statistics. Lots of people are moving there and traveling to the Sunshine Coast through Noosa, which has Queensland's most expensive housing (more so on the coast than in the hinterland).

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Brisbane Olympic Games rail infrastructure one step closer with rare bipartisanship $

Heavy rail could be expanded to the Sunshine Coast for the 2032 Olympic Games, with the State and Federal governments agreeing to compromise in the delivery of the major infrastructure project.

The Queensland Government will formally raise the expansion of rail services from Beerwah into the Sunshine Coast next year, with the proposal described by Transport Minister Mark Bailey as "absolutely viable".

It was first raised by Queensland LNP backbencher Ted O'Brien as a compromise in the state and Commonwealth squabble over the benefits of fast rail.

It was hoped a fast-rail service between Brisbane, the Gold and Sunshine Coasts would delivered for the Games – however it is not supported by the state government.

Mr Bailey said the Queensland Government would consider building heavy rail into the Maroochydore CBD, which would be one of the largest legacy projects of the Games.

He said heavy rail was possible into the Sunshine Coast and pledged to raise it in formal discussions with the Commonwealth once governance arrangements between the state and Commonwealth for the Olympic Games are finalised.

"We're also committed to the CAMCOS (Caboolture to Maroochydore) heavy rail concept and have continued to preserve the corridor for a future rail link to Maroochydore," he said.

"All transport infrastructure issues will be investigated by federal and state governments from 2022 as Mr O'Brien is well aware.

"The Games is a once in a lifetime transport infrastructure opportunity for the Sunshine Coast and there is no doubt the city will benefit greatly from future investments in preparation for it." ...

[ozbob]

Ted O'Brien FB

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=319006243385470&id=100058282891390

[#Metro]

Minister for Social Media isn't nice in his exchanges. And he blocks reasonable dissent as well.
An extract of the latest 'student union' style exchange from the Facebook thread.

[Stillwater]

The residents of the Sunshine Coast are well versed in the dates, history and facts of this matter, thanks mainly to the (admirable) quiet persistence of RailBOT spokesperson, Jeff Addison, and an active local media over the years. Jeff has documented the history of SC rail and it is available on this website. It is a litany of broken promises. So, when Mr Bailey comes out with his 'polliewaffle', the locals know they stand on solid ground when dishing it back to him.

Politics has hampered CAMCOS and the B to N from the start. The project needs to be pulled from the mire.  That's Ted O'Brien's motivation. Locals have had a gutful. They have developed the
odoriferous talents of a sommelier whenever Mr Bailey shovels bull faeces from the rear end of the Queensland Labor political bus. Constructive cooperation is what's required and Mr Bailey needs to flick the switch.

The opportunity presented here is once in a generation. Let's hope heavy rail to Maroochydore and beyond to the SC Airport becomes everyone's New Year resolution, including Mr Bailey's.

[Jonno]

Minister for Social Media isn't nice in his exchanges. And he blocks reasonable dissent as well.
An extract of the latest 'student union' style exchange from the Facebook thread.

He absolutely hates different views and has no ability to collaborate with other levels of Govt.  He taken TMR straight back to the Mains Roads days of the 1970/80's.

[kram0]

Minister for Social Media isn't nice in his exchanges. And he blocks reasonable dissent as well.
An extract of the latest 'student union' style exchange from the Facebook thread.

Yes, Bailey is a first class w@$ker.

At last meaningful traction on this project.

[SteelPan]

The current Qld Govt strikes me as a very confused and backward mob!   

[ozbob]

[Stillwater]

"We've got to use it and we have got to move fast".

That is a big ask for the Queensland Government, especially since government is having to pay for these things in a burgeoning civil engineering constriction works environment.

Taxpayers will pay for this, forking out premium costs.  Still, it has to be built. And well in advance of 2032. In the way big projects of this type, work need to start probably in the second half of next year.

That's construction.  No statements of intent, release of the pre-feasibility study, sod turning ceremony and nothing more, animated fly-through imagery and the glossy brochure with fold-out maps, consultation about seat design at stations etc.

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast News --> The $2 billion question as State Government promises to review railway to coastal strip

Railway advocates anticipate a plan to extend the passenger line from Beerwah to Caloundra and Maroochydore may finally get traction after decades of talk because of a special funding agreement for the Olympic Games.

The existing railway line from Brisbane currently only passes through the hinterland from Beerburrum to Nambour, with no access to the coastal strip.

But Transport Minister Mark Bailey has revealed a project, dubbed CAMCOS — which has not progressed since 1999 — will now be re-examined in 2022 because of the 2032 Olympics and population growth.

CAMCOS was envisioned as a heavy rail line from Brisbane, branching east at Beerwah and taking passengers directly to coastal suburbs at Caloundra and Maroochydore.

There could be stations at Caloundra South (Aura), Caloundra (near the aerodrome), Currimundi, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Kawana and Parrearra enroute to Maroochydore.

Mr Bailey said the Games was a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity to get transport infrastructure like this for the Coast. ...

[#Metro]

This is great news.

However, the another massive study and business case will be required as Environmental, Social, Economic, etc have all changed in the last 20 years.

Even if they constructed a one station railway line for the alignment that they are certain about, and left the rest of the line open to options, that would be a plus.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1467703447663247361

[Gazza]

It's quite promising they are talking about going all the way to Maroochydore, and nobody is mentioning staging it.
A welcome break from the previous treatment of the SC

Roll with it I say.


No reason you cant build a 30km line a singular project, and it would support the region well for the foreseeable future.
Upgrade buses at the same time, and then that builds patronage and makes the case for LR in the future.

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast News --> Action stations: funding pledge to fast-track coastal rail vision after decades of talk

A decades-old vision to extend the passenger rail line from Beerwah to Caloundra and Maroochydore could soon be on track after a Federal Government announcement.

The Morrison Government has revealed "investment planning" for heavy passenger rail running along the coastal strip of the Sunshine Coast will get underway in 2022 thanks to a $3 million funding pledge.

This was included in its mid-year budget update.

The commitment will be matched by the Queensland Government to deliver a $6 million investment planning project for extending the rail line from Beerwah to the Maroochydore CBD, running through Caloundra and Kawana.

The agreement would give traction to a renewed push to extend the line to the Maroochydore CBD using the CAMCOS corridor in time for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Member for Fairfax Ted O'Brien welcomed the news.

"This is the next step to take the project forward," he said.

"There's still a long way to go, but there's no time to waste and we must keep
moving which is why this news is so welcomed. ..

[Fares_Fair]

If only we could catch a study to Maroochydore...

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> All aboard the budget boost: Rail link to heart of Sunshine Coast $

A rail line into the heart of the Sunshine Coast and favourite family holiday destination is a step closer, as the mid-year budget update reveals a $6m investment to kickstart the plan.

The Morrison government is chipping in $3m for an investment planning study on extending a rail line from Beerwah to the Maroochydore CBD, with the State Government expected to match the funding.

It was part of the budget update which saw Treasurer Josh Frydenberg urge premiers to "not be spooked" by the Omicron variant of Covid-19, warning the bigger than predicted economic bounce-back was still at risk. ...

[Stillwater]

"While the state government is EXPECTED to match the federal funding".

When you want to be seen to be doing something, whistle up another study. Let's hope this one includes some practical engineering drawings.

[Fares_Fair]

The state government has agreed to fund this study.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1473133675470483459

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2021/1578-2021.pdf

Question on Notice

No. 1578

Asked on 1 December 2021

MS F SIMPSON ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

Will the Minister (a) outline what specifically the government has done to advance design and
costing of the CAMCOS Beerwah to Maroochydore heavy rail to date, (b) release this information
and (c) address Infrastructure Australia's concerns that there is no proponent of this project and
take ownership of the project to move it forward?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Maroochydore for the question.

The Palaszczuk Government is investing at record levels to deliver better rail services, and the
Sunshine Coast is no exception.

Achieving faster, more frequent and reliable journeys requires a whole-of-system approach,
including delivering new trains, world-class signalling, track upgrades, level crossing removals
and park n rides.

The $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project will transform the South Eastern Queensland transport
network, unlocking the bottleneck at its heart by providing a second river crossing. This is a critical
first step, enabling the government to then expand capacity across the rest of the network,
including to the Sunshine Coast.

Investment in the North Coast line to the Sunshine Coast continues to be a priority for the
Palaszczuk Government. In the Sunshine Coast region, the $550.8 million Beerburrum to
Nambour Rail Upgrade project has commenced and will improve services for passengers and
freight. The Australian and Queensland governments have also committed $6.25 million towards
the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade Duplication Study, which will inform Stage 2 of the
Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade project and progress planning for the future needs of the
north coast rail line in this location.

The Palaszczuk Government is committed to the Caboolture to Maroochydore Corridor
(CAMCOS) concept. The CAMCOS corridor has been preserved since 2001. Track upgrading
and duplication from Caboolture to Beerburrum was completed in 2009, as was the elimination
of the open level crossing at Beerwah. This provides an option for a future branch line from
Beerwah to the East Coast.

To support these efforts, earlier this year, I wrote to the Australian Government seeking matching
funds of $3 million for Investment Planning for a Sunshine Coast Rail Extension. I am pleased
that in the Australian Government's Mid Year Economic Forecast, the Australian Government has
confirmed funding for this purpose. This work will support a realistic assessment of the cost and
timing for a Sunshine Coast Extension after Infrastructure Australia recently rejected a Fast Rail
proposal (the North Coast Connect Detailed Business Case developed by the North Coast
Connect Consortium).

The Australian and Queensland governments have also committed a further $1.5 million to
develop a comprehensive 20-year investment program for the north coast rail line to 2041, to
identify further opportunities to improve the capacity and efficiency of this line between
Beerburrum and Brisbane. Further investment and construction timing will be dependent on and
staged according to the highest priorities across the transport and rail networks to meet
population growth and service demand in the growing South East Queensland region.

The Sunshine Coast is Australia's largest population centre without an internal mass
transportation system. The Palaszczuk Government has recently received a copy of an analysis,
commissioned by the Sunshine Coast Council, into options for moving people around the
Sunshine Coast Community and avoiding congestion on the road network. The Department of
Transport and Main Roads is using this options analysis to commence a detailed planning
process, in partnership with the Sunshine Coast Council.

The Palaszczuk Government is delivering its sixth record transport and roads infrastructure
program in a row, outlining $27.5 billion in investment over the next four years and estimated to
support an average of 24,000 direct jobs over the life of the program. Of this, $2.927 billion is
committed across TMR's North Coast Region, which is estimated to support an average of 2640
direct jobs over the life of the program.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2021/1542-2021.pdf

Question on Notice

No. 1542

Asked on 30 November 2021

MS F SIMPSON ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

Will the Minister ensure Queensland Transport (a) make available details of the preserved
CAMCOS (Beerwah to Maroochydore) heavy rail corridor to the Government agency responsible
for Queensland Globe, (b) follow up to ensure it is transparently accessible for all to view on line
as a proposed transport corridor and (c) report back to Parliament when it is done?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Maroochydore for the question.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) provides information about projects that
are planned or committed to the Queensland Government's State Planning Policy Interactive
Mapping System (SPPIMS). This system is publicly available online at
https://spp.dsdip.esriaustraliaonline.com.au/geoviewer/map/planmaking and the details of the
CAMCOS corridor are currently published there. Refinements to the corridor will be reflected in
SPPIMS as they are engineered and approved.

[ozbob]

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/apps/E-Petitions/Home/DownloadResponse/28f81a59-4882-46b4-9dd8-490d60713649

Our ref: PET 43601
Your ref: A798526
4 January 2022

Mr Neil Laurie
The Clerk of the Parliament
Parliament House
George Street
BRISBANE QLD 4000

Dear Mr Laurie

I refer to petitions 3605-21 and 3537-21 lodged with the Legislative Assembly by Mr Jarrod
Bleijie MP, Member for Kawana on 30 November 2021 and petition 3661-21 lodged on 2
December 2021 about heavy passenger rail on the CAMCOS corridor.

The Palaszczuk Government is investing at record levels to deliver better rail services, and
the Sunshine Coast is no exception.

Achieving faster, more frequent and reliable journeys requires a whole-of-system approach,
including delivering new trains, world-class signalling, track upgrades, level crossing
removals and park n rides.

The $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project will transform the South Eastern Queensland transport
network, unlocking the bottleneck at its heart by providing a second river crossing. This is a
critical first step, enabling the government to then expand capacity across the rest of the
network, including to the Sunshine Coast.

Investment in the North Coast line to the Sunshine Coast continues to be a priority for the
Palaszczuk Government. In the Sunshine Coast region, the $550.8 million Beerburrum to
Nambour Rail Upgrade project has commenced and will improve services for passengers and
freight. The Australian and Queensland governments have also committed $6.25 million
towards the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade Duplication Study, which will inform Stage
2 of the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade project and progress planning for the future
needs of the north coast rail line in this location.

The Palaszczuk Government is committed to the Caboolture to Maroochydore Corridor
(CAMCOS) concept. The CAMCOS corridor has been preserved since 2001. Track upgrading
and duplication from Caboolture to Beerburrum was completed in 2009, as was the elimination
of the open level crossing at Beerwah. This provides an option for a future branch line from
Beerwah to the East Coast.

To support these efforts, earlier this year, I wrote to the Australian Government seeking
matching funds of $3 million for Investment Planning for a Sunshine Coast Rail Extension. I
am pleased that in the Australian Government's Mid Year Economic Forecast, the Australian
Government has confirmed funding for this purpose. This work will support a realistic
assessment of the cost and timing for a Sunshine Coast Extension after Infrastructure
Australia recently rejected a Fast Rail proposal (the North Coast Connect Detailed Business
Case developed by the North Coast Connect Consortium).

The Australian and Queensland governments have also committed a further $1.5 million to
develop a comprehensive 20-year investment program for the north coast rail line to 2041, to
identify further opportunities to improve the capacity and efficiency of this line between
Beerburrum and Brisbane. Further investment and construction timing will be dependent on
and staged according to the highest priorities across the transport and rail networks to meet
population growth and service demand in the growing South East Queensland region.
The Sunshine Coast is Australia's largest population centre without an internal mass
transportation system. The Palaszczuk Government has recently received a copy of an
analysis, commissioned by the Sunshine Coast Council, into options for moving people
around the Sunshine Coast Community and avoiding congestion on the road network. The
Department of Transport and Main Roads is using this options analysis to commence a
detailed planning process, in partnership with the Sunshine Coast Council.

The Palaszczuk Government is delivering its sixth record transport and roads infrastructure
program in a row, outlining $27.5 billion in investment over the next four years and estimated
to support an average of 24,000 direct jobs over the life of the program. Of this, $2.927
billion is committed across TMR's North Coast Region, which is estimated to support an
average of 2640 direct jobs over the life of the program.

Queensland's world-leading pandemic response has made it the place to be and, to support
the State's population boom, significant road upgrades are being delivered as part of
Queensland's COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan. With the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and
Paralympics on the horizon, these upgrades provide immediate economic benefits, support
more jobs and deliver ongoing benefits of vital infrastructure for years to come.
I trust this information is of assistance.

Yours sincerely
MARK BAILEY MP
Minister for Transport and Main Roads

[Jonno]

We have a request for money to plan the need for a plan to think about when we might build this!!