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

[ozbob]

Minister Bailey must be a Time Lord and have a Tardis parked in his ministerial car parking space in the basement the way he is able to juggle his statements re multi-dimensional timeframes for completion of the DSCL.

I think we might have to add Deputy Premier Miles ... 

Facebook ...

Be honest Premier Palaszczuk and Minister Bailey - DSCRL deception 9th April 2023 This morning we read at the Gold...

Posted by RAIL - Back On Track on Saturday, 8 April 2023

Discussion --> https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?msg=269565

[ozbob]

The Federal Government is sending out warnings that infrastructure funding is going to be restricted in the 2023-24 Federal Budget and onwards.

I think the DSCRL will be a casualty.

[Fares_Fair]

Head-desk.
Irresponsible?
It's just that the decision for rail to Maroochydore is an embarrassment for the state govt who have done nothing to build it for at least 17 years.

Couriermail Sunshine Coast --> Steven Miles announces new land in Caloundra South Aura $

Deputy Premier Steven Miles has announced 1100 new land blocks were now available on the southern Sunshine Coast but can't say if a major rail upgrade will be done by 2032.

... Rail Back on Track's Robert Dow said the expansion of the Caloundra South housing development before the rail line is finalised will cause "more traffic, more local congestion".

"The lack of decent public transport means car dependency becomes the 'norm'," Mr Dow said.

"It is essential that public transport, in this case the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line, is in place before further development creates more public transport poor, car dependent residential regions that are not sustainable and tend to exclude anyone not able to directly access car transport.

"To support the rail line, frequent connected local bus services need to be operating as soon as residents move in."

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the initial plans for the direct Sunshine Coast rail line should be completed by the end of 2023, but he could not say whether trains would be running by the Olympics in 2032 calling the previous federal government's promise "irresponsible".

"We support extending heavy rail to the Sunshine Coast but it is important that we get it right and we get the planning right and the staging right," Mr Miles said.


"We have a study underway in conjunction with the federal government I think it is a $6m investment between both levels of government to do that study and once that study is completed we will be able to make decisions about the next stage." ...

   

[Stillwater]

Seriously? Newborns have grown to be adults during the period of time CAMCOS/SCDL has been 'studied'. Study after study kicks the can down the road. Queensland is approving whole cities without honouring commitments for rail connections (to Caloundra by 2015 and to Maroochydore by 2020).

[Jonno]

We have the funding......we are just spending it on the wrong infrastructure!!!!  No doubt the funding of road projects will still be 80-90% of transport budgets.

[Stillwater]

CALL FOR MORE PUBLIC TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
An ageing demographic and a predicted massive population influx into the Sunshine Coast during the next decade will require a greater investment in public transport across the region, Regional Development Australia Sunshine Coast CEO, Paul Fisher, told a recent gathering of the Glasshouse Country Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Fisher said the Sunshine Coast had the second highest percentage of private car usage in Australia, with 98 per cent of all private travel taken by car. Only Perth was worse.

An estimated 170,000 new residents will seek  a home on the Sunshine Coast in the next 20 years. Forty per cent of the 84,00 arriving between 2016 and 2041 will be aged 60+, he said.

While that would create opportunities in aged care and allied health industries, the workers required to operate them, and also young people undertaking tertiary education, would require cheaper transport options as they moved east-west from the hinterland to the coast, Mr Fisher said.

[ozbob]

Mr Stillwater, I have picked up from some ' sources ' that there is not much support for the DSCRL in the inner workings of the State Labor Caucus.
Not surprised though. I think they see it as a blue project.

If it gets cut or delayed as per the 2023-24 Federal Budget be a little too convenient for State Labor who are not really prepared to be honest. 

Sad, but the reality ...   

====     

Be honest Premier Palaszczuk and Minister Bailey - DSCRL deception
https://railbotforum.org/yourls/5d
9th April 2023

[Gazza]

What I find mental though is that GCLR4 runs through "Blue" seats, but that is full steam ahead.
Why is there more of a wilingness to spend in blue seats on the GC versus SC?

[Jonno]

Go to love planning by politics and beliefs!!! Honestly.  What a cluster

[Stillwater]

Pure politics is delaying this project. Departmental bureaucrats must also see DSCL as a Blue Project, but they should quietly proceed to plan until the other lot come into power.

If the feds are struggling to find savings in the 2023-24 Budget, an easy saving would be to withdraw the $1.6 billion already on the table. The danger is that this promised money will be allocated elsewhere in Australia and not to Queensland.

Minister Bailey et al are playing a risky strategy when the game plan should be to maximise federal funds for this state. Had they played their cards right, the feds might have chipped into the cost of CRR.

Perhaps Mr Bailey's next best strategy is to request that the $1.6 billion 'lost' to the DSCL should, instead, be switched to duplication all the way to Nambour, with priority given to Beerwah-Landsborough North. Landsborough Station is in the (state Labor) seat of Caloundra and SC City Council area.

That should be enough for one of the many spin doctors the Palaszczuk Government employs to knock up a media statement along the lines of: "State and federal Labor governments unite to bring rail duplication to the Sunshine Coast, vote for us." Should make for a nice sod-turning ceremony too. That parkland in front of the Landsborough Station has been dug over before, though.

[Fares_Fair]

This 90 day $120 billion infrastructure review review will be handed down after the 2023/24 Federal Budget.

[Fares_Fair]

Pure politics is delaying this project. Departmental bureaucrats must also see DSCL as a Blue Project, but they should quietly proceed to plan until the other lot come into power.

If the feds are struggling to find savings in the 2023-24 Budget, an easy saving would be to withdraw the $1.6 billion already on the table. The danger is that this promised money will be allocated elsewhere in Australia and not to Queensland.

Minister Bailey et al are playing a risky strategy when the game plan should be to maximise federal funds for this state. Had they played their cards right, the feds might have chipped into the cost of CRR.

Perhaps Mr Bailey's next best strategy is to request that the $1.6 billion 'lost' to the DSCL should, instead, be switched to duplication all the way to Nambour, with priority given to Beerwah-Landsborough North. Landsborough Station is in the (state Labor) seat of Caloundra and SC City Council area.

That should be enough for one of the many spin doctors the Palaszczuk Government employs to knock up a media statement along the lines of: "State and federal Labor governments unite to bring rail duplication to the Sunshine Coast, vote for us." Should make for a nice sod-turning ceremony too. That parkland in front of the Landsborough Station has been dug over before, though.

The red team Feds offered to fund Cross River Rail for $800 million at the prior election (when led by Bill Shorten), but lost that election.

Courier-Mail 19 June 2016
BRISBANE'S crucial congestion-busting Cross River Rail project will get an $800 million federal funding boost if Labor wins the election. Leader Bill Shorten will today announce the ALP's support for the 10km tunnel and series of underground city stations, which is expected to cost more than $5 billion and create 8000 construction jobs. Labor would also help the Queensland Government access extra money through the party's proposed "concrete bank'' facility to leverage private investment in major infrastructure.
The backing is subject to a positive business case being presented for the project, due this month.
"This is about driving economic growth and boosting productivity,'' Mr Shorten said.

Given what has occurred since, and is occurring now you'd think that the state government would find some new, more able negotiators than they currently use.
The constant politicking by the Govt is effectively shooting themselves in the foot on infrastructure.

[Jonno]

I'd get a new Minister. Can't negotiate with anyone

[Stillwater]

Thanks for the factcheck, Fares Fair. Maybe what's needed is a Teal Candidate in the seat of Caloundra come the next state election - to strip votes from Labor  among those who would not vote LNP in a pink fit, but who are dissatisfied with Labor on the rail issue.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsSC/status/1653316410561683460

[ozbob]

ABC Sunshine Coast Radio Breakfast

Interview 3rd May 2023 Host Emma Cillekens, reporter Owen Jacques interviews Mayor Mark Jamieson re DSCRL.

Here --> https://backontrack.org/docs/abcsc/abcsc_mj3may23.mp3  MP3 3.7MB

[ozbob]

^ Mayor Jamieson is on message, and remains confident re the Federal Government committment to DSCRL.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1653540501067567104

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast News --> Infrastructure projects under review, putting focus on works including Sunshine Coast Rail

The future of some road and rail projects – including the Sunshine Coast Rail – could be in jeopardy as the government vows to review the country's "clogged" infrastructure pipeline.

Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said the 90-day review of the Infrastructure Investment Program was a chance to go back to the drawing board to ensure as many projects as possible could be rolled out.

The infrastructure pipeline is worth $120 billion and has 738 projects, 162 of which have a government commitment of $5 million or less, compared with 146 when Labor was last in government 10 years ago.

Ms King said cost overruns meant some projects previously announced by the coalition would not be able to be delivered. ...

[verbatim9]

I hope they don't cull this project. It's imperative that it is completed prior to the Olympics for many good reasons.

[ozbob]

ABC Radio Sunshine Coast

News item on DSCRL 4th May 2023 comments from Kawana MP Jarrod Bleijie MP and Caloundra MP Jason Hunt

Here --> https:///backontrack.org/docs/abcsc/abcsc_news4may23.mp3 MP3 0.9MB

[ozbob]

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2023/351-2023.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 351
Asked on 30 March 2023

Mr J Bleijie asked Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Hon. A Palaszczuk)―

QUESTION:

With reference to the 2005 Labor Government's commitment to build a high speed rail link
from Beerwah to Caloundra by 2015 and to Maroochydore by 2020—
Will the Premier advise why the Premier's government has not progressed the construction
of this vitally important public transport project over the last eight years?

ANSWER:

I refer the Member to my response to his question regarding Sunshine Coast rail
(Queensland on Notice No. 137-2023) which was tabled on 13 April 2023.

As I advised the Member, planning is underway for the proposed passenger rail corridor
between Beerwah and Maroochydore to increase public transport opportunities for the
growing Sunshine Coast community. A $6 million planning study on a proposed Direct
Sunshine Coast Rail line has been jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland
governments. This planning is critical to identifying the full scope, cost and timing for any
future project.

Additionally, I advised that the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail line planning is critically
enabled by the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (stage 1). The $550.8 million project
is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments. The project will increase
track capacity, providing improved services for Queenslanders and support the growing
Sunshine Coast region. It is relevant to note that this project would be further advanced if
the previous LNP government had not cut more than $1.65 billion in transport funding and
progressed planning on this project.

[Fares_Fair]

Tired of this kind of 'spin' and false deflection.

While not actually answering the direct question put to her, the author fails to mention  this project had already been stopped and cut - some 6 years prior to the former Newman government.

[ozbob]

Here is the earlier QON 351  referred to by the Premier.

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2023/137-2023.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 137
Asked on 14 March 2023

Mr J Bleijie asked Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games
(Hon. A Palaszczuk)―

QUESTION:

With reference to the government's recent $7b 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games
infrastructure announcement including a $1.7b Gabba blowout—

Will the Premier advise (a) how much money and what projects will the state and federal
government deliver in road and rail projects for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games
and (b) will that include the heavy passenger rail from Beerwah to Caloundra to Kawana
to Maroochydore?

ANSWER:

The existing program of transport infrastructure works to manage future growth and
support the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is outlined in the $29.7 billion
Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program 2022–23 to 2025–26. This program
includes critical upgrades across Queensland, including the South East Queensland
transport network. Further information about the program is available via
www.tmr.qld.gov.au/qtriponline.

I am advised planning is underway for the proposed passenger rail corridor between
Beerwah and Maroochydore to increase public transport opportunities for the growing
Sunshine Coast community. A $6 million planning study on a proposed Direct Sunshine
Coast Rail line has been jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments.
This planning is critical to identifying the full scope, cost and timing for any future project.
The Direct Sunshine Coast Rail line planning is critically enabled by the Beerburrum to
Nambour Rail Upgrade (stage 1). The $550.8 million project is jointly funded by the
Australian and Queensland governments. The project will increase track capacity,
providing improved services for Queenslanders and support the growing Sunshine Coast
region. It is relevant to note that this project would be further advanced if the previous LNP
government had not cut more than $1.65 billion in transport funding and progressed
planning on this project.

[Stillwater]

It is like watching a slow game of cricket. Opposition bowls up googlies, government bats them away. You think they would have tired of this political shuffle by now and thought about the hapless SC commuter.

[300LA]

For the sake of argument, let's say the revised cost of the project Beerwah to Marrochydore is $5.5 billion. (Up from the estimated $3.2 billion).

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but wasn't the $3.2B figure arrived at from the 'Fast Rail' proposal?

I was under the impression it was driven by the Feds and Council, but not involving State Gov?

[Stillwater]

Correct. It will be interesting to see how much 'non-essential', non rail infrastructure has been rolled into the Business Case process, in other words elements that the state normally would have to meet the cost of 100 per cent, but which the state government will argue should be paid 80 cent in the dollar by the feds or half the cost on a 50:50 funding split.

Thus, the state is likely to argue that bike paths, new road interchanges and road bridges are fully integrated with the Direct Sunshine Coast RAIL Line project. Of itself, that is not necessarily a bad thing. Expecting the feds to pay 80 per cent, or even 50 per cent of a jumble of road and rail and active transport infrastructure is a touch rude.

The risk is that the state will go into political mode ... arguing that the feds are not holding up their end, Queensland is not getting its 'fair share' of fed funding etc .... more of the argy bargy that has plagued rail for the Sunshine Coast. That must end.

[ozbob]

Sadly, funding for the DSCRL is under threat > https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?msg=270724

You are correct Mr Stillwater total cost will be >> than the 3.2$ billion, which makes in increasingly unlikely for heavy rail to get Maroochydore anytime soon.

A ' staged ' approach to Caloundra might be the end result. Either that or nothing.

[300LA]

Correct. It will be interesting to see how much 'non-essential', non rail infrastructure has been rolled into the Business Case process, in other words elements that the state normally would have to meet the cost of 100 per cent, but which the state government will argue should be paid 80 cent in the dollar by the feds or half the cost on a 50:50 funding split.

Good point. I was coming at it more from the opposite perspective. What 'essential' items (from the State's perspective) weren't included in the Fast Rail BC if the State and/or QR weren't the main parties driving it??
How much weight can the $3.2B BC really have if the State weren't involved.

State and QR could easily have different priorities which could drastically impact the final $ amount. The recent drama of signalling on the Redcliffe line  comes to mind.

[HappyTrainGuy]

2005 ATP rollout, L2P, MBRL, Sunshine Coast line, NGR and numerous realignment and track upgrades along the ncl are a few projects where the state has stepped in and said no.

[ozbob]

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tp/2019/5619T982.pdf

Caloundra South CAMCOS Realignment Study flyer - 2007

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Concerns over Sunshine Coast hosting Brisbane 2032 Olympics events $

A Sunshine Coast politician has revealed concerns about a crucial heavy rail line from Brisbane falling short of the Maroochydore CBD as the state and federal governments continue to scrutinise the project.

The comments come as some of the region's businesses and residents question how prepared the Sunshine Coast would be for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games if infrastructure, accommodation and marketing projects do not start now.

Member for Kawana Jarrod Bleijie's concerns have been revealed as the Sunshine Coast Rail project comes under federal scrutiny as part of Labor's review into the $120bn infrastructure pipeline.

When in power, the Morrison government had committed $1.6bn to fund heavy rail from Beerwah to the Maroochydore CBD and the project still needs a commitment from the state government.

A state government spokesman said the state and federal governments were working on a $6m jointly funded costings study, which was "on track" for completion later this year. ...

[ozbob]

https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/sunshine-coast/concerns-over-sunshine-coast-hosting-brisbane-2032-olympics-events/news-story/90d7281e1cbd1279a4d132939e9c738b

... Mr Bleijie, the Member for Kawana, said he was hearing rumours that the state government was "looking at" extending the line from Beerwah and finishing it at Caloundra instead of Maroochydore.

"I'm fearful as every day goes by we're going further and further from having it delivered," he said.

Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson also said the heavy rail line must reach Maroochydore.

Ms Simpson said without the legacy of good infrastructure, the 2032 Games would cost regional Queenslanders dearly. ...

[Fares_Fair]

It already has cost us dearly.

[#Metro]

Qld the boom state, with more than 20,000 to cross the border annually
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/qld-the-boom-state-with-more-than-20-000-to-cross-the-border-annually-20230509-p5d72c.html

Treasurer's seat is Rankin, which is QLD and overlaps Logan LGA.

Included in the budget was confirmation that both the Beerwah to Maroochydore rail extension and Kuraby to Beenleigh faster rail upgrade remain funded to the tune of $1.1 billion and $1.6 billion, respectively.

 

[Fares_Fair]

^
Game on.. however
The infrastructure review is a 90 day thing.
Changes may yet occur.

[ozbob]

^
Game on.. however
The infrastructure review is a 90 day thing.
Changes may yet occur.

I think the amounts are flipped in the BT article.

[Fares_Fair]

^
Game on.. however
The infrastructure review is a 90 day thing.
Changes may yet occur.

I think the amounts are flipped in the BT article.

They are indeed reversed Ozbob.
$1.6 billion was for the (formerly CAMCOS) Direct Sunshine Coast Line (total budgeted cost $3.2 billion)
$1.3 billion was for the Kuraby-Beenleigh Faster Rail project (total budgeted cost supposed to be $2.6 billion)


This from IA website:
In 2022, both the Australian Government and Queensland Government committed a total of $1.3 billion each, for a total funding of $2.6 billion towards delivery of the project.

[nathandavid88]

Just a small, random question based on my reading of the below article in InQLD this morning. Greg Hallam mentions in the article an interesting name for the Sunshine Coast Line that I've not heard before:

"The Sunshine Coast heavy rail line to the new Maroochydore CBD, the so-called Cairnscross Corridor, will still be being spruiked, if not much else."

Now, is/was "Cairncross Corridor" an actual name for line, or has he just misheard "CAMCOS" as "Cairncross"?

As a bit of history, the Cairncross Family were an pioneering family of Brisbane whose name is probably best associated with the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve at Maleny, but the family also has an association with the Colmslie area, including the Cairncross Dockyard.

https://inqld.com.au/opinion/2023/05/10/two-elections-before-the-olympics-premier-must-decide-if-its-a-marathon-or-a-sprint/

[#Metro]

Might just be a ChatGPT/AI mishearing and mistranscription?

The nature of these errors makes me suspect they aren't employing humans anymore.