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

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast News --> Route and station details refined for heavy rail project as funding secured

Planning for a heavy rail line on the Sunshine Coast is gaining momentum, after a Queensland delegation to Canberra claimed a funding victory for the project.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has refined the track alignment, unveiled updated concept designs for stations, including one with sea views, and is on track to complete its business case by the end of the year. ...

[ozbob]

Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line, planning

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/direct-sunshine-coast-rail-line-planning

[Fares_Fair]

Sunshine Coast News --> Route and station details refined for heavy rail project as funding secured

Planning for a heavy rail line on the Sunshine Coast is gaining momentum, after a Queensland delegation to Canberra claimed a funding victory for the project.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has refined the track alignment, unveiled updated concept designs for stations, including one with sea views, and is on track to complete its business case by the end of the year. ...

Another interesting article drip fed after a bad news day, but hey, this is Queensland.

I note they they have massaged the route and curves to allow for 160km/h speed trains.
Also note that the proposed tunnel at Little Mountain (near Sugarbag Road) has been lengthened from 700m to 1.1km.
NB The 700m figure came out of the (now defunct) North Coast Connect business case.

[ozbob]

Glasshouse Country and Maleny News --> Rail project 'prioritised'

THE State Government won't promise any funding to the Sunshine Coast Direct Rail Line ahead of the outcome of a $14m business case, despite insisting that the federal government commit $1.6bn to the "vital" project.

A Queensland delegation led by Deputy Premier, Steven Miles, that included Deputy Mayor Rick Baberowski, last week met with Infrastructure and Transport Minister Catherine King where they urged the federal government to commit funds to the project.
The meeting followed the outcome of an independent federal review of infrastructure projects that essentially set aside previously committed funding for the Beerwah to Maroochydore rail line.
Mr Miles declared the meeting a success, telling Parliament the federal Government would back the project.
"The direct Sunshine Coast rail line will be prioritised as part of the transport program for the 2032 Olympic Games," Mr Miles said.

When approached by GC&M News, a department spokesperson for State Transport Minister, Mark Bailey, said the business case was a critical first step towards completion of any big project.
The spokesperson acknowledged the business case was expensive and time consuming, however, without this thorough scope and investigative process, crucial questions around project cost, staging and delivery outcomes were unable to be answered. ...

PDF --> https://backontrack.org/docs/gcmn/gcmn4dec23_6_7.pdf PDF 3.6MB

[Stillwater]

According to Fiona Simpson MP, reported on Channel 7 Local News Sunshine Coast tonight, the business case for the Direct Sunshine Coast Line has finished and has been with TMR for the past month or so. Mr Bailey says it will be discussed with state/fed reps and won't, for the time being, be released publicly. What will the new Transport minister do?

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2023/1391-2023.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 1391
Asked on 14 November 2023

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

QUESTION:

With reference to the preliminary evaluation of the Sunshine Coast Direct Line (Beerwah to
Maroochydore passenger rail) completed in December of 2022 identifying two options with
sensitivity tests for each option—
Will the Minister advise what those two options are that were progressed for evaluation in the
Business Case, which was due for final submission to TMR for review on 13 October 2023?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Maroochydore for the question.

The proposed Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line project would deliver a new 37-kilometre
passenger rail line linking the key growth areas and tourist destinations of the Sunshine Coast to
Moreton Bay, Brisbane, and beyond, via a single seat journey. The Direct Sunshine Coast Rail
Line project would deliver faster and more reliable journey times, help reduce congestion, while
also providing more accessible and inclusive travel options for the Sunshine Coast.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has been undertaking planning in accordance with
Queensland Treasury's Project Assessment Framework, which includes a preliminary evaluation
that explored the priority and affordability of project options to inform a decision on whether to
invest in fully developing a business case.

The preliminary evaluation considered a range of options. Two options were identified to be
progressed for evaluation in a full business case—delivering a rail line with four stations or a rail
line with six stations.

A $14 million business case for the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line project is currently being
finalised and includes consideration of the outcomes of the community consultation undertaken
in mid-2023. This consultation sought feedback on several aspects of the project design, including
six proposed stations. Business case outcomes are due for consideration by the Queensland and
Australian governments in 2024.

[ozbob]

Interview 20th December 2023 4BC Drive Host Peter Gleeson with Jeff Addison RBoT

Discussion on new Transport Minister and rail on the Sunshine Coast

Here --> https://backontrack.org/docs/4bc/4bc_pg_ja_20dec23.mp3 MP3 4.3MB

[ozbob]

I think we might hear something about the future of the DSCRL soon. The report is now with the Premier, according to the ABC Sunshine Coast News Bulletin this morning. No sign of any release but at least it looks like a decision will be made in time for the June Budget.

[minbrisbane]

Wouldn't that be nice.  Maybe the long distance replacement business case also? 

[#Metro]

What will the Day 1 train frequency be?

Can it support 15 minute train service like Perth?

If not, what would be needed to make that happen?

[verbatim9]

^^Likely not the frequency you are suggesting. It"s a bit premature even discussing frequency at this point anyway. Plus this is the wrong thread for frequency why not discuss these matters in the train frequency thread.

[ozbob]

I think we might hear something about the future of the DSCRL soon. The report is now with the Premier, according to the ABC Sunshine Coast News Bulletin this morning. No sign of any release but at least it looks like a decision will be made in time for the June Budget.

Short segment from ABC Sunshine Coast Local News 15th January 2024

Here --> https://backontrack.org/docs/abcsc/abcscnews15jan24.mp3  MP3 0.7MB

[ozbob]

https://x.com/railbotforum/status/1746724133566824726?s=20

[#Metro]

^^Likely not the frequency you are suggesting. It"s a bit premature even discussing frequency at this point anyway

Disagree. The purpose of infrastructure is to run service.

They should know this because it impacts the standing of the project, whether additional trains are required and labour requirements. Not to mention patronage.

We also need to know if there are any infrastructure blockers to bidirectional 15 min frequency as there currently is on the Gold Coast / Beenleigh.

We already have the Redcliffe line experience where ultimate all day service was just 2 trains/hour. Is their intent to serve up more of that?

Projects should start with the end in mind. Service is that end.

[Gazza]

The frequency that it can run will likely mirror whatever the Caboolture line can run, since they would probably extend Caboolture services north.

[ozbob]

The frequency that it can run will likely mirror whatever the Caboolture line can run, since they would probably extend Caboolture services north.

+1

[Arnz]

The frequency that it can run will likely mirror whatever the Caboolture line can run, since they would probably extend Caboolture services north.

Agree.  It's a simple extension of the current Caboolture terminators and the current Nambour runs redirected to Caloundra/Birtinya.  Nambour trains converted to Beerwah shuttles with extensions to Gympie North every two hours.

[ozbob]

https://x.com/7NewsSC/status/1746822076131099128?s=20

[ozbob]

^ I think the best that can be hoped for is a staged approach to the DSCRL. I think the hold up now is that they will have to re-negotiate with the Federal Government for more funding. Business case is done, and as typical these days there will be no public disclosure. Another nail in the political coffin!

Might get to Caloundra or if you are lucky Birtinya as stage 1.

Don't forget Beerburrum <> Beerwah has to be done as well.

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

Update on the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line (Beerwah - Maroochydore). 16th January 2024 The business case is now...

Posted by RAIL - Back On Track on Monday, 15 January 2024

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Update on the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line (DSCRL)
- Beerwah to Maroochydore

16th January 2024

The business case is now complete and is with the Premier Steven Miles.

News item on ABC Sunshine Coast News 15th January 2024
Here > https://backontrack.org/docs/abcsc/abcscnews15jan24.mp3   MP3 0.7MB

For more information on the DSCRL:
TMR: Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line, planning
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/directsunshinecoastrail

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

[achiruel]

What will the Day 1 train frequency be?

Can it support 15 minute train service like Perth?

If not, what would be needed to make that happen?

Can you find a line in Perth that runs a similar mix of services to the NCL? I seriously doubt it.

[Gazza]

Possibly the Midland line?

[ozbob]

Possibly the Midland line?

Dual gauge, has the std gauge passenger trains (  AvonLink, MerredinLink, Prospector ) on it between Perth and Midland but not freight.  Has the suburban rail cars on it as well. 

Is a lot shorter line than the NCL. 

Perth WA has been very good at keeping freight and suburban passenger separated.

https://freightandlogisticscouncil.com.au/FreightandLogisticsCouncil/media/ResourceLibrary/FLCWA_Freight-Rail-in-WA_web.pdf

[achiruel]

The reality is, to get 15-minute bidirectional operation in both the DSCRL and the the Kippa-Ring line, we probably need quad from Northgate to Petrie and triple from Petrie to Beerwah. That isn't happening anytime soon.

Edit: and as ozbob pointed out, there's roughly 4.5 times the shared track-km (Beerwah to Bowen Hills) on the NCL as on the Midland line. Midland line also doesn't have another suburban branch sharing track.

[SurfRail]

Can you find a line in Perth that runs a similar mix of services to the NCL? I seriously doubt it.

Not really relevant to the branch from Beerwah which will carry nothing but electric passenger trains, and by the time this is built the NCL will be duplicated from Beerwah to Brisbane.  I don't think it's too much of a stretch to expect a 15 minute headway, even in the off-peak.

I don't know what to do about Elimbah, Beerburrum and Glasshouse Mountains - there are a few options though:

- Only stop every second or every fourth DSCL train at those stations.  Not my preferred approach.

- My preferred approach is DSCL trains don't stop at those stations so they can spend the entire journey from Beerwah to Caboolture running at full pelt.  These 3 stations would be covered by the hinterland service.  I see the "core" hinterland service being a half-hourly train from Beerwah to Cooroy, with services extending north to Gympie every 2 hours and services extending south to Caboolture every hour.  Most of the current demand will evaporate as the population base will shift to the DSCL, so an at best 30 minute headway for the hinterland itself would be fine.  Every station north of Caboolture would still see dramatically better services than they do now even if only Beerwah gets a single seat trip to Brisbane.

[Gazza]

Yeah, I'd want DSCRL trains to Skip those ones.
I estimate with the completed duplication and realignment, you could get from Caboolture to Beerwah in 15 mins, down from 25 mins at present, which is pretty decent!

The hinterland stations could be changed to a shuttle. If you had a 15 min frequency it would be fully possible to have a timed transfer at both Beerwah and Caboolture.

[#Metro]

I don't think it's too much of a stretch to expect a 15 minute headway, even in the off-peak.

They get 15 min trains all day, *including* on weekends.

Agree with SurfRail. Mandurah is ~ 70 km out of Perth. Population 100K, so much smaller than the SC. Add in Rockingham, it is comparable.

So 15 min all day not unreasonable, provided that bus connections and P&R are provided to supply access.

[Arnz]

Yeah, I'd want DSCRL trains to Skip those ones.
I estimate with the completed duplication and realignment, you could get from Caboolture to Beerwah in 15 mins, down from 25 mins at present, which is pretty decent!

The hinterland stations could be changed to a shuttle. If you had a 15 min frequency it would be fully possible to have a timed transfer at both Beerwah and Caboolture.

I'll be looking at least partial triplication north of Petrie to as far at least Narangba (plus incorporate the LX removal into the project).  Perhaps even look at triplicating the Caboolture river bridge to 3 tracks and prepare room for long term future triplication on the Caboolture-Narangba section. 

That way you are able to run the DSCRL express from Caboolture to Petrie (All Stations to Beerwah, exp to Cab, exp to Pet, exp to EJ, then to CRR), whilst extending the Caboolture terminator to Beerwah (Stopping all stations from Petrie to Beerwah).  This would mean the Nambour and Gympie North originators will terminate at Beerwah with the option of swapping to an faster express ex-Caloundra/Birtinya or connect to the slower express at Beerwah, stopping all stations Beerwah to Petrie. 

[achiruel]

I don't think it's too much of a stretch to expect a 15 minute headway, even in the off-peak.

They get 15 min trains all day, *including* on weekends.

Agree with SurfRail. Mandurah is ~ 70 km out of Perth. Population 100K, so much smaller than the SC. Add in Rockingham, it is comparable.

So 15 min all day not unreasonable, provided that bus connections and P&R are provided to supply access.

Totally not comparable in terms of track utilisation. Keep igorning reality, though.

[SurfRail]

It's easier for Perth but the suggestion it can't or shouldn't be done here I just don't understand.

The difficulty is Caboolture to Petrie, where traffic volumes will justify quad track.

[#Metro]

Well, I've seen freight run on both the Melbourne and Sydney passenger rail systems during the day and in between passenger services.

Just make provision for it if we can.

[Fares_Fair]

On Monday 15 January, I spoke to Tiarni Reid of Ch 7 News (Sunshine Coast) about the Direct Sunshine Coast Line.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1746822076131099128

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast News --> Govt urged to 'put our money where its mouth is' for heavy rail project

A transport advocacy group and local politicians are urging the Queensland Government to get moving on a proposed train line on the Sunshine Coast.

Federal and state MPs have demanded more funding and approvals for the planned 37km dual track between Beerwah and Maroochydore.

But a Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said officials would consider the findings of a business case for the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line this year before considering further funding for the project.

Rail Back on Track (RBOT) and local politicians said there had been very little progress on the project that is required for a population boom and the 2032 Olympic Games. ...

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

Sunshine Coast News Govt urged to 'put our money where its mouth is' for heavy rail project " A transport advocacy...

Posted by RAIL - Back On Track on Thursday, 18 January 2024

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Re: Update on the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line (DSCRL)

19th January 2024

Good Morning,

Interesting article published at the Sunshine Coast News: Govt urged to 'put our money where its mouth is' for heavy rail project https://www.sunshinecoastnews.com.au/2024/01/19/dithering-and-delays-govt-panned-for-slow-progress-on-rail-project/  This is about the ongoing delays with the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line (DSCRL).

But what needs to be pointed out is that for the DSCRL to be successful the track amplification north of Beerburrum to Beerwah (cut back from Landsborough) also needs to be actually started and completed. 

This should have been completed to Landsborough in 2012, but here we are in 2024 still dithering around.  The single track Sunshine Coast line is a major embarrassment for Queensland, a major constraint on rail freight to and from Central and North Queensland,  and restricts interurban passenger services. 

The ongoing failure is a testament to the neglect the Sunshine Coast Region has suffered over the years.

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

Update on the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line (DSCRL)
- Beerwah to Maroochydore

16th January 2024

The business case is now complete and is with the Premier Steven Miles.

News item on ABC Sunshine Coast News 15th January 2024
Here > https://backontrack.org/docs/abcsc/abcscnews15jan24.mp3  MP3 0.7MB

For more information on the DSCRL:
TMR: Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line, planning
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/direct-sunshine-coast-rail-line-planning

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

[Jonno]

No doubt the Business Case will start with

A. Assumptions

1. an estimated maximum of 10% of trips between Sunshine Coast and Brisbane will be by rail! 

[#Metro]

Well, at half hour basic service frequency, that assumption might be reasonable.

A car doesn't involve walking to a bus stop, waiting, riding the service (as it makes more stops and follows an indirect path), wearing a connection penalty, waiting for the train etc.

That's assuming there is a bus at all. Density in some areas might not even support that.

Ideally, the train service has to be fast and frequent enough to make up for these things. If not - the all day mode share will tilt towards car and less PT pax.

[Jonno]

Well, at half hour basic service frequency, that assumption might be reasonable.

A car doesn't involve walking to a bus stop, waiting, riding the service (as it makes more stops and follows an indirect path), wearing a connection penalty, waiting for the train etc.

That's assuming there is a bus at all. Density in some areas might not even support that.

Ideally, the train service has to be fast and frequent enough to make up for these things. If not - the all day mode share will tilt towards car and less PT pax.

the half hour frequency only exists because of the assumption not the other way round!!

[ozbob]

https://www.sunshinecoastnews.com.au/2024/01/19/dithering-and-delays-govt-panned-for-slow-progress-on-rail-project/



The planned passenger train line, from Beerwah to Maroochydore, in green. Picture: TMR