The Sunshine Coast Case : Rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour

[Stillwater]

It is open to RailBOT, at the next state election, to quiz candidates contesting Sunshine Coast seats regarding their support for the comprehensive and timely duplication of the SCL to Landsborough North, and then on to Nambour.  Those responses could be made public, so voters have the option of voting for those candidates that commit to PT upgrade.  RailBOT is able to maintain its apolitical position that way, while advancing the cause of PT on the Sunshine Coast.

It is likely that SC will pick up at least one new seat as an additional four are created across the state.  Others will be redistributed, including the seat of Glass House, through which much of the SCL runs now.  (That seat is held currently by the LNP Transport Spokesperson.)

We should look to see where the political boundaries are drawn and keep options open. 

[#Metro]

Those responses could be made public, so voters have the option of voting for those candidates that commit to PT upgrade.

This doesn't work for the SC upgrade. Politicians can talk out of their behind - indeed, it has become an art form these days.

Someone needs to stand to make the point.

Whenever I see the words "We are committed to..." in a gov't publication I KNOW that they are NOT committed.

After all, if they were committed, there would be no need to write it would they? It would be obvious from the construction progress.

There is an exceedingly rare opportunity to run for a seat where there is no incumbent to remove. That doesn't happen often at all,

and is a golden opportunity.

[aldonius]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-17/cassidy-pork-barrelling-and-the-hoax-of-'every-vote-counts'/7519082

If those living in safe seats feel they are being taken for granted, then the best response is to turn that seat into a contest. If it's a safe Liberal seat, the voters will never turn to Labor, and vice-versa. The answer is a strong independent; somebody with a profile and established community respect.

(Bolding mine, obviously.)

[tazzer9]

Putting a high preference for labor or liberal is the worst thing to do for this country and your own area.
Only exception is where there is no other option.
Even if you vote for some other party that has similar political alignments. 
Every seat should be a contest, preferable between 3 candidates, not just the big two. 

Obviously there will always be safe left wing and safe right wing seats. But make it so a party like the greens has a possibility of winning it. 

[Stillwater]

^^ Ahh yes, the nostalgia of a fleeting pollie promise.  The residents of the Sunshine Coast know all about that when it comes to the SCL:

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/Id/71317

https://lnp.org.au/news/lnp-will-fix-sunshine-coast-rail-line

The question is whether the LNP federally will be thinking about kicking in some money, without a business case (thanks to state Labor) and now, curiously, since the state government has designated the line as a 'national rail freight line' -- no doubt as part of some nefarious plot to winkle money from the feds in circumstances where the state is skint.

[#Metro]

The Premier said the European style 'super commuter' trains would run express from the Gold and Sunshine Coasts direct to Brisbane city and reach speeds of up to 160km an hour.

Well, there you go. I didn't think of it first. http://tiny.cc/SEQHSR 

[ozbob]

[Stillwater]

None of the leaders in the current federal election campaign look like heading to the Sunny Coast before July 2nd.  No mention of SCL duplication.  Voters of the SC taken for granted, yet again.   

[ozbob]

There was a candidates' forum in Fairfax today, SCL was raised in that at least!

[Fares_Fair]

None of the leaders in the current federal election campaign look like heading to the Sunny Coast before July 2nd.  No mention of SCL duplication.  Voters of the SC taken for granted, yet again.   

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visited the Coast last Saturday week and went to Maroochydore and Nambour. Announced $100k for Rowing Club and $5m for Kawana sports club additions (out of total cost of $20m). Bruce Highway funding reannounced.
Nothing announced by either side for rail infrastructure here.. 

[#Metro]

None of the leaders in the current federal election campaign look like heading to the Sunny Coast before July 2nd.  No mention of SCL duplication.  Voters of the SC taken for granted, yet again.   

Large changes like this don't happen because someone asked nicely.

They have to be won.

There needs to be a mass social movement / action on the Sunshine Coast. And candidates to stand against the incumbents and new seats at both a Federal and State level.

Perth is a good example. They tried to shut down the rail network, and to be fair, the patronage was truly abysmal. Look at it today - the best kept railway in all of Australia and outperforming Queensland Rail in terms of patronage also.

Mass action.

[Stillwater]

Thanks FF, missed the media on MT visit, but a pretty p%ss-poor showing for 4 federal seats, eh.

[Stillwater]

Traffic crashes and delays almost a daily occurrence on the Bruce Highway, causing frustration for commuters, the tourism industry that relies upon day trippers and those travelling to the Sunshine Coast by car, and also the freight industry: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/brisbane-traffic-highway-crash-causes-delays/news-story/5131652d39edcd8c551422cbec04b469

News reports that SC Airport is doing good business because people can't risk flying out of Brisbane Airport due to the varied travel times on the Bruce Highway between the Coast and Brisbane.  There is a good chance that, even though they leave early for their flights from Brisbane, they may not get there in time.

[Stillwater]

ABC Radio is reporting that PM Malcolm Turnbull sent a letter to SC Mayor Mark Jamieson overnight providing $180m loan (with strings attached) for the Sunshine Coast Airport expansion.

Confirmed by SCD: http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/coalition-promises-airport-expansion-loan/3055101

[DJR96]

Is this a repetition of what's happened at Beerwah -- a town divided?  Are we able to get our hands on the 'latest literature'?  And where are the meetings being held?

Okay, found it ... see page 18  of the local paper.

http://www.gcnews.com.au

More info: https://www.collaborativemap.com/B2N

Andrew Powell's site, reproducing info: http://www.andrewpowell.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/May-2016-TMR-rail-info-sheet.pdf

Hi All,

A little late to this forum, but I thought it would be worthwhile adding my contribution on this topic at least.

I not only attended these so-called information sessions hosted by TMR, but contributed a possible design concept for an overpass in Landsborough to 'eliminate' the OLC in Landsborough. The local paper did a follow-up article that included a link to their website that has my drawings:- http://gcnews.com.au/content/1191/hotoffthepress.aspx (This link may change soon. I'll try to  update it, but you can download the .pdf's from there in the meantime.

I've had very positive feedback from the local MP's, and everyone understands that something like this will eventually be needed. Getting it done in conjunction with the rail duplication may be the one shot we get at it.

[Arnz]

^^

Welcome to the forum, and I'd have to agree with buying the local BP as it'll obviously lose business unless if there's a large park and ride on the Eastern side.  I do like the idea of moving the 605 and 615 buses to the Eastern side carpark.

Although alternatively I'd probably suggest a siding for turning back electric trains at Landsborough either north or south of where the loco triangle is now, should duplication eventually get underway to Landsborough at least. 

An ideal post-Beerburrum to Landsborough duplication timetable would be that daytime trains that would've terminated at Caboolture otherwise would be extended to Landsborough, forming 2tph to Landsborough and 1tph to Nambour during the day.  605 and 615 buses to the coast would be ramped up to half-hourly during the day and hourly after 6pm till late.

Evening trains after 6pm would still have services terminate at Caboolture (plus stabling at the Caboolture and Elimbah yards in the evening), forming 1tph to Caboolture and 1tph to Nambour after 6pm.

[Fares_Fair]

ABC Radio is reporting that PM Malcolm Turnbull sent a letter to SC Mayor Mark Jamieson overnight providing $180m loan (with strings attached) for the Sunshine Coast Airport expansion.

Confirmed by SCD: http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/coalition-promises-airport-expansion-loan/3055101

It's all about nothing.
The announcement was for a concessional loan but no actual figure has been promised.
Oh, look, it's the day before an election.

Council are seeking a $181 million loan.

This is real Yes Minister stuff, you couldn't make it up.

[Stillwater]

Yet another crash on an over-worked Bruce Highway.  It is almost a crash a day. http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/expect-delays-multi-vehicle-crash-bruce-hwy/3058599

[ozbob]

It is getting to point where Governments' non action with the SCL is verging on negligence IMHO.

It is known that rail travel is 40 to 100 times safer than road.   Continuing to neglect the rail option and forcing more and more onto dangerous roads is now verging on criminal behaviour.  Only a matter of time before there is legal action I believe.

[Stillwater]

Quote from the Building Queensland website:

"In February 2016, the Queensland Government requested that Building Queensland lead the development of a business case for the Cross River Rail project, in conjunction with the Department of Transport and Main Roads."

Asked in February 2016 to undertake a business case for the complex CRR project, Building Queensland completed the task in mid-June.  FIVE MONTHS.

Around the same time, Building Queensland was asked to prepare the business case for the Sunshine Coast Line duplication -- a project that has been examined 17 times already in one form or another, resulting in considerable documentation from which to draw the information for a business case.  AND, we know that the plans have been drawn for duplication to Nambour.  Latest advice from government is that the SCL duplication business case will be ready in June 2017.  EIGHTEEN MONTHS.

Questions:  Why does it take three times longer to prepare the SCL duplication business case than it does the CRR business case?  If there is only sufficient staff within Building Queensland to do one business case at a time, why can't the SCL duplication business case be ready by the end of calendar year 2016? 

[ozbob]

The time frame obviously reflects the political priority rather than the actual need. 

Government doesn't care too much for the Sunshine Coast, does it?

[Stillwater]

The TMR website tells us a little more of what is happening on the SCL – duplication to Landsborough North and (in the words of the TMR) ....

"Enhancement works being considered north of Landsborough are within the existing rail corridor and include station upgrades and additional passing loops."

Previous references were to 'further upgrades north to Nambour' or something along those lines.

[Stillwater]

Another day, another crash on the Bruce Highway:

Bruce Hwy crash expected to cause delays 
DRIVERS travelling south on the Bruce Hwy near Caboolture are being warned to expect delays after a single vehicle crash. (SCD two hours ago)

[Stillwater]

What might Christmas have in store for SC commuters?

https://www.facebook.com/thesunshinecoastdaily/posts/10152731706847261?comment_id=10152731727027261&offset=0&total_comments=146&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D

[Fares_Fair]

Fingers crossed..

Woombye Stabling construction is going well so no reason not to expect a Christmas bonus

[Arnz]

What might Christmas have in store for SC commuters?

https://www.facebook.com/thesunshinecoastdaily/posts/10152731706847261?comment_id=10152731727027261&offset=0&total_comments=146&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D

I think I've posted this one back in early 2015. 

Service upgrade to hourly also subject to rollingstock availability/NGR deliveries, taking into consideration the teethering issues with the NGR combined with the the ongoing Kippa-Ring line delays/Petrie Junction signalling issues.

Sorry to be pessimistic, whilst the Woombye stabling may be on time (or even early), I suspect the other mentioned issues (NGR/Kippa-Ring) may delay the Nambour "hourly services" weekday off-peak upgrade until January 2017 (at the earliest) or March 2017 at the latest.

[Fares_Fair]

No worries, thanks Arnz.
Maybe someone in the media can ask the question, or the Daily can follow up on their May 2015 story.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Fast rail linking Gold and Sunshine coasts a legacy if southeast hosts 2028 Olympics

... However, before the connection could be built, it is understood the State Government would need to commit to duplicating the North Coast rail line between Beerburrum and Landsborough, which has previously been indicated as being low on the Palaszczuk Government's priority list. ...

[Stillwater]

New campaign to improve PT on the Sunshine Coast.  Expert says rail duplication is the key:

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/what-it-will-take-to-fix-our-public-transport/3067819

How many times must the bleeding obvious be stated?

[ozbob]

^

Has to be repeated to eternity sadly .. 

[ozbob]

" And the railway line to Brisbane had to be duplicated to get commuters, tourists and freight transport off the Bruce Highway .. "#qldpol

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) July 26, 2016

[Stillwater]

Again we have the SCL duplication linked to something else, even though it is warranted in its own right on transport operations and efficiency grounds.  Whether the people of the SC get an essential piece of infrastructure (which they deserve outright, based upon proven economic and transport analysis) now somehow is contingent on Australia lodging an official bid for the 2028 Olympic Games and a successful vote by the IOC to give Brisbane those games.

THE MAYORS OF SEQ HAVE DECIDED THAT A FAST TRAIN TO THE SUNSHINE COAST SHOULD DEPEND ON THE VOTE OF INTERNATIONAL  SPORTING OFFICIONARDOS MEETING IN SWITZERLAND.   

Talk about passing the buck!  This is crazy thinking.  That wasn't in Connecting SEQ 2031 or whatever strategic transport plan we have currently.

We should not get too excited about the prospect either.  This proposal is contained in a pre-feasibility report.  That's the report before you have the feasibility report, to be followed by the desktop engineering assessment, the engineering concept design, full design and land purchase plan, EIS, initial costings, then the business case analysis looking at costs to 90 percentile accuracy, BCR, an election or two where this is a political plaything, an assessment by Building Queensland, then an application to Infrastructure Australia and lots of posturing and shouting to Canberra along the lines of 'GIVE US THE MONEY'.

What's the betting that the current SCL Upgrade business case being devised now within Building Queensland revolves around track infrastructure parameters that won't allow for fast trains travelling at speeds that would reach the Sunshine Coast in 45 minutes. 

Oh well, back to the drawing board ... assemble yet another team to redo the planning.

[ozbob]

Our position is clear.

Sent to all outlets:

27th July 2016

SEQ: Regional Rapid Rail

Good Morning,

Interesting piece in today's Courier Mail:

Fast rail linking Gold and Sunshine coasts a legacy if southeast hosts 2028 Olympics
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/fast-rail-linking-gold-and-sunshine-coasts-a-legacy-if-southeast-hosts-2028-olympics/news-story/ca8e8bf8c30fe9fe9254c77b5f77dbda

We have long suggested, as have previous Governments, that there are two significant opportunities for Regional Rapid Rail in SEQ - Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane to the Gold Coast.

Regional rapid rail was first flagged in the Connecting SEQ 2031 study (2011) as fast CoastLink services.

It will take a bit more than just duplication the Sunshine Coast Line from Beerburrum to Nambour, it will also need the activation of the North West transport corridor for rail as well to enable a fast rail service to and from the Sunshine Coast.  In the case of the Gold Coast, the existing rail line south from Beenleigh is suitable for a fast rail service (achieves that now in effect) but a new alignment between Brisbane and Beenleigh would be needed.  This would involve a direct extension from Cross River Rail to a new alignment of tunnel and elevated rail perhaps in the M1 transport corridor.

Linking these possible projects to a possible Olympic Bid in 2028 is just a measure of the desperation that surrounds failing transport policy in Queensland. These projects need to happen independently of the any Olympic bid.

SEQ faces transport failure unless we start acting now.

Best wishes
Robert

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

[Fares_Fair]

Try to think of it as a very fast sports stadium...

[Fares_Fair]

Sunshine Coast Daily
Wednesday 27th July 2016
By Bill Hoffman

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/olympic-bid-high-speed-rail-could-be-a-money-maker/3067996/

OLYMPICS or not a high-speed train is needed now and could actually make the State Government money according to a commuter advocate who endures a one-and-three-quarter hour trip from Woombye to Brisbane every day.

The SEQ Council of Mayors will this afternoon release a pre-feasibility study into a potential 2028 Olympic Games bid to be hosted across facilities on the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

It includes a call for a fast rail link from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast which would cut travel time from each region to Brisbane to just 45 minutes.

Rail Back on Track advocate Jeff Addision said commuters would take whatever they could get.

But after promises made by former Premier Anna Bligh of a one-hour Express Link Service from the regions as part of the SEQ 2031 Regional Plan proved empty, he is not getting excited.

"In a decade it will be a half-hour service (promise)," Mr Addison said.

The Caboolture to Beerburrum line completed in 2009 has a 160kph speed capacity.

But Mr Addison said the North Coast Line Capacity Report released late last year suggested cutting speed north to Nambour to 100kph and to just upgrade, rather than duplicate all sections.

He said a fast train link would be an absolute game changer for the regions and not just commuters.

At 45 minutes a fast train link would be quicker than private vehicle, drawing more people onto public transport.

Mr Addison said in the process greater uptake could help the State Government shift from subsidising rail travel to making a profit.

"It's hard to get excited after all the disappointment," he said.

But Mr Addison said with Caloundra South to be home to 50,000 and Palmview 17,000 along with population growth across the south-east corner it had to happen sometime.

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Why the Goldie has twice as many trains as us

DAVID Rudland will spend 1250 hours on public transport this year to get from his Currimundi home to the office in Brisbane.

The 60-year-old has made the five-hour return journey to Bowen Hill every weekday, at a cost of more than $6000 a year, for the past nine years.

With two weeks off for holidays each year, it's an extraordinary amount of time to spend on buses and trains.

But the Virgin revenue analyst said it was worth every minute with the stress and car expenses he saved.

After all, he is one of the lucky ones who has easily accessible bus routes that can take him to the Landsborough train station, which has 20 services to Brisbane each weekday.

Spare a thought for those north of Nambour.

Those using the Cooran station, for example, who have the grand choice of travelling south at either 6.20am or 1.48pm each weekday.

By comparison, anyone along the length of the Gold Coast Line has 47 opportunities each weekday to travel to Brisbane's Central Station.

Mr Rudland said the dynamics of access to the rail network were definitely skewed in the Gold Coast's favour.

"The train lines go right into the Gold Coast itself, while the Sunshine Coast service is well inland from the main population centres," he said.

"There is real difficulty in separating the bus issue from the train services because a lack of bus services inhibit the demand for trains as people cannot get to the stations. It's a common theme I have seen over the years.

"For me, I just need to get to the right place at the right time and the rest takes care of itself."

A TransLink spokesperson said there was a greater level of demand for the Gold Coast line.

"Patronage on the Sunshine Coast train line is currently about 1.7% of all journeys taken on the South-East Queensland CityTrain network. This compares with about 9.6% for the Gold Coast train line," the spokesperson said.

"Infrastructure and service upgrades are prioritised based on various criteria such as demand, asset condition, population density, patronage growth, availability of funding and competing government priorities."

The spokesperson said the state was continuing to invest in public transport services on the Sunshine Coast, including additional train trips from Nambour when the Moreton Bay Rail line opens and service changes linked to the completion of the Woombye stabling facility and the progressive delivery of the new generation rollingstock (trains).

"When the MBRL line opens, there will be new Sunshine Coast and Caboolture timetables which will deliver two extra inbound, off-peak services to the Coast each weekday and replace Nambour to Caboolture shuttle trains with full Nambour to Brisbane Central services."

[ozbob]

More nonsensical spin from TransLink ..

... "Patronage on the Sunshine Coast train line is currently about 1.7% of all journeys taken on the South-East Queensland CityTrain network. This compares with about 9.6% for the Gold Coast train line," the spokesperson said. ...

Why do you think that is TransLink?   

[#Metro]

SEQ Regional Rapid Rail ---> http://tiny.cc/SEQHSR

Will leave the car for dead.

[ozbob]

" More nonsensical spin from @TransLinkSEQ .. "@StirlHinchliffe > https://t.co/cyuJ1b4Bop
basket case ...#qldpol #2tracks #sunnycoast

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) August 9, 2016

[Stillwater]

Mr Hinchliffe failed to mention that not one freight train travels on the Gold Coast Line.  The Spirit of Queensland, SOTO and the Tilts don't head north via Robina. Cattle trains run regularly down the SCL to Dinmore. Maybe the minister should go back, do his sums, and report on the total number of trains travelling to the Gold Coast versus Nambour.  The track to Nambour would make more 'profit' for the state government than the Gold Coast Line.  A faster, more efficient track would improve freight train running times and boost the state economy.  Maybe the long-awaited SCL business case (due June 2017) will shed some light and prove the shallowness of the Minister's comments.