The Sunshine Coast Case : Rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour

[ozbob]

[Stillwater]

^^ Yes to all of the above.  Nambour needs a Master Plan -- all the focus is down the coast at Maroochydore. Sunshine Coast Council needs to take the lead.

Here's yet another reason why the SC needs superior, fast rail to Brisbane on a duplicated track:

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/sunshine-coast-is-an-accidental-city-that-needs-a-pulsing-heart-salt-20170315-guyk7y.html

How about it Ms Trad?  You want to build vital infrastructure that creates jobs for Queenslanders.  Is it all just talk?

[Stillwater]

Sunshine Coast Regional Council: "With the business case in place, council believes there should be no impediment to the State and Federal governments now committing the necessary funding for this long overdue project."

https://invest.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/News-and-Events/News/Council-welcomes-Infrastructure-Pipeline-Report-170117

So, Beerburrum-Landsborough in the 2017-18 State Budget?

[Fares_Fair]

Here's hoping..  desperately hoping.

[Stillwater]

Watch the pressure coming on from federal MPs on the Sunshine Coast, and from councils of the region, for the SCL duplication works to be brought forward, with demands that the state government apply for some of the money now available under the new $10b National Rail Program for linking capital cities with regional centres.

[Stillwater]

Quote from Rail Express, 17 January 2017:

"Building Queensland's second Infrastructure Pipeline Report, released on January 16, has said the Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade is ready for government consideration as part of budget processes."


 

This is what Building Queensland says about Beerburrum-Nambour duplication:

"The Infrastructure Pipeline Report has been developed to assist the Queensland Government in making its major infrastructure decisions. Our rigorous appraisal process and Business Case requirements help ensure that priority proposals are based on merit and are independent of political cycles.

"Building Queensland has now completed the Detailed Business Case for the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade Project. Developed using Building Queensland's Business Case Development Framework, the Business Case demonstrates value to the state and meets Building Queensland's prioritisation criteria.

Subsequently, this project has progressed for government consideration."

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast --> Why it's all talk and no action on smart rail link

LNP leader Tim Nicholls' call for a high-speed train connection between Wide Bay, the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and the Gold Coast was something Deputy Premier Jackie Trad says could not be delivered without a new Cross River Rail link.

Commuters just want the rail duplication to Nambour completed, funding for which didn't exist in the Federal Budget and remains doubtful will be a Palaszczuk Labor Government priority when it brings down the state budget next month.

"I know the duplication is a priority for the Sunshine Coast community and it was bitterly disappointing that it didn't even rate a mention in Turnbull's Federal Budget," Ms Trad, the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport , said.

"We are still going through the Budget process but we've had no indication from the Federal Government that they will come on board and help fund the duplication or any other urban rail priorities in Queensland as it has in three other states until at least 2019.

"Instead, we've had Liberal MPs on the Coast asking the Palaszczuk Labor Government to lobby their party colleagues to fund rail projects."

Ms Trad points to the Federal Budget papers to discount Mr Nicholls' claims that his high-speed rail dream could be funded by the Turnbull Government's $10 billion funding commitment to create fast links between major regional centres and capital cities.

She said only $20m would be available in 2017-018 to subsidise three business cases for projects and then $200m in 2019-20 and a further $400m in 2020-21.

"Now, regarding the Very Fast Train pipe dream from the LNP - quite simply if we don't build Cross River Rail, we won't have the capacity for high-speed rail," Ms Trad said.　

"Cross River Rail is shovel ready and has to be built within five years while just the planning for high speed rail will take many years.　

"Tim Nicholls needs to start standing up for what Queensland needs, instead of his own thought bubbles."

Mr Nicholls said the government needed to release its Building Queensland business case for the duplication of the North Coast Line to Nambour.

He said all the current government talked about was Cross River Rail.

Warning that the existing line would reach its freight carrying capacity by 2023 he said Palaszczuk Government should be doing more to access to the federal funding pool than just throwing its hands in the air.

"The Federal Government said there would be a $10bn fund for projects that stacked up," Mr Nicholls said.

"But it's all about Cross River Rail and nothing about rail duplication (to Nambour)."

Mr Nicholls said in government at a state level the LNP had worked with Labor federal governments to secure funding for the second range crossing to Toowoomba and for the Cooroy to Curra stretch of the Bruce Highway.

[#Metro]

^ Time to dust off the Christmas Decorations from the cupboard.

Look! An election is coming! Better wheel out Sunshine Coast line duplication promises like every year.

Wonder what the projected start date is? 2066 perhaps??

[Stillwater]

Both sides of politics are serial offenders when it comes to planning and funding major infrastructure in Queensland.  Both assume that 'daddy moneybags' federal government, not the state, will pay for everything.  Therefore, the game plan is to float ideas of one kind or another - some practical others not - and call upon the federal government to fund the latest brain fart.  When there are practical solutions, such as the SCL duplication, the project is delayed and delayed and put through various studies and business case analyses to delay construction, while giving the impression that the project is progressing.

When we have major projects, such as CRR, an incoming government cannot bring itself to fund it (even if they had the money) because that would be implementing the previous government's agenda.  Usually, there is some case mounted that 'we have a better, cheaper idea' and we get ideas such as the BAT and Cleveland Solution being floated and going nowhere.  Delays, delays.

All the while, endless strategic planning documents are produced, outlining some future Utopia.  The Queensland Plan, Connecting SEQ 2031, Shaping SEQ etc.  The electorate is promised a better tomorrow always.

But when the deadline to implement something that was promised looms, what happens?

A further document is produced, another study is ordered.  The promised project is delayed while the job is reviewed.  Ultimately, the next fanciful idea is put forward, as a ploy to distract the populace from the political undertaking to build whatever was promised.  When called to account by community groups and the media, the government says it has moved on from that idea to the new one -- often to be delivered 10 or 20 years into the future.  We are told to cling to that new hope.  The pollies get kudos, or claim it, for the glossy brochure and the fly through.

The business case for Beerburrum-Nambour duplication and upgrade is done (for about the fourth time).  Now, when the expectations is that it will be constructed, the excuses begin.  Canberra didn't include it in the Budget.  We have a better idea - bullet trains running from the Gold Coast to the Wide Bay.

The reality is that the doable and the practical solution never gets done.  It is the Queensland disease.

[ozbob]

^
Excellent description of the shambles!

[ozbob]

Boom boom!

.@TurnbullMalcolm to Qld: I'm not an ATM for infrastructure projects. #9Newshttps://t.co/vwLFkRFglU pic.twitter.com/PmdpqD6KBa

— Nine News Queensland (@9NewsQueensland) May 17, 2017

[Jonno]

Boom boom!

.@TurnbullMalcolm to Qld: I'm not an ATM for infrastructure projects. #9Newshttps://t.co/vwLFkRFglU pic.twitter.com/PmdpqD6KBa

— Nine News Queensland (@9NewsQueensland) May 17, 2017

But he is a Deposit Box!!!

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets 17th May 2017

Cross River Rail - start construction tomorrow!

Greetings,

Prime Minister Turnbull has said this morning* that the states cannot keep " using the federal government like an ATM"  to get money for infrastructure projects.

[ * http://www.9news.com.au/national/2017/05/17/10/44/turnbull-to-qld-i-m-not-an-atm ]

So it does look like the PM is not going to play ball with Cross River Rail.  The Queensland Government should start Cross River Rail with its own finances.

This is how a RAIL Back On Track Member has commented this morning on the stalemate for infrastructure in Queensland.

Nailed it don't you think?

https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6647.msg192597#msg192597

Both sides of politics are serial offenders when it comes to planning and funding major infrastructure in Queensland.  Both assume that 'daddy moneybags' federal government, not the state, will pay for everything.  Therefore, the game plan is to float ideas of one kind or another - some practical others not - and call upon the federal government to fund the latest brain fart.  When there are practical solutions, such as the SCL duplication, the project is delayed and delayed and put through various studies and business case analyses to delay construction, while giving the impression that the project is progressing.

When we have major projects, such as CRR, an incoming government cannot bring itself to fund it (even if they had the money) because that would be implementing the previous government's agenda.  Usually, there is some case mounted that 'we have a better, cheaper idea' and we get ideas such as the BAT and Cleveland Solution being floated and going nowhere.  Delays, delays.

All the while, endless strategic planning documents are produced, outlining some future Utopia.  The Queensland Plan, Connecting SEQ 2031, Shaping SEQ etc.  The electorate is promised a better tomorrow always.

But when the deadline to implement something that was promised looms, what happens?

A further document is produced, another study is ordered.  The promised project is delayed while the job is reviewed.  Ultimately, the next fanciful idea is put forward, as a ploy to distract the populace from the political undertaking to build whatever was promised.  When called to account by community groups and the media, the government says it has moved on from that idea to the new one -- often to be delivered 10 or 20 years into the future.  We are told to cling to that new hope.  The pollies get kudos, or claim it, for the glossy brochure and the fly through.

The business case for Beerburrum-Nambour duplication and upgrade is done (for about the fourth time).  Now, when the expectations is that it will be constructed, the excuses begin.  Canberra didn't include it in the Budget.  We have a better idea - bullet trains running from the Gold Coast to the Wide Bay.

The reality is that the doable and the practical solution never gets done.  It is the Queensland disease.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

[ Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2034.msg192427#msg192427 ]

[Stillwater]

At a community forum conducted yesterday by Federal Member for Fairfax, Ted O'Brien MP, at the Nambour RSL about 60 people were invited to conduct a SWOT analysis of Nambour and to consider the status of the town in 10 years time.  It followed a survey Mr O'Brien conducted across the wider Nambour community.  The town has been hit by the removal of health jobs from the Nambour Hospital to the new Sunshine Coast University Hospital at Kawana.  The SCRC, which has its main office at Nambour, plans to locate its headquarters at the new Maroochydore Town Centre eventually.

Loss of jobs and shops shutting down were the two main concerns people expressed at yesterday's meeting.  The third item on the list was a lack of duplicated rail south to Beerburrum.  Mr O'Brien drew a connecting line to all three and revealed that he and fellow federal MPs (for Fisher and Wide Bay), together with the SCRC, were lobbying to have duplication (and not just an upgrade) between Landsborough North and Nambour.

Sadly, he also said it was unlikely that the federal government would be investing in the SCL in the foreseeable future.

[ozbob]

....

Sadly, he also said it was unlikely that the federal government would be investing in the SCL in the foreseeable future.

Why is that so?  The BCR is > 2 as compared to either non-existent BCRs or BCRs < 1.0 for pork funded by Turnbull et al. 

We must fight on!

[#Metro]

Case for the Sunshine Coast line to be federally funded - it is a freight route that can be used in interstate commerce.

Same basis as national highway network funding.

[Stillwater]

Unfortunately, the SCL travels through safe Conservative voter territory.  Glasshouse Mountains is a bit marginal, requiring servings of pork to be dished up to the people of Glasshouse Mountains, Beerwah and Landsborough.

[Stillwater]

The Beerburrum-Nambour SCL duplication and upgrade Business Case is complete, unlike the CRR Business Case.  It has a higher BCR than Cross River Rail.  Has the Beerburrum-Nambour Business Case been submitted to IA for scrutiny?

If not, why not?  If not, why is the State Government pushing for federal funding for a project where the Business Case is incomplete while a project with a complete Business Case has a chance of advancing in the National List of Priority Infrastructure Projects?  If not, is the state trying to manipulate the approval process rather than having the objective of maximising federal investment in infrastructure for the State of Queensland?

[#Metro]

Has the Beerburrum-Nambour Business Case been submitted to IA for scrutiny?

Shall we take bets, hey?

My money is on they haven't submitted it. Maybe some poking will flush out the answer.

[Cazza]

As I haven't seen much to do with this project, I'd just like to ask a question.

Does the project include straightening the line as well as duplication?

The train is so slow through the hinterland from Landsborough to Nambour. It takes about 30 mins just to travel 22km. From Ormeau to Nerang on the GC Line (about 23km) it takes 15 mins (in peak hour too!).

[ozbob]

Yes, includes straightening.

> http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Travel-and-transport/Rail/Rail-infrastructure-upgrades-in-south-east-Queensland/Sunshine-Coast-and-Caboolture-lines.aspx

>> https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/B/Beerburrum-to-Nambour-Rail-Upgrade-Project

>>> https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/C/Caboolture-to-Landsborough-Rail-Upgrade-Study

At IA it is at initiative level, awaiting business case development.  Hopefully that has been completed or will be shortly.  Understand the business case is with the State Government. No idea if they have forwarded to IA.  Probably not as they are ' frozen at the wheel ' ...

>>>> http://buildingqueensland.qld.gov.au/projects/beerburrum-to-nambour-rail-upgrade/

>>>>> https://www.collaborativemap.com/B2N

All over the place on the web hey?   

Shambles as befits Queensland ...

[Cazza]

Ok thanks Bob. I remember reading somewhere a couple of years ago about the realignment of the line but wasn't sure if it was the same project.

[Stillwater]

SCL Business Case was due for completion in March 2017.  "The Business Case is expected to be presented to government for an investment decision in 2017."  Read somewhere (SCD?) where the Business Case had been completed in time, ready for consideration in the lead-up to the state Budget.

However, would be pretty damning if the state government was withholding submission of business cases to IA for other projects until CRR is dealt with at a federal level, particularly if those projects had a higher BCR (representing better value for money, dollar for dollar).

Jackie Trad could not stand the feds approving funding for a project (SCL duplication) in conservative state seats ahead of CRR, which would involve urban renewal of trendy Labor inner-city seats; irrespective of the relative merits  of each project, the different objectives each achieves, and the cost differences between both.

Unfortunately, that is the politics of PT in Queensland today.

[Stillwater]

As the state budget looms and the state government considers its investment strategies, it is worthwhile revisiting the Ranbury Report into the North Coast Line – the North Coast Line Capacity Improvement Study and these sobering words:

"There is no DO NOTHING investment strategy for the North Coast Line if it is to stay open, and provide a meaningful role in the freight logistics task. Failure to invest to renew life-expired assets and address the service parameters essential to retain and grow freight volumes, will ultimately reduce the North Coast Line to irrelevance in the contestable freight market. Road freight will progressively increase its market share under this scenario."

[red dragin]

Perhaps they think they have provided funding, as their advisors will have mentioned all about the railway upgrades around Gympie (The Rattler)

[Stillwater]

  Steam train solution for a steam train alignment.  With mechanical problems more frequent and a shortage of drivers, it might by that The Rattler opens the throttle on the mainline to Brisbane.  Just joking. 

[ozbob]

12th June 2017

COUNCIL OF MAYORS (SEQ) – MEDIA RELEASE

Time to bring Sunshine Coast's rail out of the dark ages

Funding for the Sunshine Coast's outdated and overloaded North Coast Rail Line should be a priority in tomorrow's State Budget announcement, according to South East Queensland's (SEQ) Mayors.

The duplication and upgrade of the North Coast Rail Line has been on the political agenda for many years but has failed to receive the investment needed to progress the project, despite being recommended by the State's independent infrastructure adviser Building Queensland.

Council of Mayors (SEQ) Chair Cr Graham Quirk said upgrading the North Coast Rail Line isn't just an important project for the Sunshine Coast, it had the potential to deliver a significant boost to the region's economy.

"The duplication and upgrade of the North Coast Rail Line will ease congestion on the Bruce Highway and significantly improve travel times for residents and businesses commuting from the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay region and the northern suburbs of Brisbane.

"A fast and reliable North Coast Rail Line would be an economic driver for the region, improving freight movement, encouraging local tourism, and allowing more people to live on the Sunshine Coast and easily commute to other parts of SEQ," said Cr Quirk.

The Council of Mayors (SEQ) will also be looking for a significant allocation of funds for its other infrastructure priorities, upgrades to the Pacific Motorway and Mt Lindesay Highway, in the 2017-18 State Budget announcement.

"Mayors will be watching closely to ensure the Queensland Government's commitment to fix the Pacific Motorway is fully funded, and we're also keen to see a significant investment in improving the safety and efficiency of the Mt Lindesay Highway," said Cr Quirk.

"The Mt Lindesay Highway is a crucial transport route for SEQ and Queensland, facilitating freight movement in the south western corridor and supporting the growing communities of Logan and the Scenic Rim.

"Quick fixes and ad hoc upgrades are not meeting the needs of SEQ's growing communities, the Mt Lindesay Highway needs a significant injection of funds from the Queensland Government to deliver a genuine long term solution," said Cr Quirk.

Other budget priorities for the SEQ Mayors include a financial commitment to advance the Resilient Rivers Initiative. The SEQ Mayors have partnered with the Local Government Association of Queensland in calling for much needed funds to improve the region's climate resilience and protect SEQ's waterways and catchments.

-Ends-

[Stillwater]

Well, kick the dog and call it Lucky!  No funding for SCL duplication in the State Budget.  Again!!  :conf

[Fares_Fair]

Angered beyond words...

[aldonius]

Well, kick the dog and call it Lucky!  No funding for SCL duplication in the State Budget.  Again!!  :conf

Well of course. What're they going to do? Vote not-Labor?

[Gazza]

To be honest, I'm guessing we wont see funding for the SCL till 2022.

[Stillwater]

Yes, the case for SCL duplication has been made, several times over in fact.  The reality of a politicised transport infrastructure program is that projects are handed out as lollies to children, in order to induce voters to swing their vote in favour of the party offering the prize.

Sunshine Coast voters should learn the lesson.  VOTE MARGINAL.  Make a seat a marginal one and the parties will come with roses and chocolates in hand.  LNP doesn't have to put in much of an effort to rusted-on SC supporters.  ALP says their are unlikely to pick up seats of SC, so best spray the money elsewhere, where the margins are tight.

2022 was the original date for duplication works to start, from memory.  Fares Fair will know.  2029 was to be the completion date, from memory.

[#Metro]

Sunshine coast line is actually a  very good basis for a single issue, localised party.

It just needs 1 policy and needs to win 1 seat (new seat created there I think) to hold the balance of power and leverage that.

[ozbob]

I am fairly certain that had the Federal Government been a little more forthcoming with a funding committment to CRR, SCL first phase would have been budgeted this year.  Nevertheless, I am going to continue to push for this essential upgrade and even if started in a low key way, eg. passing loops. 

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/AndrewPowellMP/status/876949435959304192

[verbatim9]

Since duplication from Coomera to Helensvale will be completed September/October. It would be good to use the people who worked on the duplication to head and start work on the duplication from Beerburrum to Landsborough.

There is money for the project from Federal funds if and when the Qld Government will sign up to Red Tape reduction. It's disappointing to date that it's hasn't been done.

http://www.smh.com.au/small-business/finance/states-refuse-to-sign-up-for-governments-300-million-small-business-red-tape-removal-scheme-20170522-gwa41w.html

[achiruel]

Since duplication from Coomera to Helensvale will be completed September/October. It would be good to use the people who worked on the duplication to head and start work on the duplication from Beerburrum to Landsborough.

There is money for the project from Federal funds if and when the Qld Government will sign up to Red Tape reduction. It's disappointing to date that it's hasn't been done.

http://www.smh.com.au/small-business/finance/states-refuse-to-sign-up-for-governments-300-million-small-business-red-tape-removal-scheme-20170522-gwa41w.html

I think it's rather disgraceful that the Federal Government makes granting of important funds to the States contigent on adopting the ideological policies of the Feds. Bloody disgraceful.

[verbatim9]

^^There is nothing wrong with tying funds with simple and effective reforms.

It would not necessarily have to be tied to reforms if states signed it off previously. No guarantee that the Qld Government would spend the money on infrastructure or Sunshine Coast Rail duplication if signed. But would be nice.

Anyway it's extra cash as an incentive to make some laws seamless between all states making it easier to do business in the country.

[achiruel]

^^There is nothing wrong with tying funds with simple and effective reforms.

There is when they are purely ideological and bear absolutely no relation to the projects being funded.

[Stillwater]

It was former PM Paul Keating who said if you don't want to get bowled over in the rush, don't get between the Premiers and a bucketful of money.  Money, or the threat to withdraw it, is about the only big lever the feds have.  To achieve national consistency in areas where the states have constitutional responsibility, the same piece of legislation has to be passed in all states and territories.  To achieve it requires the Commonwealth to throw a whole lot of money at the states, or threaten to withhold the money the other states get from the hold-out state.  Invariably that is Queensland.  And invariably, Queensland says it is not getting its 'fair share' of the funds carve up.