The Sunshine Coast Case : Rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour

[HappyTrainGuy]

There are a few tunnels that would rule out tanks on our railway anyway. Then there is also the issue of appropiate security depending on what is being transported.

[Fares_Fair]

Here's to hoping we never have to find out.

[Fares_Fair]

I received this piece of advice today via an RTI request.
Question on Notice No. 1900, of Tuesday, 2 December 2008 and made by Mr Peter Wellington, Independent (Nicklin).

It cannot be found on the Parliament website ...

QR Passenger Pty Ltd advises that it is restricted in the number of services it can provide
to the Sunshine Coast due to the fact that the line is also an extremely busy freight line,
operating on single track working north of Caboolture.
Excerpt above is opening paragraph.

It must acknowledge that although Stage 1 will be commissioned in the near future,
additional services will not be allowed at this point.
Stage 1 refers to Caboolture to Beerburrum, commissioned April 14, 2009 (Easter that year).

QR Passenger Pty Ltd will continue to run rail bus services to supplement the rail services.
Patronage data indicates that this is currently adequate.
Excerpt above is closing sentence.

[Fares_Fair]

Question on Notice

No. 81

Asked on Wednesday 13 February 2008




MR  WELLINGTON  ASKED  THE  MINISTER  FOR  TRANSPORT,  TRADE,  EMPLOYMENT
AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS (MR MICKEL)


QUESTION:

As  a  result  of  the  rapid  population  growth  in  the  hinterland  of  the  Sunshine  Coast,  when
does he anticipate construction on the new railway line between Beerwah and Nambour will
commence?

ANSWER:

I  am  advised  the  $298  million  Caboolture  to  Beerburrum  project  is  the  first  stage  of  the
Caboolture to Landsborough Rail Upgrade project identified in the South East Queensland
Infrastructure Plan and Program (SEQIPP) 2007-2026.  Construction on the Caboolture to
Beerburrum Duplication is scheduled for completion in mid 2009 and will deliver 14kms of
new track and realignment of the existing corridor. 

Detailed  design  is  underway  for  stage  2,  Beerburrum  to  Landsborough  Duplication  with  a
Government allocation of $15 million in 2007-2008 for planning and design. Identified works
include  the  duplication  and  realignment  of  17km  of  rail  line  between Beerburrum  and
Landsborough. The project also includes upgrades to Glasshouse Mountains and Beerwah
Stations.   

These projects are being delivered by TrackStar Alliance consisting of QR Limited, Thiess
United Group, Connell Wagner and Maunsell Australia.

Additionally, TrackStar will deliver the Beerwah Rail Crossing grade separation project which
will eliminate the Mahwhinney Street open level crossing through the construction of a road
overpass south of the existing open level crossing. This project is expected to be completed
by  mid  2009  and  will  reduce  traffic  congestion  and  will  improve  safety  in  the  growing
regional centre of Beerwah. 

I am advised these projects are aligned with the Queensland Government's other Sunshine
Coast rail infrastructure projects which include the Caloundra to Maroochydore rail corridor
study,  and  planning  for  the  Landsborough  to  Nambour  Rail  Upgrade.    Combined,  these
projects  equate  to  an  unprecedented  Government  investment  of  more  than  $2  billion  in
Sunshine Coast rail infrastructure.

The  Landsborough  to  Nambour  Rail  Corridor  Study,  which  will  identify  the  rail  corridor
required  for  the  upgrade  of  that  section  of  corridor,  commenced  in  August  2007  and  is
expected  to  be  completed  in  late  2008.    Extensive  community  consultation  is  being
undertaken to assist in the route option identification and evaluation process.  The preferred
route for the project is expected to be announced in 2008, following a thorough evaluation of
community feedback, technical, social and environmental issues.

I am advised the Landsborough to Nambour Rail Upgrade is scheduled for delivery around 2020.   *sigh*

[Stillwater]

This reply, delivered under RTI, is very important.  It acknowledges the conflict between passenger trains and freight services on the single track line.  It reinforces the fact that the solution to the duplication should emphasise the freight side of things.

Again it is worth asking - now that QR National (aprivate company) has taken control of rail freight in Queensland, who within government is monitoring growth in freight demands on the SCL and preparing the case for joint government funding of the track duplication to Nambour based around the need to improve its freight handling capability.

Better passenger rail services will flow from that.

As to the shifting government timeframe for completing duplication, we have Andrew Powell MP to thank for stating that an LNP administration will have dual tracks to Nambour by about 2030.

[ozbob]

Letter to the editor, Sunshine Coast Daily 23rd April 2012

Coast commuters treated like second-class citizens

HOW frustrating is it to live on the Sunshine Coast, north of Caboolture, and have to travel to and from Brisbane on a regular basis.

The massive growth over the past 10 years has not been matched with improvements in infrastructure to meet the demands here.

We are treated like second-class citizens by Translink, which continuously ignores the escalating pressures on the system by a population explosion matched only by Ipswich.

The single rail line north, is a bone of contention with Translink commuters, who face regular breakdowns, overcrowding, delays and simply no service at certain times of the day. And this is a tourist destination?

Then to add insult to injury, buses don't co-ordinate, and major bus stops are filthy. Local buses breakdown regularly, failing to compensate those dependent upon the services. North of Caboolture just didn't compute with the redundant Labor Government, more concerned with promoting the Gold Coast and the up-and-coming Commonwealth Games.

The air-train running into and out of Brisbane half hourly and regular bus services in and around the Gold Coast 24/7, make Sunshine Coast commuters feel like Third World citizens.

It's not cheap to travel by public transport. We wouldn't mind it so much if it was reliable, regular and convenient. A government which discriminated on the basis of postcode and politics didn't deserve to stay.

E. ROWE Marcoola

[Fares_Fair]

Some correspondence encapsulates the Sunshine Coast situation in a nutshell.
This piece is one of them.

Interesting point on the cost as well, it reflects the attitude I hear on our train services.
Also good that Queensland Rail aren't blamed for the situation, as a simple service provider under contract to TRANSLink, it's mostly out of their hands.

The realistic grasp that Sunshine Coast citizens have on the entire situation reflects well upon the Coast.

It is time to redress the negligence of the past, and let priority take precedence over politics.

[longboi]

TransLink only play a small part in most major infrastructure upgrades (especially when it comes to heavy rail). It is really up to TMR (and federal funding bodies) as to whether or not the North Coast line is upgraded.

[Gazza]

It's not cheap to travel by public transport. We wouldn't mind it so much if it was reliable, regular and convenient

[HappyTrainGuy]

Its a small part but it can lead to a big part. Yes its up to other parties to fund it but its Translink that states the frequency that CityTrain runs at at how its fed by local buses. If its just going to be the usual 2tph and minimal bus mods that Translink wants to fund there might not be that much of an incentive for them to drop a billion dollars on acheiving it so quickly in one big hit when combined with the innercity/Petrie issues, station rebuilds/upgrades/DDA, track upgrades and other upcoming projects such as Kippa Ring, Springfield and Gold Coast extensions, CRR, NGR and other issues relating to the network.

The NGR project is currently in that same boat due to CRR/CAMCOS and other issues constantly getting the stuff around mostly due to the lack of funding/commiment from the previous State Government. Combine it all together and its all a giant snowballing effect that is constanting rolling up and down like its at a frozen skatepark.

[Fares_Fair]

TransLink only play a small part in most major infrastructure upgrades (especially when it comes to heavy rail). It is really up to TMR (and federal funding bodies) as to whether or not the North Coast line is upgraded.

Don't disagree with you here Nikko, however,

Queensland Rail are a service provider under the Transport Services Contract to TRANSLink.
TRANSLink are in turn (I assume) directed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads and/or the State Government directly.
Chain of command ... the BIG question?

Who provides advice to them (TL or DTMR or Gov't) about what needs to be done, as astonishingly and clearly - it is NOT Queensland Rail?

[somebody]

I'm fairly sure that was how Translink mk1 worked.  TTA have a CEO appointed by a board but no accountability to the Dept of Transport.  I believe that legally the CEO only has to listen to the Minister if it is in writing (in theory), and the Minister doesn't have the power to remove the CEO.  Although they can just change the structure with legislation.

Open to correction.

[longboi]

That's pretty much correct, Simon. The board hires/fires the CEO and the minister can issue directives to TransLink.

[longboi]

TransLink only play a small part in most major infrastructure upgrades (especially when it comes to heavy rail). It is really up to TMR (and federal funding bodies) as to whether or not the North Coast line is upgraded.

Don't disagree with you here Nikko, however,

Queensland Rail are a service provider under the Transport Services Contract to TRANSLink.
TRANSLink are in turn (I assume) directed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads and/or the State Government directly.
Chain of command ... the BIG question?

Who provides advice to them (TL or DTMR or Gov't) about what needs to be done, as astonishingly and clearly - it is NOT Queensland Rail?

You're correct in that Queensland Rail provide services to TransLink under the TSC. They do, however, have a decent amount of pull in terms of planning and delivering rail infrastructure projects as they are the ones with the rail expertise.

TransLink generally only have control over smaller infrastructure projects such as bus stops, stations and park 'n' rides.
For Busways and rail lines, their involvement is generally limited to providing advice on design to ensure it is in line with current and future services which will utilise that infrastructure. For example, the location of portals on Busways and the location of interchanges at train stations.

[SurfRail]

^ Which is why we get such dodgy results.

In WA, all of this stuff is handled IN-HOUSE by one organisation.  There is a commensurate difference between our 2 experiences.

[Stillwater]

Hence the fallacy is comparing Perth apples with Brisbane oranges.

[somebody]

Hence the fallacy is comparing Perth apples with Brisbane oranges.

Huh?  An orange will always be an orange.  It cannot change form to become an apple.  That is not the situation we are talking about.  This wound is entirely self inflicted!

[Stillwater]

You argue my case, Simon.

[ozbob]

I think there are more lemons than apples/oranges around ... lol

[Fares_Fair]

I think there are more lemons than apples/oranges around ... lol

Indeed yes.

Lemon Line and Bitter.

[Stillwater]

   Well, the state government's attitude to the SCL is enough to drive anyone to drink!  The words 'state government' are generic -- applying equally to ALP and LNP.

[Fares_Fair]

Have a guess why my local Division 5 councillor Jenny McKay, was returned with an impressive 72.88% of the vote in the recent Sunshine Coast Regional Council election.

Check out her No. 1 priority...   

[Fares_Fair]

1882-12
Railway duplication - Nambour to Beerburrum
Closes Friday 17/08/2012

http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/petitions/e-petitions

TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland

Queensland citizens draws to the attention of the House the need to resume the rail duplication works from Beerburrum to Nambour as a matter of high priority.
Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to revise the timetable currently set for 2026-2031 and allocate funds required to deliver this project.
We also request that the resumption for the Beerburrum to Landsborough section be no later than 2014.

Link is for the rail duplication petition. Peter Wellington MP (Independent Nicklin) took in around 300 signatures on the paper petition.

Sign up, sign up ...  retweet it, Facebook it, email it, you name it.

[Fares_Fair]

Reference Information Only

p263, July 2009

Significant Projects Branch                  Capital Expenditure              Jobs
1 Aurukun Project - Bauxite Mine and Port Development 1500 890
2 Aurukun Project - East Coast Alumina Refinery & Port Development 1500 2160
3 Ella Bay Intergrated Resort 1810 2260
4 Fisherman's Landing Reclamation 165 0
5 Shute Harbour Marina 240 350
6 Stanwell Clean Coal Project (Zerogen Project) 1000 825
7 Emu Swamp Dam 35 50
8 Linc Energy UCG-GTL 1066 600
9 Hummock Hill Island Resort Integrated Development 635 1050
10 Wandoan Project 500 800
11 New Acland Coal Mine Stage 3 500 760
12 Landsborough to Nambour Rail Project                  550                920
13 Gladstone LNG Project (Santos) 7000 3200
14 Northern Pipeline Interconnector Stage 2 250 220
15 Northern Link Road Tunnel 1600 1500
16 Isa-Link HVdc 800 100
17 i-METT (Integrated Motorsport, Education, Tourism and Technology) Project 650 7000
18 Queensland Curtis LNG Project (BG) 8000 4420
19 Bowen Basin Coal Growth Project 5000 3690
20 Townsville Marine Project 100 650
21 Alpha Coal Project (Hancock) 7500 4100
22 South of the Emberly 900 1220
23 Galilee Coal Project (Northern Export Facility) 5300 2960
24 Gladstone Steel Making Facility 2800 2650
25 Australia Pacific LNG 35000 5000
26 Port of Gladstone Western Basin Dredging 500 150
84901 47525

http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/Committees/EC/2009/Est2009/addinfoC2009.pdf#xml=http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/internetsearch/isysquery/b44ab862-7b4f-426a-b379-2ebbbc82ba9b/16/hilite/

QoN 1058
The Ipswich to Springfield Rail is now listed as a project at an estimated cost of $1.4 billion.
http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/TableOffice/questionsAnswers/2008/1058-2008.pdf#xml=http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/internetsearch/isysquery/b44ab862-7b4f-426a-b379-2ebbbc82ba9b/15/hilite/

[Fares_Fair]

Go to page 1 of this post for the full report.
The evidence for the commissioning of the works are documented, and overwhelming...

[Fares_Fair]

Question on Notice
No. 117
Asked on 17 May 2012
MR WELLINGTON asked the Premier (MR NEWMAN)—
With respect to the plan to duplicate the railway line from Landsborough to Nambour—
Has the Minister raised this project with the Federal Government for priority funding and if not, when will the Minister raise it for priority funding?
ANSWER:
Since the election, about 12 weeks ago, the Government has not raised the Landsborough to Nambour railway duplication with the Federal Government.
Likewise, the Member for Nicklin has not directly contacted me about this matter.
As the Member would be aware, the former Labor government made many unfunded promises. The former government's commitment to duplicate the rail line between Beerburrum and Landsborough is just one example of Labor's unfunded promises.
The interim report of the Independent Commission of Audit, released last week, details the alarming state of the Queensland's financial position, public sector service delivery and infrastructure program. It shows that State debt is now expected to top $100 billion by 2018-19, unless something is done to bring the budget under control.
The interim report notes that since 2005-06, the State has been "living beyond its means", with expenses growth significantly outstripping revenue. It states that public debt interest has been the fastest growing expense of the Queensland Government over the last decade; and that "...general government sector, gross debt has increased more than tenfold in the past five years; and that interest costs to service this debt are running at $3.5 billion in the total government sector in 2011-12, climbing to $5.3 billion or 9% of revenue in 2015-16."
In a sober warning, the Commission notes that this debt situation "...will severely limit Queensland's budgetary flexibility and divert scarce resources away from core service delivery priorities."
As the person who initially helped to install Labor into office, the Member for Nicklin must take a fair share of blame for this dire situation.
My Government is committed to delivering better infrastructure. That is why we will deal with Labor's debt and work to ensure Queensland's credit rating is not downgraded further.
As the member knows, Queensland deserves its fair share of infrastructure funding from Canberra. That is why my Government would be happy to work with the Member for Nicklin to secure priority funding for projects across the State, including the Beerburrum to Nambour track duplication. We would also been keen to hear any suggestions the Honourable Member might have regarding savings that might be made within the Queensland budget, to help fund this track duplication.

[italics and bold by me]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
The following questions were asked on Wednesday, 20 June 2012.
In accordance with the Standing Orders, answers are required by email to TableOffice@parliament.qld.gov.au by Friday, 20 July 2012.

307
MR WELLINGTON ASKED THE PREMIER (MR NEWMAN)—
With reference to the Premier's answer to Question on Notice No. 117 and noting the Premier has not raised this matter with the Federal Government for priority funding—
Does the Premier intend to at any stage raise the request for priority funding of this duplication of the railway line from Nambour to Landsborough with the Federal Government?

[Stillwater]

Clearly, the LNP has labelled Mr Wellington as a member of the Opposition, even though he is an Independent.

[achiruel]

The LNP is still annoyed that he supported Beattie in 1998 instead of a National/Liberal/One Nation coalition.

[Fares_Fair]

This week I have written to the Transport Minister, the Hon Scott Emerson MP, requesting that he honours the commitments (via e-petitions) made by Hon. Andrew Powell MP.

These commitments were made in regard to bringing forward the rail duplication to Landsborough and on to Nambour, and were in the form of e-Petitions sponsored by the now Hon. Environment and Heritage Minister, calling for exactly just that.

Their were also commitments made in regard to the timetable for Sunshine Coast commuters, and even this can really only be improved by rail duplication.

I iterated the advantages such works would bring to the rail network for both passengers and freight, and identified the economic advantages that could run all the way up to Cairns, in accordance with QR's own report to the Productivity Commission.

It would help restore faith in the Government.

[Fares_Fair]

Old News... for the record

Asked on Tuesday 21 August 2007

MS (Carolyn) MALE asked the Minister for Transport and Main Roads - 

QUESTION:

What  is  the  current  progress  on  the  Caboolture  to  Landsborough  rail  duplication and
upgrade  project  and  will  he  outline  the  planning  progress  and  timelines  for  any  future
upgrade of the Landsborough to Nambour section of the railway?

ANSWER:

The $298m Caboolture to Beerburrum project is the first phase of the two phase program
from Caboolture to Landsborough. Phase 1 involves the construction of 14kms of new track
and realignment of the existing corridor and is scheduled for completion in mid 2009. Project
also  includes  modernisation  of  Elimbah  and  Beerburrum stations  with  new  platforms, lifts,
lighting, parking and improved security.

QR  Limited/TrackStar  Alliance  is  responsible  for  project  implementation.  Construction
started in March 2007 and is continuing with earthworks, road works and bridge construction
underway. To date around 240 000 cubic meters of bulk earthworks have been completed,
representing 45% of the earthworks. Piling continues with 49 piles completed. Eighteen rail
culverts have also been completed.  Project expenditure to date is approximately $50m. 

This  project  links  with  the  CAMCOS  program  of  works  from  Beerwah  to  Maroochydore. 
Phase  2  of  the  project, Beerburrum to Landsborough section is in its preliminary planning
stage. This is a 17km section, with planning and design scheduled for completion in 2008. I
am  advised   that   when   the   project   is   completed,   a   commuter  from  Caboolture  to
Landsborough will save eight minutes on the journey. This equates to an approximate 30%
travel time saving. In a year, this totals to around 64 hours per person savings in travel time.
   
I  am  advised  that  the  TrackStar  Alliance  has  been  pro-active  in  engaging  with  local
conservation  groups  and  has  had  a  practical  relationship  with  "Australia  Zoo"  to  address
construction   issues.   Pre-emptive   trapping   and  relocation  of  local  wildlife  has  been
undertaken by Australia Zoo under TrackStar coordination.
 
Sections of trees that were needed to be removed have been saved for relocation in local
parks  or  other  suitable  locations  to  provide  hollows  and  habitats  for  the  local  wildlife.
Detailed  environmental  management  plans  have  been  developed  and  are  progressively
being implemented, particularly to prevent site run-off into local catchments.  Ten hectares
of revegetation will be undertaken to offset the removal of regional ecosystems (comprising
remnant vegetation). 

TrackStar  is  also  progressing  the  Beerwah  Grade  Separation  Project,  situated  between
Beerburrum  and  Landsborough.  A  comprehensive  consultation  process  was  completed
during  the  period  8 May 2007 to 8 June 2007. 1195 people responded to a questionnaire
requesting input into the planning process. 86% of these favoured a grade separated road
link  to  the  south  of  the  current  open  level  crossing.  This  link  connecting  Steve  Irwin  Way
and  Peachester  Road  was  announced  on  5  September  2007,  an  event  the  Honourable
Member attended.
   
The Caboolture to Beerburrum upgrade will provide support for improving the capacity and
quality  of  service  on  the  North  Coast  Line  and  delivering  high  standard  passenger  rail
services to the Sunshine Coast region. 

The Landsborough to Nambour investigations continue, with the appointment of engineering
and  consulting  firm  Arup  to  progress  the  study.  The  study  will  involve  comprehensive
community  consultation,  the  identification  of  a  preferred  corridor  and  preparation  of  an
Environmental  Impact  Statement.  The  study  is  expected  to  be  completed  by  late  2008,
depending  on  outcomes  of  community  consultation  and  technical issues  raised during  the
study.  I  am  advised  delivery  of  the  Landsborough  to  Nambour  project  is  scheduled  for
completion by 2020.

[Stillwater]

It may be interesting to wait until the Auditor-General's report into Queensland Rail, due to be released in November.   

[Stillwater]

Andrew Powell MP, in his own words .....

From the Sunshine Coast Daily, 10 November 2011

Member for Glass House Andrew Powell accused the (Labor) government of playing politics, saying work on the duplication stopped at Beerburrum one month after his election in 2009.  He said the signing off on the environmental impact statement for the project this week by the Co-ordinator General meant it was "shovel ready" but no longer a priority. 

Mr Powell listed the lack of duplication, a new timetable that has increased travel times, increased fares and a lack of toilets (on trains) as issues that needed to be addressed.

From the Sunshine Coast Daily, 8 June 2011

Mr Powell said a priority should be given to funding for the North Coast rail duplication following the delay announced last year that the duplication from Beerburrum to Nambour would be (delayed) until 2031.

"This vital infrastructure is the centrepiece of our region's public transport network and if the Sunshine Coast is to accommodate an expanding population the Bligh Labor Government must allocate funding to restart this project now," Mr Powell said.

From Mr Powell's own hand, 8 June 2011

Overall, the Glass House electorate was let down by the state government in last year's budget allocation. I'm expecting better this year.  Top of my priority list, without question, is funding for the North Coast Rail Duplication. The news last year that continuation of the duplication from Beerburrum to Nambour had been delayed until 2031 was a major blow to commuters.

This vital infrastructure is the centerpiece of our region's public transport network and, if the Sunshine Coast is to accommodate an expanding population, the Bligh Labor Government must allocate funding to restart this project now!

From Fiona Simpson's website, 1 May 2009

LNP Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Fiona Simpson MP, and the Member for Glass House, Andrew Powell MP, today called on the Government to give certainty and timeframes for completion of the Northern Rail Corridor duplication between Beerburrum and Nambour. "This is the time that the Government should be investing in and delivering key transport infrastructure projects such as this, not moth-balling or delaying them", Miss Simpson said.

"By delivering this duplication you create jobs, you give certainty to rail commuters and you give certainty to those families, businesses and individuals who will be adversely affected by property resumptions".

Many of these local families have approached newly elected Member for Glass House, Andrew Powell.  "Whilst many people have been able to settle on compensation, others have been frustrated by the on-again-off-again nature of this project", Mr Powell said."They need the certainty to finalise negotiations for compensation - they need to be treated with dignity and respect".

By giving a clear commitment to commencing construction the Government would also be assisting the local Regional Council in addressing a number of traffic issues in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

Sunshine Valley Gazette, 25 March 2012

Sunshine Coast Council would like to improve the links between the western and eastern sides of the town, utilising land behind the Palmwoods IGA, but proposals have been hamstrung by uncertainty over the rail improvement project.  Glasshouse MP Andrew Powell agreed that communities such as Palmwoods and Eudlo essentially had their futures on hold until the project was completed.

"No improvements or changes to road infrastructure or to Palmwoods town centre can occur until the North Coast Rail Duplication is finalised, so really our community just sits in a holding pattern until it happens," Mr Powell said.

..... And the people of the Sunshine Coast continue to sit in a holding pattern when it comes to, in Mr Powell's words, the most important public transport project for the region.  New government, nothing's changed.

[Fares_Fair]

612 ABC Radio news this morning at 7:00am...

In response to Peter Wellington MP's calls for the rail duplication to be brought forward, including mention of 2 petitions by Mr Wellington for this to occur.
The Transport Minister's response was that the works will not be brought forward!

[Fares_Fair]

As Sunshine Coast RBoT rep, I talked to 90.3 Coast FM's Annie Gaffney this morning at 8:45am, in response to the above news.
Hon Andrew Powell MP was unavailable for comment as the Qld Cabinet meets every Monday.

I understand that a response will be followed up.

I expressed my disappointment at the announcement given the 3 petitions sponsored by Andrew Powell MP, to bring forward the works.
The Premier even said that the Sunshine Coast would no longer be neglected, and here we are.

The extra residents at Caloundra South were raised by Annie, and asked what that would lead to for the Sunshine Coast.
I said (paraphrased) that 87,000 extra residents over 10 years at Palmview and Caloundra South will essentially lead to PT chaos.

I mentioned (from QR's 2006 report) that for a $300 million spend on below rail, $430 million could be saved.

I stated that it was a matter of priorities for the Government, and that the needs were for passenger and freight rail services, not a new high rise building in Brisbane for the pollies.

[Stillwater]

Interesting that, for all his sympathy and electronic media interviews about the inadequacy of the Sunshine Coast line, Mr Emerson says he will not bring forward the 2031 target for duplication to Nambour.  Of course, the real question that should be asked is: "Mr Emerson, you now say that you won't spend state government money to bring forward duplication of the Sunshine Coast Line from the 2031 date, but why won't you now request your department to prepare a business case for duplication based on rail freight imperatives, so that the federal government meets some, or preferably, most, of the costs of duplication under its National Transport Network obligations to improve freight links around Australia?"

[ozbob]

Media release 25th September 2012

SEQ: Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade put on the backburner, this time by the LNP

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, today called for "the need to resume rail duplication works from Beerburrum to Nambour as a matter of high priority." (1).  Currently, duplication won't occur before 2031 and may be delayed beyond that date.

The Hon. Scott Emerson MP, Minister for Transport and Main Roads, released a reply to a parliamentary e-petition last Thursday, 20 September, 2012 (2), stating that these works would not be brought forward -- this despite six petitions in favour of duplication being lodged within 19 months.  Three were sponsored by the Hon. Andrew Powell MP, the LNP Member for Glass House and now the Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection.  The remaining three were lodged by Peter Wellington MP, the Nambour-based Independent Member for Nicklin.

Jeffrey Addison, Sunshine Coast regional spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track said, "That opening sentence, above, does not come from Rail Back on Track, it comes from no less than three e-petitions sponsored by the LNP, prior to the last election.  It bears reiteration that Mr Powell was the sponsor of these petitions. (1)

"On the first occasion (e-Petition 1565-10) in November 2010, Mr Powell requested that 'the House revise the timeframes published in the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program and deliver the completed upgrades through to Nambour by 2021'. (1).

"On a further 2 occasions (via e-Petition's 1712-11 and 1795-11) in June and October 2011 respectively, he requested that 'the House revise the timetable currently set for 2026-2031 [duplication to Nambour] and allocate the funds required to deliver the project'.(2)

"In Opposition, Mr Powell was an enthusiastic supporter of rail duplication to Nambour, writing this on his official website in June 2011: 'Top of my priority list, without question, is funding for the North Coast Rail duplication. News last year that continuation of the duplication from Beerburrum to Nambour had been delayed until 2031 was a major blow to commuters.  This vital infrastructure is the centerpiece of our region's public transport network and, if the Sunshine Coast is to accommodate an expanding population, the Bligh Labor Government must allocate funding to restart this project now'."

Mr Addison continued: "There have been no less than six petitions in the past 19 months, calling for funding and priority for these works to proceed well before the stated Labor party timelines.

"Now that the LNP is in government, it appears that LNP ministers are struggling even to commit to the construction timeline Labor proposed and the LNP maligned mercilessly, and for good reason.

"The Premier, Campbell Newman, stated before the election that the Sunshine Coast would no longer be neglected under his Government, and yet here we are, neglected once again -- this time by the LNP that acted as champion for better rail services to shore up the party's vote on the Sunshine Coast.

"We feel let down and betrayed by a government that has dashed our hopes," Mr Addison said.

References:

1. http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/petitions/closed-e-petition?PetNum=1712

2. www.parliament.qld.gov.au/apps/Epetitions_QLD/responses/1955-12.pdf

Contacts:

Jeff Addison
Sunshine Coast Region Spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track

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

[Fares_Fair]

Sunshine Coast Daily
Tuesday, September 25, 2012

[Fares_Fair]

Sunshine Coast Daily
Tuesday, September 25, 2012

[Stillwater]

Re the case for fed money to fund SCL due to its freight-carrying status.

Here is the National Transport Network (rail) map for Queensland:
http://www.nationbuildingprogram.gov.au/whatis/network/images/National_Land_Transport_Network_Rail_Corridors_QLD.pdf

The National Land Transport Network is a single integrated network of land transport linkages of strategic national importance, which is funded by Federal, State and Territory Governments. The National Network is based on national and inter-regional transport corridors including connections through urban areas, links to ports and airports, rail, road and intermodal connections that together are of critical importance to national and regional economic growth development and connectivity.

All corridors are shown here:
http://www.nationbuildingprogram.gov.au/whatis/network/

[Stillwater]

Good on Andrew Powell for wanting to slash government red and green tape:

http://www.couriermail.com.au/business/thousands-in-line-to-slash-to-green-tape/story-fnefl294-1226483334058

He didn't tell us this was a 'top priority' before the election, but he did say publicly that duplication of the NCL to Nambour was 'top of his list'.   Why is he doing something he didn't say he would do while conveniently ignoring what he promised he would do?

It is unlikely that Mr Powell will be in the Parliament in 20 years time.  By supporting the 2031 delivery date for a duplicated NCL to Nambour, Mr Powell is set to tell us time and again, at the next election, at the one after that, and the one after that, then the one after that and the one after that, and the one after that, that the NCL track duplication is his 'top priority'.

Should we believe him?  It is possible that Mr Powell will end his ministerial and parliamentary career never having achieved what he promised would be his most pressing task.