The Sunshine Coast Case : Rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour

[verbatim9]

Interesting developments! There.is definitely a case to start construction now from Beerburrum to Landsborough prior to CRR being finished.

[Stillwater]

To allow Trad/Bailey etc to save face, someone should explain gently that it is possible to have CRR and SCL duplication proceeding simultaneously, with CRR being completed a couple of weeks before full duplication to Nambour.  That way, their cry of 'CRR first' still applies.  This notion of a linear construction program, with a start on SCL occurring only after the ribbon is cut on CRR is crazy monkey thinking.

[aldonius]

Hey, 17 minutes is quite a bit; more than what CRR is expected to provide to the Gold Coast.

Of course, the major benefit is the capacity upgrade.

[Gazza]

🅱️ones of a media release:
I think we have a right to get angry over this one, they are being f%cking stupid, and the petty back and forth is insulting to regular people asking for this.


Backlash from Public Transport Group over Sunshine Coast line Politics



Rail Back on Track, a Queensland based community organisation advocating for etc etc has hit back at comments from Transport Minister Mark Bailey that blah blah



"The notion that we have to drop everything until Cross River Rail is complete is utter nonsense"

"The last thing we want to see is Cross River Rail up and running, but then sit around for another 5 years until the Sunshine Coast Duplication is finally done"



Here are the facts:



-Multiple highway projects such as the Toowoomba 2nd Range, Gateway, Gold Coast M1 and Bruce Highway upgrades are funded and happening simultaneously. Why can't we do the same with Cross River Rail and the Sunshine Coast duplication?



-The Gold Coast line was duplicated without Cross River Rail. So why the double standard with this project?



-Duplication still allows for service improvements right now, with or without cross river rail. Currently most trains from the CBD to the north have to terminate at Caboolture due to insufficient track capacity after Beerburrum. Duplication would allow every train to continue to Nambour.



-Duplication increases speeds and saves time for passengers and freight. This benefit is independent of Cross River Rail.



-Duplication will improve the facilities at Sunshine Coast Stations. This benefit is independent of Cross River Rail.



-Duplication will allow for longer freight trains. This benefit is independent of Cross River Rail.



Queensland has been dudded ever since duplication works to the north ground to a halt at Beerburrum 10 years ago.



The minister needs to stop spreading incorrect information.

[ozbob]

^ thanks Gazza.  We have pointed this out before (see earlier) but will be following up again. 

[ozbob]

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2018/2018_05_03_DAILY.pdf

Queensland Parliament Hansard

Ministerial Statements

Rail Infrastructure

Hon. JA TRAD (South Brisbane—ALP) (Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships) (9.40 am<): I acknowledge the contribution just made by the
Premier in relation to the Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade project on the Sunshine Coast. I also
acknowledge the money that has been, as the Premier said, put on the table somewhere in some
place by the Turnbull government in relation to this project, but we are yet to see the details around the
announcement.

I have to place on record that I am disappointed that the Turnbull government is offering only a
50-50 funding arrangement with the state government for what is a nationally significant piece of
infrastructure on the National Land Transport Network. The north coast line is one of Queensland's
major economic transport corridors, facilitating freight and passenger movements between
Queensland's eastern coastal population centres. The Beerburrum to Nambour project, coupled with
the delivery of Cross River Rail, will unlock the capacity both on the Sunshine Coast and in the inner
city for more rail services. It will allow us to deliver more frequent, more reliable rail services for residents
on the Sunshine Coast.

We are fully funding Cross River Rail because the Turnbull LNP government has refused to
contribute one single cent to this project. We sought funding from the Commonwealth for the
Beerburrum to Nambour project. We submitted the business case and they have offered up only 50 per
cent of the project costs. We need the Turnbull government to contribute their fair share on this
nation-building project.

Ms Simpson: You're copping out!

Opposition members interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Deputy Premier, please resume your seat. Members to my left, as I have said
repeatedly, this House is not an opportunity for you to just make comments as you would like. It is an
opportunity to hear, as per the Notice Paper, ministerial statements. There is a time called question
time where there is an opportunity to probe the government. I am hearing increasing interjections. There
was nothing provocative from what I could hear in what the Deputy Premier was saying.

Ms TRAD: I will take the interjection from the member for Maroochydore, who said that we are
copping out. The only party that copped out when they were in parliament were those opposite. Every
single seat on the Sunshine Coast bar one belongs to them. Was one single cent committed to this
project? Was a business case progressed? Was anything done in relation to the duplication of the
Beerburrum to Nambour rail line? Not one single thing was done. We have developed the business
case and sent it to the federal government. I am pleased to see money on the table, and we have
allocated funds in our state budget. I am waiting for the federal budget to see exactly what the
Commonwealth government will be allocating to the whole of Queensland before making a decision
around accepting this offer.

What is sensible is that we approach all of our needs around infrastructure funding and
infrastructure upgrades throughout our state holistically, not this piecemeal process that the
Commonwealth government is engaging in. Let me be really clear about this because we know that
sometimes when the federal government talks money they talk funny money. In last year's federal
budget they announced a much hyped $10 billion national rail fund. The only catch was that none of
the money would be able until 2019 and that is at the earliest. As I said yesterday, this is the same
government that continues to withhold support from the Cross River Rail project based on a flawed
Infrastructure Australia report that contained a number of errors and that has been widely ridiculed and
criticised. At the same time, they are committing $5 billion to a rail line in Melbourne that does not have
an alignment and that does not have a business case, but that is okay because that is not Queensland.
It is one deal for the other states and a different deal for Queensland. New South Wales and Victoria
gets billions for infrastructure and we get the spare change.

The Palaszczuk government has a strong record of delivering the transport infrastructure that
Queensland needs to support our growing population. We need a federal government that is going to
match that commitment and pay its fair share, and one day we may get an LNP opposition that is
prepared to stand up to their Canberra masters.

[ozbob]

^ interesting statement.

" ... We have developed the business case and sent it to the federal government. I am pleased to see money on the table,
and we have allocated funds in our state budget. I am waiting for the federal budget to see exactly what the
Commonwealth government will be allocating to the whole of Queensland before making a decision around accepting this offer. ... "

Still in play ...

[Stillwater]

ABC Local Radio reporting:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-03/780m-sunshine-coast-rail-link-hangs-in-balance/9722522

[ozbob]

ABC News --> $780m Sunshine Coast rail link hangs in balance as governments argue over funding

The future of a critical rail expansion between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane hangs in the balance, even after the Federal Government announced it would fund half of the $780 million project.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack joined local MPs on Thursday morning at Maroochydore to trumpet the funding as a "fantastic project not only for Queensland but for the nation."

"This is a great project because it's going to create 600 jobs in the construction," Mr McCormack said.

Glasshouse MP Andrew Powell said the improved rail line would deliver 150 extra weekly services and cut travel times.

"The 40-kilometre rail line between Beerburrum and Nambour is more than a century old, which limits rail services and causes considerable delays for the Sunshine Coast's 330,000 residents," he said.

The Sunshine Coast has been demanding a rail upgrade since 2011, with Rail Back On Track campaigner Jeff Addison raising the issue with LNP Member for Fairfax Alex Somlyay.

Mr Addison tweeted early Thursday morning, saying: "After eight years of active campaigning, our time has come. Let's do this."

But the project is far from on track, and Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said she was disappointed the Federal Government was only prepared to stump up 50 per cent of the funding, despite it being what she called "a nationally significant piece of infrastructure".

With the State Government so far refusing to support the Federal proposal to pay half, the rail project faces a $234 million funding shortfall.

Contributing "fair share"

Ms Trad said her government was funding Brisbane's Cross River Rail project without federal support and so has asked the Federal Government to put up 80 per cent of the money for the Beerburrum to Nambour expansion.

"We need the Turnbull Government to contribute their fair share on this nation-building project," she said.

Ms Trad did not rule out the State putting in more funding but said they would wait to see "the actual details of the announcement" when the Federal Budget comes down on Tuesday.

Queensland Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington has joined Federal calls for Queensland to back the project or doom the Sunshine Coast to what she said would be a continuing "transport nightmare".

"There is no longer any excuse for Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor not to stump up their share," Ms Frecklington said.

"She needs to get on board and fund this rail line in next month's state budget."

[Stillwater]

If you read the hints in what Jackie Trad is saying, she appears to be confirming, indirectly, that the state has allocated 20 per cent of the funding for SCL duplication and committed to that in the State Budget (which remains confidential), based upon the 20:80 split the State of Queensland put in its business case to IA.  If so, 70 per cent of the money for this project is committed - the quibble is over the remaining 30 per cent.

Again, Ms Trad is saying to the feds: "If you are generous and fund other major infrastructure projects in Queensland, you might give me enough leeway to come to the party with the remainder of the SCL funding."

It is the usual cat and mouse politics before state and federal budgets are announced.

[ozbob]

MARK TIME ! ! (until budget time .. )  ...

[#Metro]

Well, maybe Malcolm should put in 80% on the condition that the trains be operated by ATRC staff or contractors.

Maybe in the next round ATRC could challenge QR for the SEQ rail contract. Both public and Australian, so it's not a privatisation.

[achiruel]

-Duplication still allows for service improvements right now, with or without cross river rail. Currently most trains from the CBD to the north have to terminate at Caboolture due to insufficient track capacity after Beerburrum. Duplication would allow every train to continue to Nambour.

-Duplication will allow for longer freight trains. This benefit is independent of Cross River Rail.

Won't both of these be reliant on duplication to Nambour not just Landsborough. Certainly with Stage 2 (i.e. Beerburrum-Landsborough), all trains could terminate at Landsborough (if required, I'm not expecting 100% of Caboolture trains to do so, particularly in peak), but I believe the freight length bottleneck is actually a passing loop near Palmwoods. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, though

[Arnz]

Daytime Interpeak and Weekend Daytime trains could all be extended to Landsborough with the Landsborough duplication (forming half-hourly to Landsborough) with hourly frequency maintained beyond Landsborough to Nambour.  Weekday AM and PM Peak would pretty much be maintained as at the current 24 minute headways (all to Nambour + the daily PM Gympie), perhaps increased to 18 mins at most, alongside the Caboolture peak terminators as usual.

After 7pm daily (6pm on weekends), the service pattern could go 1TPH Nambour and 1TPH Caboolture (with the Caboolture terminator either turning-back as a City/Ipswich service or stowing overnight in the Caboolture or Elimbah yards).

[Stillwater]

Will duplication to Landsborough North do away with the need for rail buses Landsborough-Nambour?

[Gazza]

We already can do away with railbuses by plugging gaps in the current timetable.
it's just that there isn't enough trains or drivers.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/DebFrecklington/status/991915095092477956

[ozbob]

If you read the hints in what Jackie Trad is saying, she appears to be confirming, indirectly, that the state has allocated 20 per cent of the funding for SCL duplication and committed to that in the State Budget (which remains confidential), based upon the 20:80 split the State of Queensland put in its business case to IA.  If so, 70 per cent of the money for this project is committed - the quibble is over the remaining 30 per cent.

Again, Ms Trad is saying to the feds: "If you are generous and fund other major infrastructure projects in Queensland, you might give me enough leeway to come to the party with the remainder of the SCL funding."

It is the usual cat and mouse politics before state and federal budgets are announced.

Yo.  Definitely a shift now to one that the Sunshine Coast Line is ready to go, and is no longer dependent on the absolute requirement of Cross River Rail and other mumbo jumbo stuff.  This is good.  There was no response to our previous communications, including published letters to the Ed. pointing all this out.  Of course, it was not possible to respond because it was mumbo jumbo stuff they were pedalling.  One journo even said to me the DTMR won't respond because they know it is bull.  Progress of sorts ...

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Palaszczuk refuses to bow to federal rail funding pressure

THE Federal Government spent yesterday celebrating the massive commitment they've made to Sunshine Coast rail, but their state counterparts are yet to come to the party.

A funding promise of $390 million has been made to duplicate the track between Beerburrum and Landsborough and upgrade Landsborough to Nambour, a move which will make way for fast rail in the future.

The project is now dependent on an equal contribution by the State Government.

Annastacia Palaszczuk failed to make a solid commitment in parliament, but confirmed it was a "key priority" in the upcoming state budget.

She instead chided the Turnbull Government for reneging on their previous funding split proposition.

"I see this morning that the Prime Minister may be putting some money on a table, but it is not enough to build this line," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"It was the Federal Government that included this corridor in the National Land Transport Network and committed to funding this project on an 80-20 basis."

The pressure was on with the state opposition leader calling on Ms Palaszczuk to "get on with it".

"There is no longer any excuse for Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor not to stump up their share. She needs to get on board and fund this rail line in next month's state budget," she said.

"The people of the Sunshine Coast shouldn't have to wait for the next election in 2020 for their transport nightmares to end."

MP John Alexander praised the Federal Government's move yesterday at a pubic hearing by the House Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities into the future of the region.

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Beerburrum-Nambour to get $390 million in budget

$390 million will be provided in the federal government's 2018-19 budget for the duplication of Queensland's North Coast Rail Line between Beerburrum and Landsborough, separating freight from passenger services, and the delivery of additional capacity upgrades between Landsborough to Nambour.

The rail duplication will, once completed, improve travel times and service reliability for passengers on the North Coast Line, and enable freight services to take advantage of the added capacity provided.

"Reduced travel times and greater trip reliability makes rail a more attractive option for travellers between the region and Brisbane in particular, while more parking at stations will also add to the equation," federal transport and infrastructure minister Michael McCormack said.

The upgrade of the 39-kilometre section was granted Priority Project status in Infrastructure Australia's (IA) latest Priority List update in March this year.

The $390 million being put forward by the federal government for the Beerburrum to Nambour upgrade project is below the $578 million that the Queensland state government has previously requested. The full cost of the project is expected to be approximately $722 million.

Federal urban infrastructure minister Paul Fletcher declared that project was "big news" for the Sunshine Coast and surrounding regions.

"This project makes good sense in itself—as it will relieve pressure on the busy Bruce Highway and provide commuters with additional train services," Fletcher said.

"It also offers a potential launch pad for further work to deliver a faster rail service along this route in the future, depending on the outcome from the business case which is now under way."

The additional upgrade works between Landsborough to Nambour are to passing loop extensions, provision of dual platforms at stations connected by lifts and pedestrian bridges, and additional car parking at some stations.

According to the government, the rail duplication would avert an otherwise likely scenario of freight traffic moving increasingly to road as the line's freight capacity is reached in 2023. If this were to happen, further traffic pressure would be placed on the Bruce Highway, heightening congestion.

Fletcher also indicated that the duplication and other upgrades would form the basis of a broader plan for faster rail between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

"That business case will take as its starting point the upgraded Beerburrum to Nambour line—the subject of today's funding announcement—and will examine potential further investments which would allow a faster rail service to be delivered between Sunshine Coast and Brisbane," Fletcher said.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/992218022134800385

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily 4th May 2018 page 5

Commuter behind rail line upgrade



Well done FF !   

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/992293128785702914

[red dragin]

He deserves to cut the ribbon on opening day 

[Stillwater]

I second that proposal!

[Fares_Fair]

Sunshine Coast Daily 4th May 2018 page 5

Commuter behind rail line upgrade



Well done FF !   

Thank you ozbob.
These two federal MPs, Andrew Wallace and Ted O'Brien have driven home the message to the Federal Government regarding our sub-standard, tortuous, single track, congested, rail line. They have achieved a massive milestone in gaining $390m  #funding  from the Federal Govt.

Without their driving it within political circles, we wouldn't have gotten this far.

Everyone has played their part, including Ozbob and Stillwater.

I sincerely appreciated the politicians' recognition of my advocacy.

Whilst I am a Sunshine Coast spokesperson for Rail Back on Track, I didn't found it as ozbob would surely know. 
My campaign is called #2tracks

At this point in the campaign, the Champagne is in the ice bucket.
Let's hope the ice doesn't melt.


Edit Correction: 5.5.18 10:55am federal MP's, not state

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Cross River Fail: Former deputy PM criticises rail funding

THE former deputy Prime Minister has hit out at the Federal Government's "con job" rail duplication announcement, criticising them for not funding the Cross River Rail project.

It was this week announced $390 million would be put forward by the LNP for a rail duplication and upgrade between Beerburrum and Nambour.

Lilley MP Wayne Swan lambasted the move and said the plan couldn't go forward until the Cross River Rail was funded.

The Cross River Rail, lauded as the State Government's "highest priority infrastructure project", is a 10.2km rail line between Dutton Park and Bowen Hill, with a 5.9km twin tunnel under the Brisbane River.

"Essentially in the absence of any Federal Government commitment to do Cross River Rail, it's a con job," Mr Swan said.

"The Cross River Rail is an essential precondition for any improvement on the Sunshine Coast which they're not stumping up a dollar for."

Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien, who campaigned hard for the rail upgrades, said the State Government was funding the project on their own "as per the commitment they made to the people of Queensland at the last election".

"Duplication of the rail line will separate freight from passenger trains and it is not necessary for the Cross River Rail to be complete in order to get started on that work," Mr O'Brien said.

"There is no doubt that the entire southeast Queensland rail network needs to be improved and there is always going to be a linkage, but you can walk and chew gum at the same time.

Annastacia Palaszczuk and Mr Swan have both criticised the Federal Government for not funding the duplication 80/20, but Mr O'Brien said this was never agreed upon.

"Such works as these are not traditionally funded by the Federal Government and since the state owns the rail this is effectively a gift of $390 million," he said.

Mr Swan is still talking mumbo jumbo ...  hey Swanny the State has moved on cobber!

[Stillwater]

What is this with Labor pollies?  They want the federal Coalition government to stump up money for Cross River Rail after repeated promises by State Labor that they would fund it 100 per cent.  That particular horse has bolted.  In fact, with the additional money promised by Bill Shorten, state and federal Labor funding promises far exceeds the CRR construction cost.

[BrizCommuter]

Sunshine Coast Line Duplication - Reality Check
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2018/05/sunshine-coast-line-duplication-reality.html

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Line Duplication - Reality Check
https://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2018/05/sunshine-coast-line-duplication-reality.html

Thanks!   

Sent to all outlets &

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/992802701867073537

[SurfRail]

What is this with Labor pollies?  They want the federal Coalition government to stump up money for Cross River Rail after repeated promises by State Labor that they would fund it 100 per cent.  That particular horse has bolted.  In fact, with the additional money promised by Bill Shorten, state and federal Labor funding promises far exceeds the CRR construction cost.

I don't understand your consternation.  If the Feds tip in money, then the State doesn't have to fully fund it.  Bill isn't sitting on the treasury benches so his pronouncements aren't at all relevant to the 2018/2019 budget.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/993354309805879296

[BrizCommuter]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/993354309805879296

"Drivers would be better off catching a train to Brisbane" - obviously written by someone who doesn't know the Sunshine Coast Line's off-peak timetable!

[achiruel]

Yep. Imagine if only 10% of those stuck on the highway decided to catch trains instead. Total chaos!

[Stillwater]

The feds are promising:

$850m for road upgrade, Bruce Hwy, Pine Rivers to Caboolture

$800m for Gympie Bypass (Section D - Cooroy to Curra)

$390m for SCL duplication

That is $2.2 billion for that part of the world .... road and rail.

It equates to the same amount roughly that Bill Shorten has promised for CRR by way of federal money if he became PM.  Now, where would he get $2.2 billion?

[achiruel]

The feds are promising:

$850m for road upgrade, Bruce Hwy, Pine Rivers to Caboolture

$800m for Gympie Bypass (Section D - Cooroy to Curra)

$390m for SCL duplication

That is $2.2 billion for that part of the world .... road and rail.

It equates to the same amount roughly that Bill Shorten has promised for CRR by way of federal money if he became PM.  Now, where would he get $2.2 billion?

No company tax cut for a start = $65 billion. Done with plenty left over. Although I wouldn't hesitate for a minute if they cancelled the wasteful $850m Pine River to Caboolture upgrade and threw it at public transport instead. The Cooroy to Curra section is a different matter.

[Gazza]

Yeah, I would have said that $850m would have been better spent between Curra and Maryborough

[red dragin]

Yeah, I would have said that $850m would have been better spent between Curra and Maryborough

Improving the flood immunity just north of Caboolture airport and improving the southbound merge at Steve Irwin Way would make the biggest impact.

The problem at the Pine River is that the Gateway merge and Dohles Rocks Rd are just too close together,too much lane switching.

[Stillwater]

ABC Local Radio on the Sunshine Coast is reporting that only $200m of the $390m promised for SCL Upgrade by the feds is funded.  That is $200m in instalments to 2020-21, with $190m promised, but not funded.  I wish pollies would explain the detail of their promises.  What is the situation with the remaining $190m?  Is it the case that the feds expect the Qld Govt to put in $200m and that sum is being matched dollar-for-dollar, leaving horse trading over the $190m -- maybe being kicked in once Queensland commits to 80:20 funding split.

Mr O'Brien owes the people of the Sunshine Coast a clarifying explanation if the ABC report is correct.

[ozbob]

ABC Local Radio on the Sunshine Coast is reporting that only $200m of the $390m promised for SCL Upgrade by the feds is funded.  That is $200m in instalments to 2020-21, with $190m promised, but not funded.  I wish pollies would explain the detail of their promises.  What is the situation with the remaining $190m?  Is it the case that the feds expect the Qld Govt to put in $200m and that sum is being matched dollar-for-dollar, leaving horse trading over the $190m -- maybe being kicked in once Queensland commits to 80:20 funding split.

Mr O'Brien owes the people of the Sunshine Coast a clarifying explanation if the ABC report is correct.

^ true I think.  The whole big fudget infrastructure spend in the budget is a  'pipeline ' thing.  More aspirational than actual.

A desperate political con job to support a re-election bid by Turnbull et al. 

Absolute disgrace the way they have prioritised projects as well. The Melbourne Airport line thing being an outrage and I guess IA would be fuming as well.

The Sunshine Coast Line upgrade is a real priority and should be fully funded outright.