The Sunshine Coast Case : Rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour

[achiruel]

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.

I have no issues with flood immunity if required. What I do object to is the notion that we need to constantly expand motorways at the expense of rail projects.

As for the Dohles Rocks Rd off ramp, the exit lane is already massive. Maybe it needs signage further back from the exit advising the lane must exit or something? I'm not that familiar with the area but from what I can see on Google Maps, there doesn't seem to be an inherent design flaws. There's arrows on the road surface FFS.

BTW, in response to ozbob above, I reckon the best thing Shorten could do to get some votes next election is to commit to infrastructure spending based on IA priorities rather than political convenience and challenge MT to do the same. MT will end up with egg on his face.

[red dragin]

As for the Dohles Rocks Rd off ramp, the exit lane is already massive. Maybe it needs signage further back from the exit advising the lane must exit or something? I'm not that familiar with the area but from what I can see on Google Maps, there doesn't seem to be an inherent design flaws. There's arrows on the road surface FFS.

The lanes are long enough, the problem in both directions is "that lane is faster so I'll jump in that, then push my way back in to the one I need" or "I need the left most lane but I won't realise it until 200m to go" which is from people driving to the end of their bonnet, not looking down the road like they should. The same issue that occurs at all major merges/diverges

[achiruel]

Not sure how to fix that? Don't give people licences until they prove they can actually drive sensibly? Then they'll probably just drive without one. Nonetheless, it's not a design issue, it's a driver behaviour issues, and we shouldn't be spending $m or $b to on the road network to fix it.

[red dragin]

Not sure how to fix that? Don't give people licences until they prove they can actually drive sensibly? Then they'll probably just drive without one. Nonetheless, it's not a design issue, it's a driver behaviour issues, and we shouldn't be spending $m or $b to on the road network to fix it.

Wasn't saying we should fix it, just letting those that don't know the road (or suffer it each morning) what the issue is. The concern is the North-South Arterial from North Lakes through Mango Hill and Griffin is eventually planned to merge in the middle of that stretch of road.

[Fares_Fair]

We've gotten way off topic gentlemen. 
Fancy talking roads in a rail thread.. 

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Sunshine Coast Daily 12th May 2018

Waited far too long for rail duplication funding

THE Sunshine Coast Daily and local MP Ted O'Brien have done a fantastic job in promoting the rail duplication issue, (Daily, May 3).

Should we hold the champagne cork popping though until the State Government comes on board?

That could be quite a stumbling block - it should not be, but could be.

Well done to the Feds for putting up $390 million - time for the State Government to come on board and not "sometime" down the track, but immediately.

Coast residents have waited too long already.

Sunshine Coast residents pay taxes too.

CLAIRE JOLLIFFE

Buderim

[Stillwater]

All's quiet on the funding side for the time being.  Usual hostilities might resume once the State Budget comes in next month.  State has to match federal offer of $390m, but may have budgeted for about $200m.  We will have to see.

[Fares_Fair]

State Government offered $144.5 million in their Business Case to Infrastructure Australia, a measly 20% of $722.4 million IA cost assessment.
Federal Government offers 50% of the original cost estimate of $780 million.

Never before has the #SunshineCoast line received Federal funding, and still Qld Government say it's not enough.

[Fares_Fair]

1.2.2.10 South East Queensland Capacity Improvement Project
http://buildingqueensland.qld.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Chapter-1.pdf

The South East Queensland Capacity Improvement Project (SEQCI), undertaken by TMR in 2014, assessed network improvement scenarios available to meet future passenger and freight demand. The SEQCI project aimed to:  identify infrastructure and operational options that align with, and realise, passenger and freight benefits and support efficient operations over the next 10 and 20 years
undertake a holistic, integrated assessment of operational and infrastructure options to identify the most cost-effective, value-for-money investments for passenger and freight travel
develop 10 and 20-year investment options for the SEQ rail system to support passenger and freight requirements
provide the basis for the development and implementation of a 10-year rail investment strategy for the SEQ rail network (a priority initiative for TMR), having regard to the development of the SEQ rail network.
SEQCI considered infrastructure and non-infrastructure enhancements that would be required if demand for trains reached certain levels. (Strategic transport models were undertaken for 2021 and 2031.)
SEQCI provided a range of potential options to improve network capacity in the northern, southern, eastern and western rail corridors.
These options all offered incremental improvements, rather than the step-change afforded by a major new infrastructure solution. 

Transport and Main Roads
SEQ Capacity Improvement Project Stage 1 Report - Final Report



1.4 Related Projects 1.4.1 ETCS – Inner City Project

In June 2016, the Queensland Government approved the ETCS – Inner City Project to proceed to procurement. The ETCS – Inner City Project will deliver ETCS Level 2 (L2) technology within Brisbane's inner city. The ETCS – Inner City Project is expected to become operational in 2021, bridging existing capacity constraints on the SEQ rail network and the medium-to-long term capacity benefits of the CRR Project. The signalling system will boost inner-city rail capacity by allowing trains to travel more frequently. Introducing ETCS L2 in advance of the CRR Project will reduce implementation risks associated with bringing CRR into service by ensuring key enabling activities are completed and that stakeholders are familiar with tunnel systems (as ETCS L2 signalling must be delivered in the tunnel section). The CRR Project delivers substantial net benefits to rail passengers and the SEQ rail network over and above the benefits delivered by ETCS L2. The scope of the ETCS – Inner City Project is the area of rail network between Northgate and Milton, including both mains and suburban lines. This encompasses the key network section through which all trains must pass and includes the railway stations of Roma Street, Central, Fortitude Valley and Bowen Hills. While the ETCS – Inner City Project will improve the network capacity in the northern and western corridors, it does not provide additional capacity to the Gold Coast and Beenleigh lines. 


The North Coast Line Action Plan Draft, under RTI by others
The North Coast Line Action Plan entails a 10 year program covering a range of initiatives to address
current NCL corridor deficiencies, renew life expired assets, improved rail operational performance,
and increase rail capacity. This includes capital investment in the core corridor infrastructure, and
operational changes, to deliver significantly reduced transit time, operational reliability, reduced
operating and maintenance costs, and increased capacity.
The core components of the action plan, and indicative budget for each over the 10 year plan, are:
ITEM BUDGET
Flood proofing $100 M
Bridge replacement and minor curve easings $340 M
Major deviations $1,260 M
Loop extensions $270 M
Track upgrade $270 M
Signalling and telecommunication equipment renewals $100 M
North Brisbane freight terminal $160 M
Master Train Plan Re-engineering NA
TOTAL (2014 $s) $2,500 M
The location of the upgrade works is spread along the entire route; but with various elements more
geographically targeted. The timber bridge and minor curve easings is heavily weighted on the
Townsville – Cairns section, as is the medium- term track upgrade component. Major deviations will
be more heavily focussed on the Cooroy – Maryborough section, where the operational benefits are
enjoyed by the higher traffic volumes on this end. Likewise the crossing loop extensions will be
confined to the Brisbane – Townsville section, with the longer trains not likely to be required to
operate through to Cairns.
Flood proofing works are mostly required north of Rockhampton where significant lengths and
numerous locations are flood prone; however hot spots south of Rockhampton need also to be
addressed.
Detailed scoping and prioritising of individual works and the relative share of the overall Action Plan
budget has yet to be undertaken, and this requires more detailed engineering assessment of the
options to maximise overall program benefits. This includes finalising on appropriate design
standards, particularly for alignment design and flood immunity. Key issues for settling on improved
alignment standards include the corridor acquisition impacts where extra land is required.

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> $390m for Coast rail and 1800 new jobs: 'Now no excuse'

THE time to stump up for a streamlined rail link between the Coast and Brisbane is now, according to LNP politicians who met in Nambour today.

Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander said a $390 million federal commitment made at the start of the month needed to be matched by the State Government in next month's budget.

"There is now no excuse," Mr Mander said.

"This is something that is long overdue."

He said the project would create 1800 jobs and increase services between the Coast and Brisbane.

"Let's just get on with it and build this railway line."

Member for Glass House Andrew Powell said residents probably didn't care what the funding breakdown was, they just wanted the line built.

"I suspect if the Federal Government put 80 per cent on the table the Palaszczuk Government and Jackie Trad would still be finding excuses not to build it," Mr Powell said.

"Let's just get on and build it."

Transport minister Mark Bailey's office has been contacted for comment.

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Government commits to rail duplication- but not 50:50

UPDATE: Transport minister Mark Bailey says the government is willing to make a significant contribution to rail duplication in the upcoming budget.

But it looks unlikely to be on the 50:50 basis offered by the Federal Government.

"All we want is our fair share for Queensland," Mr Bailey said.　

"Despite the Beerburrum to Nambour rail line being part of the national network and running adjacent to Bruce Highway which receives 80:20 funding, the feds have so far only offered funding on a 50:50 basis," Mr Bailey said.　

"This project wouldn't be able to happen if the Palaszczuk Government hadn't kickstarting it by doing the business case and submitting to Infrastructure Australia last year after the Newman Government ignored it for three years.　

"Passengers will of course be the big winners of this project, but only if the LNP in Queensland get Malcolm Turnbull and their mates in Canberra to come to the party with a fair share of the funding."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1002221042360713216

[Stillwater]

Is it possible to do some creative horse-trading -- the federal government's $390m going to fund Beerburrum-Landsborough North 100 per cent, while 'constructive dialogue' continues about funding arrangements for the remainder of the track to Nambour.  That conversation being about the 100 per cent funding B-L being matched for a length of track further north, funded 100 per cent by the Queensland Government.  Maybe that would get duplication to Eudlo.  Like Ms Trad, Mr Bailey is playing politics with his goading about state LNP Members needing to convince Malcolm Turnbull to provide a better funding deal.  The sticking point is joint funding, the same as there is always squabbling over other joint funding arrangements, such as hospital.  The answer must lie in decoupling the split funding, to splitting the project into segments, with each level of government responsible for funding 100 per cent of a segment.  If a segment is not going ahead because one level of government is dragging the chain, then the responsibility is immediately exposed, because the pass the parcel duck-shoving would have been eliminated from the equation.

[Fares_Fair]

The Federal Government line is that:

1. There is no agreement with the State Government over funding at this point in time.
2. Federal funding is always linked to construction milestones or stages of the project. Same situation was as for the MBRL e.g.

Good news that there will be some State dollars for it, but not the 50% required to get it underway.
Knowing full well that whatever the money that Qld allocates - it  wont get used under these circumstances.


Still, SW, anything is worth consideration to get this underway.
Thank you for the ideas/suggestions.

[Stillwater]

The flaw in my argument is the mongrel dog in Queensland politics.  If the feds fund Beerburrum-Landsborough North 100 per cent, the state will claim that as a precedent and call on the Federal Government to fund the remainder of the works to Nambour on the basis of 100 per cent funding also.  For some time now, SCL has been a political football, divorced from the needs of the travelling public, or the pattern of land development and population distribution on the Sunny Coast

[Stillwater]

Today's Sunshine Coast Daily reporting that the State Budget contains $160.1m for the SCL duplication and upgrade.  Feds pledge is $390m.  Combined, this won't buy all of the project - involving duplication to Landsborough North and upgrade beyond that to Nambour.

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily 9th June 2018 pages 1 & 2

$160M COAST RAIL BOOST



Full steam ahead for plan

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1005193755786448899

[ozbob]

Understand there will be an official announcement on the Sunshine Coast later this morning.

[Stillwater]

Yep, at Nambour.  Mark Bailey travelling there now.  Great news that work will start immediately.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1005237634145366018

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/jackietrad/status/1005243162967920640

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2018/6/9/palaszczuk-government-steams-ahead-on-beerburrum-to-nambour

Media Release
JOINT STATEMENT

Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
The Honourable Jackie Trad

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Palaszczuk Government steams ahead on Beerburrum to Nambour

The Palaszczuk Government is delivering for Sunshine Coast commuters, announcing $160.8 million in funding for the Beerburrum to Nambour Upgrade as part of this year's Budget.

Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad said this funding will allow the project to get underway immediately.

"The Palaszczuk Government has a clear track record of investing in the public transport infrastructure Queensland needs to support our growing population," Ms Trad said.

"That's why we're getting on with it – with money on the table now to get this duplication underway as soon as possible.

"The Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Duplication will deliver increased capacity, travel time savings for passenger and freight services, and increased reliability on the North Coast Line.

"It will reduce the competition between passenger and freight services, and enable vital public transport links to the rapidly growing Sunshine Coast area.

"This project wouldn't be able to happen if the Palaszczuk Government hadn't kickstarted it by doing the business case and submitting to Infrastructure Australia last year after 3 years of inaction by the former LNP Government."

The Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade Project involves duplication of about 20 kilometres of North Coast Line between Beerburrum and Landsborough.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said Infrastructure Australia had given a favourable assessment of the business case for the upgrade recognising it as a priority project.

"While we welcome the Turnbull Government's recent funding announcement for this project, it's important to note they have not contributed their fair share under the national land transport network agreement," Mr Bailey said.

"Despite the fact that the federal LNP Government amended the national land transport network to include the Beerburrum to Nambour rail line so far they have only offered funding on a 50:50 basis.

Ironically, the rail line runs adjacent to the Bruce Highway, which receives 80:20 funding.

Mr Bailey recently approved the gazettal of land requirements, further signalling the State's commitment to progressing the project.

"Declaration of the land requirements, which have already been subject to community consultation, will occur in the coming weeks, giving the local communities from Beerburrum to Nambour more certainty, and opening up the option for impacted properties to apply for early acquisition, subject to meeting early acquisition criteria," he said.

With the current funding on table for this project totalling more than $550 million, detailed design work can get underway now, to be followed by the commencement of construction.

"There's no reason why work can't start on this now while we continue to negotiate with the Turnbull government to get Queensland's fair share. We just need Malcolm Turnbull to get the funding flowing now"

"This is a huge project which we know will take years to complete, so let's get to work straight away and start to see this infrastructure delivered for the Sunshine Coast."

"It is also important to remember that none of these proposed new rail lines will work without Cross River Rail to open up the network.

"The only way extra capacity on the Sunshine Coast can work is if there are no bottlenecks further down the line."

ENDS

[achiruel]

"It is also important to remember that none of these proposed new rail lines will work without Cross River Rail to open up the network.

"The only way extra capacity on the Sunshine Coast can work is if there are no bottlenecks further down the line."

Here we go with the bulls**t again! There is no reason, provided there were sufficient trainsets and crew ( ) that Caboolture services couldn't be extended to Landsborough immediately the duplication were completed. This does not require any extra inner-city capacity!

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

9th June 2018

Sunshine Coast Line upgrade to proceed

Greetings,

RAIL Back On Track welcomes today's announcement by Deputy Premier Trad and Transport Minister Bailey that $160.8 million for the Beerburrum to Nambour upgrade will be part of this year's Budget, and work will commence immediately.

As stated in the joint Media Release ( http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2018/6/9/palaszczuk-government-steams-ahead-on-beerburrum-to-nambour ) this essential duplication between Beerburrum and Landsborough will deliver increased capacity, time savings and improved reliability.

Well done!

Best wishes,
Robert

Contacts:

Jeff Addison
Sunshine Coast Region Spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track

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

References:

The Sunshine Coast Case : Rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour
https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6647.0

Infrastructure Australia Project Evaluation Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade
http://infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/projects/files/Project-Evaluation-Summary-Beerburrum-to-Nambour-Rail-Upgrade.pdf

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1005258298042355712

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> MAYOR: $160M state government rail funding not enough

SUNSHINE Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson has welcomed the Queensland Government's announcement that it will include $160.8 million towards the $780 million upgrade of the North Coast Rail Line in next week's State Budget, but has questioned two key elements of the commitment.　 　

The North Coast Rail Line from Beerburrum to Nambour is a single track and operates on an alignment established in the 1880s and has been desperately in need of duplication and upgrade for decades, Mayor Jamieson said.　

"The State Government's business case released in December 2016 forecast this project would cost $780 million and we have a commitment on the table from the Federal Government to fund half of this cost at $390 million," said Mayor Jamieson.　

"While I am pleased that the Palaszczuk Government is including $160.8 million in the next State budget, I am concerned there is no timing specified around when the funding will be available and - importantly - that it falls short of the $390 million that is required to match what the Commonwealth has already committed.　

"This commitment may be enough to get the ball rolling, but quite simply, the residents of the Sunshine Coast expect that the project will be delivered in full and want to know when it will be delivered."　

Mayor Jamieson said that once again, it appeared that the Sunshine Coast was being used as a political football by other levels of government at the expense of the residents of this region.

"The commitment from the Palaszczuk Government of 20% of the funding required to upgrade what is their asset, is not sufficient - and particularly when the investment should have occurred years ago," Mayor Jamieson said.

"I am very concerned that the once again, the Sunshine Coast has been left short."

Mayor Jamieson questioned the State's claims that because the North Coast Rail Line is part of the National Land Transport Network, it should be funded on a 80:20 basis between the Federal and State Governments.

"This 80:20 formula has been applied to national highways like the Bruce Highway. The North Coast Rail Line is State owned infrastructure," Mayor Jamieson said.

"While I appreciate it was the Federal Government that sought to include the Beerburrum to Nambour corridor in the National Land Transport Network, I believe the Palaszczuk Government should be welcoming the $390 million commitment already made by the Commonwealth and coming to the table prepared to match it.

"At the end of the day, we do not want this project left in some form of limbo around a formula that as far as I am aware, has not been applied to rail projects elsewhere in Queensland."　

Mayor Jamieson also called on the Federal Government to provide some clarity on the timing of its $390 million commitment, given only $200 million of that amount had been included in the Federal Budget's forward estimates for the next four years.　

"On behalf of the 303,000 residents of the Sunshine Coast, I am calling on the State and Federal governments to get around the table as a matter of priority and get this sorted out once and for all, so that our region can have certainty that this project can proceed in full and with certainty."

Major Jamieson also criticised what appeared to be a willingness to treat the Sunshine Coast differently to locations elsewhere.

"The reality is that if this was anywhere else in Queensland, it wouldn't be an issue," Mayor Jamieson said.

"The State Government has fallen over itself to invest heavily in infrastructure in other locations like Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Townsville and Cairns - but consistently baulks at doing so on the Sunshine Coast - and we have nearly double the population of either Townsville or Cairns.

"Our university hospital even had to be a public private partnership - unlike the Gold Coast University Hospital which was fully funded by the government.

"Given the strong performance of the Sunshine Coast economy in recent years and the level of investment and development that is occurring, the Queensland Government will be accruing a massive windfall in stamp duty and land tax derived from the work of council and its partners to strengthen the region's economy and the investment by the private sector in the delivery of new residential and commercial property.　

"As a result, the Sunshine Coast is effectively contributing to support the delivery of State infrastructure elsewhere.　

"It is only fair that some of that windfall that the Queensland Government is accruing from the Sunshine Coast is invested back in the region's infrastructure needs."　

Mayor Jamieson also highlighted that providing certainty to the North Coast Rail Line upgrade should be a precursor to a longer term commitment to an effective public transport solution on the Sunshine Coast.　

"While the North Coast Rail Line upgrade and the potential for a Fast Rail solution are important in connecting the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane, we need to see investment in an effective suburban public transport network on the Sunshine Coast, given 90% of all vehicle movements are within the region," Mayor Jamieson said.　

"We have worked hard to create a region that has a high level of employment self-containment and this will only increase in the years ahead as projects like the Maroochydore city centre and the Sunshine Coast Airport expansion come out of the ground.　

"For our region to function effectively and not fall victim to unsustainable traffic congestion and gridlock, we will need to see commitments to a public transport solution that will connect residents to where they live, work and access services here on the Sunshine Coast."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1005247557709303814

[verbatim9]

Great news! Now trip durations from the coast with the train will become competitive with the car inticing people to catch the train

What are the estimate time savings from Landsborough when duplicated 15-20mins?

^^Oops that was my assumption of time saving based on 130kph. But The Transport Minister stated a 3 min time saving, thought it would be more?

They also mention more services! So will Landsborough be the terminator turnaround point for services instead of Caboolture?

More trains, more drivers will be needed?

Driver only Operation for Sunshine Coast, Airport and Gold Coast lines?

[Arnz]

So with $560 million all up ($220 mill still short), this would probably at least bring duplication & re-alignment to Beerwah or Landsborough.  This may still put any "crossing loop & station improvements between Landsborough North and Nambour" on ice due to the financial shortfalls, but it is at least a welcome start. 

I'd say pop out the champagne once everything is signed, construction workers are back on site and the first shovel is in the background.

The current funding arrangement as it stands (duplication & realignment to Landsborough only) would at least allow extended 30 min daytime services to Landsborough (mainly most daytime services extended from Caboolture) and at least allows 12 min headways to Landsborough in peak (again, mostly extra services extended from Caboolture).

Beyond Landsborough during the off-peak is likely to remain 90 mins (unfortunately), or if driver/rollingstock resources permit, at least increase to hourly.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1005310941020315648

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1005340107459588096

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Sunshine Coast rail line to be duplicated from Beerburrum to Nambour in $160m Budget promise

THE Palaszczuk Government will start the Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade immediately following its commitment of $160.8 million to the project in the upcoming Budget.

Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad said the commitment was part of the government's track record of investing in public transport needed to support Queensland's growing population, The Sunshine Coast Daily reports.

The commitment followed the federal, Turnbull Government budget allocation of $390 million and comes as the two governments wrangle over whether the $700 million plus cost of the project should be split 50-50 or 80-20 in line with national road funding applied to the Bruce Highway.

Ms Trad said the Palaszczuk Government was putting money on the table to get the project started immediately to meet the demands of the Sunshine Coast's rapidly-expanding population.

"The Beerburrum to Nambour Rail duplication will deliver increased capacity, travel time savings for passenger and freight services, and increased reliability on the North Coast line," Ms Trad said.

"It will reduce competition between passenger and freight services, and enable vital public transport links to the rapidly growing Sunshine Coast area.

"This project wouldn't be able to happen if the Palaszczuk Government hadn't kick-started it by doing the business case and submitting it to Infrastructure Australia last year after three years of inaction by the former LNP Government."

The project would involve duplication of about 20kms of the line between Beerburrum and Landsborough.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said Infrastructure Australia had given a favourable assessment of the business case for the upgrade recognising it as a priority project.

"While we welcome the Turnbull Government's recent funding announcement for this project, it's important to note they have not contributed their fair share under the national land transport network agreement," Mr Bailey said.

"Despite the fact that the federal LNP Government amended the national land transport network to include the Beerburrum to Nambour rail line so far they have only offered funding on a 50:50 basis."

Mr Bailey said ironically, the rail line runs adjacent to the Bruce Highway, which receives 80:20 funding.

He said he had recently approved the gazettal of land requirements, further signalled the state's commitment to progressing the project.

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1005312318668849152

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/RACQOfficial/status/1005313988731723777

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> 'It's about time': All aboard for $160 million Sunshine Coast rail upgrade


The single track rail line which has serviced the Sunshine Coast.
Photo: Tony Moore - Fairfax Media

A start date for construction of an upgrade to the Sunshine Coast rail line has been announced after the state government committed $160 million in funding as part of the Queensland budget, due to be delivered in full on Tuesday.

The advocacy group which has campaigned for this work for nine years, since Labor first announced the planned upgrade in 2009, said "it's about time" and believe the upgrade will benefit the Sunshine Coast in ways never seen before.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey announced funding for the Beerburrum to Nambour Upgrade on Saturday, which means more than $550 million in funding has been promised for the project, when factoring in the federal government contribution.

The project will see the duplication of about 20 kilometres of North Coast Line between Beerburrum and Landsborough, as well as the construction of more 'park and rides' and extra passing points.

The state government will cover 20 per cent of the cost, the federal government has promised to pay for 50 per cent, but both sides are still arguing over who should pay the other 30 per cent.

Ms Trad said the Coalition should pay because the track runs next to the Bruce Highway, which has always been subject to an 80:20 split where Queensland pays the smaller amount.

However, Rail Back On Track Sunshine Coast spokesman Jeff Addison said he could not understand why the state government would reject the 50-50 split offer from Canberra.

Mr Addison said the land and infrastructure was owned by the state, there had never been an 80-20 split over a state rail line before and the Sunshine Coast line had never received any federal funding.

He vowed to hold the state government to their word and said his reaction to the funding announcement was simply "Hallelujah".

"It's about time the Sunshine Coast got a transport system appropriate for our size," he said.

"This will open a whole host of benefits and travel to the coast that we've never had before.

"The Sunshine Coast will get an extra 18 services per day, these are the services we need."

Ms Trad announced on Saturday that planning would continue during the 2018-19 financial year before the five-year construction period was set to begin in 2019-20.

"We need to respond to the need of a rapidly growing population ... this will be the duplication of the last single-track section on the south-east Queensland rail network," she said.

"The Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Duplication will deliver increased capacity, travel time savings for passenger and freight services, and increased reliability on the North Coast Line.

"It will reduce the competition between passenger and freight services, and enable vital public transport links to the rapidly growing Sunshine Coast area.

"This project wouldn't be able to happen if the Palaszczuk government hadn't kickstarted it by doing the business case and submitting to Infrastructure Australia last year after three years of inaction by the former LNP Government."

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Coalition had not contributed their fair share under the national land transport network agreement.

"There's no reason why work can't start on this now while we continue to negotiate with the Turnbull government to get Queensland's fair share," he said.

"We just need Malcolm Turnbull to get the funding flowing now.

"This is a huge project which we know will take years to complete, so let's get to work straight away and start to see this infrastructure delivered for the Sunshine Coast."

LNP leader Deb Frecklington said the Sunshine Coast was finally getting what it deserved.

"Sunshine coast residents deserve a better deal. They deserve to have this duplication built, they deserve to get home sooner and get to work quicker," she said.

"These people have been waiting since 2009 when Labor first promised this and here we are in 2018 and we've got a hollow promise, because we now hear the Labor premier decided to not stump up the full amount of cash for their share."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1005343848044740608

The ' Bottle Neck ' #2tracks campaign.
We have the T shirts .. lol thanks to @Jeffrey_Addison < tireless campaigner for #2tracks#qldpol pic.twitter.com/T1wfeiBwgQ

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) June 9, 2018

#2tracks campaigner @Jeffrey_Addison &#39; campaigning &#39; 👍#qldpol pic.twitter.com/Cj0u2hwIlC

— Robert Dow (@Robert_Dow) June 9, 2018

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1005360847135260672

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsBrisbane/status/1005360375905189888

[ozbob]

A few comments on our Facebook about using the existing rail corridor from Glass House Mountains <> Landsborough.

Response:

[ozbob]

[Fares_Fair]

Never before in history has our Sunshine Coast line received Federal funding, from either a #Labor or #Liberal Government, until now.

Never before in history has a Federal Government, be it Labor or Liberal, given an 80-20 funding split for a passenger or passenger and freight shared rail line.

My campaign began with a letter to the Hon Alex Somlyay in 2010, to put forward the case for Federal funding of our rail as it is a part of the National Land Transport Network.
I knew from the outset that a State Government could or would use this against us  - by playing political football with the dire #rail transport needs of the #SunshineCoast.
I hoped that common sense and desperate need would outweigh puerile politics.

I was wrong.


https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1005563244264620032

The Cover page of my PowerPoint Presentation to the six state MP's and Hon Alex Somlyay MP, dated Tuesday 15 March, 2011.

The Cover Page
Queensland North Coast Line (NCL) Infrastructure to improve Freight and Passenger Services.

Aim:
To place the North Coast Line (NCL) duplication onto Infrastructure Australia's (IA) priority list,
in order to force the State and Federal Governments to act on the Beerburrum bottleneck and improve passenger and freight services to the Sunshine Coast and beyond.

The Conclusion page of my PowerPoint Presentation to the six state MP's and Hon Alex Somlyay MP, dated Tuesday 15 March, 2011.

My goal is to get the North Coast Line (NCL), in particular from the Beerburrum bottleneck through to Gympie North onto Infrastructure Australia's (IA) list of priorities.

In accordance with its charter, IA will provide advice to the Queensland State government that ensures the infrastructure bottleneck is addressed, and enable the provision of additional funding under the Build Australia Fund, with joint funding by the State, to enable works to proceed.

The improvement to services along this part of our national freight corridor will, as a consequence, also enable improvements to passenger services, which, according to all the evidence, is at maximum capacity.

This is exemplified by the fact that 52% of weekday rail services between Nambour and Caboolture are in fact, buses!
   
There is of course, no guarantee that improvements to passenger services will occur as a result of these actions. But at a minimum, the capability will be there.

The evidence for the need of the NCL duplication works, appears to be overwhelming.