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The Sunshine Coast Case : Rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour

Started by Fares_Fair, August 31, 2011, 22:23:31 PM

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#Metro


Hi Fares_Fare,

Federal election coming up. I suspect that by creating a problem of short change it pays the way for the Federal red team to use that as leverage for QLD. Not sure why they would focus on that area though as it is traditionally blue team voting.

QuoteExcept for another double dissolution, the next election must be held between 4 August 2018 and 18 May 2019 for half of the Senators (from the States) and on or before 2 November 2019 for the House of Representatives and the Senators from the territories. The earliest possible date for a simultaneous House/half-Senate election is 4 August 2018.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Next_Australian_federal_election
Negative people... have a problem for every solution. Posts are commentary and are not necessarily endorsed by RAIL Back on Track or its members.

Fares_Fair

Perhaps.
Maybe the plan is for Federal Labor to announce an 80-20 funding split for the Sunshine Coast line, before the next Federal election.
It would set an historic precedent.
Regards,
Fares_Fair


Arnz

Quote from: Mark BaileyIt's GO for Sunshine Coast rail commuters with Palaszczuk @QLDLabor Govt $160m in budget to upgrade Beerburrum to Nambour incl duplic track Bburrum-Landsbr, 4 station upgrades, 2000 extra car parks, dual platforms = 18 extra daily services, 3 mins quicker to Bris @AnnastaciaMP

This is just basically extending the existing daytime (and some early evening) current Caboolture terminating services to/from Landsborough.  However, every 90 mins from Landsborough to Nambour still remains with the constraints of the single track from Landsborough North onwards.   

It would also make a lot of sense to just merge the current separate Caboolture and Sunshine Coast timetables into the one Caboolture/Sunshine Coast timetable afterwards as the bulk of the daytime services terminate at Landsborough post-duplication.

Off-peak passengers in the Glasshouse-Beerwah-Landsborough area would benefit, however the SC region would also benefit greatly if TransLink division actually wake up and perhaps actually boosted the 605/615 to half-hourly in line with the upgrade.  Would also be easier for Moreton Bay students for more frequent services to USC (through the 615 bus) from Landsborough (in addition to their own Uni shuttle services from the shared USC/TAFE Caboolture Campus).
Rgds,
Arnz

Unless stated otherwise, Opinions stated in my posts are those of my own view only.

Stillwater

"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."

It would appear that 'immediately' refers to completion of the detailed planning and tenders etc.  Construction to start in 2019-20.  Technically, that means shovels in the ground as late as June 2020.  So, one more round of Budget argy bargy between state and feds before then.

:fp:

ozbob

Sunshine Coast Daily 11th June 2018 pages 1 & 3

Shortfall raises doubts



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ozbob

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ozbob

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Coast MP's let fly over rail funding shortfall

Quote
THE State Government is staring intently into a gift horse's mouth according to federal Coast MPs disappointed by a funding shortfall for a much-needed Coast rail project.

Member for Fairfax Ted O'Brien and Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace were frustrated by Deputy Premier Jackie Trad's confirmation on Saturday her government would be contributing 20 per cent of the rail duplication costs between Nambour and Beerburrum.

Mr O'Brien and Mr Wallace convinced their leaders to commit $390 million to the project in March, which represented 50% of the overall $780 million cost.

Ms Trad's $160 million announcement left them wondering from where the remaining $230 million would come.

"This ($390 million) is a gift of money to the State Government for an asset they own," Mr O'Brien said.

He said the resultant funding shortfall was "enormous".

"The good news is it's a start but the bad news is it's a false start."

He said there was no precedent requiring federal funding for the project and described Ms Trad's reasoning for an 80/20 split as baloney.

"It creates a shortfall and puts us into an unnecessary political spat.

"I look forward to seeing their design proposal if it is only going to be 70% of the job done."

Mr Wallace was "extremely disappointed" by the 20% commitment.

"It is like the child you give a present to and they turn around and say it is not good enough," Mr Wallace said.

He called on the State Government to up their funding commitment to $390 million before Tuesday's Budget.

"They are looking a gift horse in the mouth.

"At the end of the day we have got an incredible need to duplicate this railway line."

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1005846948404793345
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Stillwater

An 'immediate start' means that construction won't finish until 2025 (a five-year construction phase, according to Ms Trad).  It would appear that the construction schedule is linked to the gradual drip of dollars, year on year.  There are likely to be cost increases in that time, forcing works to be curtailed or the quality of the build compromised to make the available budget go further.  That would be a mistake, because whatever is built is likely to be with us for 100 years.

Furthermore, SC federal MPs talk about North Coast Connect (fast rail) happening in roughly the same timeframe as Beerburrum-Landsborough North duplication. That project is unfunded beyond the Business Case investigation, but a fast construction timeline is envisaged.

How does this intermesh with the B-LNth project?

LNth to Nbr duplication and realignment is the most difficult stage, given the terrain and need for tunnels.  If the relatively easy B-LNth duplication will take six years, according to Ms Trad, we can assume that it will be at least 2031 before duplication to Nambour occurs, based upon current parameters.

So where is the NCC interrupter effect going to sit vis SCL Upgrade?

#Metro

Stage set perfectly for Bill shorten to parachute in with the funding.
Negative people... have a problem for every solution. Posts are commentary and are not necessarily endorsed by RAIL Back on Track or its members.

Stillwater

Bill Shorten has promised $2.2 billion to CRR which, as we know, is fully-funded by the State Government.  He and Jacki Trad are peddling a line that the $2.2b displaces state money that then can be applied to the SCL.  It's voodoo economics.

#Metro

Politicians have competing priorities. Their first priority is to get re-elected. Nothing happens without that. This is why an otherwise straightforward project will be compromised. The project will have benefits each year, and every year of unnecessary delay is a lost benefit.

This situation also incentives sabotage and passive aggressive manoeuvres as an objective here is to wreak havoc on your adversaries plans. Why make it easy for blue team to deliver? There are no political points to be scored there.

Likewise, expect major stalling on the Brisbane Metro. State Government will make acquiring those two pieces of land a torture process IMHO.
Negative people... have a problem for every solution. Posts are commentary and are not necessarily endorsed by RAIL Back on Track or its members.

ozbob

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Fares_Fair

Talking #2tracks good news and funding furphies on #SunshineCoast #rail this afternoon at 4:45pm on 612 am radio @abcbrisbane with truth-getter @SteveAustinABC.

Stay tuned, the facts are out there.
Regards,
Fares_Fair


verbatim9

Quote from: Fares_Fair on June 11, 2018, 15:16:14 PM
Talking #2tracks good news and funding furphies on #SunshineCoast #rail this afternoon at 4:45pm on 612 am radio @abcbrisbane with truth-getter @SteveAustinABC.

Stay tuned, the facts are out there.

Fares_Fair

Quote from: Fares_Fair on June 11, 2018, 15:16:14 PM
Talking #2tracks good news and funding furphies on #SunshineCoast #rail this afternoon at 4:45pm on 612 am radio @abcbrisbane with truth-getter @SteveAustinABC.

Stay tuned, the facts are out there.

Update: Now just after 5:00pm.. much to say.
Regards,
Fares_Fair


Stillwater


ozbob

 :-c   :cc: cup of tea for me, have to pick up the missus from the station ..
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ozbob

Interview with RBoT Sunshine Coast Rep Jeff Addison and Steve Austin  ABC Radio Brisbane Drive 11th June 2018.

Topic: Sunshine Coast Line and funding issues

Here > https://backontrack.org/docs/abcbris/abcbrisbane_11jun18.mp3 13.8MB

:-t

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ozbob

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Stillwater

The worrying factor is that the State Government proposes no duplication beyond Landsborough.  As JA indicated, we will be lucky to get duplication to Landsborough and possibly only to Beerwah.  That suggests that the next investment, in the State Government's mind, is CAMCOS and not the duplication to Nambour.  Do others have thoughts on this?

Will Trad and Co. play silly buggers with the Feds if they are given another gift horse -- North Coast Connect?

Arnz

Quote from: Stillwater on June 11, 2018, 18:53:18 PM
The worrying factor is that the State Government proposes no duplication beyond Landsborough.  As JA indicated, we will be lucky to get duplication to Landsborough and possibly only to Beerwah.  That suggests that the next investment, in the State Government's mind, is CAMCOS and not the duplication to Nambour.  Do others have thoughts on this?

Will Trad and Co. play silly buggers with the Feds if they are given another gift horse -- North Coast Connect?

CAMCOS in State Government documents mentions only  as far to Caloundra only. 

This co-incidentally complements SCRC's ongoing Light Rail proposal between Caloundra and Maroochydore largely following much of the Route 600 bus alignment (with other options including diverting into SCUH).  Probably would be a better alternative as the Light Rail proposal serves much of the coastal population whereas CAMCOS beyond Caloundra is still a bit further from the populated strip (with only SCUH/Birtinya and Mountain Creek Education Precinct the only traffic generators apart from Maroochydore).
Rgds,
Arnz

Unless stated otherwise, Opinions stated in my posts are those of my own view only.

Fares_Fair

Quote from: ozbob on June 11, 2018, 17:43:08 PM
Interview with RBoT Sunshine Coast Rep Jeff Addison and Steve Austin  ABC Radio Brisbane Drive 11th June 2018.

Topic: Sunshine Coast Line and funding issues

Here > https://backontrack.org/docs/abcbris/abcbrisbane_11jun18.mp3 13.8MB

:-t

Thank you to 'Drive' Producer Ms Isobel Roe and Presenter Mr Steve Austin, from 612am ABC radio Brisbane for the privilege of talking about the facts of #2tracks planning, funding and history. 👍
Sincerely appreciated.
Regards,
Fares_Fair


ozbob

Sunshine Coast Daily --> The forgotten LNP rail funding promise

QuoteTHE Coalition has been caught short by an infrastructure promise it made in 2014 that covered 80 per cent of the cost of North Coast Rail duplication.

The promise included non-urban national road and rail networks and was at odds with claims by two Sunshine Coast federal Coalition members that the Palaszczuk Government's $160.8 million budget rail pledge was $230m short.

The Coalition Government in 2014 committed to a return to an 80:20 funding split with the states for non-urban national road and rail networks.

And it also released amendments in its National Land Transport Network Determination in that year under section five of National Land Transport Act to include the North Coast Line to Cairns.

The Palaszczuk Government has come under fire from state and federal LNP politicians and Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson for failing to match a $390 million Turnbull Government commitment towards duplication of the North Coast Line from Beerburrum to Nambour.

Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and Transport Minister Mark Bailey were in Nambour Saturday to announce a $160.8 million budget allocation to the long-awaited project.

Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien and his Coalition colleague Andrew Wallace (Fisher) responded saying the money was $230m short and wondered where it would come from.

"This ($390m) is a gift of money to the State Government for an asset they own," Mr O'Brien said adding no precedent existed requiring federal funding for the project, describing Ms Trad's 80:20 split demand as 'baloney'.

Mr Wallace described the commitment as poor, likening it to giving a child a present only for it to say it was not good enough.

However in a joint press release issued on December 11, 2014, former Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Australia, Jamie Briggs, and then Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss pledged to re-introduce what they described as "the traditional 80:20 funding split for new road and rail projects on the national network outside of metropolitan areas".

The release added that under Labor the networks would have been abandoned.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Palaszczuk Government was simply playing by the rules introduced by the federal Liberal National Government in 2014 when it it established the funding split.

"They even amended the National Land Transport Network to include the North Coast Line," Mr Bailey said.

"80:20 funding on rail is unprecedented in Queensland simply because this is the first time since 2014 that there has been an investment by the Feds into a new project on the National Land Transport Network. It's a shame that after four years, it's undercooked.

"The Turnbull Government even announced $5 billion for a rail link to Melbourne airport without a business case.

"And yet toothless Ted makes excuses for not being able to deliver $230 million for this vital project where the Palaszczuk Government started and completed a strong business case.

"Importantly, our contribution of $160.8 million in this year's budget will allow work to commence on this vital upgrade.

"We are committed to delivering the full scope of the project and to working with the Federal Government into the future for the benefit of South East Queensland commuters."

Mr O'Brien thanked the Daily for its continued support in pushing for this vital piece of infrastructure and for bringing the 2014 media release to his attention. 

"This 2014 statement from Mr Truss is news to me but I am determined to get to the bottom of it," he said.

"I immediately sent it to the Federal Minister for Infrastructure asking for clarification about the current partnership arrangement and where the Beerburrum to Nambour rail project fits within that.

"There have been several Federal Ministers for Infrastructure since Mr Truss and so let's find out what's eventuated since this 2014 announcement. 

"Nonetheless, we've never seen a Federal Government put a cent towards this stretch before and now we have $390 million on the table.

"The Commonwealth is not asking for an equity stake, it's free money for the State Government for an asset they own. My advice is take it, match it and get the job done. 

"My priority remains the Sunshine Coast first and foremost, and this rail upgrade must be done to fix the issue of freight and as a pre-requisite to fast rail.

"Carving out $390 million wasn't easy and I'm not letting go until we get this deal over the line and I'm going to keep fighting for it." 
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achiruel

Yep...the NCL upgrade should've been 80/20 split all along. I still reckon Qld should go ahead with 50/50 though, simply because it is so important to the State to get it done. And it couldn't harm their re-election chances either tbh.

Stillwater

The 50/50 rail infrastructure funding split stands, despite what Warren Truss said. The crucial words in his media statement are "on the national network outside metropolitan areas".
For rail, that means half-half funding on the network where Citytrains operate (and only on that part of the network designated as National land Transport Network).  That's to Nambour.  50/50 to Nambour, 80/20 beyond that (and for track only). This is same for roads that the feds fund - 50/50 in urban/metropolitan areas, 80/20 beyond that on the National Land Transport Network. Feds treat Brisbane-Gold Coast (M1) as a continuous urban area (hence 50/50 funding), but it is 80/20 on stretches of the Pacific Highway south of Tweed Heads because that part of the Pacific operates as an inter-regional freight route, as opposed to a commuter route (Brisbane-Gold Coast).  State Labor playing dumb on the distinction, which is clear.  Or maybe they are naturally ignorant.

Given the wording in the Budget the funding bunfight continues:

"$160.8 million over four years towards the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail duplication project to address the infrastructure and capacity constraints on this section of the North Coast Line. Detailed design will commence in 2018-19, with construction to be delivered in stages based on further negotiations with the Australian Government."  State still wants to push the point, obviously.

Wonder what this means:

"$21.9 million to upgrade the capacity of the North Coast Rail Line to increase productivity and efficiency of freight transport."

#Metro

Just hand over income tax to State Governments, avoid this bun fight altogether.
Negative people... have a problem for every solution. Posts are commentary and are not necessarily endorsed by RAIL Back on Track or its members.

verbatim9

Quote from: #Metro on June 12, 2018, 15:41:16 PM
Just hand over income tax to State Governments, avoid this bun fight altogether.
No way! I would prefer fhe Public Transport, Liquor and Retail portfolios centralised and handed to the Federal Government to deliver.

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk


Fares_Fair

Quote from: Stillwater on June 12, 2018, 15:26:40 PM
The 50/50 rail infrastructure funding split stands, despite what Warren Truss said. The crucial words in his media statement are "on the national network outside metropolitan areas".
For rail, that means half-half funding on the network where Citytrains operate (and only on that part of the network designated as National land Transport Network).  That's to Nambour.  50/50 to Nambour, 80/20 beyond that (and for track only). This is same for roads that the feds fund - 50/50 in urban/metropolitan areas, 80/20 beyond that on the National Land Transport Network. Feds treat Brisbane-Gold Coast (M1) as a continuous urban area (hence 50/50 funding), but it is 80/20 on stretches of the Pacific Highway south of Tweed Heads because that part of the Pacific operates as an inter-regional freight route, as opposed to a commuter route (Brisbane-Gold Coast).  State Labor playing dumb on the distinction, which is clear.  Or maybe they are naturally ignorant.

Given the wording in the Budget the funding bunfight continues:

"$160.8 million over four years towards the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail duplication project to address the infrastructure and capacity constraints on this section of the North Coast Line. Detailed design will commence in 2018-19, with construction to be delivered in stages based on further negotiations with the Australian Government."  State still wants to push the point, obviously.

Wonder what this means:

"$21.9 million to upgrade the capacity of the North Coast Rail Line to increase productivity and efficiency of freight transport."

I'd say the $21.9m is for timber rail bridges up north. They announced maintenance and repair work for 18 of them up near Townsville, from memory.

Also some #2tracks sad news, there is only $14.4m for the rail duplication in the 2018/19 financial year.
Regards,
Fares_Fair


Stillwater

^^ The construction timetable is linked to the dribble of money over the years.  In the end, it means the cost of the project will rise or (probably) the dollars will remain constant and the scope of works will have to be scaled back to fit a fixed budget.

ozbob

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Fares_Fair

Regards,
Fares_Fair


ozbob

9th June 2018

Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad and Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey MP - Labor for Miller making a significant pre budget announcement regarding the Beerburrum to Nambour rail line upgrade.


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Fares_Fair

Regards,
Fares_Fair


Fares_Fair

Regards,
Fares_Fair


James

On the contrary Jeff, I think this is Jackie Trad getting caught up in her own spin again. There's still the single track between Manly and Cleveland to duplicate, which hasn't had so much as a peep dedicated to it.

I'm not sure how much of a need there would be to duplicate to Gympie North though? The train frequency between Nambour and Gympie is much lower than the present frequency of trains south of Nambour.
Is it really that hard to run frequent, reliable public transport?

ozbob

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Cazza

Hey Ms Trad, what about the Airport Line? Does that not exist now? Or the Doomben Line?

Gazman

Quote from: Cazza on June 19, 2018, 16:10:33 PM
Hey Ms Trad, what about the Airport Line? Does that not exist now? Or the Doomben Line?
... and Sandgate to Shorncliffe.

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