The Sunshine Coast Case : Rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour

[achiruel]

I agree about Cleveland, Doomben and Shorncliffe, but the Airport line isn't State Government responsibility (yet!).

[Cazza]

I agree about Cleveland, Doomben and Shorncliffe, but the Airport line isn't State Government responsibility (yet!).

I know it's privatised but she said "the SEQ network", public or not.

[tazzer9]

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.

I wouldn't say duplication is necessary but nambour-yandina and cooran - woondum are in serious need of realignment and it would be far better if these sections were upgraded to dual track as well.   Any upgrade south of gympie should be built with 2 tracks. 

[Fares_Fair]

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.

All the reports that I have ever read on this single out rail duplication to Nambour.
I only mention Gympie North as it presently receives just 3 trains per day. I would expect it to get duplication as the network and our population expands. The corridor to Nambour is designed to accommodate 4 tracks. I have the plans that show them.
There's a reason for that.
Civilisation does expand, as do services.
Gympie deserves much better than it's got (sic).

[Cazza]

Do you think we will ever see trains run into Gympie proper (with a station near the current goods yard)?

[tazzer9]

Do you think we will ever see trains run into Gympie proper (with a station near the current goods yard)?

Unless they are wooden carriages hauled by a c17, then no.    Gympie north station is also a better to be upgraded to have a terminating bay platform. (pretty much so its identical to nambour.

[red dragin]

The Mary River and the impending highway bypass to the east will most likely see Gympie grow towards the station.

The current station is only a 5 minute drive from the town centre, nothing unusual about that.

Given the money sunk into the Rattler, the locals would want to see a return on that investment. Having the Rattler in the middle of town will help all that surround it as well.

[HappyTrainGuy]

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).

Depends on where you look and what government. Original plans have CAMCOS going to the airport. Other mentions a busway. And others mention both and or upgrade plans to Nambour with future provision for CAMCOS.

[kram0]

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

The airport line simply doesn't need duplication as it has capacity for 4 trains per hour which is sufficient. Plus this is a privately owned line. The Cleveland and Shorncliffe line however certainly do need to be completed and sooner rather than later. 

[Stillwater]

The Sunshine Coast Council has released a draft integrated transport strategy:

This extract is interesting:

"Public transport Sunshine Coast public transport trips have been in decline since 2010. This decline can be attributed to a combination of factors including improved data collection and more accurate patronage records (through the implementation of the go card) as well as fare increases. There has also been limited service expansion and investment in public transport to match the urban and population growth.

"It is very difficult to encourage people to elect to travel  by public transport if it is not a viable alternative.

"The existing public transport network predominantly services a captive market including people without a car or driver's licence or those with a limited social support network. Comparative trips to work are generally two to four times longer than car travel.10,11 It remains a basic network with the only route 600 between Caloundra and Maroochydoore the only high-frequency 'turn up and go' service (under 15 minute frequency), several services with frequencies exceeding one hour and some not operating on weekends.

"It continues to be challenge to provide timely public transport infrastructure and services to efficiently service emerging communities in greenfield development areas."

The report here:
https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Council/News-Centre/Draft-integrated-transport-strategy-available-for-feedback-250618

[ozbob]

The Sunshine Coast Daily --> LNP attacks 'paltry' spend on Coast rail upgrade

STATE opposition leader Deb Frecklington has criticised the government for a "paltry" spend on Coast rail duplication in coming years.

Labor last month pledged to commit $160.8 million to the Beerburrum to Nambour upgrade but the LNP says only a fraction of that will be spent before the next election in 2020.

A response from Transport Minister Mark Bailey to an LNP Question on Notice showed the government planned to spend $4.4 million on the project in the current financial year and $19.47 million in the 2019-20 financial year.

It plans to then spend $68.96 million in 2020-21 and $67.96 million in 2021-22.

"I've promised to deliver the Sunshine Coast Rail Line duplication as a priority, but Labor is slamming the brakes on this vital project," Ms Frecklington said.

"Their commitment was already too little and now it's clear it will also be too late."

The Federal Government committed $390 million to the line's duplication earlier this year.

When added to Labor's commitment, the funds accounted for 70 per cent of the $780 million price tag.

The State and Federal Governments have since been negotiating who will pay for the final 30%.

Mr Bailey said the bulk of Labor's commitment would not be spent until heavy construction work had begun.

"This project went nowhere under the LNP government," Mr Bailey said.

He said the Labor government had completed the project's business case and recently approved gazettal of land requirements.

"Soon we will start talking with the communities in Beerburrum and Nambour about potential property acquisitions and what's involved.

"We're committed to spending the bulk of that $160.8 million in the next four years while the Turnbull Government's own estimates show it plans to spend just over half of its $390 million commitment over the same period."

He said the federal money was welcome but said the state would continue to push for an 80:20 funding split.　

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1021069207662833664

[Stillwater]

The 80:20 funding split is the focus, not actually doing something on the ground.  What happened to the Trad promise that this project was 'shovel ready'.  The business case was NOT ready, as Labor insisted and we appear to be still at the land purchase and detailed design phase.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1027123909378752512

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsSC/status/1027465346045767680

Mr Wallace makes a good point. The State is struggling to do a relatively simple track amplification ... 

[Fares_Fair]

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1027493588429500416?

[Stillwater]

It would be good to get an update on where things are at with the preparation of the business case for the North Coast Connect project.  It is beginning to look like being a bit of electioneering timed to be released in time for the next federal election and designed to boost LNP prospects on the Sunshine Coast.

[Fares_Fair]

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1030977363977224192?

Elm Street, Cooroy.
Extraordinary event.
150m of dewirement.

[ozbob]

Every time I venture out on the Sunny Coast line, it seems to be a bigger basket case than the previous time.  Freighters jammed in everywhere.  It must be a difficult task for control to plot the movements of trains so that some sort of passenger service can be maintained.  With the infrastructure constraints it is not surprising that there are constant alterations to services. It must be very inefficient for the freighters too, run a while, stop, start moving again, stop and so forth.   Stations with temporary platforms ( 9 years old  now originally with an expected life of ~ 18 months ) rotting.  TMR seems to be unable to manage rail effectively.  It really needs to removed into a proper authority.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1030712071346765824

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1031065538926133248

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

20th August 2018

#2tracks now!

Good Morning,

It was an interesting day at Landsborough on Saturday.  Thanks for the support from the local media, we are hopeful that we have again raised why this project needs to commence immediately.

Every time I venture out on the Sunny Coast line, it seems to be a bigger basket case than the previous time.  Freighters jammed in everywhere.  It must be a difficult task for control to plot the movements of trains so that some sort of passenger service can be maintained.  With the infrastructure constraints it is not surprising that there are constant alterations to services. It must be very inefficient for the freighters too, run a while, stop, start moving again, stop and so forth.   Stations with temporary platforms ( 9 years old  now originally with an expected life of ~ 18 months ) rotting.  TMR seems to be unable to manage rail effectively.  It really needs to removed into a proper authority.

All are tired of vague plans with ever moving timelines.  Plans must be translated into action now.

Best wishes,
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

15th August 2018

Sunshine Coast Rail Duplication: Beerburrum to Landsborough aka #2tracks

This Saturday, the 18th August 2018, RAIL Back On Track members will meet at Landsborough for lunch.  The occasion is to acknowledge the slow progress with the upgrade and track amplification of the Sunshine Coast Railway north of Beerburrum.

It was first promised in August 2005 in a statement by then Transport Minister, Mr Paul Lucas.
Construction was to be carried out by the TrackStar Alliance, a consortium comprising Thiess, United Group Infrastructure, Aurecon and AECOM.

The contract price for the Beerburrum to Landsborough duplication was $300 million in 2008. Move forward 10 years later and those costs have doubled.

These were ambitious times filled with ambitious lines in the years 2005 and 2006.

In 2005, in a media announcement, Mr Lucas promised rail lines would be in Caloundra by 2015 at a cost of $480 million to do work on two (CAMCOS) sections.

One "We will establish the line from Beerwah to Caloundra by 2015 and (two) up the coast to Maroochydore by 2020, bringing rail to the Sunshine Coast," he said.

On 8 August 2006, Mr Lucas told Parliament "The second part of the corridor (Beerburrum to Landsborough) will start in early 2009 and be completed by mid-2012.".  Unfortunately the project was cancelled in 2009 following the State Election in that year.  RAIL Back On Track has been campaigning ever since.

Today, more than 13 years on from those grand empty announcements, the Sunshine Coast is still waiting. The beautiful Sunshine Coast is experiencing massive growth, putting pressure on both the Highway and the winding, freight shared, bus substituted, infrequently serviced, single track, rail line.

On 9 June 2018, 10 years after killing off the project, the State Government boldly announced a $161 million contribution towards the $780 million Sunshine Coast rail duplication. The Federal Government has made a committment of $390 million Commonwealth Govt, a 50% contribution to the project. The State Government happily announces that they will start the works knowing the kitty is 30% short of the dollars.

A great concern is that if Labor win power at the next federal election, where will that leave this critical rail project?
Federal Labor have made zero $ commitments to the Sunshine Coast line to date.

The Sunshine Coast arguably has the most under-privileged inadequate public transport rail service in the nation.

We will raise a glass on Saturday to #2tracks and progress, however slow.

Let's hope that the next time we have a luncheon in Landsborough actual construction is underway!

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

The 2tracks Campaign T shirt: NO MORE BOTTLENECK

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/Robert_Dow/status/1031219263976009728

[ozbob]

Letter to the Editor Queensland Times 21st August 2018 page 17

Sunshine Coast line a basket case

[Fares_Fair]

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1035778393206190080?

[not_available]

^^
So this is becoming not dissimilar to Zeno's paradox, the one where the athlete will never overtake the tortoise?

[Gazza]

I think the reasoning is that most patronage is from Landsborough and south, and it's only $500mil  to improve speed and frequency for them and remove freight conflicts.

Meanwhile, you have to spend quadruple that to fix up the rest due to the difficult terrain.


North of Landsborough, the benefit of the upgrade is overwhelmingly for freight, so really it's up against every other freight proposal in Aus.

It could well be that the passing loop extensions and additional ones are sufficient to deal with additional freight for the next 25 years, given the rest of the line is single track anyway.

[Fares_Fair]

Patronage figures (Entries and Exits)
Elimbah to Gympie North
% between 2012/13 to 2016/17

Increases = Green
Decreases = Pink

[Gazza]

I still also reckon that a fairly modest 2 station extension to Aura and Caloundra would be quite cheap per km take a lot of passengers from the existing stations, and the Caloundra station would immediately be in the top 20 stations in the network if it existed.

[Stillwater]

In the quaint language that TMR uses to disguise a lack of action on SCL/CAMCOS initiatives, the official Queensland Government website regarding CAMCOS rail says that TMR has 'defined the 2050 vision'.   https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/C/Caboolture-to-Maroochydore-Corridor-Study

Don't hold your breath waiting.

[Arnz]

^^

You'll likely see the Maglev Bus to Caboolture before any form of CAMCOS gets off the ground at this rate. 

A shame really, as a Caloundra only spur could've theoretically be built without CRR (through extending all existing Caboolture trains to Caloundra), but for optimal increases ETCS-2 would've been required to allow for Caboolture "peak short-runners" formed from the Elimbah yard. 

All Nambour and Gympie trains would've been terminated at Beerwah as frequent shuttles (including peak), with all existing Caboolture and Nambour slots taken up by the Sunshine Coast/Caloundra trains.  So minimal to no extra slots would've been required for the Caloundra spur.

It would be a lot more tricky without ETCS-2, although the existing off-peak Caboolture/Nambour express trains would've seen a bit of a increase with people from the Sunshine Coast being fed into Caloundra, filling up the the existing "off-peak" expresses, in addition to dropping off/picking up the Nambour/Gympie punters at Beerwah.

[Cazza]

https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-26.6885023,152.9599961,1381m/data=!3m1!1e3

On Google Maps, it just so happens to show the restrictions of single track sections and the inefficiency of passing loops. Due to the short length of these passing loops, freight trains can't be as long as they could be.

The trains in this photo are about 35-40 cars long (give or take). Now if we quickly jump over to America, they can be upwards of 100, most of which are double stack.



Sit here for a few minutes and you're bound to have one pass.

The point of this post was to reinforce how critical this upgrade is and will allow us to run both passenger and freight trains more often and more efficiently.

[achiruel]

https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-26.6885023,152.9599961,1381m/data=!3m1!1e3

On Google Maps, it just so happens to show the restrictions of single track sections and the inefficiency of passing loops. Due to the short length of these passing loops, freight trains can't be as long as they could be.

The trains in this photo are about 35-40 cars long (give or take). Now if we quickly jump over to America, they can be upwards of 100, most of which are double stack.



Sit here for a few minutes and you're bound to have one pass.

The point of this post was to reinforce how critical this upgrade is and will allow us to run both passenger and freight trains more often and more efficiently.

Longer trains could definitely be done. Double stacked is considerably more difficult, as I don't believe they'll fit under the wires in Qld.
Edit: I also believe they're outside the loading guage for non-electrified sections of Qld as well.

[Cazza]

Sorry, what I said was slightly vague. I was more drawing to the point of longer trains rather than double stack and how passing loops are limiting so much potential.

Tom Ballard highlights the incompetence of Governments (based on climate change but the same principals obviously apply for most other sectors such as transport).

https://iview.abc.net.au/show/tonightly-with-tom-ballard
Wednesday, 5/9/18 episode. Rant starts at around 19 mins. Language warning too.

[aldonius]

You can't double stack on Queensland's narrow gauge under wires anyway. (With any luck the Inland Rail loading gauge will permit it.)

[HappyTrainGuy]

Also in America freight trains take priority as most infrastructure is actually privately owned by the railway freight companies. Amtrack and alike pay to use their lines in which they are frequently delayed due to their priority.

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Project could derail if leadership changes

A BY-ELECTION in Malcolm Turnbull's old seat of Wentworth holds huge ramifications for the Morrison Government, as well as Sunshine Coast commuters.

After nearly a decade of lobbying, the region has secured its most significant rail duplication investment commitments to-date.

A $390 million pledge from Deputy PM Michael McCormack in May was followed by a $160 million commitment from the State Government in June, to upgrade the North Coast Rail Line between Beerburrum and Nambour.

Despite argy-bargy continuing over the remaining $230 million shortfall, the State Government has confirmed preliminary works, including designs and land resumptions, can begin.

At long last Coast commuters face the prospect of a working rail line, delivering a viable alternative to the Bruce Highway, albeit not quite the completely duplicated line through to Nambour desired.

But the uncertainty of yet another leadership spill in Canberra has left some questions about the future of the project.

The Coast remains firm, LNP heartland, but many pundits are tipping the Coalition to lose its grip on Canberra come the next Federal Election.

A spokesman for Deputy PM and Infrastructure Minister Michael McCormack said the Federal Government "remains committed to the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade Project".

He said detailed design would begin late this year, and that process would lock in timing for delivery and staging of the construction works.

State Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said despite the dysfunction in Canberra, he had raised the project with Mr McCormack "on multiple occasions now".

Mr McCormack's spokesman said the Federal Government would continue discussions with the State Government regarding funding for the project and he didn't expect those discussions to delay the planning and detailed design process.

Mr Bailey said the property acquisition process could now progress with the funding already committed and consultation had started with affected property owners.

He said his department was committed to spending "most of our $160.8 million contribution to the Beerburrum to Nambour project in the next four years".

Shadow Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Labor would honour "infrastructure funding that is already in the Budget".

He said the Federal Opposition had already announced it would partner with the Palaszczuk Government to deliver Cross River Rail in Brisbane, which he said would "significantly boost the capacity of the rail network right across southeast Queensland, including the Sunshine Coast".

He said more infrastructure commitments would be announced closer to the election.

The LNP's State Shadow Infrastructure Minister Andrew Powell confirmed the LNP's commitment to match the Federal Government's $390 million, 50/50 commitment would be available to deliver the upgrade in the first term of a Frecklington Government.

The funding would be available in the first term and remain a commitment, unless a Shorten Government reneged on the 50/50 arrangement.

"It is a vital project that will boost public transport and get cars off the Bruce Highway," Mr Powell said.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson previously questioned aspects of the State Government's $160 million commitment.

In June he questioned why the state had been unable to match the federal commitment of $390 million, and the timing of the project roll-out.

Cr Jamieson said Coast residents expected the job to be completed in full.

He also pointed out that only $200 million of the Federal Government's $390 million had been included in the Federal Budget's forward estimates over the next four years.

Another change of leadership, or government, could send shock waves through the nation's economy, and the Coast's rail future, while the project remains partially funded.

[#Metro]

At this point I think that States should raise income tax. It used to be that way before 1942. Federal Government needs to go for four-year terms (as a minimum - 5 years is common overseas).

Projects routinely get held up for 10+ years, when they could be brought forward much sooner. Making States tax and pay will also provide some discouragement to engage in low BCR / politically sexy projects, as they can be voted out much more easily.

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Bailey hits back over rail funding

THE Federal Government's commitment to the North Coast Rail duplication was only $195 million over the next four years, well short of the 80:20 split detailed in the National Land Transport Network Agreement, Queensland's Transport and Main Roads Minister has claimed.

Responding to criticism from Deputy LNP Opposition leader Tim Mander, Mr Bailey said during the same time the Palaszczuk Government had committed $160 million.

He said the Beerburrum to Nambour duplication went nowhere under the LNP government.

It was a bit rich, Mr Bailey said, for Mr Mander to claim the State Government was holding the job up.

"This project wouldn't be under way without the Palaszczuk Government completing the business case after years of LNP inaction," he said.

"The Palaszczuk Government completed the business case and I recently approved the gazettal of land requirements."

Mr Bailey said funding on the table totalled more than $550 million allowing detailed design work to begin, to be followed by the start of construction.

"We're committed to spending most of our $160.8 million contribution to the Beerburrum to Nambour project in the next four years," he said.

"The Turnbull Government plans to spend just over half of its $390 million commitment over the same period.

"We're still waiting for the Turnbull Government to front up with their fair share for this project under the 80:20 funding split outlined in the National Land Transport Network Agreement."

He said to date the Federal Government had only offered 50:50 funding.

Mr Bailey dismissed as laughable the suggestion that the Palaszczuk Government was failing to create jobs on the Sunshine Coast, describing it as just as off-track as Mr Mander's comments on the rail duplication.

"No doubt he passed the Bruce Highway upgrade from Caloundra Rd to the Sunshine Motorway on his way to the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce meeting this week," he said.　

"The Palaszczuk Government has committed $162 million to that project alongside the Federal Government's contribution.　

"It is a once in a generation upgrade generating hundreds of jobs for the Sunshine Coast."

[Fares_Fair]

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1041670794495942658?

[Fares_Fair]

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1041673959425495040?