The Sunshine Coast Case : Rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour

[Fares_Fair]

 
TIME RIPE FOR RAIL
GRIDLOCK SOLUTION OVERDUE: ADVOCATE

Sunshine Coast Daily
SCOTT SAWYER scott.sawyer@scnews.com.au

SC RAIL Back on Track's Jeff Addison warns political leaders that now is the time to fast-track light and heavy rail on the Sunshine Coast.

ONE of the region's strongest advocates for heavy rail duplication is urging governments not to ignore the need for a light rail network in the near future.

SC Rail Back on Track spokesman Jeff Addison said an inter-coast network was critical to the region's future. Mr Addison campaigned for a decade to secure duplication of the North Coast Rail Line from Beerburrum to Nambour. To date that campaigning, along with tireless efforts of the Daily, has secured $550 million worth of funding from the State ($160 million) and Federal ($390 million) governments.

A $230 million funding shortfall remained and argybargy between the two tiers of government continues while preliminary works, including designs and land resumptions, could begin on the upgrades, which stop short of full duplication of the line. While the funding marked progress on a critical piece of transport infrastructure for the region's future in terms of easing pressure on the Bruce Highway, Mr Addison said the light rail spine connecting the Coast to heavy rail needed focus.

"I've always supported that," Mr Addison said.

He said a light rail network would be more feasible than trying to run heavy rail into the new Maroochydore CBD.

Mr Addison said a flexible bus network linking people to the light rail network was a vital piece of the transport puzzle, if the region was serious about taking cars off the road.

He pointed to the "booming" Gold Coast, which had embraced its light rail network.

"It really does need to be integrated," Mr Addison said.

Integration was one of the main weaknesses he'd identified in the region's current transport network. Sunshine Coast Council had a firm eye on the need for light rail.

As of June 30, more than $10 million had been collected through rates for the Transport Levy Transport Futures Fund.

A council spokesman said the first stages of planning for a potential light rail system linking Maroochydore to Caloundra and west to Beerwah had been undertaken. A total of $2 million was included in the 2018-19 budget to progress the business case for the light rail project.

As part of the business case,

a range of mass transit technology options, including the council's preferred light rail system, were set to be assessed against "proven cost informa tion and detailed operational performance criteria".

The spokesman added that responsibility for the public transport network and funding "better public transport solutions on the Sunshine Coast" rested primarily with the State Government.

Mr Addison said he was concerned about the heavy rail funding commitment from the State Government, but acknowledged they'd supported the project and hoped they could increase their contribution to deliver the project.

The timing was still an issue though, as he didn't expect to see shovels in the ground for another two years.

"It really does seem to be a go-slow," Mr Addison said.

"It's taken a long time to get rail duplication funding."

The council spokesman said they were undertaking planning work for the preferred public transport solution in coordination with "more general transport planning work currently being undertaken by the Department of Transport and Main Roads".

The proposed light rail alignment would service Caloundra South and follow the Nicklin Way north before shifting left to service the $1.8 billion Sunshine Coast University Hospital. The route would follow Kawana Way, through the new future town centre, before returning to the Nicklin Way and going through Warana, Minyama and into Mooloolaba. The light rail would then go along Alexandra Parade and Aerodrome Road, into the heart of the new Maroochydore CBD.

Road-level light rail had been estimated to cost about $90 million a kilometre, and the long-term vision included extensions of the light rail network to the University of the Sunshine Coast and the Sunshine Coast Airport.

The Council of Mayors (South East Queensland) sought Federal Government support for the light rail business case in its 2018-19 Federal Budget submissions. It said at more than 300,000 people, the Sunshine Coast "does not have a sustainable and effective public transport system to service the coastal strip".

Sunshine Coast Council's 2017 investment prospectus showed Stage 1 of the light rail project would be delivered by 2025. Mr Addison said private sector investment could be welcomed to help deliver the project, which may enable the State and Federal governments to focus on the heavy rail duplication.

[#Metro]

Hi Fares_Fare,

Perth academic Peter Newman recently explored bus-trams as an alternative to classic LRT. Has anyone looked at that as an option for the SC? The lower infrastructure costs and demands would mean a more extensive network sooner.

[Fares_Fair]

Hi Metro,
The business case is examining all aspects.

Kind regards.

[Fares_Fair]

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1047844759568494592?

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1047845436852072448?

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1047845692381659136?

[Fares_Fair]

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1052356935725404160?

[Fares_Fair]

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1057872194192068608?

[Stillwater]

A reminder to the Queensland Government:

"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.  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.

"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."

-   Brisbane Times 9 June 2018

Will it be a happy new year for residents of the Sunshine Coast, with a start scheduled on the SCL duplication works?

[verbatim9]

A reminder to the Queensland Government:

"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.  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.

"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."

-Brisbane Times 9 June 2018

Will it be a happy new year for residents of the Sunshine Coast, with a start scheduled on the SCL duplication works?

[verbatim9]

I was up in Caloundra today. Can't wait until the line is duplicated and a spur is built to Caloundra. At the moment it's like a 2 hour journey from Roma Street to Caloundra. Hopefully the duplication and realignment will reduce travel times. The return trip was longer 2.5 hours as there was no train on the return leg just a bus at 1743 from Landsborough. Had to wait for 25 mins for the bus too. At the moment the trip is not for the faint hearted. Hopefully  the duplication of the line will change that.

[Stillwater]

You have got to be wary of the polliespeak.

"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."

Note that Ms Trad said construction was 'set to begin in 2019-20' not that it would.  We have been here before (10 years ago now!).

So, 2019-20 is a financial year, presumably, meaning that construction would start on 30 June 2020, so design works would need to be completed, together with land purchases etc, about November this year, with tenders called in December-January ... allowing for evaluation and awarding of a contract about March 2020.

We will know if the timetable is slipping if the design works are not ready by the end of 2019.

There will be a federal election in the interim, with Labor set to win, if the polls are correct.  Federal Labor has said it will back CRR, which is why we can assume the state government is playing the PR game without spending any real money on a drill machine and serious underground works.  Their plan is still that the feds pay for CRR.  So it may be that federal Labor 'reallocates' the earmarked SCL duplication money to that project and the Sunshine Coast misses out yet again.

The LNP, on the other hand, would be touting the Coast Connect project, with the business case ready by the time the election rolls around in May.

All of that means there is no certainty for the SCL duplication while it continues to be a political football.

[achiruel]

Where's the SCRC contribution? After all, the urban sprawl they created is a large part of there reason this work is needed, and MBRC contributed to three RPL.

[Stillwater]

We can but dream.   

http://amprojectpartners.com.au/2018/06/12/what-the-fast-rail-project-means-for-the-sunshine-coast

[Fares_Fair]

Construction work is due to begin on #2tracks rail duplication (to Landsborough and associated works north of Landsborough) in the 2019/20 financial year.

[Arnz]

Is there a source available or was this just internally released?

[Fares_Fair]

G'day Arnz,

See SW reply #2007.
Source: Brisbane Times story 9 June 2018.

Para 12
"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."

[achiruel]

Here is the link to the article for anyone who's interested:

https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/it-s-about-time-all-aboard-for-160-million-sunshine-coast-rail-upgrade-20180609-p4zkjj.html

[Fares_Fair]

Beat me Achiruel 

https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1084204214287425536?

[Stillwater]

From the SEQ Council of Mayors report:

In reference to 'faster rail' network providing 45-min travel time Brisbane-Nambour/Maroochydore and other major centres:

"To be consistent with the other existing rail network elements, the track could be narrow gauge with the motive power provided through electrification. Further analysis and planning is required to define the actual running standard (including track gauge) and rolling stock type, some of which will be addressed in the North Coast Connect business case when completed in 2019.

"The stopping and service patterns for Faster Rail will be designed to maximise value-capture at stations. Alternative funding model outcomes (market led proposals and / or other Public Private Partnership structures) for the infrastructure and services would also be considered."

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Rail duplication argument rages between feds, state

MORE than seven months have passed since arguments over who would fund a $230 million rail duplication funding shortfall began and their end is not in sight.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey made clear during a Coast visit yesterday the State Government expected their federal counterparts to fund the gap for the Beerburrum to Nambour improvements.

He was at a Bruce Highway construction site with Fisher MP Andrew Wallace to mark the halfway point of Caloundra to Sunshine Motorway upgrades.

"All around me shows the benefits of having an 80:20 funding arrangement on the National Land Transport Project," Mr Bailey said.

His government committed $160 million to rail duplication in May last year, making up 20 per cent of the $780 million bill.

It came after the Federal Government committed 50%, or $390 million.

"The state's view is unchanged, we still want to see a fair funding deal from the Commonwealth," Mr Bailey said.

His comments drew a fiery response from Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien, who slammed the State Government for dragging its heels on properly funding the project.

"The North Coast Rail Line is owned and operated by the Queensland Government," Mr O'Brien said.

"It's their responsibility."

He said the stretch of rail had previously been 100 per cent state-funded.

"We have broken precedent on this important project by giving $390 million to the state which is 50 per cent of the project.

"It's beyond a joke that state Labor is prepared to put $5.4billion to fund 100 per cent of Cross River Rail in Brisbane but they are not prepared to fund 50 per cent for vital and game-changing upgrades on the Sunshine Coast.

"We don't need any more discussions about funding splits. It's time to get on with the job."

Mr Bailey said it was important to note there was enough funding committed to have planning already started.

"We are under way, that is the positive news," Mr Bailey said.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1093177364941484032

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1093178657751756801

[Stillwater]

The project has been planned to death.  Twice.  The state government fails to see the benefits of good transport links for the people of the railway towns as part of the overall SEQ population settlement strategy.  The social and physical infrastructure exists in these towns to provide quality lifestyle. The extra lanes Mr Bailey observed being built on the Bruce Highway at the back of Caloundra won't be sufficient to cope with traffic demand in future, due to housing construction underway at Aura and Palmview, and also being planned for Beerwah East.  Rail must augment road travel.

[ozbob]

Community is getting behind the campaign ...

[Fares_Fair]

No start date in sight for #2tracks rail duplication #SunshineCoast
http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/no-start-line-in-sight-for-coast-rail-duplication/3669929/

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> No start line in sight for Coast rail duplication

MONEY has been committed but there remains no start date for when works will begin on the $780 million North Coast Rail Line duplication project.

SC Rail Back on Track spokesman Jeff Addison met with State Transport Minister Mark Bailey on Monday night and said his first question asking when the duplication project would begin remains unanswered.

Mr Addison said the Minister had been courteous, professional and kind, but had failed to give an indication of when the Coast could expect upgrades to its outdated rail services to begin.

He said he was told planning was continuing and the State Government still needed to talk to the Federal Government about funding.

"It (duplication) was announced nine months ago," Mr Addison said.

"I was shocked and a bit saddened really."

Mr Addison said he was frustrated that Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk hadn't been able to spark the project into action, given how quickly she'd acted as the former Transport Minister to provide the region with a new train.

He said her opinion piece earlier this week in the Daily had spoken of the LNP taking the region for granted.

"Being taken for granted has been replaced with being treated with contempt," Mr Addison said.

Mr Bailey said the North Coast Line had been added to the National Land Transport Network in 2014, which qualified it for the same 80:20 funding split as the Bruce Highway.

The Federal Government had pledged $390 million towards the duplication, half of the total cost, but the State Government had only pledged $160 million.

Mr Bailey called on the Federal Government to stick to its own funding rules and commit appropriate funding for the Beerburrum to Nambour duplication.

He said the Morrison Government had "short changed" Queensland on the project by at least $230 million.

He said the State Government was yet to receive any of the $390 million committed by the Federal Government, despite writing to the Federal Government in January asking it to bring forward the funding without a reply.

"Our $160 million Palaszczuk Government contribution is locked in and is funding the planning, design and early consultation which is underway," Mr Bailey said.

Mr Addison questioned the State Government's position on the funding commitments and asked why the State Government fully-funded the Springfield line, but was refusing to meet the Federal Government halfway on North Coast Line duplication.

"Is the Sunshine Coast of less value than Springfield?" Mr Addison said.

"It's been 10 years since it (rail duplication) was canned (by Labor).

"Everyone knows it needs to be done. I just wish the Premier would be like she was when she was the Transport Minister.

"She saw the need and she acted."

Mr Addison said the 20 per cent funding commitment from the State Government didn't match up with commitments it'd made to the Moreton Bay Rail Line and Cross River Rail.

"I just get so frustrated with it all," Mr Addison said.

"We're 330,000 people, how much longer are we going to be treated this way?"

Mr Bailey said the next step of the process was to seek community feedback on the design once "further technical and environmental investigations are done".

He said the Beerburrum to Nambour stretch was a project of "national importance".

"Projects on this large scale require a significant level of planning which has commenced and we'll announce construction timeframes as the project progresses," Mr Bailey said.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1105489957064302594

[kram0]

Just another project in Qld that gets lip service but no action. This government is really all talk and no action.

All you ever get out of them is they are still looking into it. Weak as Pi$$

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Wallace refuses to sling mud over rail duplication funding

FISHER MP Andrew Wallace says there's nothing to be gained by mudslinging over funding responsibilities for the North Coast Rail Line duplication.

He said he was more interested in the outcome and brokering a funding deal which would deliver the much-needed $780 million rail upgrades for the region.

A $234 million shortfall remained, after the Federal Government committed $390 million towards the project and to-date the State Government had confirmed it would tip in $160 million.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey on Tuesday said they'd requested the Federal Government bring forward its funding commitment, but were yet to receive a reply.

He also called on the Federal Government to fund 80 per cent of the costs, which he said it qualified for as part of the National Land Transport Network.

Mr Wallace said he was focused on negotiating to get construction under way in the short term, even if the balance of funding was still to be settled.

"I'm confident we'll get there," he said.

"It is frustrating.

"We all know this needs to be done."

He said he'd met with Mr Bailey and their meetings had been positive.

Mr Wallace said he was happy to work with the State Government to secure the funding to deliver the upgrade.

The Fisher MP said he was currently working with Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack on trying to resolve the funding impasse.

"We don't want to be arguing about it still in 12 months," Mr Wallace said.

"It's too important to play silly buggers with. Let's get the thing cracking."

He said planning responsibility for the project rested with Queensland Rail.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/JamesMcGrathLNP/status/1106107286479474689

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Bailey slams LNP over Beerburrum-Nambour funding

Queensland transport and main roads minister Mark Bailey says the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade may need to be delivered in stages due to a shortfall in federal funding.

Bailey on Tuesday said deputy prime minister Michael McCormack had confirmed no more federal funding would be made available for the project, which will duplicate 40 kilometres of the state's North Coast line on the Sunshine Coast.

The Coalition has committed $390 million to the project, which has been approved by Infrastructure Australia and is on its Priority Projects list as a result.

However the state says after the Federal LNP added the North Coast line to the National Land Transport Network in 2014, the project – which has a total cost estimate of $800 million – should qualify for its 80:20 federal-state funding model.

Bailey said this meant the Coalition was short-changing the state by at least $250 million on the project.

"It's clear the Morrison Government is not prepared to play by its own funding rules because of the Sunshine Coast's safe Federal LNP seats," the minister said. "We have consistently said the Federal Government should stick to its own funding rules and commit appropriate funding for this project."

Bailey said the funding shortfall would mean the project may have to be delivered in stages.

He noted the stark contrast between this decision from the Coalition, and the recent commitment to provide $700 million to cover 80 per cent of the South Geelong to Waurn Ponds Rail Upgrade in Victoria, which last year failed to win approval from Infrastructure Australia.

"The Morrison Government has committed billions of dollars to Victorian rail projects in recent weeks but not a cent for the Sunshine Coast," Bailey said, "despite Infrastructure Australia giving the [Victorian] project's business case a thumbs down.

"Why would they do that? Because the project falls in an LNP-held seat that is also Victoria's most marginal."

Bailey, part of the state's Labor Government, said federal Sunshine Coast MPs should stand up for residents.

"Local [Liberal National Party] members like Ted O'Brien and Andrew Wallace hold their seats with safe margins," Bailey said. "It's time they took some risks and started asking the tough questions of their own government, which has abandoned its responsibility to properly back the transport infrastructure needed to support the growing Sunshine Coast."

[Gazza]

So is 780m just to duplicate to Landsborough, or does it include passing loops further up to Nambour too?

[verbatim9]

The slowest part is around and the approach to Glass house mountain station. If a new stretch of duplication of track and a 160kph alignment can be built to that point, or just beyond, it would make a huge improvement.

[achiruel]

https://twitter.com/JamesMcGrathLNP/status/1106107286479474689

I guess this numbnut didn't watch himself on Q&A last night...?

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> 'What a joke': Coast MPs slam Bailey after rail line attack

SUNSHINE Coast Federal MPs have slammed Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey for "political grandstanding" over funding for the $780 million North Coast Rail Line duplication.

Mr Bailey criticised the Federal Government yesterday for "double standards" on transport infrastructure funding in Queensland after it was announced $700 million would be allocated to cover 80 per cent of the cost for Victorian rail projects.

But both State LNP and the Coalition have hit back, saying Mr Bailey's "foolish blame game" has put Labor's failure to fund the Sunshine Coast rail duplication in the spotlight.

The Federal Government has pledged $390 million towards the Sunshine Coast rail duplication, half of the total cost, and the State Government has pledged $160 million.

Mr Bailey said the Coalition added the Sunshine Coast's North Coast Line to the National Land Transport Network in 2014, qualifying it for the same funding as the Bruce Highway upgrade from Caloundra Rd to Sunshine Motorway.

The upgrade is funded on an 80:20 basis, with the Federal Government contributing $650.36 million, and the Queensland Government contributing $162.58 million.

"We have consistently said the Federal Government should stick to its own funding rules and commit appropriate funding for this project," Mr Bailey said.

"The Morrison LNP Government has short-changed Queensland on this project by at least $250 million.

"The recent Federal Budget showed Queensland will only receive the first $60 million of that commitment by 2020/21."

Mr Bailey called on Member for Fairfax Ted O'Brien and Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace to ask the Federal Government why it had "abandoned its responsibility" to properly back the transport infrastructure needed to support the growing Sunshine Coast region.

Both Sunshine Coast MPs fired back, accusing Mr Bailey of political grandstanding.

"Instead of being a keyboard warrior, the Minister should pick up a spade, get out there and start doing his job," Mr O'Brien said.

"For State Labor to be trying to criticise the highest investment of any federal government in its history to the Sunshine Coast is just crazy.

"If you're prepared to fund 100 per cent of a $5.4 billion rail program in the middle of Brisbane city, don't try and tell us that you cannot spend 50 per cent of a $780 million rail program between Beerwah and Nambour.

"What a joke."

He said the State Government's "failure with rail" was the "worst-kept secret in Queensland".

"Anything (Mr Bailey) touches on rail becomes an unmitigated disaster," he said.

From the 2013-14 financial year to 2028-29, the Federal Government has committed more than $25 billion to fund major infrastructure projects in Queensland, Mr O'Brien said.

"Queensland's share of overall infrastructure investment is over 26 per cent over the forward estimates, which compares favourably to our population's share of 20 per cent," he said.

Mr Wallace said Mr Bailey should direct his concerns about funding for the rail duplication to Federal Labor, as it had not committed a "single red cent".

"I don't think Minister Bailey's statement today is helpful in achieving the solution we all want and I would encourage him to engage more constructively with our community and with the Federal Government in the future," he said.

The State LNP has called for Mr Bailey's resignation after his comments, saying the Sunshine Coast deserves better leadership instead of "petty politics".

Queensland Shadow Transport Minister Steve Minnikin said the State LNP was committed to matching the Federal Government's $390 million if elected in 2020.

"We understand how crucial this infrastructure project is for the Sunshine Coast," he said.

"This important public transport project will increase services and take traffic off the Bruce Highway.

"It's only the LNP at (a) state and federal level that are committed to the Sunshine Coast and building this project.

"The way Mark Bailey handles the transport portfolio is an embarrassment and he should tender his resignation."

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Commuters sick of political impasse, want rail action

AS STATE and Federal Governments dive further into a political impasse over funding for the North Coast Rail Duplication line, it's Sunshine Coast commuters who are living with the consequences.

The ongoing debate re-ignited yesterday after Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey slammed the Federal Government over its funding for the $780 million project between Beerburrum and Nambour.

Both the State LNP and the Coalition fired back, even calling for Mr Bailey's resignation for his "foolish blame game".

But behind the political power plays are commuters on the Sunshine Coast tired of waiting for action.

SC Rail Back on Track spokesman Jeff Addison (pictured) said the State Government should not use the Coalition's $380 million funding as an excuse to not fund the project.

"If you look at Federal Labor or Federal Liberal, no government of either persuasion has ever funded rail to 80 per cent," he said.

Mr Addison said the 20 per cent funding commitment from the State Government didn't match up with commitments it'd made to the Moreton Bay Rail Line and Cross River Rail.

"Unfortunately the Sunshine Coast are the ones that are the punching bag in this political impasse, and that's really frustrating," he said.

"[The State Government] are continuing to put the Sunshine Coast, which is the ninth-largest region in Australia, on the back-burner with regard to infrastructure as a political ploy to use against the current LNP members.

While he's no longer a regular commuter to Brisbane, Mr Addison remains an avid campaigner for better public transport on the Sunshine Coast.

"Nowhere in Queensland has this kind of situation with a population of our size and an abysmal level of service."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1118264642164285440

[Stillwater]

Mr Bailey has donned his red speedos and again plunged into the pool of political provocation. When not there, he is working on his tan beneath the ray lamp of Jackie Trad's ambitious glow.

The bottom line is that Mr Bailey is of the Labor persuasion and it hasn't escaped him that we are in a federal election campaign, so he wants to create mischief rather than get on with planning and building the SCL duplication. The political reality is this -- Scott Morrison and the LNP have put $390m on the table for this project.  Bill Shorten and federal Labor (Bailey's party) zero, zilch, nothing.

Instead of calling on his Labor Leader to match or exceed the federal funding offer, he looks the gift horse in the mouth.

Mr Bailey is, well, a politician .... in the same way that a lion instinctively kills things and eats them to survive.  He can't help himself.

He presides over RailFail, seemingly with little enthusiasm to fix it.  Yet he can always find time to indulge in unproductive politics.

[Fares_Fair]

Easter holidays is our thing
#SunshineCoast rail no build yet win
Single track Beerburrum north
#PublicTransport belittled by mirth

Easter '09 'twas killed at the track
#Labor took its' money back
Contract torn with Alliance TrackStar
Leaves us bereft of good trains as we are

[Stillwater]

Expect sell-out Sunshine Coast forum to be told about the importance of heavy and light rail to the Coast's liveability.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/future-sunshine-coast-tickets-59512334996

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Minister says MP is accepting Canberra's rail-fund 'crumbs'

THE federal versus state funding debate flared up again after Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien said Federal Labor's Queensland infrastructure plan proved the North Coast Rail line bill should be split 50/50.

Mr O'Brien renewed his call for the State Government to stump up the shortfall after News Corp revealed the Federal Opposition had matched the LNP's $390 million to upgrade the Beerburrum to Nambour line.

This includes duplication north to Landsborough.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey yesterday said the upgrade had increased from an initial $780 million to $800 million project, and insisted the Federal Government should cover the $250 million shortfall.

Mr O'Brien said the Opposition's infrastructure plan had exposed demands for an 80/20 split as a "delay tactic", and rather than "complain", the State Government should accept their "gift" and "get on with it".

The State Government pledged $160 million in mid-2018 and have refused to budge from this figure.

Mr Bailey hit back at Mr O'Brien's comments yesterday.

"Ted O'Brien should find some courage and stand up for the Sunshine Coast rather than accept the crumbs his Canberra colleagues have thrown his way, just because he holds a safe seat," he said.

He said Mr O'Brien should ask for the same deal as his LNP colleagues, who had secured 80/20 funding for rail projects in Victoria.

"Why should the Sunshine Coast miss out? Why isn't he asking for the same deal?" Mr Bailey asked.

Mr Bailey claimed the State Government was not to blame for any delays as design work was under way thanks to their funds.

"What we have said is that we need to look at staging delivery of the project if federal-funding commitments are not increased to a fair share," Mr Bailey said.　

Mr Bailey claimed Federal Labor was $2.4 billion ahead on funding rail for the Sunshine Coast as the Cross River Rail, in Brisbane, would give Coast communities "more trains to and from other parts of the southeast more often".

[Stillwater]

We now know the cost of the political impasse that is the SCL duplication.  Mr Bailey now says that the cost of the project has gone up from $780m to $800m.  Well, is he going to throw in another $10m (half the cost increase)?  These big projects seldom come down in price, and government thinking that big projects should be halted while further cost analysis is done (or the project design rescoped) in order to save money largely is futile.  By and large they are excuses for delaying expenditure.  And that is what is happening here.

So, let's stage this project (without compromising its quality).  What will the fed money buy, without the State Government putting in a brass razoo?  Or, looked at another way, we now have $550m committed from feds (of whatever colour) and state.  What will that buy?

Watch Mr Bailey protesteth too much to hold out spending $160m in state funds.

Mr Bailey is drawing a long bow to say that a state investment in the CRR is an investment in SCL duplication.  He might as well say that a State Government investment in GC light rail is a downpayment on the SC light rail project because it enables technology that will eventually be introduced to the Sunshine Coast to be trailed first on the Gold Coast.