The Sunshine Coast Case : Rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour

[Fares_Fair]

I was asked to write an opinion piece for the Sunshine Valley Gazette, almost 2 weeks ago on the Fast rail situation, this is what I discovered.
Source: Sunshine Valley Gazette Facebook Page
Circulation: 10,000 copies fortnightly

FAST TRACK DE-RAILED.
WILL NAMBOUR BE SHUNTED AGAIN?

11:00am Friday 13 November 2020

by Jeffrey Addison
Sunshine Coast Commuter Advocate
[and Sunshine Coast Spokesperson Rail Back on Track]

The announcement was: "The general objective is that we would have fast rail up to Nambour in five years and to Maroochydore in ten years."
So said Ted O'Brien, Federal MP for Fairfax, on 18 January 2018 at Nambour rail station. Granted, it wasn't a promise. But it was an ambitious plan.
A business case was to be prepared by a consortium comprising Stockland, KPMG, Urbis and SMEC.
The North Coast Connect Consortium was one of three proponents to win a share of $20 million in federal funding for a business case. Winners were announced in March 2018.

The Consortium was hamstrung by a limited budget from the outset. The Queensland Government made no monetary contribution towards the business case, but offered an 'in-kind' contribution (of reports and information) that they valued at $5 million.
The business case was completed in December 2019, submitted to the new National Faster Rail Agency (NFRA) and handed to the State Government in February 2020. It was submitted to Infrastructure Australia in August 2020.

The North Coast Connect Consortium was originally tasked to investigate options for upgrades along the existing rail corridor from Brisbane to Nambour and a spur line from Beerwah to Maroochydore. The objective: a 45 minute trip to Brisbane.

What is of concern is that the National Faster Rail Agency website now shows that route options have changed to what was announced at Nambour on that sunny January morning. It says "The detailed business case investigated options for a spur line from Beerwah to Maroochydore, upgrades along the existing corridor from Brisbane to Beerwah (not Nambour) and a range of faster rail speeds"

When did that criteria change, why did it change, and why weren't we told?
Beerwah to Nambour residents (with a single track rail line) deserve to know why their fast rail has been derailed.
If not fast rail, at least ensure they get duplicated tracks for their tortuous, congested, freight-shared corridor.

The NCCC could not confirm if Nambour fast rail was in the mix.
Ted O'Brien MP said that he understood that it had been presented with options to Nambour.
Why does the National Faster Rail Agency website state otherwise?

I ask the National Faster Rail Agency to release the business case in the interests of transparency, once Infrastructure Australia has released their report on it.
A consortium with members interested in a fast rail line to their Caloundra invested developments will never be amenable to it reaching Nambour first.
Perhaps the plan was flawed from the start.

I am not against a fast rail service to Maroochydore. If the Federal and/or State Governments want to fund it and the advantaged proponents make significant contributions towards it, then please do so.
Passenger rail services are heavily subsidised by the state government (and so they should, we pay taxes).
For every $1 a commuter pays, it costs the state $3.

I have always campaigned for Nambour rail duplication due to the freight benefits which are economic and positive.
Improved passenger services are collateral advantage.

Nambour doesn't deserve more hardship – headed its way on a single track.

MAP: Recent mapping from the SEQ Council of Mayors showed no fast rail corridor being continued through to Nambour fuelling fears the former mill town, hospital hub and council HQ may miss out yet again.

[Fares_Fair]

This was the response from the Hon Ted O'Brien MP, Federal member for Fairfax
Source: Sunshine Valley Gazette Facebook Page
Circulation: 10,000 copies fortnightly

O'BRIEN SEEKS CLARIFICATION ON APPARENT FAST RAIL OMISSION

6:00pm Friday 13 November 2020

Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien is seeking a please explain over Nambour's apparent omission from fast rail plans for South East Queensland.
A map, published in September, as part of the Southeast Queensland Council of Mayors' push for a connected fast rail network showed Nambour left off the proposed fast rail corridor.

The original map, see below, includes Nambour as the first option, with a Beerwah to Maroochydore option as Stage 2.
Mr O'Brien, who has been pushing for the ambitious plan since 2018, said he'd written 'please explain' letters to Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge and the Faster Rail Agency.

"I too want to get to the bottom of this. I have raised it with the National Faster Rail Agency and asked for their clarification. I have also written to Minister Tudge requesting a full briefing on the North Coast Connect business case."

"The only way to get these projects is to have a go and I'll continue to have a go in the interests of Nambour and the Sunshine Coast."

The new map, with Nambour omitted left, and the original plan, right.

[ozbob]

^

FAST TRACK DE-RAILED. WILL NAMBOUR BE SHUNTED AGAIN? by Jeffrey Addison Sunshine Coast Commuter Advocate The...

Posted by Sunshine Valley Gazette on Thursday, 12 November 2020

[ozbob]

^^

O'BRIEN SEEKS CLARIFICATION ON APPARENT FAST RAIL OMISSION Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien is seeking a please explain over...

Posted by Sunshine Valley Gazette on Friday, 13 November 2020

[Gazza]

If the duplication is completed all the way to Nambour what is the level of peak and off peak frequency you would  expect by then?

[ozbob]

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/91019

13th November 2020

Govt Statement: Cabinet's first meeting to be on the Sunshine Coast

[Fares_Fair]

Today I reached out to the winner of the seat of Nicklin, the Hon Robert Skelton MP.
I congratulated him on his win.
I am a constituent of Nicklin.

On behalf of Rail Back on Track, I offered to give him a detailed briefing of where things were at with the North Coast rail line and the current B2N (Beerburrum to Nambour - misnomer-ed) project as well as the Fast rail (Federal proposals).

I received a response almost immediately with a statement from his office that he was keen to meet and would like to do so before the end of the month.
It said that "this rail was close to his heart."

How good is that?

Given the orientation and learning required at Parliament House and Party rooms, it may be more likely in 2 - 3 weeks.

[Fares_Fair]

Tonight, as a representative of Rail Back on Track Sunshine Coast, I attended the inaugural meeting of the B2N (Beerburrum to Nambour) Community Reference Group - North (CRG-North) at Woombye.

It was hosted by Transport and Main Roads.
Arup Engineers representatives also attended as community engagement personnel.
A good cross-section of the community were present.

We learnt that the Stage 1 works of the B2N project do not involve ANY rail works north of Beerwah (specifically 1.5km north of Beerwah)

Concerns were raised by some community representatives at the confusion over what rail duplication really meant, given the mix of Fast Rail (Federal plans) and state plans which have changed much over the last 10-12 years.
I pointed out that the name B2N did not represent what the project actually is. It does not accurately describe the works.

We were given A3 size laminated maps of the areas of the Stage 1 (funded) works being Park 'n' Rides at Beerburrum, Landsborough and Nambour.
3 road section upgrades at Steve Irwin Way / Beerburrum Rd intersection including an overpass, Barrs Rd to Moffatt Rd overpass and the Burgess St overpass.
There are also plans for Berteaus Rd to Burns Rd connection and a partial realignment of Steve Irwin Way from Barrs Rd south.

The bulk of this $550 million 'rail project' is actually roadwork and carparks in my opinion.

Rail duplication accounts for around 11.5km of work from Beerburrum to 1.5km north of Beerwah.

As for Stage 2 works - there is no money allocated.

[Edit: Arup sentence added 5:20am 20.11.2020]

[verbatim9]

Did anyone ask about time savings, active transport routes along the corridor and top speeds for trains travelling along the new section?

[Fares_Fair]

I will ask about time savings at our next meeting.

There was a recent announcement about rail trails being developed at the Glasshouse end of the works.
Nothing concrete at this point as early days. They will advise as information comes to hand.

Yes, line speed is 140km/h
It was 160km/h when I was briefed by Building Queensland in 2016.

[ozbob]

Thanks FF for your ongoing representation on these matters.

I am very disappointed that the duplication will not be all the way through to Landsborough.

I am not confident about the CAMCOS spur line being built any time soon, if ever.  Far better to improve the important passenger and freight corridor which is  the Sunshine Coast Line.  Landsborough is going to be a key interchange for a long while yet, and investment in doing the duplication properly will pay off as better train operations for freight and passenger. 

Queensland Rail want the duplication through to Landsborough North (they will not say this publicly).  When EMU 01 was having its final day out I had a chat to an Aurizon freight driver while waiting for the EMU at Darra.  He explained to me how important it was to get the duplication through to Landsborough as part of stage 1, in terms of better train operations.  People driving the trains actually know what is needed.  So called experts at TMR would not know if their arse was on fire.

It is so dumb not extending to Landsborough, everything is going to be in place construction teams etc. and the cost relatively small.

Most of the costs are not for rail itself but supporting infrastructure as you outlined.

I feel like just giving up on these clowns.  It really is very depressing the level of incompetence, deceit and bumbling ...

*" ... The full scope of the business case for B2N includes a duplication of the North Coast Line between Beerburrum and Landsborough stations (around 20km in length) as well as station upgrades, new park 'n' ride facilities and new rail passing loops between Landsborough and Nambour.  ... "

*Accessed 04:43am 20th November 2020 https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/beerburrum-to-nambour-rail-upgrade

TMR's own fuking website ..

[Fares_Fair]

To the best of my knowledge there is only one passing loop to be extended, and that is at Woombye. [incorrect, see below]
I raised this point as an aside at the meeting during a small meal break.
I told them that Palmwoods had the shortest passing loop on the entire North Coast Line, being 683m long and only allowing a 650m freight train to park there, and yet they chose Woombye. Perhaps some other geographic or equiment reason exists for this option.

Concur with comment below.

CORRECTION: [Edit 0600 20.11.2020]
My bad, this from the 2016 business case:
extension of existing passing loops at Landsborough, Eudlo and Woombye stations
I will see if these are still in the stage 2 unfunded plan at our next meeting.

[ozbob]

Another 'half baked' outcome!

[ozbob]

https://www.fastrail.com.au/fast-rail-prospectus

TRACK DUPLICATION
The Beerburrum to Nambour Rail upgrade project, as identified by Infrastructure Australia as a priority initiative for Australia, incorporates 39kms of the North Coast Rail Line. The project involves duplicating 20kms of rail line from Beerburrum to Landsborough, extending existing passing loops between Landsborough and Nambour, route realignments, level crossing removals, station improvements, and supporting works.

The project comprises the following main scope items:

Full rail duplication (two new tracks) on an improved alignment between Beerburrum and Glass House Mountains.

Rail duplication of the section between Glass House Mountains and Landsborough within the existing rail corridor.

New structures (rail bridges, road bridges, drainage structures and retaining walls) to accommodate the new track infrastructure.

Extension of existing passing loops at Landsborough, Eudlo and Woombye stations.

Road realignments to accommodate the new rail corridor and track infrastructure.

Removing level crossings at Barrs Road and Caloundra Street.

Expansion of park and ride facilities at Beerburrum, Landsborough, Palmwoods and Nambour stations.

Duplication of station platforms at Mooloolah, Eudlo, Palmwoods and Woombye to accommodate the proposed operational improvements.

The project will address capacity constraints on this section of the corridor by nearly doubling the capacity for freight paths and increasing the frequency and reliability of passenger services, easing pressure on the Bruce Highway.

The project will also enable the development of new public transport options for improving connectivity within the Sunshine Coast in addition to improving the region's connection with Brisbane, both of which are necessary to support projected population growth over the next two decades.

There is a lot of confusing misinformation around.  Your point about the confusion at the meeting report is very valid FF.

[Fares_Fair]

The proposed recreation trail is from Beerburrum to Landsborough

[HappyTrainGuy]

Should remind them of the original project that QR and TMR had wanted and designed over a decade ago. None of this farting around bullsh%t we see now with TMR doing everything having incorporated that into their portfolio.

[ozbob]

TMR is a major embarrassment sadly.  This state is going backwards at an ever increasing rate of knots!

I doubt if TMR could successfully organise a birthday party at the Golden Arches.  Their record of rail failures is quite disturbing.

#justsaying

[HappyTrainGuy]

TMR is a major embarrassment sadly.  This state is going backwards at an ever increasing rate of knots!

I doubt if TMR could successfully organise a birthday party at the Golden Arches.  Their record of rail failures is quite disturbing.

#justsaying

Now now they have done some good railway projects such as....

[ozbob]

Queensland seems unable to put together a robust articulate business case for rail.

I have little doubt that TMR is not up to it.  They appear to have an anti-rail bias and lack the expertise to understand what is really needed.
Flat junctions and single lines is their forte.

For example truncating the planned duplication from Beerburrum  to Landsborough to now slightly north of Beerwah.  It is so dumb it hurts my head 

Other states roaring along, here in Queensland even LX removal is beyond them.  If I was younger I would be on the next train south.  I thought we had some sort of future here, but no I was wrong.  At least I can still travel (after COVID-19 vax) and see the inspiring rail works around the nation.

The bumblers that have steered failure for years are still there steering failure here in banana-land. 

Going to be interesting to see how they get on with ETCS ...

[Fares_Fair]

The length of the actual rail duplication extends 1.5 km past Beerwah, we were told.
Beerburrum is at 64.6 km
Beerwah is at 76.9 km
Distance from Beerburrum to Beerwah is 12.3 km
Add 1.5km for distance past Beerwah

Total rail duplication length proposed for the funded Stage 1 works = 13.8 km

There are passing loop extensions proposed in the Stage 2 works, located at Landsborough, Eudlo and Woombye but there is not one red cent of money for these additional freight / passenger improving works.

Remember this project has the official title of Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade or (B2N)
I find this deception in the name to be outrageous, no wonder people are confused.

Therefore the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade stops 26.4 km shy of the title's destination

It should be renamed for Stage 1 works to be the Beerburrum to Beerwah Rail Upgrade (B2B) + lots of Roadworks and Parking Spots

[HappyTrainGuy]

Remember this project has the official title of Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade or (B2N)

It's actually B2NmkIII

[Fares_Fair]

Remember this project has the official title of Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade or (B2N)

It's actually B2NmkIII

Sadly, yes you are spot on. It is indeed.

[Fares_Fair]

Did anyone ask about time savings, active transport routes along the corridor and top speeds for trains travelling along the new section?

The 2016 Business Case summary stated an average transit time saving of 3 minutes between Caboolture and Nambour - but that was under the (then) assumption that the rail duplication went to Landsborough.

To summarise:

"There was a recent announcement about rail trails being developed at the Glasshouse end of the works.
Nothing concrete at this point as early days. They will advise as information comes to hand." from my prior post November 19, 2020, 11:03:49 PM
Further information to hand says that it will run from Beerburrum to Landsborough - but if they have cut back on the duplication I could safely assume the proposed recreation (rail) trail is cut back too.

Yes, line speed is 140km/h
It was 160km/h when I was briefed by Building Queensland in 2016.

[HappyTrainGuy]

2005 plans had 160kph design with 140kph in some sections eg curves into stations but mostly 160kph running. Will check my documents to see what time savings were quoted back then.

Edit: 2005 spec - 160kph based for tilting trains. 140kph for non tilting trains. 100kph for freight trains. Duplication and realignment out of the box with corridor and future provisions for a quad. Only savings I could find were related to diesel and electricity. Time savings weren't mentioned due to other factors such as final alignment and stopping patterns. Old track corridor was to be a rail trail with some sections being retained for use by track working machines and animal study (assume similar to other old disused railway tunnels in Australia).

[Fares_Fair]

I am trying to provide feed-back to the TMR CRG website but apparently my question contains a banned word.
Can anyone please assist me in finding it?

QUESTION:
Why does the stage 1 rail duplication stop 4km short of Landsborough?
Was the truncation approved by Queensland Rail?

QUESTION DETAILS
The current B2N plan has the rail duplication stopping just shy of where the CAMCOS rail line would branch off north of Beerwah.
I understand Queensland Rails' preference has always been to continue duplication to Landsborough (North) for optimal benefit.
I have read that the benefits of increased capacity are not fully realised until rail duplication reaches Landsborough.
There's no funding for stage 2 works so best to build the rail properly now in case no funding eventuates.

[ozbob]

Try dropping the '  after Queensland Rails' 

If that don't work try short for shy ..

If that does work spell out B2N  < be absolutely bonkers if that is the cause

Bizarre feedback restrictions, but then again it is TMR ...  maybe they don't want feedback?   

I sometimes get emails blocked on the State Government servers for reasons that are not always clear. 
Something amiss with their algorithms.



If that doesn't work I would attempt to email your message and explain that it was rejected by their feedback form.

[Fares_Fair]

Thank you. 

I will raise the question at the next CRG meeting to be held on Thursday 3 December.
I expect it is some kind of algorithm problem.

I don't think CAMCOS is a dirty word. 

The TMR terms and conditions are far less restrictive with regards to media engagements and personal opinions than the QR one's ever were.
That was refreshing.

[verbatim9]

Did anyone ask about time savings, active transport routes along the corridor and top speeds for trains travelling along the new section?

The 2016 Business Case summary stated an average transit time saving of 3 minutes between Caboolture and Nambour - but that was under the (then) assumption that the rail duplication went to Landsborough.

To summarise:

"There was a recent announcement about rail trails being developed at the Glasshouse end of the works.
Nothing concrete at this point as early days. They will advise as information comes to hand." from my prior post November 19, 2020, 11:03:49 PM
Further information to hand says that it will run from Beerburrum to Landsborough - but if they have cut back on the duplication I could safely assume the proposed recreation (rail) trail is cut back too.

Yes, line speed is 140km/h
It was 160km/h when I was briefed by Building Queensland in 2016.

2005 plans had 160kph design with 140kph in some sections eg curves into stations but mostly 160kph running. Will check my documents to see what time savings were quoted back then.

Edit: 2005 spec - 160kph based for tilting trains. 140kph for non tilting trains. 100kph for freight trains. Duplication and realignment out of the box with corridor and future provisions for a quad. Only savings I could find were related to diesel and electricity. Time savings weren't mentioned due to other factors such as final alignment and stopping patterns. Old track corridor was to be a rail trail with some sections being retained for use by track working machines and animal study (assume similar to other old disused railway tunnels in Australia).

Thanks guys that has answered my query.

[Fares_Fair]

What is it with #QldPol doing Business Cases then failing to follow them through and hacking them up thus leading to inquiries as to why it all went pear shaped.

Case in point 1: Cross River Rail
Case in point 2: Beerburrum to Nambour (but in reality Beerburrum to Beerwah Rail Duplication)


Here's an aside. I went over my notes from the Building Queensland briefing I received in Nov 2016 on the Beerburrum to Nambour (misnomer) Business Case.
I asked if they had a BCR for the (then) MBRL [Redcliffe Line] project.

Answer:  They couldnt find one, and they had looked for it.

[Fares_Fair]

My BQ briefing was on 9 Nov. 2016.

I just googled it and found this. Need to show BQ how google works. 

23 June 2011 Project Change Report

Heavy Rail provides the highest BCR; (1.2 Dual Track, 1.5 Single Track - ATC)

[Fares_Fair]

Try dropping the '  after Queensland Rails' 

If that don't work try short for shy ..

If that does work spell out B2N  < be absolutely bonkers if that is the cause

Bizarre feedback restrictions, but then again it is TMR ...  maybe they don't want feedback?   

I sometimes get emails blocked on the State Government servers for reasons that are not always clear. 
Something amiss with their algorithms.



If that doesn't work I would attempt to email your message and explain that it was rejected by their feedback form.

Reworded the question (to no avail)
Why does the stage 1 rail duplication stop 4km short of Landsborough and was this recommended by Queensland Rail?

Retyped the explanation (to no avail)
The current Beerburrum to Nambour plan has the rail duplication stopping just short of where the Caboolture to Maroochydore Corridor Study rail line would branch off north of Beerwah.
I understand Queensland Rails preference has always been to continue duplication to Landsborough North for optimal benefit.
I have read that the benefits of increased capacity are not fully realised until the rail is duplicated to Landsborough.

I have removed B2N and typed it in full (to no avail)
I have typed out CAMCOS in full (to no avail)
I deleted the apostrophe after Rails (to no avail)
I deleted the question marks at the end of my questions (to no avail)
I replaced shy with short (to no avail)
I removed the words Queensland Rail (to no avail)

I will raise it in our next meeting on Thursday night (or see if someone there reads this?)

[Fares_Fair]

Question to the TMR team on the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail (B2N) Project.

Question:
What is the estimated travel time saving from the stage 1 works?

Answer:
The Detailed Business Case identifies reductions to average transit times between Nambour and Caboolture for freight trains of 46 minutes and commuter services of 3 minutes, once the full scope of the project is delivered. (i.e to Landsborough)

Travel times on the B2N sector are impacted by timetabling and other operational decisions affecting the North Coast Line, including other rail projects in delivery.

The majority of passenger time savings are delivered during Stage 1 and the majority of freight savings in later stages.

[ozbob]

Interview  2nd December 2020

ABC Sunshine Coast Breakfast Host Robert Blackmore and Sunshine Coast RBoT Rep Jeff Addison

Discussion re Budget 2020-21 and Sunshine Coast rail.

> https://backontrack.org/docs/abcsc/abcsc_ja2dec20.mp3  MP3  13 MB

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1333944880188440576

[HappyTrainGuy]

Such a botched plan compared to the same project 14 years ago.

[ozbob]

Such a botched plan compared to the same project 14 years ago.

++++++++ 1

[verbatim9]

The interview is great and raised some.very import issues especially around freight and forcing trucks back onto the Bruce Hwy by 2023.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Such a botched plan compared to the same project 14 years ago.

++++++++ 1

I was speaking to FF the other day about how I accidentally clicked on a link in a project document and it opened the old website with all the detailed project plans still available as live links. He said he downloaded all the files. It seems downloading those files tipped TMR off that the old site was still live as its since been taken offline.

http://www.landsborough-nambour.com.au/

[Fares_Fair]

The trick is to stay one step ahead.
Thank you HTG   

[Fares_Fair]

Talking of documents disappearing online.

I saved the State Infrastructure Plan Part B Program - 2019 Update which itemised all of the budget parameters for Capital works projects in Queensland.
It has since disappeared from ALL state government websites.
But never fear Mark (and lurkers), I keep good records.

Fortunately I took a photographic record of it in 2019. 
I also downloaded the document in full. 

Compare the figures in it to the current State Government Plan for 2020.
Thus: https://twitter.com/Jeffrey_Addison/status/1333895839719165953