The Sunshine Coast Case : Rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour

[verbatim9]

I will be discussing this latest development in depth with ABC #SunshineCoast radio 90.3FM tomorrow morning at around 7:10am on.

^^Can you please post the recording link when you can after the interview.

[Stillwater]

You can just imagine the telephone conversation between an unidentified local federal member and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Michael McCormack ....
It might have gone something like this.

Member: G'day Mick, it's (inaudible) here, I need a favour mate.

Minister: Who?

Member: It's (inaudible). I sit behind you and to the right in the Parliament.

Minister: Oh, its you! If you are after a handout too in the Budget, think again. Every man and his dog has been onto me about infrastructure spending for their electorate. Oh sorry. Every person and their pet – gotta remember what ScMo said about inclusive and non-sexist language.

Member: Mate, I did you a favour the other night and told my local media that not one cent of federal funding would go into the Sunshine Coast Light Rail. You owe me bigtime. Trouble is, there is a big shindig up here on Wednesday ... the state will announce the Infrastructure Plan for the Sunshine Coast. It's got a fancy name ... Moving Queensland Forward or Make Queensland Great, something catchy like that.

It's the day after the federal budget and the state Minister will say what a p%ss-poor deal this region got from the feds and I will be in the gun to say something positive. Can't you give me something, anything?

Minister: Remember the last time I gave you some money under the Building Better Bus Stops Program? The State Government took it and re-badged it as the Bussing Buster Program and claimed all the glory. That state guy did you like a dinner. So what are you proposing now?

Member: Well, the LNP is in a bind. The federal election is around the corner and we have been telling everyone here that light rail is a dud – there's good votes in that because people don't want high rise – which has everyone asking are we going to fund CAMCOS or SCL duplication instead.

Minister: Stop there!  If I have told you once, I have told you a thousand times, we don't have $3 billion. Besides what an ungrateful bunch those electors are up there. They voted Labor in in Caloundra and Nicklin. Can you tell me why I should give you money to announce a you-beaut railway line to Nambour in Nicklin or CAMCOS to Caloundra?  We have to get Corangamite back, you know. There are other states in the Commonwealth apart from Queensland!

Member: Mate, just something.  I'm begging you.

Minister: Best I can do is $5 million. It is easier to blow $5 million on another study rather than find $3 billion for a proper construction job. Besides, we can make those Queenslanders squeeze the pips to match it with $5 million of their own. If they don't come good, they will be seen as the baddies for once. It's another study or more bus stops? What would you announce?

Member: The local keep harping on about Beerburrum to Nambour duplication. They have their hearts set on it. Besides, it has a better BCR than Cross River Rail.

Minister: Well we stayed out of that one thank goodness. As for Beerburrum-Nambour, we gave those Queensland ingrates some money, or an offer of money, but they keep saying it is not enough. That Queensland Labor mob don't realise the good deal we gave them. We have got to keep the pressure on them – dig up some more facts to show why the line is needed and how they are letting the side down. We have gotta save Andrew Powell's skin in Glasshouse. Remember he got in how many electoral cycles ago on the promise of the Beerburrum-Nambour duplication? He is on a tight margin, Fiona Simpson is safe as houses, so we can afford to ignore CAMCOS to Maroochydore for the time being.

Member: Well if that is your final offer.

Minister: It is. Make sure you get in first with the announcement. What's that little place ... Landsborough? The pies are good there. I could pop up, we could stand in front of a big banner, get Fiona, Andrew and the others there too and announce the $5 million, shake our fists and DEMAND that the state matches the funding. And if they do match the funding with $5 million of their own, we can then say they have set the precedent ... they fund half the construction costs. Forget this 80:20 furphy they carry on about when it comes to construction costs.

Member: But that stretch of track has been studied endlessly.  I think we know how many sleepers there are between Beerburrum and Nambour.

Minister: Take it or leave it, mate. I take my pies with tomato sauce.

[ozbob]

^

[ozbob]

It is 12 years since Labor stopped the upgrade Beerburrum to Landsborough.

The situation with mediocre service and prospects on the Sunshine Coast line needs to be addressed now.

Forget #fastraildreaming and other BS deflectors.  Get the basics done right and now! Can't do that, can't do Olympics!   

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

The saga of the Sunshine Coast line continues in paradise ... 11th May 2021 One of RAIL Back On Track members posted...

Posted by RAIL - Back On Track on 

Half baked projects, have long term consequences ...
Ozbob's Gallery Forum   Facebook  X   Mastodon  BlueSky

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1391830228259905537

[ozbob]

Interview 11th May 2021 ABC Radio Sunshine Coast Host David Robinson with Jeff Addison RBoT Sunshine Coast Rep

Topic:  Yet another study on the upgrading the line from Landsborough through to Nambour

Excellent interview this.

Interview --> https://backontrack.org/docs/abcsc/abcscja_11may21.mp3 MP3 21.6MB

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1391889230767411202

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1391890603584094211

[ozbob]

^ this is a cracker of an interview by FF.

Details, facts.  Indisputable, really very concerning.

[#Metro]

Great interview FF!

Could we please have a list of reports and the estimated start/completion dates for each posted here?

[Cazza]

I'm looking on Google Maps satellite images now and it funnily enough shows freight trains having to wait for one to pass another. Just another day at the office for Palmwoods I guess

https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-26.6885847,152.9604021,199m/data=!3m1!1e3

[ozbob]

^

[Fares_Fair]

Gold   

I'm looking on Google Maps satellite images now and it funnily enough shows freight trains having to wait for one to pass another. Just another day at the office for Palmwoods I guess

https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-26.6885847,152.9604021,199m/data=!3m1!1e3

[Fares_Fair]

Great interview FF!

Could we please have a list of reports and the estimated start/completion dates for each posted here?

Thank you.
I wish I had the time to compile an exhaustive cross-referenced list of dates...
Here is my list of studies, reports and papers highlighting the need for #2tracks rail duplication Landsborough to Nambour.
I have included here 4 of my own reports as (FF)
I mentioned a dozen in my interview to be conservative but as you can see there are many more. I know of others. Many exist only as paper copies in my files.
21 listed here.

REPORTS ON RAIL DUPLICATION - BEERBURRUM to NAMBOUR
11 May 2011 at 7:10am
ABC Sunshine Coast 90.3FM radio interview with David (Robbo) Robinson

2006 - AusLink Brisbane-Cairns Corridor Strategy
2007 - Landsborough to Nambour Initial Advice Statement
2007 Qld AusLink Network: Forward Strategy 2009-10 to 2013-14 by TMR pp69-75
Jun 2007 - Brisbane to Cairns Corridor Study
Oct 2007 - Rail Service and Infrastructure Requirements Study for TRANSLink
Nov 2007 - Landsborough to Nambour Corridor Study
Sep 2008 - Inner City Rail Capacity Study - MPB Systemwide Paper: Rail Operations Review
Jul 2010 - South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program 2010-2031
Apr 2011 - Submission to Infrastructure Australia re: North Coast Line Beerburrum to Gympie North (FF)
May 2011 - Sunshine Coast Interim Regional Roadmap 2010
Aug 2011 - The Sunshine Coast Case -Rail Duplication Beerburrum to Nambour (FF)
Nov 2011 - Qld Co-Ordinator General's report on EIS for Landsborough to Nambour Rail Project
This 'gave the green light for the project to proceed.'
Nov 2011 - Queensland Infrastructure Plan
Feb 2012 - Qld North Coast Line (NCL) Infrastructure to improve Rail Freight and Passenger Services (FF) to Fed Govt
Apr 2013 - The Federal Freight Case (FF) to Fed Govt
Jan 2015 - Northern Australia Audit
Feb 2015 - North Coast Line Capacity Improvement Study (NCLCI)
Aug 2013 and Feb 2015 - South East Queensland Capacity Improvement Study (SEQCI) [I was refused relevant information in this document in RTI request - Majority of relevant data was deleted making it useless - Hidden by Govt]
Jan 2018 - Beerburrum to Nambour (B2N) Business Case (from Dec 2016).
Feb 2018 - Beerburrum to Nambour (B2N) Evaluation Summary
2018 - Sunshine Coast (Draft) Regional Transport Plan

[ozbob]

^ amazing incompetence on display Queensland.   

[Stillwater]

Study to be completed by 2023, according to Budget publicity. https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/files/budget-2021-22/qld-beerburrum-to-nambour-duplication-study.pdf

[ozbob]

Study to be completed by 2023, according to Budget publicity. https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/files/budget-2021-22/qld-beerburrum-to-nambour-duplication-study.pdf

Let's hope they manage to duplicate the line Beerwah to Landsborough too hey?

[Fares_Fair]

They are aware... 

Project description This study will consider the options to fully duplicate the North Coast Line from Beerburrum to Nambour (in addition to duplication from Beerburrum to Beerwah currently being delivered as part of the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade project).

It will also examine an option for a Fast Rail line to Nambour in the future.

[Arnz]

Another question is whether the fast rail will be standard gauge (and therefore built by the federal government's ARTC), or narrow gauge and under the control of DTMR and/or QR.

[Fares_Fair]

I have been told it will be a state government responsibility, so if the state govt doesn't support it, it won't proceed.
This study will allow for it within the corridor (or perhaps modify the corridor - who knows) for possible (far) future use.
The current corridor allows for 4 tracks.
So DTMR/QR it is.

[achiruel]

I think we're dreaming with fast rail. Honestly I'd be pretty happy with 160km/h duplicated track to Nambour and curve easing/lengthened passing loops beyond that. If we could have 1km freight trains running at 100km/h most of the way to Townsville, it would do a lot to help get freight off the Bruce.

[verbatim9]

Fast rail will only be fast tracked for the Olympics and will likely come out of federal contingency funds. Plus any other fund pool that may arise from a range of other measures from local state and federal government's.

[Fares_Fair]

When in February this year Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson was talking about the 2032 Olympics bid in a media conference, and the importance of (Fast) rail, the Premier was audibly heard saying.. "it's not in the bid, it's not in the bid."

[ozbob]

I think we're dreaming with fast rail. Honestly I'd be pretty happy with 160km/h duplicated track to Nambour and curve easing/lengthened passing loops beyond that. If we could have 1km freight trains running at 100km/h most of the way to Townsville, it would do a lot to help get freight off the Bruce.

When in February this year Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson was talking about the 2032 Olympics bid in a media conference, and the importance of (Fast) rail, the Premier was audibly heard saying.. "it's not in the bid, it's not in the bid."

Yo,  #fastraildreaming

If they can get stage 1 extended to Landsborough that will be a good start.   

[kram0]

Fast rail will not happen. As stated if we get duplication (160kph) to Nambour and rail to Caloundra before 2032 Olympics, we should be happy with that. At a stretch you might see Trouts with rail, but not super confident.

[Fares_Fair]

I think we're dreaming with fast rail. Honestly I'd be pretty happy with 160km/h duplicated track to Nambour and curve easing/lengthened passing loops beyond that. If we could have 1km freight trains running at 100km/h most of the way to Townsville, it would do a lot to help get freight off the Bruce.

I concur.
Get rid of the infamous Eudlo S bend.
Duplicate to Nambour.
Would love too see the extra services it would allow up to Gympie.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament Hansard

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/documents/hansard/2021/2021_06_15_DAILY.pdf

Questions Without Notice

15th June 2021

Sunshine Coast, Rail Infrastructure

Mr BLEIJIE: My question is to the Premier. I refer to Labor's $4 billion infrastructure budget cut
and ask: where is Labor's plan to build passenger heavy rail for the Sunshine Coast?

Dr MILES: Mr Speaker, I rise to a point of order. This is the third time in a row members of the
opposition have made an unsubstantiated claim about what is in the budget. There is no $4 billion
budget cut. They are making it up.

Mr SPEAKER: Member for Kawana, the Deputy Premier is seeking authentication of the
question asked, so I ask that you can provide some basis for the question.

Mr BLEIJIE: Mr Speaker, in your ruling, I table a copy of an article from AAP directly quoting the
Treasurer where he says the budget has gone from $56 billion to $52 billion. That is a $4 billion cut.
Thank you.

Tabled paper: Article from AAP on-line, dated 11 June 2021, titled 'Qld funds health, cuts capital spending'.

Mr SPEAKER: The terminology 'cut' is not used in that. That is an interpretation. However, I will
allow the question in the spirit of it being budget day. The Treasurer or the Premier, in answer to any
questions, have the opportunity to refute such a claim, which is why I will allow it.

Ms PALASZCZUK: I thank the member for Kawana for the question. As those opposite know, it
is the Palaszczuk government that is delivering for the Sunshine Coast. We are delivering new schools,
we are going to deliver the infrastructure—

A government member: And two new members.

Ms PALASZCZUK: That is right—I take that interjection—we have delivered two new members,
two new wonderful members to this House who are working really hard. I can advise the House that
the Commonwealth and the Queensland governments have committed $550.8 million towards the initial
stage of the Beerburrum-Nambour rail upgrade. The upgrade will increase capacity, improve reliability
and reduce travel times for passengers and freight in the growing Sunshine Coast region. The upgrade
will be completed in stages to deliver community benefits while investigating funding for future stages.

The funding for stage 1 has been confirmed, and construction is expected to begin in early 2022.
Stage 1 will deliver three new bridges, expand three park-and-ride facilities and duplicate the section
of rail track between Beerburrum and Beerwah. A new bus interchange will also be created on the
eastern side of the Landsborough station. We are also listening to the needs of the community through
a range of activities as we complete the detailed design for stage 1 and gather input for future stages.
As the member for Kawana also talked about rail, I will talk about the trains.

Mr Dick: Where are we going to make the trains?

Ms PALASZCZUK: Where are we going to make those trains? Right here in Maryborough, in
Queensland. No more overseas production. Let's have our manufacturing here to make sure that we
deliver the long-term secure jobs that Queenslanders need.

Dr Miles interjected.

Ms PALASZCZUK: We will even fix those up.

Mr Bleijie interjected.

Mr Bailey interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: Order! Pause the clock! Premier, please resume your seat. Member for Kawana
and the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, you are both warned under the standing orders.
Bickering across the chamber and quarrelling is not acceptable. Premier, you have the call. Do you
have anything further to add?

Ms PALASZCZUK: Yes. We are also building Cross River Rail and three new train stations on
the Gold Coast. We know how important transport is for our growing state. It is our government that is
going to continue to deliver for the people of this great state.

Mr Mickelberg interjected.

Mr SPEAKER: The member for Buderim is warned under the standing orders. Comments will
be directed through the chair. Premier, do you have anything further to add?

Ms PALASZCZUK: No.

====

[Fares_Fair]

I spoke briefly to Ch 7 Sunshine Coast today about the Queensland Govt Budget and my response to its underwhelming results (funding), 3 years since its announcement.
Also the $5 million federal offer to co-fund a study for full rail duplication to Nambour was ignored - showing their true commitment to the burgeoning region is sparing.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsSC/status/1405077360391593985

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsSC/status/1409790703991885827

[ozbob]

Sunshine Valley Gazette 4th August 2021 page 26

Rail study allocation falls short

[ozbob]

https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/92906

Local company secures Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade contract
10th August 2021

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Sunshine Coast company Hall Contracting has been awarded the early works construction contract for the jointly funded Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (B2N), unlocking the first of 333 overall jobs expected to be created by the project.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the project is another reminder of the Federal Liberal­-Nationals Government's record nationwide $110 billion infrastructure investment plan connecting communities.

"Investing in B2N is also about creating jobs and supporting the Sunshine Coast and Queensland's economic recovery," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

"It's the first time in history that the Federal Government is funding this stretch of rail, where we're contributing 70 per cent. We're also funding 80 per cent of the Bruce Highway upgrades. The Sunshine Coast deserves this level of support."

Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said early works would provide a shot in the arm for local jobs on the Sunshine Coast.

"The Queensland Government is delivering a record $27.5 billion roads and transport infrastructure investment program and Sunshine Coast road and rail upgrades are a major component of that program," Mr Bailey said.

"The efforts of the Sunshine Coast community to help manage the health impacts of the pandemic has meant we've been able to get on with delivering our COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan and keep work moving on projects like the $932 million Bruce Highway upgrade from Caloundra Road to Sunshine Motorway."

Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace said the early works would start early next year.

"The upgrade is one of several projects planned to improve the freight and passenger connection between Brisbane and Cairns," Mr Wallace said.

"This $550.8 million investment in rail upgrades will help alleviate pressure on the Bruce Highway – the backbone of our transport infrastructure.

"The B2N project will provide additional track capacity and reliability, creating travel time savings and enabling increased passenger and freight services to the growing Sunshine Coast region."

Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O'Brien said through a $390 million commitment to rail upgrades between Beerburrum and Nambour, the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government is delivering the transport infrastructure the Sunshine Coast needs and deserves.

"Alongside our record investment in a safer and less congested Bruce Highway, this project is another example of our determination to deliver for people of our region, to make sure the infrastructure they need and deserve is funded and delivered," Mr O'Brien said.

"These early works are the next critical step in delivering this project, which will create 333 jobs and over 1,860 additional parking spaces while paving the way to begin duplicating the line and separate passenger and freight rail at a serious pinch point along the line."

State Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt said the early works contract was a coup for a business that was founded and continues to operate on the Sunshine Coast.

"More capacity and better rail takes extra cars and trucks off our road, and for the thousands of families that call this area home that means a quicker, safer commute home," Mr Hunt said.

"It also means more jobs and I'm proud to be part of a government that's also delivering the new Bells Creek Arterial Road and the $662 million Bruce Highway upgrade from Steve Irwin Way to Caboolture."

State Member for Nicklin Robert Skelton welcomed the announcement and said the project would also see park 'n' ride upgrades at Nambour and Landsborough stations.

"The early works will increase the park 'n' ride capacity at Landsborough and Nambour stations, helping to manage parking pressures in the surrounding streets and suburbs," Mr Skelton said.

"For people in my community, the upgrade to the Nambour Station park 'n' ride facility will provide about 50 new parking spaces, boosting Nambour's commuter car parking to more than 300 spaces."

At Landsborough, an additional park 'n' ride facility with about 300 parking spaces will be built on the eastern side of the station, removing the need for people to drive across the level crossing to park.

Landsborough Station will also benefit from the construction of a new bus interchange.

Stage one will also realign a one-kilometre section of Steve Irwin Way between Nursery Road and Moffatt Road, allowing duplication of the rail line and smoothing of the curves through this section.

The early works will pave the way for the major construction works to deliver rail duplication between Beerburrum and Beerwah, three new road-over-rail bridges and expansion of the park 'n' ride facility at Beerburrum.

Early works are expected to start in early 2022 and be completed by 2023, weather and construction conditions permitting.

Stage 1 construction is expected to be completed by 2025, weather and construction conditions permitting. 

The Australian and Queensland governments have committed $550.8 million towards the B2N project, with the Australian Government providing $390 million and the Queensland Government providing $160.8 million.

For more information, visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au and search for 'Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade'.   

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Transport Minister Mark Bailey confirms Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade will not be completed by 2024 $

The timeline for a long-awaited Sunshine Coast rail upgrade is blowing out after spending fell $10.5m short of the project's budget last year.

The state government has been accused of "losing control" of the $550.8m Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade.

Hall Contracting will start early works next year to increase parking at Landsborough and Nambour stations, but other parts of the project's first stage still require environment department approvals.

The project is being delivered in stages and includes duplication of the North Coast Line between Beerburrum and Landsborough stations as well as station upgrades, new park 'n' ride facilities and rail passing loops between Landsborough and Nambour.

It is touted as a vital project that will reduce rail travel times between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

LNP transport spokesman Steve Minnikin said the government spent $10.5m less than it budgeted for the project in the 2020-21 financial year. ...

[Fares_Fair]

That's just little fish from last financial year.

To date, the under-spend has been $59.566 million.

[Fares_Fair]

That's just little fish from last financial year.

To date, the under-spend has been $59.566 million.

10 Aug 2021 Estimates—Transport and Main Roads (Proof) p13

CHAIR: The member for Maroochydore?
Ms SIMPSON: Thank you, Mr Chair. Good morning, everybody. My question is to the Director-General, Mr Neil Scales. Could you please explain why there is a $10.5 million underspend on the Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade?
Mr Scales: I thank the honourable member for the question. The Beerburrum to Nambour rail project is obviously quite complicated. There is support from both federal and state governments. As I have just explained partially in the response to the member for Broadwater, cash flows can change. We have a $550.8 million allocation towards this project, including $160.8 million from Queensland government. When we say 'underspend', the money will be spent. It is probably a matter of timing, because there is an incredible amount of planning that goes into this sort of work. We have land to take, there is the Biodiversity Conservation Act to take into account. There is the EPBC submission to take into account.
Mr BAILEY: We are waiting for federal approvals I think, aren't we?
CHAIR: I was just going to ask for a clarification. I have got a thing with acronyms, for the benefit of the committee.
Mr Scales: It is the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, sorry, chair.
CHAIR: No, that is okay.
Ms SIMPSON: Further to that question, Mr Scales, in the 2021-22 QTRIP budget, could you advise, there's been a reduction from $61.7 million in last year's budget to $29.4 million in this QTRIP budget, as well. Could you advise why there is another substantial reduction?
Mr Scales: I thank the honourable member for the supplementary question. It is not a reduction; it reflects the stage of the project. As members will be aware, QTRIP is an incredibly complicated collection of projects. the cash flows move around as we get more detail, or as we deliver more things on the network. It is not a reduction, it is just a reprofiling of the cash flow, if that helps the honourable member.
Ms SIMPSON: Further to that Mr Scales, when will this rail project be completed?
Mr Scales: I thank the honourable member for the question. The project is in train—sorry, I shouldn't say that. The project is progressing and I am not going to speculate on it at this point, because as you have seen from the two questions you have just asked the end point depends on so many different factors. I am not avoiding question, I am just not prepared to speculate.
Ms SIMPSON: Further to that Mr Scales, the website says '2024'. Given that the roll-out of the expenditure has been delayed, are you saying that it will be beyond 2024, which is the date which is on the website?
Mr Scales: No.
CHAIR: Member, I would just like to say for the future, the Director-General has explained the reasons for it, but you have asked that question. I didn't miss—I was stopping before the answer, but I think the question was answered before I got through it. Did you have a further question?
Ms SIMPSON: Yes. It is reasonable for me to refer to the website, Mr Chair. Mr Scales, the website says the project will be completed by 2024. Is this project going to be completed in 2024?
Mr Scales: That is our intention, but as I said, on the earlier answer and thank you for the supplementary question, it depends on a whole range of factors in terms of what we're trying to achieve.
CHAIR: Did the minister have anything to add to that?
Ms SIMPSON: That is inappropriate, Mr Chair, I wasn't talking to the minister. I was asking the Director-General and that is contrary to your standing orders.
Mr BAILEY: We are waiting for federal approvals. The member may not wish to know that—
Mr MILLAR: Point of order, Mr Chair.


p22 Estimates—Transport and Main Roads (Proof) 10 Aug 2021
CHAIR: Can we please stop the interjections? The minister is answering the question. Minister, noting it was an inflammatory question, but could you please—
Ms SIMPSON: It is inflammatory response! Ridiculous!
CHAIR: Member!
Mr BAILEY: There were two parts to the question. The digital licence app: while there has been a global pandemic, we have been focused on ensuring Queenslanders are safe. Seven deaths in Queensland; 4.3 million deaths worldwide. We have been very successful at doing so, but the global pandemic has had an impact on a range of things. The trials for the digital licence have been promising. It is under consideration for government in terms of ensuring it progresses right across the state. We obviously see the great advantages in it. Of course, the pandemic has been the priority in terms of dealing with things. We can hear the grumbling and the groaning from those in opposition about various things, but that is the reality.
The other part of the question was the aviation issue. The honourable member for Chatsworth might have noticed that aviation has changed considerably during the global pandemic. Of course we will consider further the issue of tracking airfares, but at the moment I do not think that is something, given how limited air services are due to the pandemic, we will get back to, but we are making sure that communities have air services. We have the Local Fare Scheme which was cut by the previous government, restored by us, so that people are subsidised to go to remote locations up in the Cape. That is something we are very proud of and we continued in the budget to ensure people are not paying inordinate airfares.
You can put your fingers in your ear and pretend the pandemic is not real, but it is real and it has had an impact on all three of these issues.
CHAIR: Thank you Minister for that answer. We will now go to government questions. I call the member for Mount Ommaney.
Ms PUGH: Minister, with reference to Budget Paper No. 3, can the minister outline to the committee how the Palaszczuk government's record roads and transport budget has helped to secure the 2032 Olympics and plans for transport over the next 10 years?
Mr BAILEY: Just before I answer the question, I inform the committee that I have just been informed that the federal approvals for the Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade have actually just come through. I am sure the member for Maroochydore will be pleased to hear that her colleagues in Canberra have done that. That is something we have been seeking for quite some time now—most of this year.

Then some further clarification..

10 Aug 2021 Estimates—Transport and Main Roads (Proof) p27
Mr BAILEY: I am happy to add to that answer. Can I just say that the people who use the Tennyson tennis centre use the Yeerongpilly station. You suggest that they would need a Tennyson line to get there, but they already have a heavy rail station nearby that will also benefit from the Cross River Rail project. The Yeerongpilly Green development, the tennis centre and the existing residential area is very well served by heavy rail right now and it will be even better with Cross River Rail.
CHAIR: Member, we have got one more minute if you have a really quick question because these times are set by the House.
Mr BERKMAN: Director-General, the $112 million Active Transport Investment Program that was outlined in the Cycling Action Plan 2019-2022 looks to have expired a month ago at the end of the 2020-21 financial year. What is the budget allocation for that Active Transport Investment Program this year and across the next four years?
Mr Scales: The Cycling and Walking Strategy is well-known. I am saying that the—
CHAIR: Director-General, we are going to have to be very brief with the answer.
Mr Scales: We are now investing a record $252 million over the next four years.
CHAIR: Thank you. The committee will now have a break. This hearing will resume at 11.15 am with the continued examination of the estimates for the portfolio of transport and main roads.
Proceedings suspended from 11.00 am to 11.15 am.
CHAIR: The hearing is resumed. I welcome back the minister and officials. The committee will continue its examination of the estimates for the transport and main roads portfolio. Minister, I understand you have a quick clarification to make.
Mr BAILEY: Yes. I just want to clarify the information I got through before that I passed onto the committee. The approvals that have been given for Beerburrum to Nambour are in fact some early works, not the substantial, from the federal government. That involves two park-and-rides there that can proceed without the environmental approvals, but the major works still do require federal government environmental approval which we are still seeking. I just wanted to clarify that for the committee.
CHAIR: Thanks, Minister. We will now go to non-government questions.

[Stillwater]

So, the feds have approved the carparks (early works) and - I think - some roadworks that form part of the total package. Can we infer from Mr Bailey's clarification that the 'substantial rail works' requiring federal approval might have been delayed while there is argy-bargy about scale and alignment of the rails, under the guise of the environmental approvals? For instance, my devious mind is thinking that the feds - in their desire to affect the rail design - have somehow discovered a rare red-toed arse breathing frog habitat, requiring a diversion to where they want to railway line to go? Or am I thinking too hard?

[Stillwater]

Ahh, Connecting SEQ 2031 ....

CoastLink

The proposed 2031 rail network includes CoastLink services to connect the Gold Coast  and Sunshine Coast to central Brisbane in about one hour, stopping only at major
stations. A reliable, one hour inter-city travel time to the growing coastal centres will:

reinforce the SEQ Regional Plan principal activity centres as key locations for business with high quality connections to the Brisbane CBD, supporting business growth at
these centres

reduce long distance private vehicle travel due to increased public transport patronage achieved by the new services.

This approach is similar to the European model of smaller cities with their own commuter systems, with connections between each city. For south-east Queensland, rail investment
must be strongly matched to economic development, land use and urban development policies to ensure that the necessary jobs are created in the growing coastal cities.
Providing CoastLink services also minimises the need for investment in motorway and highway upgrades to cater for regional movements.

So, what's happening now? .... Wishful thinking continues to get dressed up as strategic commitment. We are investing in highway upgrades to cater for regional movements (Caloundra turn-of to Nambour turn-off on the Bruce Highway, additional lanes between Caboolture and Steve Irwin Way turn-off).

[Gazza]

I think coastlink by 2031 was delayed by CRR being delayed by nine years (Since I think SC trains will use CRR)
So it might be more like 2040 that we get Coastlink.
I still strongly support getting a spur to Caloundra at least since that will save a lot of travel time for a couple of hundred thousand people.

[ozbob]

" Olympics 2032 "