The Sunshine Coast Case : Rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour

[ozbob]

 

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> MAYOR'S VIEW: Choir's singing for infrastructure

[Stillwater]

La...La..La -- the whole Coast is singing from the same hymn sheet.  Let's hope the harmonics have floated down to Brisbane and has been heard in George Street.  Less than 60 sleeps now before the Coast knows whether B-Nbr will be duplicated!  Otherwise the sound of harmonious singing may become the noisy grinding of swords and axes, ready for the next state election.

[skippy]

Heard a rumour that Pacific National Queensland have lost intermodal business to road, with reduced rail traffic on the NCL, flat wagons idle and a number of redundancies. Sad if this is true. 

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> CALLOUT: What does the Coast need the most?

Priority 1

First on the council list is the duplication and upgrade of the North Coast rail line between Beerburrum and Nambour.

Acting Mayor Chris Thompson said there were a number of arguments for this project.

"The rail duplication will dramatically improve the state's freight paths for goods, agricultural and mineral resources, improve public transport efficiency and promote the state's economic growth," Cr Thompson said.

"The Queensland Government's EIS for the project suggests a state economic benefit of $4.57 billion over the period of construction.

"Locally, the North Coast rail line duplication will support existing businesses and create opportunities for new ones, particularly in the railway towns and hinterland areas.

"It would also improve the passenger train service and ease some of the pressure on the Bruce Hwy.

"The project is estimated to create 2786 jobs at any one point in time over the seven-year construction period.

"This project has been identified as a priority in state and federal government planning and policy documents for years - now is the time to make it happen.''

Rail advocate Jeff Addison said the project was one the region could no longer afford to overlook.

"The rail duplication for the 39km from Beerburrum to Nambour is crucial," Mr Addison said.

"I understand the cost is around $770 million for 17 kilometres from Beerburrum to Landsborough and the last reliable reported cost was around $1.8 billion for the 22 kilometres from Landsborough to Nambour.

"But a 2007 engineer's report says it is likely that the region would experience adverse socio-economic effects should the NCL between Landsborough and Nambour not be upgraded.

"It can remove big transport trucks from the Bruce Hwy that could be serviced by freight trains, and that would make highway travel just that little bit safer.

"It will allow speeds of up to 160kmh along the rail line." ...

more --> http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/callout-help-get-the-coast-on-right-track/2348585/

[Fares_Fair]

Sunshine Coast Council calls for voices ... on what the Sunshine Coast needs for infrastructure.

Webpage here:
http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/sitePage.cfm?code=strong-choice-investment-program&utm_content=bufferd4e40&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Help the Sunshine Coast Get its Fair Share
You can help the Sunshine Coast get funding for:

1. a duplicated rail line
2. expanded Bruce Highway and other major road upgrades
3. an entertainment, convention and exhibition centre in the Maroochydore Priority Development Area.

All you have to do is tell is tell the state government why you think these projects are important for the future of this region – and Sunshine Coast Council has even provided some helpful facts to make it even easier.

One voice for one region
The State Government's Strong Choice Investment Program has provided the Sunshine Coast region with a unique opportunity to get much needed investment in infrastructure.

The Sunshine Coast will be competing with every region across the state to get its fair share of $8.6 billion which will be made available if the Queensland Government's proposed asset divestment program goes ahead after the next State election.

That's why it's so important for the people of this region to speak with one voice – to be heard we need to provide clear and consistent responses.

Through its discussions with community and elected representatives and its own planning for the region, Council has identified five significant projects which would make the biggest difference to the future of this region.

They are:

The duplication and upgrade of the North Coast Rail Line between Beerburrum and Nambour.
2. The inclusion of the upgrade of the Bruce Highway to six lanes from Caboolture to the Sunshine Coast over the next decade in the Bruce Highway Action Plan.
3. Upgrades to the Sunshine Coast Motorway and Nicklin Way interchange and the Mooloolah River Crossing.
4. Sunshine Coast High Quality Bus Corridor providing a priority bus spine from Caloundra to Maroochydore with a future connection to Noosa.
5. A funding contribution towards delivering an entertainment, convention and exhibition centre in the Maroochydore Priority Development Area.

Every one of these projects has the potential to create jobs, boost our economy and make this region an even better place to live.
Read more about these projects below.

What Council is encouraging you to do is send a message to the state government to support these projects as the region's priorities.

If you'd like to help visit the Stronger Choices website.

Further details about the significant projects which could help with your submission
The duplication and upgrade of the North Coast Rail Line between Beerburrum and Nambour.
The rail duplication will dramatically improve the state's freight paths for goods, agricultural and mineral resources, improve public transport efficiency and promote the State's economic growth – with the Queensland Government's EIS for the project suggesting a State economic benefit of $4.57 billion over the period of construction. Locally, the North Coast rail line duplication will support existing businesses and create opportunities for new ones – particularly in the railway towns and hinterland areas. It would also improve the passenger train service and ease some of the pressure on the Bruce Highway. The project is estimated to create 2786 jobs at any one point in time over the 7 year construction period. It has been identified as a priority in state and federal government planning and policy documents for years – now is the time to make it happen.
Fund: Public Transport Rail Infrastructure Fund

The inclusion of the upgrade of the Bruce Highway to six lanes from Caboolture to the Sunshine Coast over the next decade in the Bruce Highway Action Plan.
This project is essential if the Sunshine Coast is to grow its economy. The current bottlenecks are putting a handbrake on the region's growth, especially in tourism and the region's ability to move exports to the Port of Brisbane. The inclusion of this project in the Bruce Highway Action Plan for delivery over the next decade will enable the regional economy to build its exports, encourage new business investment, generate new employment opportunities, dramatically improve tourism access to the region and improve the safety and reliability of this part of the National Highway.
Fund: South East Queensland Roads Fund

Upgrades to the Sunshine Coast Motorway and Nicklin Way interchange and the Mooloolah River Crossing.
This part of the State-controlled road network is a vital linkage point in the urban coastal area – serving as a pivotal connection point to the major centres and key service points, such as the Sunshine Coast University Hospital complex, the University of the Sunshine Coast, the Maroochydore City Centre, the Sunshine Coast Airport and Bruce Highway and Hinterland areas. This central piece of the road network is already at capacity and is experiencing major traffic flow and safety issues. As the region continues to grow, providing access to the Sunshine Coast's major commercial, residential, educational, health and community developments is critical to connecting people with employment, attracting new investment and enabling the community to access vital services.
Fund: South East Queensland Roads Fund

Sunshine Coast High Quality Bus Corridor providing a priority bus spine from Caloundra to Maroochydore with links to key northern and rural centres.
As the Sunshine Coast grows (its population is expected to increase by more than 150,000 people over the next 20 years) public transport will become increasingly important to connect people to new employment and essential services and support investment in a growing economy. Formerly known as Coast Connect, this project will provide a crucial public transport spine linking the major commercial centres and areas where much of the commercial and residential growth is planned to occur over the next 20 years. The development of a bus corridor spine is a pivotal part of that future and will help to ease congestion on roads and could be delivered earlier than other potential public transport solutions between major centres.
Fund: South East Queensland Roads Fund

A funding contribution towards delivering an entertainment, convention and exhibition centre in the Maroochydore Priority Development Area.
This development will be delivered by the private sector as part of a joint project including a five star hotel as part of the overall development mix. The entertainment, convention and exhibition centre project has widespread community and industry support. It will provide the opportunity to significantly grow the region's tourism offer and deliver major economic flow on benefits to other industry sectors. This facility will provide a much needed venue for local and international acts, exhibitions, conferences and delegations. It would generate hundreds of millions of dollars (directly and indirectly) for the local economy and create more than 2000 jobs in the construction and operational phases combined. Other smaller cities in Queensland have benefitted from state contributions for similar projects. This is a vital piece of the economic and community infrastructure mix for a region of this size. Successive studies over the last ten years have demonstrated the need for this project.
Fund: Rural and Regional Economic Development Fund or Local Government Co-Investment Fund

[Fares_Fair]

After 4 years of campaigning, a decision is expected on the funding for the rail duplication from Beerburrum to Nambour.
This to be announced in September 2014.
It could be as early as just 7 days away ...

We know that it will be dependent upon the mandate by the LNP to sell and/or lease assets (the Strong Choices campaign) which will be taken to the people, as promised, at the next state election due by March 2015.
It will release $8.6 billion in infrastructure funding for Queensland.
$2 billion of that is dedicated to rail; $1 billion for the Bus and Train tunnel and $1 billion for public transport rail infrastructure.

We know that it will be carried out in a 2 stage approach and that the first stage would be the 17km from Beerburrum to Landsborough.
The second stage would be the 22km from Landsborough to Nambour.

The completion of Beerburrum to Landsborough will forever end the 'capacity' uselessness experienced when the works stopped short at Beerburrum in Easter 2009. Those works achieved nothing for extra capacity of the line.
Duplication to Landsborough will change all of that!

This second stage is the most crucial to the entire 1669km of the North Coast Line up to Cairns, being the most twisted, tortuous sector from Landsborough to Palmwoods, that piece includes 2 tunnels, along with the shortest passing loop in the entire NCL at Palmwoods.

The completion of this leg will reverberate along the entire 1700km of the track to Cairns.

The second stage (Landsborough to Nambour) was given approval to proceed by the (former) Co-Ordinator General, Keith Davies on 9 November 2011.
That approval will expire on 9 November 2015.

[Stillwater]

I am a bit more of a pessimist, FF, so believe an announcement is 29 sleeps away.  Then, the optimist in me says it will be a 'big' announcement, also detailing the future involvement of the ARTC in the operation of the line.  (I have no evidence this is likely to occur, other than the fact that the ARTC announcement was to be made 'later in 2014' and September is the start of the latter part of the year.  )

 

[dancingmongoose]

What is the expected time it would take to complete?

[Stillwater]

It is likely to be built in two stages, Beerburrum-Landsborough and Landsborough-Nambour.  There are variations, providing for duplication over some of the worst sections around Mooloolah and Eudlo that someone advising the PUP is looking at, but the plans are there for B-L as a first stage, completed by 2020.

The thing is that Beerburrum-Landsborough duplication would not address the worst sections of track on the Sunny Coast, which lie between Landsborough and Nambour.

[Stillwater]

Any ideas as to when the Queensland Government will announce the infrastructure projects to benefit from the sale of state assets?  Still 10 days or so to go to the end of the month, I suppose.

[Fares_Fair]

I am a bit more of a pessimist, FF, so believe an announcement is 29 sleeps away.  Then, the optimist in me says it will be a 'big' announcement, also detailing the future involvement of the ARTC in the operation of the line.  (I have no evidence this is likely to occur, other than the fact that the ARTC announcement was to be made 'later in 2014' and September is the start of the latter part of the year.  )

 

We're past the half-way mark.
My half-full glass is now 2/3 empty, and your half-empty one ... 

If it is to be announced on a Monday, that would leave 22nd or 29th September.

[Stillwater]

... is getting emptier by the day.  Again, crystal ball-gazing, but it would appear the decisions have been made.  We are going to sell off the assets (to be ratified at an election), we have found some carbon tax loose change down the back of the sofa to make people feel better about fares (even though the structural deficiencies remain) and we have a big bucket of money to apply to projects in marginal electorates, err public transport sensitive areas.  Public transport affects everyone, so BAT would benefit many commuters, or voters.

My guess is we are in the public announcement preparation stage ... leak to the CM on a Saturday, big announcement on Sunday, talk-back radio on the Monday and Tuesday, Premier and Minister do round of regional appearances to follow.  Media kits are being worked up for LNP candidates to spruik the good news, website being prepared etc.

The idea is that the publicity flows into an election campaign strategy where everyone feels good that the government is spending again.

[Stillwater]

While it probably is delay of a good news announcement, another dash of hopes for long-suffering SC customers, it would seem, who had expected an announcement of government intent re B-L in September.  Sill, a couple of days to go.   

[Fares_Fair]

I am a bit more of a pessimist, FF, so believe an announcement is 29 sleeps away.  Then, the optimist in me says it will be a 'big' announcement, also detailing the future involvement of the ARTC in the operation of the line.  (I have no evidence this is likely to occur, other than the fact that the ARTC announcement was to be made 'later in 2014' and September is the start of the latter part of the year.  )

 

We're past the half-way mark.
My half-full glass is now 2/3 empty, and your half-empty one ... 

If it is to be announced on a Monday, that would leave 22nd or 29th September.

Should I set my alarm clock for early tomorrow morning? 

Whatever happens, it will be tied to the long-term lease of assets and a mandate at the State election due in March 2015.
In our Community Cabinet meeting on 23 April, I made mention to the Premier of my preference for long-term leases over asset sales.

I am happy to see the Government take that approach on board.
This way ownership will remain with the Government, a much more palatable solution for infrastructure spending.
Also the predicted income from these leases are very conservative and more income is expected than has been budgeted for.

Time to wait ... and see if patience is virtuous to the Sunshine Coast

[Stillwater]

  

[Stillwater]

I suspect we will see an announcement of the state government's decision in the next few weeks, at a time that suits the publicity strategies of the government around the assets sales matters.  If the government delays the announcement to December, it will run into the period when the Senate inquiry into the Role of Public Transport in Delivering Productivity Outcomes finally produces its report (December 4).  That inquiry took submissions earlier this year and they included two that related specifically to the SCL congestion and the impacts on the economy and rail freight operations.  Because of those submissions, it is likely the report will refer to them and maybe will include further examinations of this issue arising from follow-up work the Rural and Regional Affairs, and Transport Committee would have done.  No doubt, that material would be fodder for the local media to criticise the government's lack of action on the SCL.

If the government is thinking about stalling any announcement, in order to make it closer to an election date, and does that after December 4, it will cop negative publicity.  Presumably, the ALP and Peter Wellington (Independent MP) would seize the material and make a splash.  Any subsequent announcement would be seen to be in reaction to a critical report.  Right before an election, Peter Wellington and Co. would be able to demonstrate their effectiveness at lobbying the government to get things for the Sunny Coast.

An announcement of the SCL upgrade by the end of November, on the other hand, would circumvent that and show that the government is in control with its own plan.  Otherwise the electorate might think that the other side of politics is good at herding Mr Newman and Co.  And let's not forget the PUP-initiated inquiry into the state government right before an election.

Surely someone, or some group, will flick that inquiry some documentation about the SCL fiasco -- more opportunity for bad publicity.

By making its announcement on the SCL duplication earlier, when the slings and arrows come along, the state government will be able to say something like:  "We are ahead of the game here.  We, ourselves, have been aware of those issues and working on a plan to fix them.  All Labor can do is complain.  We will be turning sods soon, delivering real outcomes for the people of the Sunshine Coast."  The usual bulldust.

[Stillwater]

It seems you have only a few more sleeps to go, FF, before you will know whether the LNP Government has put funding towards the Beerburrum-Nambour duplication.  Channel 7 news reported tonight (Saturday) that the Queensland Strong Choices package will be considered by State Cabinet on Tuesday.  Expect the good news blitz to kick off soon after.  Let's hope the government gives a clear deadline for completing duplication to Nambour if it funds work for just part of the project.  The Sunny Coast could do with the jobs and considerable boost to the local economy from any construction activity.

[Fares_Fair]

Yes, concur SW.
I saw the Media Statement released at 2:27pm this afternoon called 'Strong Choices Plan gets finishing touches'.

It says in part...
"By leasing assets we can pay down some of the debt, reduce our interest bill and set up a series of funds to pay for the schools, hospitals, roads and rail we're going to need in the future as our state grows."

The meeting on Tuesday is a 'special party room meeting' called to address this package and a vote will take place in Cabinet on Tuesday afternoon.
Premier said in recorded interview (by ABC and now up on Soundcloud) that asset leases (NO sales) will raise $37 billion, up from the initial $33 billion.
$8.6 billion in infrastructure spending for Queensland.

Mentioned it will generate some 25,000 jobs in infrastructure.
Landsborough to Nambour will generate 2786 jobs at any point in time (over the 7 year construction period).

Treasurer Tim Nicholls acknowledged that it is a week later than they anticipated.

ABC Soundcloud found here: https://soundcloud.com/treasurerqld/premier-treasurer-finalise

[Stillwater]

The bet would have to be for a quick announcement after the all-in party room vote.  The Premier would have to make the details known because a roomful of pollies won't be able to resist themselves once they exit the door -- they will be talking to all sorts of people, including the media.

Is it too soon for RailBOT to book the back bar of one of the pubs at Nambour for celebratory drinks?

[ozbob]

"DON'T FIRE UNTIL YOU SEE THE WHITE OF THEIR EYES."

Mark time ...   

[Stillwater]

YES SIR! lol   

[ozbob]

Is Friday free Mr Stillwater?  Luncheon at the Royal George?

[Stillwater]

Raincheck for me.  Royal George is a good pub, though.  Maybe we should start thinking about a RailBOT Xmas excursion somewhere.

[Fares_Fair]

"DON'T FIRE UNTIL YOU SEE THE WHITE OF THEIR EYES."

Mark time ...   

Removes sunglasses...

FIRE !

[ozbob]

[Stillwater]

FF, I am sure you will have the figures at the top of your head ... what is the travel time saving of (1) Beerburrum-Landsborough duplication, in the first instance, and (2) the travel time saving of duplication Landsborough-Nambour?

[Fares_Fair]

From memory, the Caboolture to Landsborough upgrade had a reported (as in commissioned report) time saving of 8 minutes.
As I understand it, no time savings were achieved from the 14 km Caboolture to Beerburrum construction completed in April 2009 and this corresponds with the Ministerial briefing note I received under RTI, stating "the benefits of increased capacity would not be fully realised until the Beerburrum to Landsborough section is completed."

For the record, Beerburrum to Landsborough is 17 km.

To the best of my knowledge, there has been no time saving specifically identified in any publicly available reports for the 22 km Landsborough to Nambour leg.
[proven incorrect, see Post #646, 2 posts down]
I do know that the current experienced reduced speed of less than 50 km/h in many sections, would be improved up to 90-100 km/h with the upgrade.
This early report was considered to be conservative in nature.
(from Arup Engineers: Transport Technical Analysis 2008)

The more recent Co-Ordinator General's report of 9 November 2011 stated a minimum track speed of 80 km/h and a maximum of 160 km/h for Landsborough to Nambour.
It quotes an average design speed of 120-140 km/h.

As a guesstimate only based upon these figures, I would predict a conservative time saving of another 10 minutes from Landsborough to Nambour.

[ozbob]

Yes, when Caboolture - Beerburrum completed, train timetables were simply left as was.  Remember the long waits at Elimbah and so forth inbound?  Sector one timetables June 2011 did result in some time savings over the old timetables for the particular legs, but disappeared to some extent due to changed stopping patterns inner Brisbane.

[Fares_Fair]

Found this...
Chapter 7
Environmental Impact Statement
Landsborough to Nambour Rail Project
p215

Travel time

Landsborough to Nambour

According to current timetables, travel times between
Landsborough and Nambour for CityTrain services range from
24 to 45 minutes, for a distance of 22 km. This variation in
travel time can be attributed to some services waiting in passing
loops for express services or services travelling in the opposite
direction to pass. Additionally, services travelling north in
the morning peak have been observed to enter the Mooloolah
passing loop to allow another service to pass, then turn back
to the south, to re-enter the main line and access the platform
(located on the east) at Mooloolah.
Operational analysis undertaken by Systemwide Pty Ltd for the
Landsborough to Nambour project using the Train Performance
Calculator (TPC) modelling suite (including 30 second dwell times
where services stop) shows that modelled running times between
Landsborough and Nambour are 26 minutes 42 seconds (down) and
27 minutes (up). The Brisbane Metropolitan System Information
Pack, QR Limited Network Access (September 2007) lists the running
time between Landsborough and Nambour as 23 minutes for both
up and down. It is important to note that the running times in the
Brisbane Metropolitan System Information Pack, QR Limited Network
Access do not cater for acceleration and deceleration of trains. The
TPC modelling does make this allowance.

[Stillwater]

Many thanks to both of you.

[Fares_Fair]

"DON'T FIRE UNTIL YOU SEE THE WHITE OF THEIR EYES."

Mark time ...   

Removes sunglasses...

FIRE !

Fzzt... jolly blanks

No announcement, no decision, no nothing to date for rail ...  :conf

[Fares_Fair]

Time savings from rail duplication Landsborough to Nambour found ... 

Landsborough to Nambour Rail project
Environmental Impact Statement
Executive Summary
July 2009
p24


Modelling (based on a set of assumptions) has identified that the
project should deliver the following travel time savings based
on the comparison of the simulated existing and simulated
proposed track configurations:

ß CityTrain services and electric TiltTrain services - up to
36 percent (a saving of 9 minutes 40 seconds for CityTrain
and 6 minutes 52 seconds for electric TiltTrain (diesel
TiltTrain has not been modelled))

ß diesel TravelTrains - up to 41 percent (a 10 minute 53 second
time saving)

ß intermodal freight (containers) - up to 38 percent
(a 10 minute 27 second saving)

ß bulk freight (such as livestock) with 1 locomotive - between
14 to 23 percent, depending on the direction of travel
(savings of between 4 minutes 15 seconds and 7 minutes
31 seconds).

These time savings, when combined with the time savings
associated with the Caboolture to Landsborough upgrade, could
result in a saving of up to 17 minutes and 40 seconds on a trip
between Caboolture and Nambour.


p25
Capacity allowance Current City Train services

The proposed service level for CityTrain services assumes a
service frequency of 15 minutes during the AM and PM peak
(assumed two hour period) and 30 minutes during all other
operating hours (assumed 18 hour operating period). The
following tables outlines the current and proposed number of
passengers services.

[Stillwater]

 

[dancingmongoose]

15 minute frequency That's awesome.

[Stillwater]

The parliamentary Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee on 4 December 2014 will bring down it's report into the Role of Public Transport In Delivering Productivity Outcomes.  It received submissions dealing with the case for duplicating the SCL between Beerburrum and Nambour, and the resulting productivity outcomes for passenger and freight rail services on the line.

[Stillwater]

ARTC due diligence study into takeover of management of Qld rail network.  What the ministers said - for the record.

http://www.warrentruss.com/portfolio.php?id=2209

[Stillwater]

Does anyone know what has come out of this forum?

http://www.qtlc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/NCL-Supply-Chain-Forum-Communique-0413.pdf

[Fares_Fair]

We now await the results of the (Federal) Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee which will bring down it's report into the 'Role of Public Transport In Delivering Productivity Outcomes.'
Its' results are due to be released on 4 December, 2014.

[Stillwater]

Yes, it will be interesting to see what the report says, but note that it deals with productivity gains in urban context.  Certainly what happens on the SCL impacts adversely on Brisbane rail network and the line itself serves a considerable urban area (SC), but committee members may prefer to concentrate on Syd-Melb because that is where the big populations are.