The Sunshine Coast Case : Rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour

[Stillwater]

No report tabled.  :conf  It may be tabled out of session.

[Stillwater]

Report tabled today (Friday).  No specific mention of SCL.

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Rural_and_Regional_Affairs_and_Transport/Public_transport/Report

Interesting comments about considering transport improvements with an urban renewal context.

[Fares_Fair]

Coalition Senators Dissenting Report makes for an interesting read...

[Stillwater]

The normal protocol is for the government to prepare a formal response to the report, which will be made public.  The dissenting senators' report probably gives a good indication of what will be in the formal response.

[Fares_Fair]

Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee
Role of public transport in delivering productivity outcomes

I have read this 66 page Senate report.
Members were primarily from the ALP and the Australian Greens

Senator Glenn Sterle, Chair Western Australia, ALP
Senator the Hon Bill Heffernan, Deputy Chair New South Wales, LP
Senator Joe Bullock (from 26 June 2014) Western Australia, ALP
Senator Alex Gallacher (to 26 June 2014) South Australia, ALP
Senator Sue Lines Western Australia, ALP
Senator the Hon Ian Macdonald (to 26 June 2014) Queensland, LP
Senator John Williams (from 26 June 2014) New South Wales, NATS
Senator Peter Whish-Wilson Tasmania, AG

Substitute members for this inquiry
Senator Lee Rhiannon New South Wales, AG to replace Senator Peter Whish-Wilson
Senator Scott Ludlam Western Australia, AG to replace Senator Lee Rhiannon on 19 February 2014

Other Senators participating in this inquiry
Senator Scott Ludlam Western Australia, AG
Senator Janet Rice Victoria, Australian Greens
Senator Peter Whish-Wilson Tasmania, Australian Greens

It is primarily a Melbourne-centric report with splashes of Perth information.
This is also reflected in where the only hearings were held.

I doubt that our (and other individual's) submissions were ever even looked at.
Still, lots of good statistics and information in it on public transport.

I can't help but think that mentions of Brisbane, and the North Coast Line in particular, were excluded given the abandonment of rail duplication to Landsborough, which ended prematurely at Beerburrum in April 2009.
Given the critical nature of the requirement of the works in a multiplicity of studies and reports - I'd be embarrassed too.

It's title, "Role of public transport in delivering productivity outcomes" omits mention of the most congested single line track in the nation whose productivity potential is well documented.
The limited terms of reference, concentrating on urban areas of Capital cities is a likely explanation.

[Fares_Fair]

Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee
Role of public transport in delivering productivity outcomes

To back up my assertions regarding the Melbourne-centric and Perth nature of this report.
The following capital cities each receive in total, 'x' number of mentions;

Adelaide 3
Brisbane 14
Sydney 29
Perth 54
Melbourne 88

I found it surprising given the population of Sydney compared to Melbourne
These figures below (with % of total following) sourced from Wikipedia and dated as at June 2012
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_Australia_by_population

1 Sydney      New South Wales           4,667,283     20.91%
2 Melbourne  Victoria                        4,246,345      19.02%
3 Brisbane     Queensland                  2,189,878       9.81%
4 Perth          Western Australia         1,897,548        8.50%
5 Adelaide     South Australia             1,277,174        5.72%

[Stillwater]

ARTC still silent on whether it will take over non-suburban track operations in Queensland.  It has launched a new corporate identity:

http://www.artc.com.au/Article/Detail.aspx?p=6&id=449
http://www.artc.com.au/Article/Detail.aspx?p=6&np=4&id=451
http://www.artc.com.au/Article/Detail.aspx?p=6&np=4&id=450

[Fares_Fair]

^
It appears that they (the Australian Rail Track Corporation or ARTC) are getting out of the rail construction business... and into maintenance.
This may well be really, really bad news for the 22km rail duplication Landsborough to Nambour.

Excerpt from document links above:

"ARTC has moved from what has effectively been a 'building phase' where we delivered a significant amount of new infrastructure to a phase where we now are focused on leveraging the investment we have made into the network," Mr Fullerton said.

[Fares_Fair]

Queensland election

Writs handed into Acting Governor Tim Carmody for dissolution of the Queensland Parliament.
Election set for 31 January 2015
26 day campaign

[Stillwater]

Labor's promises for the Sunshine Coast

7.56:  Labor will build an inner city rail solution consistent with the Cross River Rail capacity outcome as part of a broader vision to revitalise and transform rail services. It will increase frequency and provide more express services. It will also deliver new links, including to Kippa-Ring, Flagstone, Ripley, Coolangatta, Maroochydore and through the North West Rail Link along the Trouts Road corridor, consistent with the SEQ Connecting 2031 transport strategy.

7.57:  Labor will extend Brisbane's world-class busway network, including completing the Eastern and Northern Busways and CoastConnect on the Sunshine Coast, and rolling out more high frequency routes and bus priority lanes.

7.76:  Labor will develop and publish a plan for the progressive priority upgrade of the North Coast Rail Line to improve safety, efficiency and reliability.

7.93:  Labor will lobby the Australian Government to provide increased transport funding for Queensland based on the decentralised nature of the State, with a particular emphasis on the Bruce Highway and North Coast Rail Line.

[aldonius]

So in other words minimal funding for the NCL north of the CAMCOS junction.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Fares_Fair]

Labor's promises for the Sunshine Coast

7.56:  Labor will build an inner city rail solution consistent with the Cross River Rail capacity outcome as part of a broader vision to revitalise and transform rail services. It will increase frequency and provide more express services. It will also deliver new links, including to Kippa-Ring, Flagstone, Ripley, Coolangatta, Maroochydore and through the North West Rail Link along the Trouts Road corridor, consistent with the SEQ Connecting 2031 transport strategy.

7.57:  Labor will extend Brisbane's world-class busway network, including completing the Eastern and Northern Busways and CoastConnect on the Sunshine Coast, and rolling out more high frequency routes and bus priority lanes.

7.76:  Labor will develop and publish a plan for the progressive priority upgrade of the North Coast Rail Line to improve safety, efficiency and reliability.

7.93:  Labor will lobby the Australian Government to provide increased transport funding for Queensland based on the decentralised nature of the State, with a particular emphasis on the Bruce Highway and North Coast Rail Line.

Completing...  CoastConnect on the Sunshine Coast   

CAMCOS to Maroochydore - before duplication to Nambour is the wrong decision. It'll feed into the already bottlenecked line.   
Duplication to Nambour has benefits all the way to Cairns, literally.  1/2 marks for sentiment - which is probably the only ephemeral currency left to pay for it.

The Hon. Opposition Leader, Ms Annastacia Palaszczuk knows full well the rationale for Nambour, she has had my report since August 2011.

...develop and publish a plan... seriously.        Like we all can catch a public transport glossy brochure.

Have they learnt nothing in 3 years?

...lobby the Australian Government to provide increased funding for transport  ... emphasis on Bruce Highway and North Coast Rail Line.

Admirable, but no cigar, and no promises - knowing the Commonwealth (Liberal) Government's position on public transport funding.

What a cop out.

[Stillwater]

It is the battle of the brochure! 

Which party's document will contain the loftier words?  Which party will have the better pictures and the thickest paper?

The LNP tried the brochure approach in the past: http://www.scec.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Sunshine-Coast-Policy-Booklet-A4-pdf-2010.pdf

When John-Paul Langbroek was the LNP party leader, he and his party colleagues on the Sunshine Coast promised this:

"In Government, the LNP will deliver a Sunshine Coast Integrated Transport Plan containing clear delivery timelines for infrastructure and services."

Did they do this in government?  No.  Which brochure, and who, are we going to believe?

The Sunshine Coast continues to be the land of the broken promise when it comes to transport planning and funding.

Voters have long memories ....

From the Sunshine Coast Daily, 18 March 2009:

"Shadow minister for infrastructure, transport and main roads Fiona Simpson yesterday announced a railway line between Caloundra and Maroochydore, part of the planned CAMCOS project, would be built by 2015 if the LNP took government after this weekend's election."

It is 2015, the LNP is in government, and no CAMCOS between Caloundra and Maroochydore.

I love the photo accompanying the article.  Caloundra MP, Mark McArdle, doesn't want to be there and his face says the announcement is a crock of the brown stuff.

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/lnp-rail-plan-coast-disaster/348228/

[aldonius]

It is the battle of the brochure!

Which party's document will contain the loftier words?  Which party will have the better pictures and the thickest paper?

If the LNP likewise only promise to plan for #2tracks where it's needed, rather than get on with delivering it, that quote would make some kickass core phrasing for an MR.

[Stillwater]

The people of the Sunshine Coast are like children who race to the Christmas Tree on Christmas Day, eager to see what Santa has brought them.  Instead of the bicycle or the train set they obsessed about, there is a picture of their heart's desire or the assembly manual for the train set, but no component parts.  Some years the George St Santa leaves an IOU.

Despite the disappointment, they still believe in the George Street Santa -- confirming their belief in a poll conducted every three years or so.  They suspect Santa has good intentions, it is his electorate elves who are lazy and don't get to work during the year, building the toys they desire.

Today's Sunshine Coast Daily began a series of articles on the issues affecting each electorate on the SC, starting with Noosa.  The article includes a list of major issues and, surprise, surprise, transport is at the top.

Noosa businessman Jim Berardo wants 'an integrated transport plan for the whole region' in his sack of goodies.  The LNP Santa promised that in 2009, but Jim will be disappointed.  He might get a glossy brochure instead.

The Mayor of Noosa, Noel Playford, wants a trial of an electric bus service, Tewantin to Sunrise Beach, to reduce traffic congestion.  No doubt he will get a picture and, if he is lucky, an IOU.

Ahh, well, Noosa people can all hang out their empty sack for when the George Street Santa passes by in three years time.  This time, like Virginia, they might be asking themselves 'is there really a Santa?'

[mufreight]

Well put Stillwarter

[pandmaster]

Some people get set in their ways. Would never contemplate voting any other way. My 92 year-old grandmother has always been a Nationals voter and is not going to change in 2015! The Sunshine Coast has no major traffic issues, though if things maintain their course there will be in the short-medium term. The Coast is in the unique situation where congestion can be pre-emptively tackled, but there a no votes to be won or lost for either party there. Just look at the health system: a major hospital should have been built in a central location many years ago. They are only just catching up with the University Hospital.

[Fares_Fair]

To be fair the LNP or then coalition made the CAMCOS promise conditional upon winning the 2009 election.
They did not win that election.

[Stillwater]

I think that is the point -- the linking of a transport project to the political fortunes of one party or another.

If a project is a good one to plan and fund, why does its inherit 'goodness' disappear when the party advocating it fails to win the election?  I can understand changing priorities, but they too aren't linked to comparative cost-benefit analysis.  A priority project becomes one in a marginal seat, of which there are none on the SC.  A less worthy project leapfrogs a more worthy one.

In Queensland, politics (and not good transport planning) determines what is built and what isn't built or funded.  Parties rarely agree on a major project, they believe they must oppose it in favour of a project in one of their marginal electorates.  It's pathetic.

Maybe if the ALP wants to woo Peter Wellington, an independent based at Nambour, to support it in government, we might see Labor promise rail duplication to Nambour, hopefully sooner than 2031, which was their previous timetable.

[SurfRail]

In Queensland, politics (and not good transport planning) determines what is built and what isn't built or funded.  Parties rarely agree on a major project, they believe they must oppose it in favour of a project in one of their marginal electorates.  It's pathetic.

Replace "Queensland" with "Australia" and I think you've nailed it.

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> LNP throw weight behind the Coast rail duplication

THE streets of Nambour were campaign central for the Sunshine Coast LNP team today as four Ministers, the Speaker and Nicklin Candidate Matt Trace threw their collective weight behind the Coast rail duplication.

Andrew Powell, Jarrod Bleijie, Steve Dickson, Mark McArdle, Fiona Simpson and Matt Trace said only the LNP had a plan to create a major infrastructure fund capable of delivering projects such as the rail project.

"We've put our hands up to say the rail line duplication is what together we're fighting for," they said.

"It's the local LNP team's number one infrastructure priority to unlock the Coast's public transport network and more local jobs.

"The Labor Government pushed back the rail duplication from 2018 to 2031 - but we are lobbying for the project to be brought forward if Queenslanders return an LNP Government and support the asset recycling plan.

"It's new infrastructure such as the rail duplication which becomes possible with our Strong Choices plan to lease some existing infrastructure to cut State debt and release the funds. Thanks to Labor's debt, there is no other way to fund it. We believe it's time to replace old assets with new ones that serve today's needs."

At the 2012 State Election, the Sunshine Coast LNP MPs' combined number one priority was the construction of the Sunshine Coast University Public Hospital. Thanks to their lobbying, it's now being built and will deliver free public hospital beds from 2016. Work is also underway on the Bruce Highway upgrades which was another team commitment.

"We have demonstrated that as a strong local team who work together, we deliver together for the Sunshine Coast. We can achieve a lot more as a team, than individually as the Coast hospital and the Bruce Highway upgrades have shown. Our hospital is one of the Southern Hemisphere's biggest hospital construction projects and it's going to change the Coast's future as a health capital.

"We also want to see the best public transport network and to achieve that the 1880s single rail line has to be duplicated to connect our region as part of an integrated network."

[Stillwater]

Good old Matt!  LOL.  Read the media statement carefully.  LNP promises to 'make duplication of the SCL to the Sunshine Coast' an election priority.   Is Landsborough the 'Sunshine Coast'?  Just because the announcement was made at the Nambour railway station, we should not assume that the LNP plans to fund duplication that far.

The statement does not mention a dollar figure or a construction timeline, perhaps that will come in the big announcement about asset sales.  It is another of those airy-fairy statements we have come to expect -- full of anticipation, but no real commitment.

But we now have an interesting contrast -- the LNP is proposing some money for something on the SCL and the ALP is promising a brochure and a letter to Canberra asking for some money.

Hopefully there will be some more detail released during the election campaign - from both sides.

[Stillwater]

This is how the readers of the Sunshine Coast Daily view this 'non-announcement':

Killerjools said: "Andrew Powell, Jarrod Bleijie, Steve Dickson, Mark McArdle, Fiona Simpson and Matt Trace said only the LNP had a plan to create a major infrastructure fund capable of delivering projects such as the rail project.  Too little, too late, people. We wanted this years ago and you wouldn't even look at it. Enjoy electoral oblivion."

Aaron W said: Hang on a minute, shouldn't the headline read:  "LNP throw 'wait' behind the Coast rail duplication"?

Vanguard said: "And like the Redcliffe rail line, the Coast people will "wait", and "wait" and "wait" and "wait" and maybe in 50 to 70 years time , it might get built.   ) Don't believe a word that come out of a politicians mouth during any election campaign -- only believe what they have done whilst in office."

In the Hills said: "Prior to the last election Andrew Powell was focussed on the rail duplication. Sadly he forgot about it as soon as he became a member of the government. Ironic that he is thinking of it again when he looks like being back in the opposition. This lot have delivered nothing new for the Coast. The hospital was already on the books as was the work on the Bruce Highway."

Metatron 31 said: "What a shame the local LNP wannabes didn't check with their beloved leader on this one. It is obviously not a priority for Mr Newman.

Question on notice asked by the sitting Member who has actually continued to push this issue when the LNP chose to forget about it until now:

Hansard extract
MR WELLINGTON asked the Premier (MR NEWMAN)—
With reference to the Premier's answer to Question on Notice No. 595—
Is federal money needed to assist the state in completing the upgrade of the railway line from Landsborough to Nambour and if so, will the Premier raise the need to continue the upgrade of the railway line to Nambour with the Prime Minister?

ANSWER:
I have previously provided advice on the status of the Landsborough to Nambour railway duplication in responses to Questions on Notice numbers 117, 307, 376 and 595 of 2012.
I can advise the Member for Nicklin that the Government has not raised the issue of funding for the Landsborough to Nambour railway duplication or the project with the Federal Government.
As far as this Government is concerned, the first priority is to secure federal funding for the Beerburrum to Landsborough rail duplication."

Really, the LNP announcement is a reaffirmation of the status quo.

[darthcaligula666]

The statement does not mention a dollar figure or a construction timeline, perhaps that will come in the big announcement about asset sales.  It is another of those airy-fairy statements we have come to expect -- full of anticipation, but no real commitment.

isnt that the definition of politics?

it is a disgrace that the sunshine coast line is in the state its in. it is 2015, not 1915. if they are serious about reducing the amount of cars on the roads, this would be a serious priority.

[Fares_Fair]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> LNP throw weight behind the Coast rail duplication

THE streets of Nambour were campaign central for the Sunshine Coast LNP team today as four Ministers, the Speaker and Nicklin Candidate Matt Trace threw their collective weight behind the Coast rail duplication.

Andrew Powell, Jarrod Bleijie, Steve Dickson, Mark McArdle, Fiona Simpson and Matt Trace said only the LNP had a plan to create a major infrastructure fund capable of delivering projects such as the rail project.

"We've put our hands up to say the rail line duplication is what together we're fighting for," they said.

"It's the local LNP team's number one infrastructure priority to unlock the Coast's public transport network and more local jobs.

"The Labor Government pushed back the rail duplication from 2018 to 2031 - but we are lobbying for the project to be brought forward if Queenslanders return an LNP Government and support the asset recycling plan.

"It's new infrastructure such as the rail duplication which becomes possible with our Strong Choices plan to lease some existing infrastructure to cut State debt and release the funds. Thanks to Labor's debt, there is no other way to fund it. We believe it's time to replace old assets with new ones that serve today's needs."

At the 2012 State Election, the Sunshine Coast LNP MPs' combined number one priority was the construction of the Sunshine Coast University Public Hospital. Thanks to their lobbying, it's now being built and will deliver free public hospital beds from 2016. Work is also underway on the Bruce Highway upgrades which was another team commitment.

"We have demonstrated that as a strong local team who work together, we deliver together for the Sunshine Coast. We can achieve a lot more as a team, than individually as the Coast hospital and the Bruce Highway upgrades have shown. Our hospital is one of the Southern Hemisphere's biggest hospital construction projects and it's going to change the Coast's future as a health capital.

"We also want to see the best public transport network and to achieve that the 1880s single rail line has to be duplicated to connect our region as part of an integrated network."

a promise to lobby...  good grief
Have they learnt nothing in 3 years either



The line was first recognised as congested in a BTCE report back in 1994, that's just over 20 years ago.

[Stillwater]

As one of the SCD respondents said, the SCL duplication is a bit like the promise of a railway line to Redcliffe.  In fact, the editor of the SCD should not have run the story, as it simply is not news.  There is nothing new about this!

It is also deceptive, having the MPs and Matt Trace turn up at Nambour station for a photo opportunity.

Matt Trace is running for the LNP in Nicklin, the seat based on Nambour.

What's the betting that the SCL duplication won't occur in the Nicklin electorate after the election?  The Newman Government has starved Nicklin of infrastructure and services while saying that the Independent Member for Nicklin, Pater Wellington, 'does nothing for his electorate'.

So they pull this stunt -- appear to be 'lobbying' for duplication to Nambour (with Nambour Station in the background) while having no intention of duplicating the line to Nambour in the next term of government.

This was the position the LNP had going into the last election.  And they expect the people of the Sunny Coast to drink the Coolade a second time?

[pandmaster]

The best way to get shovels in the ground for the Beerburrum to Nambour duplication is for Sunshine Coast voters to go out and put the LNP last on their ballot papers. If the LNP stopped taking the Sunshine Coast for granted and the ALP thought they could pick up a few seats there then we just might see a lot more money coming that way come the 2018 campaign (or 2019 if we get fixed four-year terms).

There is plenty of money for the Bruce Highway but not a cent for the NCL!

[ozbob]

I am grateful for the commitment by the LNP Ministers/members.  It is something at last.  Hopefully this will translate to an election policy.  Time will tell.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

10th January 2015

The Sunshine Coast Case : Rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour

Greetings,

Some encouraging developments concerning the amplification of the Sunshine Coast Line from local LNP MPs.

See  Sunshine Coast Daily --> LNP throw weight behind the Coast rail duplication

The reality is more is than just a promise to lobby is needed however.  This railway line was first ' officially ' recognised as congested in 1994, that is 20 years ago!

You can read the powerful arguments and benefits for Queensland and the Sunshine Coast, for upgrading this railway line  on our discussion forum.

Here --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6647.0  This discussion thread was commenced on 31 August 2011, it pre-dates the 2012 election.

More than promises is needed. This infrastructure upgrade is critical.

Best wishes
Robert

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

[Stillwater]

It is not just the SCL that is in need of government infrastructure investment.  The Sunshine Coast Daily reports that public transport is the major election issue across the five local state seats:  http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/the-regions-public-transport-system-was-rated-the-/2505743/

People are angry that the LNP MPs, seemingly, are only now lobbying for investment in rail duplication, with weeks to go to an election.

These are the same people who have promised in the past that the Coast will have an 'integrated transport plan'.  Sunny Coasters are unlikely to get a warmed-over promise of that before the end of the month, or maybe they will, but the follow-through will be weak.  Rail duplication all the way to Nambour is another illusion, not helped along one iota by pollies donning a blue T-shirt and having a photo taken in front of the Nambour Railway Station sign.

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> The Campbell that could promises rail line duplication

IN WHAT is being tipped as one of the LNP's biggest infrastructure pledges, Premier Campbell Newman will today promise to fund the duplication of the Coast railway line.

If duplicated the major infrastructure project, which will cost more than $500 million, would allow for a more frequent and faster rail service to Brisbane.

It would also allow more freight to be shipped along the east coast to the Port of Brisbane, which could cut traffic on the highway.

Mr Newman is expected to announce today that the funding for the project will come from the LNP government's Strong Choices plan, with government sources saying it's likely to be one of the biggest items announced during the election campaign.

Last week, the five sitting Sunshine Coast LNP members of Parliament and one candidate gathered in independent MP Peter Wellington's electorate of Nicklin to promise to work as a team for public transport improvements for the Coast.

Maroochydore MP Fiona Simpson rated duplication of the rail line as the team's "No.1 priority".

Today's announcement turns their plans to "fight" and "lobby" into a party promise should it be re-elected come January 31.

The former Labor government previously pledged to finish the duplication between Caboolture and Landsborough by 2012 and then extend it to Nambour, but work stopped at Beerburrum in April 2009.

Member for Glass House Andrew Powell said the project would be a massive boost to the Coast and its economy.

"Labor had 20 years to deliver this project - but delivered nothing but broken promises," Mr Powell said.

"This project will transform rail services for Coast commuters travelling to Brisbane.

"But it will also create hundreds of jobs, benefit the environment and help businesses move more of their goods as rail freight."

LNP candidate for Nicklin Matt Trace threw his support behind the promise.

"Everyone on the Sunshine Coast wants this project - but only a re-elected Newman LNP government will actually be able to deliver it," Mr Trace said.

Further details are expected to be announced today.

WHY WE NEED DUPLICATION

    The train trip from Caboolture to Brisbane took 42 minutes in 1986. Today the same trip takes 62 minutes.
    44% of the daily train services between Nambour and Caboolture are buses.
    Buses take 90 minutes to travel 54km, a train takes an hour. Buses are needed because there is not enough room on the single-line track for the long-distance passenger trains, the freight rail services and city rail passenger services.
    This section of the north coast line has been identified as the busiest single line in Australia.
    Express routes to Brisbane can't begin without the duplication.

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

13th January 2014

Re: The Sunshine Coast Case : Rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour

Greetings,

Finally?

Sunshine Coast Daily --> The Campbell that could promises rail line duplication

IN WHAT is being tipped as one of the LNP's biggest infrastructure pledges, Premier Campbell Newman will today promise to fund the duplication of the Coast railway line.

If duplicated the major infrastructure project, which will cost more than $500 million, would allow for a more frequent and faster rail service to Brisbane.

It would also allow more freight to be shipped along the east coast to the Port of Brisbane, which could cut traffic on the highway.

Mr Newman is expected to announce today that the funding for the project will come from the LNP government's Strong Choices plan, with government sources saying it's likely to be one of the biggest items announced during the election campaign.

Last week, the five sitting Sunshine Coast LNP members of Parliament and one candidate gathered in independent MP Peter Wellington's electorate of Nicklin to promise to work as a team for public transport improvements for the Coast.

Maroochydore MP Fiona Simpson rated duplication of the rail line as the team's "No.1 priority".

Today's announcement turns their plans to "fight" and "lobby" into a party promise should it be re-elected come January 31.

The former Labor government previously pledged to finish the duplication between Caboolture and Landsborough by 2012 and then extend it to Nambour, but work stopped at Beerburrum in April 2009.

Member for Glass House Andrew Powell said the project would be a massive boost to the Coast and its economy.

"Labor had 20 years to deliver this project - but delivered nothing but broken promises," Mr Powell said.

"This project will transform rail services for Coast commuters travelling to Brisbane.

"But it will also create hundreds of jobs, benefit the environment and help businesses move more of their goods as rail freight."

LNP candidate for Nicklin Matt Trace threw his support behind the promise.

"Everyone on the Sunshine Coast wants this project - but only a re-elected Newman LNP government will actually be able to deliver it," Mr Trace said.

Further details are expected to be announced today.

WHY WE NEED DUPLICATION

    The train trip from Caboolture to Brisbane took 42 minutes in 1986. Today the same trip takes 62 minutes.
    44% of the daily train services between Nambour and Caboolture are buses.
    Buses take 90 minutes to travel 54km, a train takes an hour. Buses are needed because there is not enough room on the single-line track for the long-distance passenger trains, the freight rail services and city rail passenger services.
    This section of the north coast line has been identified as the busiest single line in Australia.
    Express routes to Brisbane can't begin without the duplication.

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

10th January 2015

The Sunshine Coast Case : Rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour

Greetings,

Some encouraging developments concerning the amplification of the Sunshine Coast Line from local LNP MPs.

See  Sunshine Coast Daily --> LNP throw weight behind the Coast rail duplication

The reality is more is than just a promise to lobby is needed however.  This railway line was first ' officially ' recognised as congested in 1994, that is 20 years ago!

You can read the powerful arguments and benefits for Queensland and the Sunshine Coast, for upgrading this railway line  on our discussion forum.

Here --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6647.0  This discussion thread was commenced on 31 August 2011, it pre-dates the 2012 election.

More than promises is needed. This infrastructure upgrade is critical.

Best wishes
Robert

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

[Stillwater]

If the promise is for a sum of $500m, that will not fund duplication to Nambour.  Full duplication to Nambour would cost more than $2 billion, so only a quarter of the money needed is being pledged, if the SCD report is correct.  That is not to detract from the significance of the proposed announcement today, which is likely to use words along the lines of 'the LNP commits to duplicating the SCL to the Sunshine Coast' (Landsborough).

We should wait and see, with anticipation, what is announced, but the announcement should also include clarification around several related matters.

Is all of the $500m coming from the state government?  What does this buy (only to Landsborough)?
If so, when will the line be duplicated to Nambour, timeline please?  Can we assume that the state government is still committed to duplication to Nambour, or will the state's focus now switch to constructing heavy rail along the CAMCOS corridor to Maroochydore?  Does the government understand that the worst sections of track on the SCL lie north of Landsborough?

What approaches have been made to the federal government to apply its funds to the SCL duplication north of Landsborough, given that the SCL is on the declared network of roads and railways that the Commonwealth has said it would fund?  What of the negotiations between the state and the Australian Rail Track Corporation for the lease of the North Coast Line by the ARTC?

While acknowledging this significant announcement, assuming the SCD report is correct, the pressure should not be eased until such time as the government of the day pledges funding for the rest of the duplication to Nambour.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Chris O'Brien ‏@COBrienBris 6 minutes ago

Sun Coast @theqldpremier confirms $530m duplication rail Beerburrum Landsborough @abcnews #qldvotes #qldpol

[ozbob]

^

Look forward to more details.  Hopefully it goes through to Landsborough North.

[#Metro]

Great news, does this mean rebuilt stations? If it does will they be straight and full platform height?

[SurfRail]

^ Looking at the alignment for the bit being promised, I think there is a good case to move Glasshouse Mountains to the east to make the corridor straighter but it isn't essential.  None of Glasshouse Mountains, Beerwah or Landsborough have any platform curvature and each of them have lift towers already, so they could be upgraded to high-level platforms in situ and the line could be realigned between them. 

There only appears to be one level crossing in the vicinity of a station, at Landsborough, which could be fixed a la Beerwah by building an overpass to the south and closing off the LX road.  There looks to be at least one elsewhere but the line could potentially be rerouted around it.

Stations between Landsborough and Nambour on the other hand would nearly all need to be replaced because the alignment will change.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Bruce Atkinson ‏@atko17 17 seconds ago

Rail passenger tells Premier of probs with train to Bris. 150 more services after rail upgrade #qldpol

[ozbob]

Twitter

@atko17: Suncoast LNPMembers for announcement of $532mill forBeerburrum-landsborough railupgrade #qldpol

[Stillwater]

Decisions ... decisions

LNP offering:  Reportedly, offering $532m for duplication, Beerburrum-Landsborough (not Nambour, continuing the practice of no new spending for the seat of Nicklin so long as it is held by an Independent)

ALP offering:  A plan outlined in a brochure and a letter to Canberra asking for some money for the SCL.

LNP promise dependent on that party retaining government and flogging off assets.  ALP is against asset sales, so doesn't have the money in its planning for big spends.

Looks like those temporary railway station platforms at Mooloolah, Eudlo, Palmwoods and Woombye will remain temporary for another 5-6 years at least.