The Sunshine Coast Case : Rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour

[Fares_Fair]

He is certainly well aware of it.
I met with him (as then Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) to specifically discuss the case on 23 April 2013.

I furnished him with a copy of my report, titled "The Federal Freight Case: Queensland's North Coast Line (NCL) Rail Duplication"

[Stillwater]

As formidable as FF's negotiating skills are and however effective his lobbying of the Deputy Prime Minister, it wouldn't hurt to have some direct horse-trading between Premier and PM.  'You want my support for a higher GST PM, how about $500 million for track duplication between Beerburrum and Landsborough and I might reconsider my position."

[Fares_Fair]

Sometimes I have to pinch myself that we do indeed live in the 21st Century.

Did you know that rail duplication to Nambour would literally cut 17 minutes and 40 seconds off the trip from Nambour to Caboolture?
The report states that the time from just Nambour to Caboolture would be shaved from 55 minutes down to 37 minutes

Source:
Landsborough to Nambour Rail Project - Chapter 7 Transport
p226 Environmental Impact Statement

[Fares_Fair]

Services in the Future, from an Arup Engineers August 2002 report.
#2tracks to Landsborough

".. it was concluded that the desired optimal travelling time cannot be achieved with the existing infrastructure."

[Stillwater]

Current wording on the TMR website:

Beerburrum to Landsborough Rail Upgrade

"In October 2013 the Queensland Government made a submission to seek a Federal Government funding contribution to the Beerburrum to Landsborough Rail Upgrade project."

You would think a response would have been received.  Maybe it has and the department hasn't updated its website.

[ozbob]

^ >> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=10777.msg159707#msg159707

=====================

Sent to all outlets:

10th August 2015

Re: State Government can no longer ignore Sunshine Coast Line duplication

Good Morning,

On the TMR website viz., http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Travel-and-transport/Rail/Rail-infrastructure-upgrades-in-south-east-Queensland/Sunshine-Coast-and-Caboolture-lines.aspx

With respect to the Beerburrum to Landsborough Rail Upgrade appears the following:

" In October 2013 the Queensland Government made a submission to seek a Federal Government funding contribution to the Beerburrum to Landsborough Rail Upgrade project.

The project will straighten and duplicate this 17 km section of line, and will benefit both passenger and freight services. "

Nearly two years have elapsed.  Has there been any response to this submission?  The upgrade of the Sunshine Coast Line is needed urgently.  Does anyone know what is happening?

Best wishes
Robert

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

Sent to all outlets:

17th July 2015 re-sent 8th August 2015

State Government can no longer ignore Sunshine Coast Line duplication

Good Morning,

The Premier will again be making requests for funding assistance for public transport from the Prime Minister.  Good luck with that.

An important project is the upgrade of the Sunshine Coast Line.  This line is a major freight corridor as well as a passenger line.

Funding an upgrade of the Sunshine Coast Line is something that the present Federal Government could well find is in its ' knitting '.

We request the Premier of Queensland to also request funding for the Sunshine Coast Line upgrade.  Gold Coast Light Rail stage 2 is a significant project but there are PPP funding opportunities for that project.

The Newman Government failed.  Who is next?

Best wishes
Robert

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

Media release 20th June 2014



State Government can no longer ignore Sunshine Coast Line duplication

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web-based community support group for rail and public transport, and an advocate for public transport passengers, says the state government risks an electoral backlash unless it commits funding to the Sunshine Coast Line duplication.

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track, said:

"The Queensland Government must end its stonewalling on a decision to fund the Sunshine Coast Line (SCL) rail duplication to Nambour, with recent criticism emerging from within LNP party ranks that 'doing nothing is not an option'.

"Howard Hobbs, the chair of the parliamentary Transport, Housing and Local Government Committee, reached this conclusion about the Sunshine Coast Line and its congestion after tabling a damning report into the impact on the agricultural sector of a rail service that is shambolic, outdated, inefficient, unable to grow, is unreliable and also inflexible.  The committee found that the single-track railway between Beerburrum and Nambour is a major impediment, while a failure to invest in its duplication is hindering growth in the Queensland economy.

"The Hobbs Report comes just days after the LNP state government released its own Moving Freight strategy, which states that the capacity constraints and poor performance of the SCL and North Coast Line to Cairns is 'adversely influencing existing and potential freight customer's perceptions and/or preparedness to invest in rail freight growth opportunities'.  Furthermore, the LNP government's own report says that the competing interests of passenger and freight trains over this section of track represents a 'critical issue' for freight services in light of evidence that Queensland's freight moving task will double in 2026.  At the same time, the state aims to double the value of food production by 2040, with much of that produce likely to be moved by rail if transport efficiencies are to be captured.

"The single track SCL sees 42 per cent of all passenger services operated by buses because there is not enough capacity to run these services as trains, while meeting rail freight obligations. Before the last election, the LNP said it would be working with the community on the duplication issue.

"The Transport Minister, Scott Emerson, speaking on ABC local radio this week, said the best way that Queenslanders could afford a fix for the rail bottleneck affecting the transport needs communities right along the Queensland coast is to sell down state-owned assets.  Yet, he refused outright to say that any of the $1 billion freed up for rail infrastructure improvements would go to the SCL duplication, which a slew of government reports has identified as the crucial sticking point.

"On this matter, the government simply isn't listening.  Mr Hobbs' comments, coming from elements with the LNP representing the bush and regional Queensland, must be seen as a sign of unrest within the party itself about a lack of action.  All of the state government MPs on the Sunshine Coast, Peter Wellington (Independent), the mayors of the Sunshine Coast and Noosa, and all major community groups have listed the Beerburrum-Nambour track duplication as one of the top infrastructure projects for the region.

"The problem will be exacerbated by government plans to push ahead with massive new housing developments at Caloundra South, Palmview and, increasingly likely, at Halls Creek.

"The Premier and his transport minister are living in a fool's paradise of cloud cuckoo land thinking if they believe LNP candidates can go to the next state election, due by June 2015, promising once again to do something about overcoming woeful congestion and inefficiency on the SCL.  The reality is they have been in power, yet chosen to sit on their hands for the best part of three years, doing nothing.  An electoral backlash is inevitable, as private LNP polling on the Sunshine Coast indicates.

"Well, now the calls are coming from within – 'doing nothing is not an option'.  It is more serious than that, however.  In the face of comprehensive recommendations made in a considerable number of government-commissioned and endorsed reports, the government knows it is harming the economy by not fixing this problem.  What government that proclaims to be a champion of free enterprise and business supporting jobs does that?"

Contacts:

Jeff Addison
Sunshine Coast Region Spokesperson for RAIL Back On Track

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


Reference:

1.  The Sunshine Coast Case : Rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour  http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=6647.0

[Stillwater]

Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2 extension deserves support and good luck to them.  However, it seems incongruous that the Labor state government has dropped the ball on Beerburrum-Nambour duplication first stage to Landsborough.  If the game plan is to have the federal government pay for Queensland's essential transport infrastructure, it makes better sense to pursue the federal government for $600 million to duplicate Beerburrum-Landsborough, or split the project costs 80-20, with Queensland paying the 20 per cent.  This funding split reflects the cost-sharing of major highways on the National Transport Network (NTN).  The Brisbane-Townsville track is on the NTN.  The federal government's flank is worse exposed on the SC Line duplication than it is on light rail for the Gold Coast.

Unfortunately, the state government is not so much interested in better public transport for the Gold Coast as it is in shoring up its seats and support on the Gold Coast.  The Sunshine Coast does not have any ALP seats, but it does have the independent Speaker, Peter Wellington, as a key local member.  Duplication between Beerburrum and Landsborough would benefit his constituents in the seat of Nicklin, based on Nambour.

Maybe it is time for Mr Wellington to whisper in the Premier's ear.

In any event, the wording on the TMR website signals that the project is stuck in Groundhog Day 2013.  The department needs to update the site in respect of the SC Line duplication.  And it needs to prepare a briefing paper to the Minister, Ms Trad, suggesting ways Queensland can get this project back on the table for scrutiny by an LNP federal government in the lead-up to the next federal election.

All federal seats on the Sunshine Coast are in conservative hands (assuming Clive Palmer is a conservative at heart).  That must be of interest to the feds, particularly given Tony Abbott's poor personal standing in the polls published today and the desire to win back Fairfax.  The political timing is right for a renewed push re Beerburrum-Landsborough.  The common sense of the numerous reports and the high BCR don't seem to be working to convince governments of its worth.  Maybe the base political message will appeal.  Ms Trad could traipse up to Landsborough and 'call upon Mr Abbott and the LNP to deliver.'  The political comeback would be that the state LNP had $500 million on the table before the last state election, subject to asset sales going ahead.  But that shouldn't stop her -- as it is the manoeuvring around the upcoming federal election that counts right now.

To counter that, Ms Trad should gamble $120 million of state money (especially if she doesn't believe the feds will bite).  Her announcement at Landsborough station should be that Queensland will put $120m into Beerburrum-Landsborough duplication IF the feds put in $480 million.  It's high stakes gambling, but it has worked before!

[achiruel]

Unfortunately, the state government is not so much interested in better public transport for the Gold Coast as it is in shoring up its seats and support on the Gold Coast. 

I find this unlikely, considering the ALP currently holds zero seats on the God Coast, so how can they be shoring up their seats there?

[Stillwater]

Two seats there have been ALP in the past and they would be looking to win them back to re-establish a presence on the Gold Coast.

[Arnz]

Two seats there have been ALP in the past and they would be looking to win them back to re-establish a presence on the Gold Coast.

Three seats on the Sunshine Coast has been ALP in the past too (during the Beattie whitewash era).  Noosa, Kawana and Glasshouse (between its re-establishment in 2001 and 2009)

[Stillwater]

 

[SurfRail]

Two seats there have been ALP in the past and they would be looking to win them back to re-establish a presence on the Gold Coast.

Fair bit more than 2.  Burleigh, Mudgeeraba, Broadwater, Southport and I am sure a few others have all been in Red Team's hands in recent times.  There have been some redistributions of course.

[Stillwater]

Anna Palaszczuk:

"Tony Abbott has an infrastructure fund," she said.

"Queensland needs to build infrastructure. He is shutting the door on Queensland and it is simply not fair."
"Tony Abbott has an infrastructure fund," she said.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/abbott-slams-door-on-gc-light-rail-20150909-gjik7n.html

No Premier.  You put the wrong proposal to Mr Abbott.  The project for which you need to seek federal funding, and which has the better case for federal assistance, is the Sunshine Coast Line duplication.  It is a major freight artery for the state.

If you want to be in the game of extracting federal dollars for state transport infrastructure go for this project instead.

Flogging the dead horse of the all-passenger GC light rail project getting federal funding is going to get no-where.

[pandmaster]

Good point. Given the situation in Canberra it was primarily political to ask for GCLR funding. Though in Trad's defence Abbott opened the door, only to shut it in her face to make a statement about asset sales.

[Stillwater]

It is all politics.  Politics needs to be stripped out of the process.  Tony politicking about asset sales, Ms Trad politicking to be seen to be doing something when nothing is happening, and BCC councillors wanting the buses to wind around the streets of their suburb, even if empty.  And TransLink stripped of power and influence.

[#Metro]

What an interesting conversation it would be if all the above were in the same room at the same time. Could you imagine that?

[red dragin]

Has this been mentioned before?
https://www.hpw.qld.gov.au/qtenders/tender/display/tender-details.do?CSRFNONCE=057F1E60284174503DA731DC206AEBA1&id=15890&action=display-tender-details&returnUrl=%2Ftender%2Fsearch%2Ftender-search.do%3FCSRFNONCE%3DEFBDE698FB0710DF449B60B8F33A4FB8%26amp%3Baction%3Dadvanced-tender-search-open-tender%26amp%3BchangeLevel%3D%26amp%3Binputlist%3DhasETB%26amp%3BorderBy%3Dagency%26amp%3BwithdrawalReason%3D%26amp%3BexpiredReason%3D%26amp%3BtenderState%3D%26amp%3BtenderId%3D%26amp%3Bpage%3D1

Queensland Rail intends to implement a European Train Control System (ETCS) trackside solution between Caboolture and Gympie North. The enhancement of operational safety is expected to be the primary benefit and the solution is anticipated to be ETCS Level 1.

It has been recognised by Queensland Rail that there is a need for an external Technical Advisor(s) with extensive practical experience within ETCS to assist with the following activities:

Preparation of Business Requirements;
Production of the Options Report;
Production of the Systems Assurance and Safety Plans;
Production of Output Based Specifications; and
Assistance with bidding documentation.

[ozbob]

^ Thanks.  See also > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9832.msg160405#msg160405

At least something definite looks like happening.  There is already ATP north of Caboolture, so an upgrade to ETCS L1 is a start.

I would really like to see a definite committment to ETCS L2 or equivalent on the suburban network itself.

[ozbob]

Main signalling thread is here >> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9586.msg160488#msg160488

[red dragin]

Thanks, couldn't remember if I had seen it here, or a reference to it on the QR Jobs page.

[ozbob]

ETCS discussion moved here > http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=9586.msg161179#msg161179

[ozbob]

It is time we followed the big V's lead ...

MORE PASSING LOOPS  preferably on new alignment ..

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/labor-government-announces-initiatives-to-improve-ballarat-services

Labor Government Announces Initiatives To Improve Ballarat Services

Monday 14 September 2015

Minister for Public Transport

The Andrews Labor Government has announced a series of initiatives to boost performance on the Ballarat line in the wake of significant patronage growth, network changes and service reliability that has not met expectations.

Since May there has been a 14 per cent increase in patronage, with thousands more people choosing to catch services on the Ballarat line. At the same time, there has been a 30 per cent increase in services across the V/Line network, and the opening of the largest public transport infrastructure project in Victoria's history: Regional Rail Link.

The network has struggled with this huge change, particularly on the Ballarat line. The Labor Government recognises this, and is investing the time, energy and funding needed to improve the capacity and reliability of Ballarat services.

Since June, the Labor Government has delivered extra peak hour services and seven new carriages, providing room for more than 800 extra passengers every day. These extra carriages are long overdue, given the previous Liberal Government's failure to order a single carriage for two years.

At the same time, a series of small but important changes has stabilised the performance of Ballarat services. Punctuality ran at 85.4 per cent in August, up slightly from the previous month.

Today The Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan, joined local Labor Members Sharon Knight and Geoff Howard to announce next steps in improving travel for Ballarat line passengers.

Construction of a new passing loop at Rowsley will start within weeks, providing another point for trains to pass each other. This will help services recover from unexpected delays more quickly, improving reliability and punctuality.  A new passing loop on the Ballarat line was promised by the previous Liberal Government but never delivered.

Wendouree Station car park will undergo a $2.5 million expansion. The project will add 200 spaces, nearly doubling the capacity of the existing car park.

Minister Allan also provided an update on the progress of the comprehensive timetable review currently being undertaken. The review has identified a range of options to improve the performance of Ballarat line services, including changes to where trains stop, the spacing of services and the way carriages are used across the network.

These options will be developed over the coming months and implemented as part of a new timetable in January next year. Extensive information will be provided to passengers in the coming months, as service details are finalised.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

"Patronage is booming and the performance of Ballarat services isn't up to scratch. That's why we have added services, added carriages and reviewed the timetable make services more reliable."

"Improvements for Ballarat line passengers will continue over the coming months, with work starting on the new Rowsley passing loop and car park expansion in Wendouree, and a new, more reliable timetable in January.

Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Geoff Howard

"The Andrews Labor Government is investing the time, energy and funding we need to deliver the frequent and reliable services our growing community needs."

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight

"Ballarat services need to improve – we recognise that. That's why we're doing what the former Government didn't to boost capacity, boost reliability and make it easier to park at the station and catch the train."

[SurfRail]

What I'd really like is full duplication and realignment to Cooroy at minimum, combined with 2,000m minimum passing loops as far north as possible.  Combine with either full triplication Caboolture to Petrie or at least a decent sized passing loop somewhere in that section.  Half-hourly services to Cooroy should be perfectly reasonable in the longer run.

[Arnz]

The infrastructure and alignment is in place for triplication between Petrie and Narangba/Burpengary (and also keeping the Dakabin Station group happy by giving that group a new 3-platform station).  Burpengary to Morayfield IIRC requires some residential resumptions due to houses directly next to the NCL alignment north of Burpengary station.

Morayfield to Caboolture should also be relatively easy, that's if the state and/or other sources can come up with the funds for a second Caboolture River rail bridge crossing.

[red dragin]

Are three platform faces really necessary though? If one track is freight/express running, it seems an unnecessary expense to build three platforms. Build a new platform face behind an existing platform, allowing enough space for two express tracks in the centre. Once all ready rip out the old platform and install new track.

I also still think patronage at Dakabin will drop with MBRL opening - I for one will be going to Murrumba Downs.

The rail over road bridge at Dakabin needs removal though. Roadway too narrow and I can also hear the noise from the trains crossing the bridge (but not the trains themselves) over 3km away on a still night!

[Stillwater]

For the record, here is the Palaszczuk Labor Government's latest position on SCL duplication:

(Source, attachment to letter from Jackie Trad, Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister, to Mark Birrell, Chair of Infrastructure Australia, September 2015)

Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade

This initiative has a completed preliminary evaluation and is now progressing to business case, which Building Queensland will lead.  The work involves the duplication of the North Coast Rail Line on an improved alignment between Beerburrum and Landsborough, and other upgrades to Nambour.  It will improve the efficiency, service frequency, operating speeds and reliability of trains, and cater for the increasing demand for rail services in the corridor caused by population and freight transport growth in this important corridor.  Work directly addresses both SEQ connectivity and freight access issues identified in the audit.

A couple of things to observe:

The cost of this project is $664m

The project is for "an improved alignment between Beerburrum and Landsborough"  (presumably this is duplication on a new alignment, but the word 'duplication' is not mentioned)

The LNP costing for Beerburrum-Landsborough duplication was $500m (presumably, the $164m difference takes account of inflation and a more accurate cost estimation, with a component left over -- $100m perhaps? --for what the government is saying is "other upgrades")

What are these "other upgrades"?  It now seems that duplication between Landsborough (it should be Landsborough North) and Nambour is off the table for the foreseeable future, replaced by "other upgrades".  (Full duplication Beerburrum-Nambour would cost of the order of $3.2 billion.)

Signals from government suggest ETCS Level 1 installation north of Caboolture to Gympie North is on the table.  Is its installation between Caboolture and Gympie North a component of the $164m?  A further explanation might be longer crossing loops, or a couple of more crossing loops between Landsborough and Nambour.

We need to push the government to explain further these things lumped together as "other upgrades".  Landsborough-Nambour duplication is not going to be put on the 15-year time horizon, meaning it's completion goes back to beyond the magic year of 2031.

[Stillwater]

A question for those with the technical knowledge ...

Assuming the SCL duplication to Landsborough North was funded, and work started, is there a further stage that could be built, short of duplication to Nambour, that would improve efficiencies and travel times?

Duplicate beyond LN to Mooloolah perhaps?  Or works further north, closer to Nambour?

The big dollars spending on the Beerburrum-Nambour duplication seems to be the two new tunnels.

[#Metro]

Assuming the SCL duplication to Landsborough North was funded, and work started, is there a further stage that could be built, short of duplication to Nambour, that would improve efficiencies and travel times?

It would be good to know what an acceptable staging would be for the project. If it cost ~$3BN then it looks like some kind of staging will be in order. Not sure what that might be though.

I think there needs to be more clarity about what is involved for the SC project.

[Stillwater]

^^ Could not agree more.  A lot of politics has been played re the SCL duplication.  Now that our new PM says transit rail must be considered against roads in any future transport solutions, his appointment of a Minister for Cities (Jamie Briggs) and his removal of the requirement that fed money for transport infrastructure be reliant on state government selling off assets, much of the ideology has been removed from the debate.

Let's hope that the Queensland Government can respond in kind -- stop shouting SHOW US THE MONEY, and put heads down to draw out the comparisons between road and rail and prepare cogent business cases for major projects, including SCL.  They should not hold up the process while they have a little bunfight about whether schools and hospitals are 'infrastructure' and, instead, grab what money might be on offer for transport infrastructure.

Having said that, we should note that Wyatt Roy and Mal Brough (both new ministers) have the new PM's ear and electorates likely to benefit from duplication.  Mr Turnbull has appointed a Nambour-based senator as one of his key advisers.  The Coalition wants to shift Clive Palmer from the Seat of Fairfax, so might be in the mood for offering infrastructure sweeteners at the next federal election.  Let us not forget that Mr Peter Wellington, the Speaker of the Queensland Parliament is also based at Nambour -- and he keeps the state government in power.

If the state insists on keeping the game a political one around funding for the SCL duplication, there are some powerful political forces at work to put the focus back on Ms Trad and Co. to move quickly to prepare the business case for B-LN duplication and move onto looking at ways to fund the next stage, whatever that should be. 

[Stillwater]

By planning to duplicate only to Landsborough North at this stage, is the state government reserving the option not to continue duplication to Nambour, but to switch to running dual lines to Kawana/Maroochydore instead?

[Arnz]

A question for those with the technical knowledge ...

Assuming the SCL duplication to Landsborough North was funded, and work started, is there a further stage that could be built, short of duplication to Nambour, that would improve efficiencies and travel times?

Duplicate beyond LN to Mooloolah perhaps?  Or works further north, closer to Nambour?

The big dollars spending on the Beerburrum-Nambour duplication seems to be the two new tunnels.

Mooloolah to Palmwoods on a new alignment and improved travel times for both freight and passenger.  That only leaves the Landsborough-Mooloolah and Palmwoods to Nambour as single track, and AFAIK, $$ is required for a new Mooloolah (Dularcha National Park) tunnel for the Landsborough to Mooloolah section.

The Mooloolah to Palmwoods section is the worst aligned section out of the entire SCL part of the NCL, with much of that specific alignment between both stations still reminiscent of the late 1800s/early 1900s.

[Stillwater]

  Thanks

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Sunshine Coast says 'What about me' as public transport funding debate grows

A Beattie Government promise in 2005 to build a rail link to Caloundra by 2015 has not even started.

And plans to improve the rail line north of Beerburrum are on hold while the Queensland Government asks the federal government for funds.

While all three levels of government on the Gold Coast are strongly pressing a case for $300 million for light rail for the Gold Coast to the new federal government, Sunshine Coast leaders argue their case is far more urgent.

The Sunshine Coast has the main North Coast Line – which runs from Brisbane to Caboolture to Beerwah to Beerburrum to Landsborough, to Nambour and ultimately north to Cairns.

A second rail corridor – as yet with no actual train lines – is planned to run as a spur line from Beerwah towards the coast to Caloundra and north to Maroochydore where 350,000 people live.

The 1999 CAMCOS rail corridor project – Caboolture to Maroochydore rail corridor study - has essentially stalled with plans to build rail lines have been cancelled twice.

In 2005, former Beattie Government transport minister Paul Lucas promised rail lines would be in Caloundra by 2015 in a media announcement of $480 million to do work on two sections.

"We will establish the line from Beerwah to Caloundra by 2015 and up the coast to Maroochydore by 2020, bringing rail to the Sunshine Coast," Mr Lucas said in that 2005 media announcement.

That rail line never went ahead and a decade later Caloundra is described as "restructuring".

Mr Lucas also promised work on the separate North Coast Line in the section between Caboolture to Beerburrum, which was finished in 2009.

Mr Lucas declined to speak on the issue last night. Fairfax Media understands complex issues with the council at the time stalled the project.

Campbell Newman's LNP state government at the January 2015 state election promised $532 million to "duplicate" the single rail line – meaning trains now have to stop and wait to pass each other – from Beerburrum to Landsborough. However the LNP lost office and Labor says it has no money.

Buderim LNP MP Steve Dickson said Sunshine Coast residents had been dudded and "duplicating" the Beerburrum to Landsborough section was a real priority to let passenger and freight trains pass.

"We are the Gold Coast five to 10 years ago," Mr Dickson said.

"We have been the poor cousins for years," he said.

"And we have a population of 350,000 and within the next five to 10 years we will be at the same benchmark that the Gold Coast was at," he said.

"And we do not have the rail link and we do not have the good highway link," he said.

"And it just needs to be put in place."

Sunshine Coast residents said poor transport links were hurting the Sunshine Coast's prospects.

Mr Dickson said the Sunshine Coast's new hospital – the $2 billion Sunshine Coast Public University Hospital - was now being built at Kawana without adequate road connection.

"It is serviced by a two-lane road," he said.

Mr Dickson's priorities

1 - Duplicate the single rail line from Beerburrum to Landsborough; and eventually to Nambour.

"That will ease a whole lot of pressure; that Landsborough to Beerburrum section," he said.

2 – $440 million Mooloola River Interchange from Kawana Way - widen from two lanes to four lanes to help access to the new hospital.

"If you start the road today, it still won't be open in time," he said.

"That's the problem."

Sunshine Coast mayor Mark Jamieson agreed the Sunshine Coast needed better rail connections and the Beerburrum to Landsborough section was the highest priority.

"Most definitely and onto Nambour as well," Mayor Jamieson said.

"Successive reports point to the fact that this is the most congested part of the North Coast rail line, adding significantly to the cost of transporting freight, greatly increasing Bruce Highway traffic and creating regular problems for commuter passengers who are just trying to get to and from work," he said.

"The Sunshine Coast has experienced a significant funding deficit for many years."

Cr Jamieson said transport infrastructure was not keeping pace with the rapidly-growing Sunshine Coast.

"We have the second highest growth rate of any region in Queensland yet public investment in critical road, rail and transport infrastructure has not been forthcoming," he said.

"We need both sides of politics to understand the core infrastructure needs of this region and to work towards providing a solution."

Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Jackie Trad in May approved new train stabling yards at Woombye to let more passenger train services between Beerburrum and Landsborough from 2016.

She told reporters on Monday the Queensland Government had raised Sunshine Coast rail issues with the federal government.

The Sunshine Coast's Beerburrum to Nambour rail line is on the list of high-priority infrastructure projects given to Infrastructure Australia on September 17.

[Stillwater]

With the yet to be funded, yet to be built Sunshine Coast Light Rail project receiving an award for urban design excellence, it seems that the Sunshine Coast now exists in a parallel universe of non-existent transport infrastructure where the mere promise from government that something will happen becomes a reality in itself.  And governments expect kudos for this!  It is bizarre. Extreme bizarre.

In 2005, the Labor government of the day promised to establish a new line from Beerwah to Caloundra by 2015 and up the coast to Maroochydore by 2020.  CAMCOS corridor rail was a sick joke at the expense of Sunshine Coast residents.  Perhaps it should be nominated for the same award next year that was won by the SCLR this year.

Maybe RailBOT should plan its 2016 end of year excursion to the exciting 'virtual reality' Caloundra Railway Station.  We didn't know it, but in virtual reality, it is nearing completion.  Of course it is so much easier to get to Caloundra by rail along the new virtually real duplicated and realigned section of the SCL between Beerburrum and Landsborough North.  The people of the Sunshine Coast have never had it so good.  Ministers and MP's  will tell you that -- with a virtual reality truthful face.

[Gazza]

By planning to duplicate only to Landsborough North at this stage, is the state government reserving the option not to continue duplication to Nambour, but to switch to running dual lines to Kawana/Maroochydore instead?

That's my preferred option over the next decade. I'd rather have a duplicated branch to at least Caloundra with the majority of trains running there., with passing loops to Nambour in the medium term  to allow longer freight trains and at least hourly services to Nambour.
I mean, 3.2 billion is a tremendous sum for realignment and tunneling.
If it can be worked out that required freight doesn't need a full duplication, them just do that in the medium term.

[Gazza]

You'd get more bang for your buck if you direct the passenger frequency to the coastal strip than to the small hinterland towns.

My medium term steps would be.
-Duplicate to Landsborough.
-Establish Beerwah as the main hub station with park and ride and bus. SC line has the same issue as the Beenleigh line....a slow windy slug with too many stations....It should be that Beerwah and Landsborough grow and become one big town, focused on the one station, much like what is done on the Mandurah line with single big stations serving one catchment.
-Build line to Caloundra.
-This way, Caloundra, Caloundra South, and "Beer-borough" act as 3 pretty strong patronage anchors, with appropriate focused bus networks.
-The balance of the existing SC line stations at lower frequency due to the lower population....treat it like the V/Line Seymour service

[Arnz]

Problem is that the Sunshine Coast (CAMCOS) has taken over the Moreton Bay Line's role of being the long-time foamer's (never never) dream line that would take 50+ years (if ever) at all to even start.  I'd say the short term to medium term should be at least duplication to Landsborough, and improving/extending existing loops north of Landsborough. 

In addition to that, going into long term/foaming territory, look at triplicating Petrie to Caboolture and partial Quad between Lawnton and Straphine and between Northgate and Zillmere to allow separation of Caboolture, Kippa-Ring, Beerwah/Landsborough/Nambour and Traveltrain services.

An improved hub function at Landsborough as the short term, with increased bus services feeding into the hourly services.  Potentially look at half-hourly to Beerwah/Landsborough with Cooroy-Beerwah/Landsborough as a hourly feeder service.

Longer term should be partial re-alignment works between Mooloolah and Palmwoods, which are the worst identified alignment of the SC, which would allow longer freight trains.

Edit: (Some clarification into the foaming) An half-hourly Beerwah/Landsborough in a medium-long term future would be an extension of a all-day Caboolture express service, with triplication on the Petrie-Caboolture part with a future third track available for freight, Traveltrains and the peak Gympielander services.  Maybe limited peak Nambour services (or extended Cooroy) peak services may use a future third track between Petrie and Caboolture.

[Gazza]

The thing which I think makes the bit north of Landsborough a tough thing to get funding for is that it more or less is a full rebuild, and not a "duplication" per se, and would be the most expensive rail project in SEQ, outside of CRR.

Out of interest, if the concern is freight, has anyone ever considered just sending freight alongside the Bruce (You'd send freight onto the CAMCOS alignment to the point where it crosses the Bruce, but then branch off and run north via Palmview, Mons, Forest Glen, then rejoin the NCL at Kulangoor.
I mean, going via the current NCL through Eudlo etc requires a lot of tunnelling etc.

Asking the question....

[#Metro]

It is worth looking at Gazza. Might even be able to package it up with 'Bruce Highway Funding'.

It would be controversial because it would cut off towns already on the rail line, however an upgrade is expensive and building new along a faster and cheaper alignment might cost the same or less.

I would like to see it explored further.

[Arnz]

Good idea in theory, but would the Sunshine Coast really need 3 passenger lines of sorts, considering running the freight along the Bruce passes by Palmview (Glenview/Ettamogah precinct), Sippy Downs (Walking distance to Sippy Down's CBD and residential area and the University a further 10 minute walk) and Tanawha/Forest Glen area.