The Sunshine Coast Case : Rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour

[#Metro]

Gazza, will a 'plan' be forthcoming?

Plan plan plan!!

[ozbob]

Best you can hope for is Beerburrum to Landsborough North duplication.  Maybe some passing loop improvements north to Nambour.

[Arnz]

Agreed. 

Taking away all the foamy stuff like CAMCOS, track amplications south of Caboolture or anything north of Landsborough, best bet would have to be loop extensions north of Landsborough, with the potential to move some of the stations on the proposed alignment north of Landsborough as a new crossing loop. 

Moving the stations onto the new alignment as part of a new crossing loop in those towns at least sorts the temporary platform situation north of Landsborough.

[ozbob]

Caboolture to Beerburrum shows what can be achieved.  I have been in the cab of an ICE flat out on that section.  Superb bit of railway ..

[verbatim9]

Caboolture to Beerburrum shows what can be achieved.  I have been in the cab of an ICE flat out on that section.  Superb bit of railway ..

Agreed 👍

[Gazza]

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.

My thoughts are that the Bruce highway line would be pure freight only, and potentially ARTC/Aurizon owned.
I'm viewing it from the same wisdom as the Rosewood to Karagu line and the Gateway corridor...More about being straight and out of the way, rather than pure directness.
Hard to see it being electrified initially given electric freight has fallen out of favour on the NCL at present.

So this leaves the SC with two passenger branches....the "Nambou and Gympie " Hinterland Line", and the Caloundra and Maroochy "Coastal line".

Bulk of the spending then flows to the passenger operations on the coastal line, with a limited number of well placed stations (Beerwah, Caloundra South, Caloundra, Parklands Blvd, SCUH, Kawana, Mooloolobah, Maroochydore,)

The hinterland alignment then becomes of lesser importance, other than trains to Nambour. Could even be run as a shuttle with cross platform interchange at Beerwah, with some peak hour through trains)

I'm just being a realist, the hinterland line really only has one major town on it, I doubt locals would want to see the nature of the other ones change, and it runs through national parks...And we want to spend 3 bil on it?
Yes it's curvy, but then so is the Beenleigh, Cleveland, FG line.

You could probably get the desired time savings for passengers in that area by just getting trouts rd going and speeding trains through there ( And of course if freight is going via the bruce then you can probably run trains a bit more freely that way too)

Of course, Bob is spot on, all well see in the medium term is Landsborough duplication and maybe some better passing loops north of that.

[#Metro]

Maybe that section could become... a busway...

[Arnz]

As was suggested by Gazza, I've drawn up the freight alignment that goes alongside the Bruce Highway as per (or close) to his suggestion.  It would be single track and initially un-electrified with the identified crossing loops (highlighted by the dots). In addition the dots I've put in as the crossing loops could serve as potential new station sites if the line becomes electrified and/or partially duplicated (assuming CAMCOS becomes the foamy vapourware and this becomes the "cheaper" option by future governments).

Let's assume Beerburrum to Landsborough has a reasonable chance of getting up as per primarily national freight reasons, but other related projects are not likely to get up in the medium term, along with anything north of Landsborough pushed to 2040+ or later.  I personally also think CAMCOS, as it's a passenger only line that is just as (if not more expensive) than anything north of Landsborough has taken over Moreton Bay Line's role of being foamy never never vapourware.

A duplicated line to Beerwah/Landsborough would at least enable half-hourly all-day expresses as an extension of a Caboolture all-day express service, with hourly north of Beerwah/Landsborough.  Any passenger services north of Beerwah would become the lesser prioritised line (converted to a Beerwah-Nambour/Gympie shuttle) if the suggested freight line gets upgraded to a passenger line in the longer longer term.

[red dragin]

Isn't Sippy Downs to Forest Glen quite hilly?

Or are we tunneling that section?

[Arnz]

Indeed it is, and a good question.  It would be good to know the tunelling quote vs shifting the land similar to the highway re-alignment in the late 80s/early 90s. 

In addition, the suggested freight corridor would be bundled into the highway upgrades, thus saving some project costs.

Where the highway is now (Forest Glen/Sippy Downs areas) was hilly beforehand, back when the Tanawaha Tourist drive was serving as the main highway back in the 80s and early 90s.

[Stillwater]

The section of Bruce Highway in question is subject to active planning (new Caloundra turn-off and six-laning between Caloundra turn-off and Sunshine Motorway turnoff to Maroochydore).  What's the betting that a joint road-rail corridor was never considered as part of this planning?    

[ozbob]

Yo, the preferred corridor for rail has long been identified ...

Next!

[Fares_Fair]

Duplicate the thing... 

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Rail advocates call on Qld govt to commit to upgrade

SUNSHINE Coast RAIL Back on Track spokesman Jeff Addison says the incoming Aura development will heap further pressure on the Coast's already struggling road network.

Mr Addison called on the State Government to commit to the duplication of the North Coast rail line as well as a rail spur to Caloundra, along the CAMCOS rail corridor to service the spine of the Coast.

He said without such commitments, the effects of the Aura development would see greater pressure placed on the Bruce Hwy, potentially choking the major arterial road from the Coast to Brisbane.

"Today, RAIL Back on Track calls upon the state government and Deputy Premier Jacki Trad, the Transport and Infrastructure Minister, to spell out a clear and unequivocal timetable for duplication of the Sunshine Coast Railway line to Landsborough in order for Aura residents to access trains to Brisbane from the Beerwah and Landsborough stations," Mr Addison said.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow 16s

Rail advocates call on Qld govt to commit to upgrade

> http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/rail-advocates-call-state-government-commit-upgrad/2797484/ ...

#qldpol #auspol @jackietrad @TMRQld

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Frustration at lack of transport commitments for Aura

Frustration at lack of transport commitments for Aura
Scott Sawyer | 7th Oct 2015 5:00 AM

AS A NEW, Gladstone-sized city begins its 30-year construction at Aura, otherwise known as Caloundra South, fears about future transport continue to grow.

Sunshine Coast RAIL Back on Track spokesman Jeff Addison said the decision to green-light the massive, 20,000-home, 50,000-resident development without a commitment to major public transport infrastructure had left him dumbfounded.

"It borders on negligence," an exasperated Mr Addison said.

While infrastructure agreements were reached providing for East-West arterial road, as well as a local roads network within Aura between Stockland and the State Government, Mr Addison said the continued refusal to prioritise an upgraded rail network to the region was a huge mistake.

"Springfield (suburb of Ipswich) got a duplicated rail line for only 24,000 people," Mr Addison said.

"The need is already there for the Sunshine Coast alone, let alone adding a city the size of Gladstone on the foot of the Coast."

"It (Aura) doesn't promise anything about public transport."

Mr Addison has been a long-time campaigner for rail duplication of the North Coast line to Nambour, as well as the creation of a rail spur to Caloundra, to link up with either heavy rail via CAMCOS, or a light-rail network connected to the heavy rail system.

He said he could not understand how the State Government had continued to fail to act on a service which could prove vitally important, as more pressure was placed on the Bruce Hwy.

"It'll be a social welfare utopia in Caloundra if they (Aura residents) can't get access to public transport," he said.

"We're headed for disaster unless they (State Government) can provide infrastructure."

Mr Addison said he fully supported the jobs that would be created by the project and the development of greater housing options, but said he would hate to see the city rolled out without adequate transport solutions.

Professor Martin Bell, demographer and director of UQ's Queensland Centre for Population Research said the development would greatly help with accommodating future populations, but added there was an "absolutely critical" need for State and Local Government infrastructure investment, to ensure new communities did not become isolated.

Aura Facts:

     50,000 residents to live in the new city
     $5 billion project to be built over three decades

[Stillwater]

In the recent Brisbane Times story on the lack of rail infrastructure serving the Sunshine Coast and Aura (which won't be the official place name, according to Jackie Trad), one commentator proposed that, in order to overcome rail congestion through the city, SCL trains operate one-way, passing through Bowen Hills-Roma Street and then looping around on the Exhibition Line to head back up the Coast.

It is hard to see this working, given the nexus between Ipswich Line and SCL services.

The argument put was that the 'slingshot' trains would serve residential development at the RNA, as well as provide a rail access to the hospital.

[ozbob]

It is time they got on with delivering an improved rail solution. Enough of the studies, plans and wank-fests ... just do it! #2tracks ..

[Stillwater]

What's going on?

At a state level, LNP MPs want SCL rail duplication and have declared it their No.1 top priority transport infrastructure project on the Sunshine Coast.

However, at a federal Coalition level, LNP MPs want to 'boost the Bruce' (put in extra lanes on the Bruce Highway).



http://boostthebruce.com.au

http://www.wyattroy.com.au/new-local-campaign-boost-the-bruce

LNP speaks with forked tongue, kemosabe.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Get the Sunshine Coast on track with rail or reckon with traffic jams forever

THE highway was fit to burst – and so were we, stuck, carpark style, on it.

Last Monday afternoon heading south from the Sunshine Coast, the Bruce Highway was choked, not because of an accident or tragic loss of life but because loads of people were returning home after a long weekend at the end of the school holidays.

These were calendar events the beautiful Sunshine Coast is made for but when people wanted to make the most of it, it caused a standstill. It's ludicrous. That's without the comprehensive developments approved for Caloundra South or Palmview, bringing another 67,000 people into the region.

Buckets of money have been spent on the highway but largely on enabling cars to get on and off it more easily, which seems like adding another running hose to an already overflowing bucket.

The need for infrastructure is now urgent because a human tsunami is coming from Brisbane and the right people don't seem panicked enough.

The public transport system on the Coast remains largely lousy, with pockets of people off the grid of the bus services and with a rail line skirting the region that still only has a single track each way. Up to three hours between trains off-peak is standard ...

More > http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-get-the-sunshine-coast-on-track-with-rail-or-reckon-with-traffic-jams-forever/story-fnihsr9v-1227561161562

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

8th October 2015

Re: Government must set timetable for Nambour track duplication and CAMCOS rail corridor to Caloundra

Good Morning,

Caloundra South is shaping up as a transport disaster, to add to ever worsening transport failure and policy paralysis gripping South East Queensland.

Very interesting read this:

Nothing subtle about state's planning power

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/nothing-subtle-about-states-planning-power/2798752/

A few more recent media items:

Get the Sunshine Coast on track with rail or reckon with traffic jams forever

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-get-the-sunshine-coast-on-track-with-rail-or-reckon-with-traffic-jams-forever/story-fnihsr9v-1227561161562

Frustration at lack of transport commitments for Aura

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/frustration-at-lack-of-major-transport-commitments/2798802/

Aura, or Black Hole?

http://brizcommuter.blogspot.com.au/2015/10/aura-or-black-hole.html

Rail advocates call on Qld govt to commit to upgrade

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/rail-advocates-call-state-government-commit-upgrad/2797484/

Best wishes
Robert

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

Media release 6 October 2015



Government must set timetable for Nambour track duplication and CAMCOS rail corridor to Caloundra

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 Sunshine Coast faces unprecedented traffic congestion due to increasing population growth and the development of the Aura town centre at Caloundra South.  It has called on the state government to commit to a definite timetable for constructing dual railway tracks to Nambour as a priority and eventually building a rail spur to Caloundra along the CAMCOS rail reserve.

"The start on construction of a new city called Aura at the southern end of the Sunshine Coast will be a game-changer for the entire region.  It will affect how and where people shop and will contribute to increased car-based transport activity that threatens our lifestyle," RAIL Back on Track Sunshine Coast spokesperson, Jeff Addison, warned today.

"Let's not forget also that, in addition to the 50,000 residents of Aura, another 20,000 people will be housed at Palmview.  It is a recipe for transport chaos, made worse by the state government's silence about any solutions, apart from road-based solutions financed largely by the federal government.

"It may be more affordable to buy land at Aura, but the trade-off will be increased transport costs for residents, as theirs will be two-car households where people will be forced to get behind a steering wheel to move outside the town centre and to find jobs elsewhere on the Sunshine Coast or, most probably, choke the Bruce Highway to Brisbane.  There is a very real danger that Aura residents won't relate to the Sunshine Coast at all.  They will be living in a smart urban centre that would empty during the day, as the bread-winner takes the car south, leaving their spouse and children isolated in a weird social welfare utopia.

"Clearly, the state government has approved Aura in isolation without considering its impacts upon the wider Caloundra region.

"The new city with its huge new retail hub will become a disposable income sponge, soaking up the household spend of a much wider area beyond Aura itself and threatening the viability of Caloundra's traditional Bulcock Street shopping precinct.  Aura will assume the Caloundra town centre role, leaving Bulcock Street with slim pickings and empty shops.  Certainly it will be much easier for people from the Blackall Range to shop for big-ticket items and source professional services at Aura, not Caloundra," Mr Addison said.

"The focus of this new development has been on the design elements within the borders of Aura with scant regard to the wider implications and impacts as Aura residents travel outside their city the size of Gladstone.

"While Stockland, the developer, has made a significant contribution to 'infrastructure costs' such as drainage, parks and roads, the infrastructure plan does not include a commitment to building a transit centre shown in its promotional video.  Most likely that is because the state government will not stipulate a timetable for augmented rail and feeder bus routes servicing Aura.

"Its only commitment to transport infrastructure at Aura is $55 million for an East-West Arterial.  That's it.

"Today, RAIL Back on Track calls upon the state government and Deputy Premier Jacki Trad, the Transport and Infrastructure Minister, to spell out a clear and unequivocal timetable for duplication of the Sunshine Coast Railway line to Landsborough in order for Aura residents to access trains to Brisbane from the Beerwah and Landsborough stations.  Augmented parking will be required to prevent commuters parking their cars all day in both towns, hogging frequent parking spots and affecting shopping convenience.

"While fast and frequent buses linking Landsborough and Caloundra via Aura will provide adequate public transport services in the interim, during the early stages of the Aura development, the state government must now start serious consideration about scheduling a start on building the CAMCOS rail spur to Caloundra and then to Maroochydore.

"CAMCOS rail would draw Aura residents to the rest of the Sunshine Coast, linking to the proposed light rail network.  As planned, Aura might as well be called 'North Caboolture'.  For all intents and purposes, it will be a satellite suburb of Brisbane, not integrated with Caloundra and the Sunshine Coast.

"Crucial to CAMCOS is the Beerburrum-Landsborough rail track duplication.  The project has environmental approval, the plans have been drawn and it remains 'shovel ready'.  It makes sense for the Queensland Government to call for expressions of interest from qualified consortiums to construct it, especially as rail track equipment, specialised workforce and expertise is released from the Moreton Bay railway line, now nearing completion.

"Beerburrum-Landsborough rail realignment and duplication would provide jobs transferable from the mining sector, which is experiencing a severe downturn.  Many of those mining workers are fly-in fly-out employees based on the Sunshine Coast," Mr Addison said.

ENDS

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

References:

1. Caloundra South
http://www.stockland.com.au/residential/caloundra-south.aspx

2. Sunshine Coast and Caboolture line upgrades
http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Travel-and-transport/Rail/Rail-infrastructure-upgrades-in-south-east-Queensland/Sunshine-Coast-and-Caboolture-lines.aspx

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

4. Caboolture to Maroochydore Corridor Study
http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/C/Caboolture-to-Maroochydore-Corridor-Study.aspx

[Stillwater]

Now the local state member echoes RailBOT's position re the influence Aura/Caloundra South will have on Caloundra's identity and purpose.

Quote from SCD article: Mr (Mark) McArdle said the Bruce Hwy upgrade could prove the death knell for local businesses.

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/caloundra-missing-out-mcardle/2800083

[Stillwater]

From the Gold Coast Bulletin:

"THE strength of the State Government's business case for the light rail's second stage played a major role in securing the support of the new Prime Minister according to Deputy Premier Jackie Trad.  The Federal Government received the business case just days after Malcolm Turnbull become Prime Minister and was able to assess it and commit $95 million of funding just three weeks later.  Ms Trad, who led state efforts to secure the tram funding, revealed for the first time that the comprehensive business case had begun development after former prime minister Tony Abbott agreed to consider funding the project through the Government's Commonwealth Games contribution."

http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/game-changer/qld-plan-vital-to-stage-2-win-trad/story-fnvizjmv-1227565574899

QUESTION:  Ms Trad, at what stage is the business case for the SCL duplication, are you confident it is as strong as the GCLR business case, and when will your government submit it to the federal government?

It should be noted that Ms Trad's comments to the Gold Coast Bully runs contrary to a Courier-Mail story, which reported that the $95 million federal grant for GCLR Stage 2 bypassed normal Infrastructure Australia project assessment processes.  It would be a pity if Queensland's preferred modus operandi in respect of major infrastructure projects is to argue that other states have to submit a business case to IA, while Queensland gets some sort of backdoor mates deal.  Very sloppy.

It is clear that the SCL duplication is up against the new Townsville Stadium in the infrastructure funding stakes.  I wonder what the stadium BCR is?

[Stillwater]

Beerburrum-Nambour duplication

The political stalemate continues.

Beerburrum-Landsborough duplication project design completed in 2004 – more than a decade ago.  Still no action on its construction.
http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/C/Caboolture-to-Landsborough-Rail-Upgrade-Study.aspx

It has been six years since the preferred route of Landsborough-Nambour duplication was identified.  No action to build it.
http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/L/Landsborough-to-Nambour-Rail-Corridor-Study.aspx

[colinw]

It is clear that the SCL duplication is up against the new Townsville Stadium in the infrastructure funding stakes.  I wonder what the stadium BCR is?

With the Rugby League premiership now held by Townsville, I think we're screwed.

Why build vital and overdue infrastructure when you can have a football stadium?  QUEENSLANDER!!!

[pandmaster]

Hopefully Queensland does not waste as much on stadia as NSW is going to over the next few years at Homebush and Moore Park. Stadia, like roads and the military, do not seem to attract nearly as much scrutiny or difficulty in getting funding as PT and rail.

I doubt the Townsville Stadium has a BCR above one, given it will not generate much in additional benefits from what I can see. It is not going to attract additional events to Townsville, it will merely serve to provide the already popular Cowboys a new home. I have not looked at the plans, though I hope they consider replicating Wollongong where the entertainment centre and stadium share a wall and are essentially the same structure. That would free up some more land. Hopefully they can recoup some of the costs through the freed-up land.

[Stillwater]

It is a combined stadium and entertainment centre.
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=townsville+stadium+%2B+plan&biw=1486&bih=783&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CCgQsARqFQoTCKqR_-uxycgCFeTGpgodXHcOJw#imgrc=N67CdJePGcd6kM%3A

In a similar fashion, and to build return along the SCL, can we think of dual-uses for railway stations.  For example, could they be plant nurseries, with the staff selling tickets as well as plants?  Could a waiting room be waiting room by day and restaurant by night?  Could toilets serve the station, but also the adjacent park.  (Under current admin arrangements, QR would build station toilets, for exclusive use of rail travellers, while council would built toilets for park users.  QR would hire contractors to clean the toilets, but that most probably would not be the council, or the council contractors.)  Could the station car park (on QR land) be the place where the mobile library (a council function) is parked one or two days a week?

This dual-use idea would enhance town centres and make stations safe places, and people places.  Won't happen with current silo thinking.

[Stillwater]

The state government has revealed it has a  preliminary 10-year Action Plan for the NCL.  Will it be made public?

For the record, from State Infrastructure Plan, 26 October 2015

Case study Modal shift on the North Coast Line

Queensland's North Coast Line (NCL) is a vital
north-south rail route that links distribution centres
in the south east to major population centres in
central and north Queensland. It supports a range of
freight functions including intermodal containerised
freight services and the haulage of coal, livestock
and industrial products.

Despite continuing regional population growth
and economic activity within the central and north
Queensland regions, demand for rail freight on this
corridor has been in decline in recent years. This
can be attributed to a shift from rail to road
freight as a result of significant advancements in
high productivity vehicles, together with a need for
more investment and upgrades on the rail network.
In response, the Department of Transport and Main
Roads has identified potential infrastructure and
non-infrastructure enhancements to facilitate an
increase in freight volumes on the NCL.

A preliminary NCL Action Plan proposes a 10-year program covering
a range of investment initiatives to address corridor
deficiencies, increase rail capacity and improve rail
operational performance. These initiatives aim to
support a modal shift from road to rail freight to
better equip Queensland's freight network to
support continued growth on this corridor.

[Fares_Fair]

Never before in the field of human planning, has so many plans been made, by so many, with so few (results).

Apology to Sir Winston Churchill (30/11/1874 - 24/01/1965)

[Fares_Fair]

The state government has revealed it has a preliminary 10-year Action Plan for the NCL.  Will it be made public?

Order received at glossy brochure printing company..  animation to follow   

[Stillwater]

If we can't have the SCL duplication, can we have money for a new wing to the Nambour Library to house all the planning documents.

[#Metro]

Order received at glossy brochure printing company..  animation to follow

Have to say that RBOT is doing pretty well with the plans we've made

Now we just need a glossy video production suite to boot!

[Fares_Fair]

The state government has revealed it has a  preliminary 10-year Action Plan for the NCL.  Will it be made public?

For the record, from State Infrastructure Plan, 26 October 2015

Case study Modal shift on the North Coast Line

Queensland's North Coast Line (NCL) is a vital
north-south rail route that links distribution centres
in the south east to major population centres in
central and north Queensland. It supports a range of
freight functions including intermodal containerised
freight services and the haulage of coal, livestock
and industrial products.

Despite continuing regional population growth
and economic activity within the central and north
Queensland regions, demand for rail freight on this
corridor has been in decline in recent years. This
can be attributed to a shift from rail to road
freight as a result of significant advancements in
high productivity vehicles, together with a need for
more investment and upgrades on the rail network.
In response, the Department of Transport and Main
Roads has identified potential infrastructure and
non-infrastructure enhancements to facilitate an
increase in freight volumes on the NCL.

A preliminary NCL Action Plan proposes a 10-year program covering
a range of investment initiatives to address corridor
deficiencies, increase rail capacity and improve rail
operational performance. These initiatives aim to
support a modal shift from road to rail freight to
better equip Queensland's freight network to
support continued growth on this corridor.

Non-infrastructure enhancements.. does that mean we'll be hit with more paper planes, I mean paper plans?
My gosh, it means more glossy colour brochures!

[Fares_Fair]

A preliminary NCL Action Plan proposes 10-year program covering range of 'investment initiatives'

#holdingouttincan
#begging
#alloftheabove

[Fares_Fair]

The next Queensland parliamentary sitting dates will be 27, 28 and 29 October 2015.
@qldpol
#2tracks

[Stillwater]

It is a whole new mindset for the Sunshine Coast's transport infrastructure.  First we have the award winning light rail plan, with no prospect of it ever being funded or built and now we have a preliminary 10-year 'action plan' when the previous one was to duplicate tracks to Nambour by 2031.

Just as we have world dictatorships giving themselves names such as the 'People's Democratic Republic of Wherever', state government that aren't doing too much on transport give their thinking (half-baked in the case of the Queensland Infrastructure Statement) some fancy names; in this case an action plan for the SCL, and a preliminary action plan at that.  In Queensland, inertia is described as action when the only action is at the printers, producing the preliminary document.  Another round of printing will come when the actual action plan is devised - no timetable given.

And what does this preliminary document contain?  We don't know, because a 'transparent and accountable' government won't hand it over.  At least we now know it contains 'non-infrastructure enhancements' and 'investment initiatives', whatever they are.  We are not told when year one of the so-called action plan starts, or whether 2036 is the date we can anticipate full track duplication to Nambour.  It's nice to know we have a 'preliminary action plan' where, presumably, the emphasis is on active planning, not construction.  When will we have the actual action plan?  Who knows?

This is a state government that is most active in running from responsibility to build anything while wanting to be seen to be 'active'.  Ministerial legs are pumping with pink boots on, but running on the spot.

[Stillwater]

It is somewhat ironic that when one types 'Sunshine Coast Line Action Plan' into an internet search engine, this is at the top of the list of entries:

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBwQFjAAahUKEwi7m6jApOHIAhUkLKYKHWxbAlc&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aph.gov.au%2FDocumentStore.ashx%3Fid%3D8bb347e2-75d5-4ff7-aa76-14ebc6ca16f4%26subId%3D32230&usg=AFQjCNH0vfs3iCXmlHEznx-BPPnS4DNOHg&bvm=bv.105841590,d.dGY

It was a private submission to a federal parliamentary committee examining productivity issues.  The state government's preliminary 'action plan' for the Beerburrum-Nambour duplication and North Coast Line remains a mystery.  Is it real?

[Fares_Fair]

The draft train timetable for the Sunshine Coast line has significant improvements with regards to the ALL day express legs and a journey time-saving for commuters (around 6 minutes in peak, depending on the service) time reductions not seen since pre-2011.

The Petrie to Northgate to Eagle Junction to Bowen Hills expresses will be welcome, except perhaps for those ~300 pax who will need to change trains between Caboolture and Dakabin.

Overall this is very good news, commuters have been calling for shorter journey times and better expresses.
The cost or downside to this is perhaps seen in the cuts to total service numbers.

The rail buses are reduced in number from 13 each direction every week-day back to 8 each direction.
They now comprise 29.4% of weekly southbound services (136 no. per weekdays)
They now comprise 28.6% of weekly northbound services (140 no. per weekdays)
Overall, rail buses will comprise 29% of our trains from mid-2016.
Weekend service numbers remain unchanged.

Previous service numbers indicate a reduction, i.e. cuts of 10.97% to the number of our weekly services!

In mid-2016 if this timetable holds, we will have 276 week day services.
Currently we have 310 week day services.
A cut of some 34 services (including rail buses)
Rail bus cuts equal to 25 of these 34 reductions

[ozbob]

I think the rail bus removal is reasonable, poorly utilised.  The ' cuts ' are rail-bus as rail service stepped up in quality and frequency.

Extra rail services in lieu.  I think when more trains are available there will be more frequent services to Nambour off peak as well, which will probably see all rail-bus go.

The new timetables will:

    provide express services all day, every day, in both directions
    simplify stopping patterns
    reduce travel times by up to 13 minutes
    add two extra inbound, off-peak services to the Sunshine Coast each weekday
    replace Nambour to Caboolture shuttle trains with full Nambour to Brisbane Central services.

http://translink.com.au/travel-information/service-notices/62896/details

[verbatim9]

Better for sunshine coast commuters. Just studied the timetable further there is a late night service from Central to Nambour Mon-Fri. Nothing on Sat or Sun? I wonder why that is?