The Sunshine Coast Case : Rail duplication Beerburrum to Nambour

[ozbob]

Bob could we have a page on the website where all these dead proposals are archived, or perhaps even a sticked thread with a list?

Sure, I don't have time at present to collate but Fares Fair might have a list.  I will check.

Alternatively if someone compiles a list from this thread I can organise from there.

[HappyTrainGuy]

That's going to be a big list. Lots of changes with MBRL, L2P and Springfield lines. And that's not to mention dumped projects like ATP in the suburban area

[ozbob]

Media release: Sunshine Coast rail duplication: where has the GO gone?

25 February 2023

RAIL Back On Track has long supported rail duplication to Landsborough, and onto Nambour on the Sunshine Coast.

This project was again announced five years ago this June, as the duplication from Beerburrum through to Landsborough, and has been promised in the past to be completed by 2012, is now seemingly stalled.

We would like to get the 'go' going again.

On Saturday 9 June 2018, then Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and Transport Minister Mark Bailey arrived in Nambour to announce $160.8 million funding for the 17km of rail duplication from Beerburrum to Landsborough.

It represented 20% of the cost of the then $780 million project.

That made $550 million of funding available, given the Federal government's historic $390 million contribution announced the month before.

The then Deputy Premier said that planning would continue during the 2018-19 financial year, before the five-year construction period was set to begin in 2019-20 (1)

A tweet issued at 10:37am that day (9 June 2018) by the Transport Minister stated (2):

"It's GO for Sunshine Coast rail commuters with Palaszczuk @QldLabor Govt $160m in budget to upgrade Beerburrum to Nambour incl duplic track Bburrum-Landsbr, 4 station upgrades, 2000 extra car parks, dual platforms = 18 extra daily services, 3 mins quicker to Bris @AnnastaciaMP"


https://backontrack.org/docs/media/bailey_tweet_9jun18.jpg

Since that announcement, made 5 years ago this June, Sunshine Coast citizens, and others, are  wondering where their rail line and other works have gone?

At time of writing – not one sleeper has yet been laid.

The DTMR website says an announcement was expected in late 2022 for the stage 1 (heavy rail) works, but to date there is silence on when the 'go' gets going (3).

The early works package that included a 1km realignment of Steve Irwin Way and changes to Moffat Road to accommodate the track, are underway.

Work has also started on one of the park 'n'ride projects with 300 car parks to be added at Landsborough, and the Landsborough bus interchange also under construction.

As part of the works, 50 more car parks are to be provided at Nambour station and 'up to' 300 car parks are to be provided at Beerburrum.

A quick tally reveals that of the 2000 car parks announced in the Minister's original tweet, only 'up to' 650 may be provided, leaving a minimum 1350 car park short-fall.

Also since the state government failed to secure any additional funding from the prior government and apparently from their own Federal counterpart to date, the extent of the rail duplication has been cut back to Beerwah, leaving the project some 5km shy of its announced destination, and some $230 million shy of its (then) cost.

To those wondering why their rail infrastructure is taking so long to materialize, you need look no further than the Queensland budget papers.

It has been a litany of underspend year after year after year.

Over the past four years, up to 30 June 2022, they have spent $61.96 million when they should or could have spent the $132.67 million budgeted.

That equates to less than half, at 46.7% of the total.

When will the heavy rail works start?

What happened to the (minimum) 1350 missing car parks?

Will we ever get the promised additional train services?

We are looking forward to the 18 extra services promised and the 3 minute quicker trip to Brisbane – but given that 9 extra trains promised in 2015 never materialised, we have to wonder if our Government promises ever come true.

As for the $230 million funding shortfall where even the state government's federal counterpart hasn't come to the party, perhaps it has something to do with the $2.7 billion that the Premier suddenly found to fund her beloved 'Gabba redevelopment – while critical rail to the Sunshine Coast flows at 'snail' rail pace.  The single railway track between Beerburrum and Nambour belongs in the 19th Century.  It is way past the time it was sorted.

Contacts:

Primary:
Jeff Addison
Sunshine Coast Region Spokesperson RAIL Back On Track

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

References:

1. Brisbane Times June 9, 2018:'It's about time': All aboard for $160 million Sunshine Coast rail upgrade https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/it-s-about-time-all-aboard-for-160-million-sunshine-coast-rail-upgrade-20180609-p4zkjj.html

2.

Code Select Expand

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1005247557709303814
3. Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (Stage 1)
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/beerburrum-to-nambour-rail-upgrade-stage-1

[ozbob]

Facebook ...

Media release: Sunshine Coast rail duplication: where has the GO gone? 25 February 2023 RAIL Back On Track has long...

Posted by RAIL - Back On Track on Saturday, 25 February 2023

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1629711815587553280

[Fares_Fair]

Their 30 plus strong media team must be working really hard to ignore this.
The "I can't be everywhere" approach.

[#Metro]

Their 30 plus strong media team must be working really hard to ignore this.
The "I can't be everywhere" approach

Maybe it's time Noosa and Sunshine Coast considered secession.

Could be set up similar to the ACT. Would have direct access to federal funds though transfer payments.

Also better positioned to get access to federal infrastructure money...which you could use to build the railway 😛

[Jonno]

Their 30 plus strong media team must be working really hard to ignore this.
The "I can't be everywhere" approach.

They are stuck in the congestion caused by the next "This will fix congestion" road project coming back from their weekend at Nooooosasaaaaa Darling!!

[ozbob]

Sunshine Valley Gazette 1st March 2023 page 20

https://www.sunshinevalleygazette.com.au/read-paper-online

Rail duplication: five years on. where has the 'GO' gone?




 

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

1st March 2023

Re: Media release: Sunshine Coast rail duplication: where has the go gone?

Good Morning,

Follow up piece in the Sunshine Valley Gazette. Thanks for the support. 

It is an appalling situation with the Sunshine Coast railway.  Empty promises. There is no chance of the branch line from Beerwah to Maroochydore if the basic duplication north of Beerburrum through to Landsborough cannot be achieved any time soon.  Ten years behind already.

From the Sunshine Valley Gazette 1st March 2023 page 20

https://www.sunshinevalleygazette.com.au/read-paper-online

Rail duplication: five years on, where has the 'GO' gone?




Best wishes,
Robert

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

Media release: Sunshine Coast rail duplication: where has the GO gone?

25 February 2023

RAIL Back On Track has long supported rail duplication to Landsborough, and onto Nambour on the Sunshine Coast.

This project was again announced five years ago this June, as the duplication from Beerburrum through to Landsborough, and has been promised in the past to be completed by 2012, is now seemingly stalled.

We would like to get the 'go' going again.

On Saturday 9 June 2018, then Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and Transport Minister Mark Bailey arrived in Nambour to announce $160.8 million funding for the 17km of rail duplication from Beerburrum to Landsborough.

It represented 20% of the cost of the then $780 million project.

That made $550 million of funding available, given the Federal government's historic $390 million contribution announced the month before.

The then Deputy Premier said that planning would continue during the 2018-19 financial year, before the five-year construction period was set to begin in 2019-20 (1)

A tweet issued at 10:37am that day (9 June 2018) by the Transport Minister stated (2):

"It's GO for Sunshine Coast rail commuters with Palaszczuk @QldLabor Govt $160m in budget to upgrade Beerburrum to Nambour incl duplic track Bburrum-Landsbr, 4 station upgrades, 2000 extra car parks, dual platforms = 18 extra daily services, 3 mins quicker to Bris @AnnastaciaMP"


https://backontrack.org/docs/media/bailey_tweet_9jun18.jpg

Since that announcement, made 5 years ago this June, Sunshine Coast citizens, and others, are  wondering where their rail line and other works have gone?

At time of writing – not one sleeper has yet been laid.

The DTMR website says an announcement was expected in late 2022 for the stage 1 (heavy rail) works, but to date there is silence on when the 'go' gets going (3).

The early works package that included a 1km realignment of Steve Irwin Way and changes to Moffat Road to accommodate the track, are underway.

Work has also started on one of the park 'n'ride projects with 300 car parks to be added at Landsborough, and the Landsborough bus interchange also under construction.

As part of the works, 50 more car parks are to be provided at Nambour station and 'up to' 300 car parks are to be provided at Beerburrum.

A quick tally reveals that of the 2000 car parks announced in the Minister's original tweet, only 'up to' 650 may be provided, leaving a minimum 1350 car park short-fall.

Also since the state government failed to secure any additional funding from the prior government and apparently from their own Federal counterpart to date, the extent of the rail duplication has been cut back to Beerwah, leaving the project some 5km shy of its announced destination, and some $230 million shy of its (then) cost.

To those wondering why their rail infrastructure is taking so long to materialize, you need look no further than the Queensland budget papers.

It has been a litany of underspend year after year after year.

Over the past four years, up to 30 June 2022, they have spent $61.96 million when they should or could have spent the $132.67 million budgeted.

That equates to less than half, at 46.7% of the total.

When will the heavy rail works start?

What happened to the (minimum) 1350 missing car parks?

Will we ever get the promised additional train services?

We are looking forward to the 18 extra services promised and the 3 minute quicker trip to Brisbane – but given that 9 extra trains promised in 2015 never materialised, we have to wonder if our Government promises ever come true.

As for the $230 million funding shortfall where even the state government's federal counterpart hasn't come to the party, perhaps it has something to do with the $2.7 billion that the Premier suddenly found to fund her beloved 'Gabba redevelopment – while critical rail to the Sunshine Coast flows at 'snail' rail pace.  The single railway track between Beerburrum and Nambour belongs in the 19th Century.  It is way past the time it was sorted.

Contacts:

Primary:
Jeff Addison
Sunshine Coast Region Spokesperson RAIL Back On Track

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

References:

1. Brisbane Times June 9, 2018:'It's about time': All aboard for $160 million Sunshine Coast rail upgrade https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/it-s-about-time-all-aboard-for-160-million-sunshine-coast-rail-upgrade-20180609-p4zkjj.html

2.

Code Select Expand

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1005247557709303814
3. Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (Stage 1)
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/beerburrum-to-nambour-rail-upgrade-stage-1

[ozbob]

Surprise!

====

1st March 2023  Not online.

Media Release
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Works underway on Nambour park 'n' ride

. Construction under way on Nambour and Landsborough park 'n' ride
. Increased rail capacity, improved reliability and reduce travel times for passenger and freight services.

Construction of a new park 'n' ride is underway in Nambour as part of early works for Stage one of the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (B2N) project.

This new park 'n' ride facility will provide approximately fifty additional parking spaces on the eastern side of Nambour station, at the corner of Mill Street and Civic Way.

Residents and road users can expect local traffic changes, including reduced speed limits and minor traffic disruptions to ensure the safety of motorists and workers.

Construction of the new park 'n' ride at Nambour is expected to take place between February 2023 and mid-2023, weather and construction conditions permitting.

B2N early works also include the construction of a new park 'n' ride facility and bus interchange at Landsborough and the realignment of a one-kilometre section of Steve Irwin Way south of Glass House Mountains, in preparation for rail duplication and realignment.

The Landsborough park 'n' ride expansion will provide an additional 300 parking spaces on the eastern side of the station, removing the need for people to cross the level crossing to park. Buses to the coast will also use the new facility.

Work at Landsborough and Steve Irwin Way is well advanced, with completion expected in mid-2023.

The project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments for a total of $550.8 million towards Stage one of the B2N project, with the Australian Government committing $390 million and the Queensland Government committing $160.8 million.

Stage one main works will duplicate the rail line between Beerburrum and Beerwah, build three new road-over-rail bridges, remove level crossings, and expand the park 'n' ride facility at Beerburrum.

The B2N project will increase rail capacity, improve reliability, and reduce travel times for passenger and freight services in the growing Sunshine Coast region.

The B2N upgrade investment is estimated to support 333 direct jobs over the life of the Stage one project.

Quotes attributable to Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Queensland Senator Anthony Chisholm

"The Australian Government is committed to delivering the infrastructure projects Queensland needs."

"The B2N project will boost Queensland's major north-south rail corridor and the region's connections to Brisbane."

"The $550.8 million upgrade is a vital infrastructure project that will increase capacity and improve reliability for passenger and freight services."

"Park 'n' rides will make it easier for people of the sunshine coast to catch public transport which is great news for commuters"

"Better access will, in turn, help alleviate pressure on the Bruce Highway." 

Quote attributed to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey MP:

"The Palaszczuk Government is committed to building our regional communities and supporting employment in our local construction industry," Mr Bailey said.

"The early works are being undertaken by Hall Contracting, a company founded here on the Sunshine Coast which is locally owned and operated."

"Our $29.7 billion roads and transport plan is the seventh record budget investment in row for Queensland."

Quote attributed to the member for Nicklin, Rob Skelton MP:

"The existing park 'n' ride facilities at Landsborough and Nambour are insufficient to meet forecast demand and there is limited on-street parking near the stations," Mr Skelton said.

"Park 'n' ride facilities are an important element of the transport network and allow customers to connect with public transport, although we also actively encourage walking, bike riding and using connecting public transport options where possible."

"The new facilities will increase parking capacity and improve access to public transport."

Fast Facts:

. The Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade Project will duplicate a section of rail track and will increase the capacity and reliability of freight and passenger services on the North Coast Line.

. An investment of $550.8 million for stage one of the B2N project, with the Australian Government committing $390 million and the Queensland Government committing $160.8 million.

Nambour Station

. The new park 'n' ride facility will provide approximately 50 additional parking spaces on the eastern side of the station

. Local traffic changes, including reduced speed limits and minor traffic disruptions ensure the safety of motorists and workers.

. Construction is expected to take place up until mid-2023.

Landsborough park 'n' ride facility and bus interchange

. Will provide an additional 300 parking spaces on the eastern side of the station

. Completion is expected in mid-2023.

For up-to-date information on the project, visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au and search 'Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade. 

ENDS

[Fares_Fair]

Lots of general information that doesn't address one question in the media release.

More carparks but no train tracks for the supposed extra trains.
This govt is completely out of touch.

Answer the questions.
Drop the dribble.

[Stillwater]

Works are part of 'early works' for 'Stage 1'. No track work happening. I went and inspected the Nambour carpark extension a few days ago. The level of construction activity was akin to some dads spreading some road base for a carpark outside the den -- hardly serious construction activity. To be fair, a bit more is happening at the Landsborough eastern carpark. However, as the SV Gazette article points out, the money is available to spend, but TMR is not spending the budget allocation year-on-year. There should be some more concern about how 'rail money' from the feds is being used for bicycle paths, road deviations etc -- projects that are needed, but which should be funded from buckets of money exclusively there for roads. A bit of syphoning is happening, with projects bundled up (mix of road and rail projects), but with the 'rail upgrade money' going not to trackwork, steel rail deviations or duplication.

[Fares_Fair]

Note your astute observation SW on the misuse of rail money to build roads and carparks.


Also note that there is now no mention whatsoever of talks with the Feds for additional funding to get to Landsborough (stage 2).

[Jonno]

TMR can only build roads!!  Seriously operating in another multi-verse where building roads and park n rides reduces congestion and is cost effective?

[#Metro]

Not every station is suitable for a TOD or TAD. Context and case-specific particulars matter.

P&R isn't 'good' or 'bad', it's a tool to meet an objective. It has legitimate uses in certain cases.

The main issue here is the decision to delay track works as it would involve improving quality of service or operational expenditure.

[ozbob]

 

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1630916859930513408

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

Re: Sunshine Coast rail duplication: where has the go gone?

1st March 2022

Good Morning,

Minister Bailey released a media statement 1st March 2023 Works underway on Nambour park 'n' ride
( https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?msg=267999 ).
Not on the official Queensland Government Media Statements web site at https://statements.qld.gov.au  ... why is it not available for wider public information?

Car parks do nothing to address the delays with the track amplification (duplication) north of Beerburrum or the failure to duplicate through to Landsborough - truncating the duplication at Beerwah is operationally inefficient and  sets up more failure with the consequent lack of train paths for freight, long distance passenger and interurban trains on the very important north coast line.

The poor quality of rail planning, and untimely project implementation is setting up Queensland for massive transport failure.

Spin does not cover up the lack of progress.

What are the answers to these questions please?

When will the heavy rail works start?

Will we ever get the promised additional train services?

Thank you.

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

Attached: https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?msg=267983

[Stillwater]

Is the upgrade of Steve Irwin Way in the vicinity of Australia Zoo and the installation of traffic islands and lights at the entrance to the zoo part of this 'Stage 1 - early works' for the "BEERBURRUM TO NAMBOUR RAIL PROJECT" that so far hasn't involved one sleeper and will go nowhere near Nambour, not even to Landsborough (Stage 1) as originally intended.

[ozbob]

TMR can only build roads!!  Seriously operating in another multi-verse where building roads and park n rides reduces congestion and is cost effective?

It is beyond embarrassing.  It is downright incompetence and a waste of public funds IMHO.

A Government that is out of touch, believes its own spin and unable to take the necessary reform steps to get things back on track.  The Palaszczuk Government, gone for all money ...   

[ozbob]

Is the upgrade of Steve Irwin Way in the vicinity of Australia Zoo and the installation of traffic islands and lights at the entrance to the zoo part of this 'Stage 1 - early works' for the "BEERBURRUM TO NAMBOUR RAIL PROJECT" that so far hasn't involved one sleeper and will go nowhere near Nambour, not even to Landsborough (Stage 1) as originally intended.

Do they believe their own spin?  No one else does ... 

[Stillwater]

The state government passes off buses as trains in the SC rail timetable while the promised extra train services to Nambour have failed to materialise. The government's credibility is shot .... self-inflicted reputational damage. The ALP members for Caloundra and Nicklin (based on Nambour) must be nervous and looking up the job ads.

[Stillwater]

LOL .... ABC Sunshine Coast has just announced that Mark Bailey will be a guest on the morning radio program, coming up soon. Might be worth a listen:

https://onlineradiobox.com/au/abcsunshinecoast/?cs=au.abcsunshinecoast&played=1

The government PR machine working overtime.

.... A fizzer, Minister spoke about pedestrian activation on the Gold Coast and also Bells Creek Road Arterial (new connection between Caloundra/City of Aura to the Bruce Highway at Roys Road.  ABC did not question Minister about rail to the Sunshine Coast.

[Jonno]

Not every station is suitable for a TOD or TAD. Context and case-specific particulars matter.

P&R isn't 'good' or 'bad', it's a tool to meet an objective. It has legitimate uses in certain cases.

The main issue here is the decision to delay track works as it would involve improving quality of service or operational expenditure.

Park n Ride is TMR's only approach.  If we again look to those countries leading the pack. This is the type of station they are building in rural setting where typically Australia says Park N Ride is the only thing that will work.

https://twitter.com/modacitylife/status/1629872375381602306? 

[ozbob]

LOL .... ABC Sunshine Coast has just announced that Mark Bailey will be a guest on the morning radio program, coming up soon. Might be worth a listen:

https://onlineradiobox.com/au/abcsunshinecoast/?cs=au.abcsunshinecoast&played=1

The government PR machine working overtime.

.... A fizzer, Minister spoke about pedestrian activation on the Gold Coast and also Bells Creek Road Arterial (new connection between Caloundra/City of Aura to the Bruce Highway at Roys Road.  ABC did not question Minister about rail to the Sunshine Coast.

" ... ABC did not question Minister about rail to the Sunshine Coast. ... "


I think it is a form of Stockholm syndrome!

[Jonno]

Our media is about as road-blinkered as TMR. Ohhhh look at the big new shinny road project....ah progress is beautiful...Ohhh now look there is more congestion to "bust"

[Fares_Fair]

Who did the interview?
Perhaps a journo unfamiliar with the current situation here?

I will contact them to find out why the subject of sunshine coast rail delays are being totally avoided by the government.

LOL .... ABC Sunshine Coast has just announced that Mark Bailey will be a guest on the morning radio program, coming up soon. Might be worth a listen:

https://onlineradiobox.com/au/abcsunshinecoast/?cs=au.abcsunshinecoast&played=1

The government PR machine working overtime.

.... A fizzer, Minister spoke about pedestrian activation on the Gold Coast and also Bells Creek Road Arterial (new connection between Caloundra/City of Aura to the Bruce Highway at Roys Road.  ABC did not question Minister about rail to the Sunshine Coast.

[Stillwater]

Sarah Howells, the new morning presenter. This morning, ABC Sunshine Coast was also broadcasting to the Gold Coast (that sometimes happens), hence the components of the story about active transport on the Gold Coast and the Bells Creek Arterial on the Sunshine Coast. It was a chatty, easy-going interview for Mr Bailey. Annie Gaffney would have grilled him re SC Rail.

[Gazza]

Not every station is suitable for a TOD or TAD. Context and case-specific particulars matter.

P&R isn't 'good' or 'bad', it's a tool to meet an objective. It has legitimate uses in certain cases.

The main issue here is the decision to delay track works as it would involve improving quality of service or operational expenditure.

Park n Ride is TMR's only approach.  If we again look to those countries leading the pack. This is the type of station they are building in rural setting where typically Australia says Park N Ride is the only thing that will work.

https://twitter.com/modacitylife/status/1629872375381602306? 

In this case, the station is the junction with a mainline and the local tram system.
It does have a park and ride however.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Petbarn+Kenmore/@52.039368,4.5160119,459m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x6b9151bef6064243:0x4a69f32ca9c2341d!8m2!3d-27.508892!4d152.947304!16s%2Fg%2F1tjg_jq5

[Fares_Fair]

There you go. Thank you.
I need to have a chat with her sometime about our rail history - or the lack of it as it more recently is.

Sarah Howells, the new morning presenter. This morning, ABC Sunshine Coast was also broadcasting to the Gold Coast (that sometimes happens), hence the components of the story about active transport on the Gold Coast and the Bells Creek Arterial on the Sunshine Coast. It was a chatty, easy-going interview for Mr Bailey. Annie Gaffney would have grilled him re SC Rail.

[Stillwater]

There is a new monthly newspaper serving North Lakes and Caboolture called The Local Times.

https://www.localtimes.com.au/_files/ugd/91b5ed_a065c6d48d094826809d1a0f7ecb53c7.pdf

In it's March issue, the newspaper devotes a full page to developments at 'Caboolture West'. It will be the size of Mackay when fully developed. And it will have a road serving it (The Moreton Motorway) that is similar to the Commera Connector on the Gold Coast.

Caboolture West is a working title ... the city could be named Waraba.

See page 19.

And the paper says ....

"Despite years of speculation about the need for a second railway line into Brisbane, the Minister for Transport, Mark Bailey, recently described the lone line from the north as 'not sustainable'and no new railway line is on the drawing board for Caboolture West."

Instead, a dedicated busway is proposed, running buses too and from Caboolture Station.

The old railway line to Wamaran is now a walking trail.

The Moreton Motorway has a reserved corridor to Moodlu, but is a 'smudge on a map' from there to Beerburrum. The Bruce Highway around Bald Hills looks set to be a traffic car park.

[ozbob]

 

[HappyTrainGuy]

Not sure why people keep bringing up the old railway line for. It's not a very good one should you actually use it for hr.

[Fares_Fair]

Not sustainable - what did he mean by that cryptic remark?
It's not as if it won't have a large enough population base.

Another lame excuse for further rail inaction by the Government.

There is a new monthly newspaper serving North Lakes and Caboolture called The Local Times.

https://www.localtimes.com.au/_files/ugd/91b5ed_a065c6d48d094826809d1a0f7ecb53c7.pdf

In it's March issue, the newspaper devotes a full page to developments at 'Caboolture West'. It will be the size of Mackay when fully developed. And it will have a road serving it (The Moreton Motorway) that is similar to the Commera Connector on the Gold Coast.

Caboolture West is a working title ... the city could be named Waraba.

See page 19.

And the paper says ....

"Despite years of speculation about the need for a second railway line into Brisbane, the Minister for Transport, Mark Bailey, recently described the lone line from the north as 'not sustainable'and no new railway line is on the drawing board for Caboolture West."

Instead, a dedicated busway is proposed, running buses too and from Caboolture Station.

The old railway line to Wamaran is now a walking trail.

The Moreton Motorway has a reserved corridor to Moodlu, but is a 'smudge on a map' from there to Beerburrum. The Bruce Highway around Bald Hills looks set to be a traffic car park.

[timh]

The corridor of the old railway line from Cabo to Moodlu is pretty straight and clear. I used to advocate for a HR line out there but now looking at Caboolture and knowing a bit more, the junction there would be a nightmare. I'd support a busway along that corridor to help serve the new communities to the west.

It's not enough, but a dedicated Class A ROW busway is better than nothing!

[RowBro]

The problem is, even with the 4-year terms, the politicians still don't give a flying toss about the future and preparing well in advance. All they care about is the present. Sure, it may not make sense to build a rail line for one new development now, but that is no excuse to not even preserve a corridor while you still can through the new development in case the need for a rail link arises in the future. Once the buildings are built, it's all but locked in. The crazy part is, they obviously knew the importance of maintaining right of ways back in the late 1900's such as the NWTC (even if they were kept with the intention of building roads), but that forward thinking seems to have gone out the window. The only motivating factor is how much money can we make in the short term. It's the same idiocy which results in the privatization of required infrastructure. Today's profit will be tomorrow's loss.

[ozbob]

Not sure why people keep bringing up the old railway line for. It's not a very good one should you actually use it for hr.

I managed to travel to Wamuran by rail before it closed in 1996. The access to the main line  at Caboolture is long gone. A busway is fine, provided that is a true statement. I have my doubts about that, probably be just be normal suburban buses, with the usual poor frequency, and limited span.

[Jonno]

Not every station is suitable for a TOD or TAD. Context and case-specific particulars matter.

P&R isn't 'good' or 'bad', it's a tool to meet an objective. It has legitimate uses in certain cases.

The main issue here is the decision to delay track works as it would involve improving quality of service or operational expenditure.

Park n Ride is TMR's only approach.  If we again look to those countries leading the pack. This is the type of station they are building in rural setting where typically Australia says Park N Ride is the only thing that will work.

https://twitter.com/modacitylife/status/1629872375381602306? 

In this case, the station is the junction with a mainline and the local tram system.
It does have a park and ride however.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Petbarn+Kenmore/@52.039368,4.5160119,459m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x6b9151bef6064243:0x4a69f32ca9c2341d!8m2!3d-27.508892!4d152.947304!16s%2Fg%2F1tjg_jq5

you lost me at Petbarn?

[HappyTrainGuy]

Not sure why people keep bringing up the old railway line for. It's not a very good one should you actually use it for hr.

I managed to travel to Wamuran by rail before it closed in 1996. The access to the main line  at Caboolture is long gone. A busway is fine, provided that is a true statement. I have my doubts about that, probably be just be normal suburban buses, with the usual poor frequency, and limited span.

It was great for the rail motor and light freight which is what it was designed for but that's about it. Great line to ride along but now the scenery is just the backs of peoples houses.

The corridor of the old railway line from Cabo to Moodlu is pretty straight and clear. I used to advocate for a HR line out there but now looking at Caboolture and knowing a bit more, the junction there would be a nightmare. I'd support a busway along that corridor to help serve the new communities to the west.

It's not enough, but a dedicated Class A ROW busway is better than nothing!

The corridor was never designed for modern hr usage or standards. 40-50kph light rail and minimal ballast. It's straight but you effectively need to completely go to town on the corridor. By modern standards it's just not possible to run hr along it especially as houses, developments and schools now are hard up against the corridor boundary lines. And not to mention road widening projects and issues with accessing Caboolture railway station. It would be perfect as a light rail corridor but that's about it for heavy vehicle mass.
And converting it to a busway still has its own problems.

[Old Northern Road]

A lot of Caboolture West is actually closer to Morayfield than Caboolture station. Whenever they get around to removing the level crossing at Morayfield they need to design it for feeder buses from Caboolture West. The current roads around Morayfield are a mess

They also need to build a new station between Caboolture and Morayfield (around where the health hub is) You need to wait until the line is quadded though as adding an extra station would probably slow down express trains too much