Caloundra South

[Fares_Fair]

https://secure.publicworks.qld.gov.au/etender/tender/display/tender-details.do?CSRFNONCE=E7B88A317D46DC2B7D648E5DCDC21EAA&id=13865&action=display-tender-details

Whoa

[Stillwater]

What a sack of curiosity!

The calling of tenders with a two-week window for preparation is most interesting.  How many companies could prepare a tender in such a short time?  One can't help but wonder whether this is tied into the proposed Halls Creek housing estate (South of Caloundra South), which the SCRC opposes in favour of 'Beerwah East' -- one of the principle reasons being that developing alternative land between the Bruce Highway and Beerwah makes sense, as Beerwah has the railway line.  This latest concept means that Halls Creek/Caloundra South will have heavy rail.

The timing of this tender is interesting also, as it will allow LNP Members on the Sunshine Coast to go to the state election telling people that the government has made a start on heavy rail part way to Kawana and the Maroochydore town centre.

The Minister, Mr Emerson, is uncharacteristically quiet.  Normally he issues a media statement announcing his fly is undone.

Also, what does this mean for the timing and funding of track duplication to Nambour?  Will branch line to Caloundra South/Caloundra jump the funding queue?  Does it terminate at a point where CoastConnect buses or light rail continue the journey to Maroochydore?

A grade-separated junction with the NCL would suit freight operators who complain already that passenger rail restricts freight train scheduling.

[ozbob]

...
The Minister, Mr Emerson, is uncharacteristically quiet.  Normally he issues a media statement announcing his fly is undone. ...

[Stillwater]

Perhaps the LNP is responding to local voter sentiment along the lines of these contributors to the SC Daily website:

The local LNPs are all a waste of space. They have achieved nothing for this area. The LNP sees their seats as "safe" and ignores the Sunshine Coast, building infrastructure in marginal seats instead. If we ever want to get job creation, a broader economic base, rail duplication, light rail and an arts centre, we need to change our voting habits. Doing the same thing and expecting different results is plain stupid. If we re-elect LNP MPs we will continue to be ignored.  (from 'Stumped')

Your point about the Sunshine Coast Ministers is well made. They have doing nothing for the Sunshine Coast after three years in Government. I'm sorry they have increased electricity prices by over $400 per household, they have slashed solar rebates from 14c to 6c, and they are planning to develop Halls Creek despite 6 successive local governments rejecting Halls Creek as a development site for over 20 years, oh and I forgot - they have allowed unemployment to increase from 5% to 7%. Time for a fresh start for the Sunshine Coast - put our so called Ministers last. (from 'Love Caloundra')

[BrizCommuter]

The Minister, Mr Emerson, is uncharacteristically quiet.  Normally he issues a media statement announcing his fly is undone.

..and that the undone flies are the result of the previous ALP government.

[Stillwater]

     love it!

[Stillwater]

From the SC Council Position Paper on Caloundra South
http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/addfiles/documents/projects/cal_sth_position_paper.pdf

Desired outcomes:

A dedicated high quality, integrated public transport network and service is established which onnects the Caloundra South major activity centre and district activity centre to Beerwah Town Centre, Caloundra City Centre (including Caloundra Aerodrome transit oriented community), Kawana Town Centre and Maroochydore Principal Activity Centre.

The proposed CAMCOS public transport corridor provides a specific and tangible opportunity to create more sustainable transport patterns along the coastal urban corridor. The function and service frequency of CAMCOS is designed to support the passenger transportation needs within Caloundra sub-region rather than primarily catering to long haul requirements to and from the greater Brisbane metropolitan area.

Under 'pre conditions of development of Caloundra South, the council stipulates:

the proposed CAMCOS public transport corridor between Beerwah and the Kawana Town Centre is operational within the first two years of the development commencing; or (b) in the period until the proposed CAMCOS public transport corridor is operational, a public transport service will be
provided that:-

(i) is in place prior to the commencement of the use of the Caloundra South Structure Plan Area for urban purposes; and
(ii) delivers a high quality, fast and frequent public transport service that is comparable to the proposed CAMCOS public transport corridor; and
(iii) connects the Caloundra South Structure Plan Area to the Beerwah Town Centre, Caloundra City Centre, Kawana Town Centre and Maroochydore City Centre.

[pandmaster]

The local LNPs are all a waste of space. They have achieved nothing for this area. The LNP sees their seats as "safe" and ignores the Sunshine Coast, building infrastructure in marginal seats instead. If we ever want to get job creation, a broader economic base, rail duplication, light rail and an arts centre, we need to change our voting habits. Doing the same thing and expecting different results is plain stupid. If we re-elect LNP MPs we will continue to be ignored.  (from 'Stumped')

Spot on. It is the same with Federal MPs. There are no votes to be won on the Coast for either party so it is left behind. I am surprised the Sunshine Motorway was ever built (and subsequently upgraded). That money could easily have gone to marginal seats in Brisbane!

[Arnz]

The local LNPs are all a waste of space. They have achieved nothing for this area. The LNP sees their seats as "safe" and ignores the Sunshine Coast, building infrastructure in marginal seats instead. If we ever want to get job creation, a broader economic base, rail duplication, light rail and an arts centre, we need to change our voting habits. Doing the same thing and expecting different results is plain stupid. If we re-elect LNP MPs we will continue to be ignored.  (from 'Stumped')

Spot on. It is the same with Federal MPs. There are no votes to be won on the Coast for either party so it is left behind. I am surprised the Sunshine Motorway was ever built (and subsequently upgraded). That money could easily have gone to marginal seats in Brisbane!

It'll be interesting to watch the seat of Fairfax come the next federal election, considering Palmer's popularity is fading (and social media commentators/bloggers saying that he's a one term flash in the pan MP)

[Stillwater]

Caloundra South Master Plan, showing proposed CAMCOS rail corridor:

http://www.stockland.com.au/residential/images/Caloundra%20South/Caloundra_south_masterplan_-_BOTTOM_LEGEND_PORTRAIT_A3_.pdf

Outline from the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning:

http://www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/infrastructure-and-planning/caloundra-south.html

Some thought bubble scoping by the LNP in the past:

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/lnp-rail-plan-coast-disaster/348228/
http://mysunshinecoast.com.au/articles/article-display/queensland-coalition-to-fast-track-sunshine-coast-rail,5195

Extract from the Halls Creek Community Forum minutes, dated 3 July 2014.

Rail infrastructure: "State Government representatives indicated to be well aware of the issue. Their current priority is to get the railway duplication to Nambour committed and funded, a timeline for duplication up to Landsborough will be released in the next 6 months."

Full report: http://www.scec.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Halls-Creek-Forum-Report.pdf

Looking forward to 3 January 2015 when (according to the report) "a timeline for duplication to Landsborough will be released."  Or will it?

Is the priority to duplicate to Nambour, or will the BEC introduce a new set of parameters?

Some clarity is needed from the state government.   

[pandmaster]

The local LNPs are all a waste of space. They have achieved nothing for this area. The LNP sees their seats as "safe" and ignores the Sunshine Coast, building infrastructure in marginal seats instead. If we ever want to get job creation, a broader economic base, rail duplication, light rail and an arts centre, we need to change our voting habits. Doing the same thing and expecting different results is plain stupid. If we re-elect LNP MPs we will continue to be ignored.  (from 'Stumped')

Spot on. It is the same with Federal MPs. There are no votes to be won on the Coast for either party so it is left behind. I am surprised the Sunshine Motorway was ever built (and subsequently upgraded). That money could easily have gone to marginal seats in Brisbane!

It'll be interesting to watch the seat of Fairfax come the next federal election, considering Palmer's popularity is fading (and social media commentators/bloggers saying that he's a one term flash in the pan MP)

My mother and grandmother live in Fairfax: I will be interested to see how they vote. I do not think Palmer is as bad as the LNP, though he has done a lot of things for his own interest (like many politicians do). You could not get much worse than the previous member: sitting on a fat public purse pension, gave a job to his wife while in office, had his office in an inconspicuous location and did not do a thing for the community.

[dancingmongoose]

Coast 'secret' rail link plan sparks commuter concern -> http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/rail-design-tender-call-raises-fears/2494399/

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Council meeting on Caloundra South shortfall made private

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Developer pledges $300m plus rare frog protection

[Stillwater]

Jolly good for the rare frog, it should be protected.  What of serving the needs of that other rare breed -- the frustrated SC commuter?  Will the developer, Stockland, kick in for rail infrastructure serving the coast and B-Nbr?  The Caloundra South development will have people sardined onto the platforms at Landsborough/Beerwah during peak periods, waiting for the infrequent slow train to Brisbane.

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> No resolve on Caloundra South shortfall after hours of debate

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Sunshine Coast mega suburb for 50,000 residents gets under way

[Stillwater]

Details of Caloundra South development will be released today.  It will have a new name:

Aura - the City of Colour

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/caloundra-south-become-city-colour/2792949/

No mention of the make-up of infrastructure supporting the new development, which is the size of Gladstone (50,000 people).

Stockland's media statement ... no mention of heavy rail extension to Aura (Caloundra South) or Caloundra.
http://www.stockland.com.au/assets/home/caloundra-south-Stockland-media-release-20151001.pdf

[ozbob]

Our Sunshine Coast Region Spokesperson, Jeff Addison has been on 612 ABC (Mornings) with other media chasing for a viewpoint as well today on this.

Thanks Jeff for stepping up to the plate.  There are some major transport issues compounding here.

[ozbob]

612 ABC Brisbane --> Controversial Caloundra South development launched

Today the construction of Australia's largest master planned community will be officially launched on the Sunshine Coast.

22,000 homes will be built at Caloundra South over the next 30 years.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad says it will create more than 1,700 jobs in the first year of construction.

A spokesman for the developer Kingsley Andrew says the $5 billion project will create a new suburb the size of Gladstone.

Steve spoke to ABC Reporter Jo Skinner and Jeff Addison who is the Sunshine Coast spokesperson for Rail Back on Track.

>> http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2015/10/controversial-caloundra-south-development-launched.html?site=brisbane&program=612_morning

[ozbob]

Good job Jeff!  Bring. it. on.  #2tracks ...

[colinw]

Alas, while we want #2tracks I think we'll end up with #6lanes.

[ozbob]

February 2011

Well this ended well hey?   

[Stillwater]

^^
Yep, only mention of transport infrastructure is a 'major arterial road', coming off the Bruce Highway at Bells Creek ($200m interchange opened to traffic yesterday - day before Stockland announced it will start building a new city that will turn that interchange to gridlock)

Stockland's media statement ... no mention of heavy rail extension to Aura (Caloundra South) or Caloundra.

http://www.stockland.com.au/assets/home/caloundra-south-Stockland-media-release-20151001.pdf

This is what they are hanging their hat on .. seems Stockland's position is that it is the SG's responsibility to build any railway line along a corridor they have reserved through the 'City of Colour'.

'World leadership in the design of a future city' (Stockland's words) involve no commitment of rail link, but most probably an infrequent bus winding through Aura to the Beerwah and Landsborough railway stations.



Aura's 6 Star Green Star – Communities rating

- Earlier this year, the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) endorsed the master plan for Aura by accrediting the project with the highly coveted 6 Star Green Star – Communities rating. The rating signifies 'world leadership' for the design of the future city.

- Stockland's master plan has achieved the highest possible standards for the future community's long-term economic prosperity, 'liveability' and environmental responsibility during, and well after construction is completed and the community is established.

In other words, without a sustainable transport plan involving heavy rail link back to the SCL, they have already achieved a six-star green rating.  All the planning and assessment involves activity within the boundary of the project (bike paths, sporting fields etc) and seems to ignore totally, that the people who live there would want to drive outside Aura -- to the beach, to Brisbane, to the shopping centres of the Sunshine Coast, to the Glasshouse Mountains etc.  The surrounding lands and communities will have their liveability degraded due to the external impacts of Aura while a six-star rating applies within the Aura boundaries.

[ozbob]

Think I will go visit Adelaide  ...  oh, that's right, already mentioned that haven't I  ...

Footnote: Do they have pretty coloured water bubblers too?   [ Asking for a ' friend ' ..  ]

[ozbob]

^^ if it looks like bullsh%t, smells like bullsh%t, and appears like bullsh%t, it is 6 star sustainable model development.  Cannot wait for the next 7 star effort ..

Everyone gets around on the back of flying pigs .. oh here they come already ..

[ozbob]

We are very lucky you know.  We are in the midst of one of the worlds great cluster fuks ...    living the dream ...   

[Stillwater]

We should call upon Jackie Trad to clarify public transport access to and from Aura.

(Note that feds and state government have announced an $8m planning study for Bruce Highway corridor capacity building between Caboolture and Caloundra turn-off, obviously a prelude to extra lanes between Sunny Coast and Brisbane.  This may involve a new arterial road east of the Bruce Highway.)

Obviously, there will be no comparison study between fast rail to the Sunny Coast and extra road capacity, despite the new PM calling for the 'best mode' to be funded.  The way to circumvent that is not to have a comparison study and concentrate on a road solution only.

Bottom line - any solution involving the Bruce Highway, the feds will fund 80 per cent.  Any solution involving rail duplication (at this stage) would need to be funded 100 per cent by the state government.  Doh!  Which to chose?  Decisions, decisions.....

[Stillwater]

Hey folks, watch the 'six-star' Aura video:

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/caloundra-south-become-city-colour/2792949

(get your puke bucket ready)

HOWEVER, the video shows a 'transit centre' concept, with dual tracks (heavy rail).  No mention of this in the written documentation.

Standby for the glossy brochure and website.

[Arnz]

That brief flyover of the "CAMCOS" corridor and the 'Caloundra South station' at 3:37 could possibly put the nail in the coffin for the rail line that has taken over Kippa-Ring's role of being the "never never/2050+/maglev bus/foamy" line. 

[Stillwater]

Aura, the new colour city will be just down the road from this place:





The Sunshine Coast has become the 'virtual reality' city.

[#Metro]

There is a transit centre in the animation at 3:34, showing rail. What's that?
http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/caloundra-south-become-city-colour/2792949/

Overall I think it looks good. People do need homes to live in. If you don't build homes, people come anyway and then you have a situation where people are renting tents in their living room, beds under stairs, overcrowding, explosive rents, slumlording etc.

[Stillwater]

^^ The animation shows a transit station probably to fool those handing out 'green sustainability ratings' to give Aura a level six assessment.  It wont get built anytime soon unless something dramatic happens -- like Jacki Trad's numbers coming up in Lotto.

Long term plans for CAMCOS corridor:

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

Minister Trad was on TV just now, spouting politicians double-speak. She said she was confident that the 'infrastructure agreement' signed with Stockland covered all the necessary elements to make Aura a successful development.  She was speaking of 'infrastructure' in its broadest sense -- drains, roads, parks, lighting, sewers, sporting facilities and bicycle paths.  However, she did not specifically address rail infrastructure needs.

Passenger rail to Aura and Caloundra at the very least requires immediate commitment to duplication between Beerburrum and Landsborough.  That would serve Aura in the long term, but will bring about the first stage of dual tracks between Beerburrum and Nambour.

[#Metro]

There is a strong case for Federal funding with SCL. Jackie's lotto numbers already came up with GCLRT, and 50 000 people is a good reason for improvements, it adds weight to the case.

Should press the developer for explanation.

[ozbob]

The thing that concerns me is the glossing over of real and timely transport. The paradigm for these developments must change, transport has to be right up front. Without it will be a mega slum ... and I suggest will have water issues as well.

[SurfRail]

Extend the 603, 4 trips a day.

Fixed! 

[Arnz]

Extend the 603, 4 trips a day.

Fixed! 

Going a tad serious here, most are not gonna bother with a service that goes less than hourly.  Twin Waters (which was pretty much the Doomben line equivalent of the SC in regards to residential incomes) had their Route 613 bus service axed back in the bus review because it only operated a few times a day and hardly anyone used it.

[Stillwater]

Brisbane Times reporting:

Stockland's infrastructure contributions: Stockland will put forward $1.3 billion towards roads, parks and 200 km of cycleways.

They will also provide a sinking fund to cover maintenance of the lake and rainwater harvesting and $17 million for clubhouses and recreation centres.  Stockland will also provide $15 million to two community benefit funds which can be used outside the development, Mayor Cr Jamieson said.

Stockland will also finance the rehabilitation of 700 hectares of open space in the middle of the Aura development - where Bells Creeks joins - as a conservation zone. "We will be lining up for grants, but ultimately if we are unsuccessful in obtaining any grants for that rehabilitation, we will be copping it," a spokesperson said.

State money for roads only: $55 million for the new East-West Arterial Road would be financed by the state government.

No mention of PT funding.

[Stillwater]

The punters are onto the deficiencies of this project:

Comments from Courier-Mail website:

Ms Trad, it's all well and good making media announcements, I am not hearing very from you about upgrading the Bruce north of Caboolture to cope with this easy commute to Brisbane?  The Bruce is choked already at peak hour Ms Trad, what is the plan please?  - Andy

And no real plans to improve the Bruce Highway or the railway services. – Paul

Stocklands generally do a good total job as we have seen at Northlakes, tidy, well planned, nice landscaped community spaces and the obligatory Westfields. Bunnings, Costco, Ikea, etc to provide weekend entertainment. My only gripes have always been that the 'packages' are inflated from day one, transport infrastructure never suppports the population increase, (Bruce Carpark) and there are no jobs on the Sunshine Coast. This means a whole lot more people spending half their lives traveling up and down to Brisbane searching for employment to fund their new dream. – Real Rik

[Fares_Fair]

Channel 10 Brisbane ran this story tonight...

http://tenplay.com.au/news/brisbane/2015/10/1/mega-suburb-to-house-50-thousand