Sunshine Coast Mass Transit Project

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Money train: Light rail investigation nears $12m

Almost $12 million has been spent or committed to light rail and mass transit investigations since 2011, as work continues on an options analysis for the estimated $2 billion project.

A Sunshine Coast Council spokesman confirmed the figures, advising $5.4 million had been spent from 2011-12 to 2018-19 on investigations.

Council had also allocated $3.36 million in 2019-20 and $3 million in 2021-22 to support the development of a mass transit business case.

As of June 30, 2020, the Transport Levy had contributed $7.08 million of the total expenditure.

In 2019-20 the Transport Levy raised "just over $6.3 million" which the spokesman said had been invested in "planning, service improvements and infrastructure to support residents moving around efficiently and continuing to build a Futures Fund which strengthens council's efforts to secure investment in critical strategic transport outcomes for the region".

The spokesman said the levy had also helped council trial transport services such as Flexilink, Council Link and the community-led Kenilworth Community Transport Service.

"In addition, in the last financial year, the Transport Levy was used to upgrade 23 bus stops across the Sunshine Coast ... with 97 per cent of council's bus stops now compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992," the spokesman said.

"Council is on track to meet the legislated schedule of full compliance by December 2022."

Division 4 Councillor Joe Natoli expressed some concern with the level of spending to-date on the mass transit project, fearing federal support for a heavy rail (fast rail) business case would leave the light rail project "dead in the water".

Cr Natoli said council's language had changed from high density to medium density along the corridor, and projected population increases had been reduced.

He questioned where the remainder of the 200,000 more people estimated to move to the region would be accommodated, if not along the mass transit corridor, and voiced his concern that the extra public consultation may prove to be a "public snow job propaganda campaign".

The council spokesman said there had been no change to projected infill numbers or densities along the corridor for the project, as part of ongoing work on the business case/options analysis.

"Council's examination of dwelling capacity continues to be guided by the directions set in the South East Queensland Regional Plan, ShapingSEQ," the spokesman said.

The spokesman said heavy rail and fast rail were seen as "part of the mass transit system for the Sunshine Coast", with a fully integrated and connected public transport system to service the entire region, not just the coastal corridor.

The system included the North Coast Rail Line from Beerwah to Nambour, a heavy rail connection linking Beerwah to Caloundra, Kawana and Maroochydore along the CAMCOS corridor, the local mass transit system and a high frequency bus network to connect to other destinations like the hinterland.

The spokesman said council would not procure, own or operate any future mass transit system for the Coast, as it was a State Government matter, when asked whether private partnerships had been sounded out.

The Mass Transit Action Group this week called on council to reveal the "real number" of people being planned for the corridor.

The group claimed based on numbers in the PwC report released in January 2020, the urban corridor could have up to three times more people per hectare than the Gold Coast light rail corridor, by 2041.

David Wilson, who prepared the data for the group, said the interim report had shown a clear intention to put the majority of the region's infill target in the urban corridor.

Council has previously disputed the claim the project would spark a wall of high-density development along the coast, indicating in July that any urban transformation would be focused on existing centres and areas close to proposed light rail stations, not into existing high-quality residential areas.

A detailed business case was still to be undertaken, at a cost of $15 million, to be jointly funded by council and the State Government.

In 2014 the light rail project was estimated to cost about $90 million a kilometre, equating to about $2 billion in total.

[verbatim9]

ABC News---->Prominent community groups and some business owners on the Sunshine Coast are ramping up their fight against plans for a mass transit project

These people are just not educated in traffic reduction. It will be worse for them not having mass transit as more cars and buses will block major arterials up and down the coast.

That surf shop owner mentioned probably hasn't caught public transport in his life. He probably drives with his board up and down the coast looking for the best wave, contributing to air and noise pollution as well as congestion.

He should be proactive with design contribution to accommodate bikes and surf' boards onboard.

If you want to protect the Sunshine Coast environment? Higher density and mid rise towers up to 30 floors are essential to protect green spaces up and down the coast.

[verbatim9]

In Qld----->Light rail a 'no-brainer' but opposition builds to Coast mass transit plan - InQueensland

[achiruel]

There really are a lot of clueless w*nkers around when it comes to transport...

[SurfRail]

^ Fortunately SEQ local councils have largely been able to escape getting captured by the politics of these things and just push on.

The biggest of them all excepted of course. 

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> MP airs fears for upcoming mass transit consultation $

Kawana MP Jarrod Bleijie has told fellow parliamentarians of his concerns about upcoming public consultation for proposed mass transit options on the Sunshine Coast.

The former Attorney-General described the consultation Sunshine Coast Council was about to embark on as a "furphy", fearing it would not address density adequately and was planned to secure an outcome of light rail.

Division 4 councillor Joe Natoli last week told a gathering of The Beach Matters Group he'd been advised consultation would begin as soon as March 30.

Mayor Mark Jamieson had previously said council had undertaken extensive community engagement over a potential light rail in 2014 and would consult the community further as part of the development of a detailed business case. ...

They will never have nice things on the Sunshine Coast at this rate ...   

[SurfRail]

"You didn't consult the community" = "You should have sent me a gilt-edged invitation and followed up an RSVP from me when I threw it in the bin"

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Date set for major mass transit consultation

The date has been set for a major Sunshine Coast Council consultation project yet as it prepares to release options for the region's public transport future.

Residents can have their say on mass transit options for the Sunshine Coast from April 28.

Council confirmed on Monday morning that the eight-week consultation period would give people the opportunity to provide feedback on options being considered in a draft Mass Transit Options Analysis report.

Options being considered range from bus network upgrades to a quality busy corridor to bus rapid transit, trackless trams and light rail. ...

[ozbob]

 https://twitter.com/7NewsSC/status/1382257325008769028

[SurfRail]

I've been to Alex Heads over the years, and fairly recently.  It's a lovely spot.

How is putting a tram line in the median of the road any more or less of an obstacle to what's already there?  At the Alex Heads SLSC, you already have to cross 2 separate signal-protected pedestrian crossings to get over the road.

I would be concerned if they wanted to replicate what is in Southport along Scarborough Street between the Australia Fair overpass and Nerang Street (where the track formation is like 40cm or more above road level).  But, even Scarborough Street is narrower than the road in this particular spot, and it was even more clogged with traffic before.

These groups dress up with a veneer of respectability, but if you scratch the surface enough it all comes through - we want to lock our suburb in perpetual stasis for all time and bugger everybody else who comes after us.

[timh]

How is putting a tram line in the median of the road any more or less of an obstacle to what's already there?  At the Alex Heads SLSC, you already have to cross 2 separate signal-protected pedestrian crossings to get over the road.


These groups dress up with a veneer of respectability, but if you scratch the surface enough it all comes through - we want to lock our suburb in perpetual stasis for all time and bugger everybody else who comes after us.

I was up there a month or so ago and saw the anti light rail signs on front lawns everywhere. I think you've nailed it that it's got nothing to do with the actual transport but the locals afraid of infill development that comes along with it. Just classic Nimbyism. I can't remember the exact signs but one was a big "NO LIGHT RAIL", right next to a second one which was "NO HIGH RISE"

Sent from my SM-G780F using Tapatalk

[SurfRail]

One of these groups has a Facebook post up basically to the effect that we should keep lots of parking for the people who can't afford to live in Alex Heads and have to drive from Yandina and can't catch a tram from there.  Let's ignore:
- making it easier or more affordable for people to live nearer the coastline by increasing the housing supply
- improving the entire transport network in concert with light rail (because light rail apparently blows the budget for all eternity, and if we can't have light rail to Bli Bli or Eumundi we shouldn't bother)
- etc etc

So much wrong-thinking going on it is staggering.

[Stillwater]

Basically it is a 'no high rise' or 'no more infill development' dressed up as a 'no light rail' campaign.  Perhaps one of the local news outlets should send a crew down to the Gold Coast, where light rail has been a success, and interview locals and shopkeepers there about the benefits the trams bring.

Talk of walls and barriers is a nonsense -- as if a light rail vehicle will pass any given point every 3 seconds -- that becomes a barrier.

The SCC has said it is open to ideas such as trackless trams.  The consultation is set to throw all options on the table. But there will be those who will try and turn consultation about light rail into a review of the housing provisions of the Town Plan -- that's their real concern and they will feel disgruntled because the consultation will be transport-focussed. There will be cries of 'hidden agendas' etc.

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> 'Winners and losers': Mass transit plan released to community $

Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson says there will be "winners and losers" as the region considers how to create an effective public transport network in the future.

An eight-week public consultation period opened on Tuesday on the more than 300-page Mass Transit Options Analysis report.

Mr Jamieson said it was vital the Coast had an integrated and sustainable public network system to support the region's growing population.

There are nine options being considered, however four of those are considered "business as usual" approaches such as road and bus network upgrades.

"We want to hear what matters to residents when it comes to finding a public transport network and the best one to suit their needs," Mr Jamieson said.

"We expect more than 518,000 people will want to live here in the next 20 years." ...

Sunshine Coast Mass Transit Project
--> https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Council/Planning-and-Projects/Major-Regional-Projects/Sunshine-Coast-Mass-Transit-Project

[ozbob]

^

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1387242301362106371

[Cazza]

A few key milestones mentioned from just a quick skim (as if they expect people to read 358 pages worth of dense analysis and give their feedback from that . No wonder there is so much misinformation and mistruths flying around...)
- Stage 1 (Maroochydore to SCUH via Kawana) recommended to start ASAP, with completion by 2027. Light rail (wireless or not) seemed to be the front runner and desired solution. They also mentioned the need for a new Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme, so I'm not sure if the (inevitable) increase in density along this coastal corridor will go down well with the locals. But hey, we need to be building up, not out (as the report has continually alluded to, which will in turn increase quality of life). Infill development drastically increases the liveability of a city, not Aura or Yarrabillba developments...
- Stage 2 (CAMCOS between SCUH and Beewah) to follow completion or construction (it wasn't clear which one) of Stage 1 as quickly as possible. Makes sense. It may even be preferable to start this CAMCOS link first, given some planning has already been undertaken, construction times are likely to be longer than Stage 1 and the benefits to the Sunshine Coast will be exponential (aside from the fact that it would have been ideal to open at a similar time to CRR, but hey, ho).
Stage 3 (SCUH to Caloundra) in the same (tram) form as Stage 1, Stage 4 (SCUH to Maroochydore via heavy rail) and Stage 5 (heavy rail extension to MCY) to follow.
(Page 35/36 for reference)

From what I've read (skimmed) so far, it does seem promising and the Council wants to move in the right direction. I guess the locals seem to be one of the biggest hurdles to overcome (both to date and in the future). To overcome this, you just have to state the facts the way they are (allowing for compromises), show the benefits to the entire community AND region and keep construction impacts to a minimum. Once finished, the community benefits soon become clear and people question why it wasn't done earlier!

[Gazza]

Haha, their staging pretty much follows my post

https://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=13066.msg241746#msg241746

I would stage investment on the SC like this:

1 -Extend passing loops and add additional platforms between Beerwah and Nambour

(immediate freight capacity boost and better passenger operations)

2 -Build CAMCOS to Caloundra 18km

(eliminate slow EW journey and get intial connection to coastal strip / ensure Aura is not a disaster)

3 -Build CAMCOS to Birtinya (SCUH) 6.5km

(Get heavy rail to reasonably centralised point that will act as transport node according to current plans)

4- Build LR Stage 1 Birtinya to Maroochydore 14km

(Focus on improving local travel in highest density areas, similar sucessful approach to GC LR stage 1)


5- Build CAMCOS to Maroochydoore 12km

Link cruicial SEQ business hub directly to brisbane CBD)

6- Build LR Stage 2 Caloundra to Birtinya 11km

(Complete full coastal local service)

7- Duplicate Palmwoods to Nambour 7km

Reduce length of single track section, easier to build, more bang for buck

8- Build LR Stage 3 Maroochydore to Airport in lieu of Heavy Rail 9km

Connect airport to buisiness hub and tourist district.

9- Duplicate/realign/tunnel Landsborough to Palmwoods 13km

Most expensive segment, not required until freight and passenger saturation demands continuous duplication.,

10 - Duplication/realignment Nambour to Cooroy 24km

Warranted when northern population increases.

[STB]

How is putting a tram line in the median of the road any more or less of an obstacle to what's already there?  At the Alex Heads SLSC, you already have to cross 2 separate signal-protected pedestrian crossings to get over the road.


These groups dress up with a veneer of respectability, but if you scratch the surface enough it all comes through - we want to lock our suburb in perpetual stasis for all time and bugger everybody else who comes after us.

I was up there a month or so ago and saw the anti light rail signs on front lawns everywhere. I think you've nailed it that it's got nothing to do with the actual transport but the locals afraid of infill development that comes along with it. Just classic Nimbyism. I can't remember the exact signs but one was a big "NO LIGHT RAIL", right next to a second one which was "NO HIGH RISE"

Sent from my SM-G780F using Tapatalk

The crazy thing is that infill development will occur at some point in the future regardless of the public transport network up there (same with Palm Beach).  It's inevitable given that the Sunshine Coast population is growing (people have to live somewhere) and that resistance to development will simply push up the land prices and housing prices that could price out people from living up there, including the ones who are already living up there.  There was a news article recently highlighting a housing crisis on the Sunshine Coast, being anti-development is not helping the situation, plus not allowing development of existing established suburbs can put pressure on the surrounding environment as you then have to start looking at land not currently containing housing.

It's just self defeating in the end, NIMBY-ism isn't going to hold ultimately.

[verbatim9]

Here are the proposed corridors

[SurfRail]

Not sold on rail to the airport.  It's a completely different box of frogs compared to Coolangatta, and you also have the prospect of having to run shuttle trains or splitting the frequency.

I don't think there would be enough demand for rail north of the Maroochy River given the current and projected pattern of settlement.  I'd expect to see the 620 running at BUZ like headways before anything more capacious becomes necessary, or maybe some limited stops services that service only selected stops between the Noosa and Coolum areas then go non-stop down the SC "Motorway".

[verbatim9]

Having trains running to Maroochydore Airport would reduce the public transport trip times to Noosa. Maybe the idea is to make MCY a major transport interchange for the Sunshine Coast as well?

[Gazza]

Wha

Having trains running to Maroochydore Airport would reduce the public transport trip times to Noosa. Maybe the idea is to make MCY a major transport interchange for the Sunshine Coast as well?

What service pattern would you run on a line like this with two branches?

[Cazza]

Having trains running to Maroochydore Airport would reduce the public transport trip times to Noosa. Maybe the idea is to make MCY a major transport interchange for the Sunshine Coast as well?

And have people coming from the north change just to cross the river into the Sunshine Coast's CBD?

[Stillwater]

I'd hate to be the person or team trying to organise the public consultation around the SC Mass Transit Network -- so many competing views and intertwining of thought about fast and efficient movement of people and opposition to high density living. The Sunshine Coast Daily site is even running a letter that suggests heavy rail extends not just to Sunshine Coast Airport, but loops back around to join the Sunshine Coast Line at Woombye. https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/noosa/mike-doroshenko-fears-express-service-from-maroochydore-to-brisbane-may-never-happen-in-his-lifetime/news-story/e23323085f2909b144b7a1ca2c2f834c

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Billion-dollar transport solutions: Coast's five key options $

Sunshine Coast Council has looked to Brisbane, Canberra and China to come up with key options estimated to cost from $800,000 to $2.3 billion for a public transport solution.

Trackless trams, light rail and bus rapid transit are among the options residents have been asked to have their say on after the release of an almost 316-page public transport analysis report.

Feedback will help inform the council's final options analysis report to take to the State Government for a detailed business case on mass transit options.

It is hoped through improvements to public transport the Sunshine Coast can lower its dependence on cars.

The region has the second highest car ownership rate per capita, behind Perth, as of the 2016 Census.

The council has gone out to the community with a range of options from small public transport upgrades to a light rail system between Maroochydore and Caloundra to get people out of their cars.

It also considered four non-mass transit options - including bus service enhancements and upgrades and road upgrades.

Those options were deemed a business as usual approach and it noted they would not address congestion issues.

The mass transit options are proposed to service stage 1 of the project, which reaches from Maroochydore to Sunshine Coast University Hospital.

Later stages are proposed to link Kawana to Beerwah and Caloundra. ...

[kram0]

'The region has the second highest car ownership rate per capita, behind Perth, as of the 2016 Census'.

A very interesting fact re Perth car ownership rate considering their transport system is very efficient.

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> 10 out of 10: Report's top scores for $2.6bn light rail $

A comprehensive report on mass transit options gave light rail a perfect score when considering the best way to get people out of cars and into public transport.

Sunshine Coast Council last week released its 316-page draft options analysis report for a mass transit plan which centres around five key options ranging from costs of $881m to $2.6bn.

Residents have eight weeks to have their say on their preferred option out of light rail, wireless light rail, trackless trams, bus rapid transit and a quality bus corridor.

Mayor Mark Jamieson said the council was open to all options with the ultimate aim to bust congestion, reduce emissions and improve public transport.

Mr Jamieson said there was a misconception that light rail was the only option council was considering.

"I'd like to correct a widely canvassed untruth that is that light rail is the only option being considered," he said.

"We're looking for the best possible solution for our region and our communities, whatever that might be, as technologies in this area are changing all the time."

The council report assessed and gave scores for each option for legibility, reliability, ride quality, travel time and passenger capacity.

Light rail transit scored 10 in every category and wireless light rail had almost a perfect score apart from a seven it received for layover time. ...

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Heavy vs light rail: MP argues Coast can't have both  $

Sunshine Coast MPs have warned a $2.6 billion light rail system between Maroochydore and Kawana could ruin chances of having heavy rail from Brisbane to the region.

Kawana MP Jarrod Bleijie and other Sunshine Coast MPs have called on the Sunshine Coast Council to prioritise heavy rail before throwing its support behind an expensive local public transport network.

The council has released a comprehensive report into several mass transit options costing between $881 million to $2.6 billion to connect Maroochydore and Kawana.

Residents have eight weeks to have their say on the draft options analysis report, including on what their preferred public transport would be.
"We're saying people should have their say but the priority of rail on the Sunshine Coast should be from Beerwah to Maroochydore," Mr Bleijie said. ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsSC/status/1389498380028563460

[ozbob]

[Stillwater]

This is the LNP wanting to hook / snooker the Labor Government by promoting the heavy rail solution for no other reason than heavy rail essentially is a state responsibility and they just want to embarrass Labor for a lack of action. Better transport connectivity for SC residents is a secondary consideration in their eyes. They are capitalising on the fears around high-rise development ("We don't want to be just like the Gold Coast"). The LNP is chasing votes in the ballot box, not bums on seats of trains or trams.

The whole transport solutions examination on the SC has become hopelessly mired in politics. The LNP did not commit to rail upgrades when it was in power. If the light rail solution comes to the fore, it is likely to be funded by local state and federal governments, with the state component being less than what heavy rail to Maroochydore would cost. Clearly Labor has other spending priorities elsewhere.

Three governments working together might achieve an outcome sooner. Let's not forget that the SC would benefit from a City Deal involving the feds and any transport component associated with the running of the 2032 Olympics. Running interference in processes to find appropriate solutions, and find ways to fund them, does not cast glory on the LNP.

A smart move might revolve around the fact that the ALP has won the seats of Nicklin (Nambour) and Caloundra. Approaches to government that they need to duplicate first to Landsborough North and then to Nambour on a decent alignment while advancing planning for CAMCOS to Caloundra (still some years away) might work. They need to hold those seats.

Likewise, it behoves the LNP to produce a proper transport plan for the SC. Can we assume from its latest statements that the LNP fully supports heavy rail to Maroochydore? How would they fund it in government is a reasonable question. LNP also would seem to support SCL duplication ... in what timeframe, cost.  What's their plan? People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

[ozbob]

^ Thank you Mr Stillwater. Summed up well.

[Arnz]

Having trains running to Maroochydore Airport would reduce the public transport trip times to Noosa. Maybe the idea is to make MCY a major transport interchange for the Sunshine Coast as well?

Wouldn't work with Maroochydore being the "central hub" of the SC.   Most of the employment for those coming from Noosa head into Maroochydore and surrounding suburbs, regardless if its either by Bus, Car or Tradie Ute.

This is akin to making people from the northern rail network change at Fortitude Valley to go 1km to central.

[Gazza]

The LNP did not commit to rail upgrades when it was in power.

To be honest, the LNP did commit to the duplication for the 2nd term.
The issue is that the LNP were hopelessly focused on austerity that they didn't really start enough projects, so they have no legacy to point to, and basically a reputation for not doing anything.

But yes, unless they put forward an alternative vision they're talking sh%t. If they said "hey we're going to build heavy rail", then that's not an entirely bad outcome anyhow.
They def need some dollars spent up there.

[verbatim9]

Having trains running to Maroochydore Airport would reduce the public transport trip times to Noosa. Maybe the idea is to make MCY a major transport interchange for the Sunshine Coast as well?

Wouldn't work with Maroochydore being the "central hub" of the SC.   Most of the employment for those coming from Noosa head into Maroochydore and surrounding suburbs, regardless if its either by Bus, Car or Tradie Ute.

This is akin to making people from the northern rail network change at Fortitude Valley to go 1km to central.

A secondary major interchange. I realise there is already one planned for the town centre of Maroochydore itself.

[verbatim9]

I also think that many on the Sunshine Coast would support trams as population demographics are made up of Victorians and people from NSW, who are used to having trams on streets.

It's the same with Daylight Saving, no dramas for people who are used to it.

[achiruel]

I also think that many on the Sunshine Coast would support trams as population demographics are made up of Victorians and people from NSW, who are used to having trams on streets.

Not that many people from NSW are used to having trams on streets, particularly if they moved here a few years ago, and/or didn't visit the inner west much. In fact until just over 12 months ago, Gold Coast had more light rail track than Sydney.

It's the same with Daylight Saving, no dramas for people who are used to it.

Having lived in NSW for a few years, I assure you that is not the case, it is simply not appropriate for Queensland, but perhaps you should take this conversation elsewhere.

[verbatim9]

I also think that many on the Sunshine Coast would support trams as population demographics are made up of Victorians and people from NSW, who are used to having trams on streets.

Not that many people from NSW are used to having trams on streets, particularly if they moved here a few years ago, and/or didn't visit the inner west much. In fact until just over 12 months ago, Gold Coast had more light rail track than Sydney.

It's the same with Daylight Saving, no dramas for people who are used to it.

Having lived in NSW for a few years, I assure you that is not the case, it is simply not appropriate for Queensland, but perhaps you should take this conversation elsewhere.

I lived in NSW for over 20 years I am quite aware of people sentiment towards Transport issues and Daylight Saving. People like the trams and Daylight Saving it's not an issue for them.

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> Bailey blasts Coast MPs for derailing light rail plans $

Residents have been told to ignore "misleading political propaganda" after Coast politicians pushed for heavy rail to be prioritised over light rail.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey blasted Sunshine Coast politicians for urging Sunshine Coast Council to prioritise heavy rail, before throwing support behind a local light rail network.

On Tuesday Sunshine Coast LNP MPs spoke out against the council's mass transit options analysis report and said heavy rail should be built before billions are spent on light rail. ...

[JimmyP]

I also think that many on the Sunshine Coast would support trams as population demographics are made up of Victorians and people from NSW, who are used to having trams on streets.

Not that many people from NSW are used to having trams on streets, particularly if they moved here a few years ago, and/or didn't visit the inner west much. In fact until just over 12 months ago, Gold Coast had more light rail track than Sydney.

It's the same with Daylight Saving, no dramas for people who are used to it.

Having lived in NSW for a few years, I assure you that is not the case, it is simply not appropriate for Queensland, but perhaps you should take this conversation elsewhere.

I lived in NSW for over 20 years I am quite aware of people sentiment towards Transport issues and Daylight Saving. People like the trams and Daylight Saving it's not an issue for them.

I also lived in Northern NSW for 20 years and most people hated daylight savings. But that's very much off-topic for this conversation.
Unfortunately many pollies can't seem to grasp the concept that Light Rail is for local trips around the Sunny Coast while heavy rail will be more for longer distance trips to Brisbane etc. They can, and do, co-exist very, very well!