Two of the Coast’s worst roads have been promised millions in Tuesday’s federal budget while more money will also be spent on investigating the full duplication of the railway line between Beerburrum and Nambour.
Sunshine Coast MPs Ted O’Brien and Andrew Wallace announced $172 million for three major transport projects:
- $160 million for the Mooloolah River Interchange
- $7 million for the Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade (total project $37.8 million divided between the Sunshine Coast Council, State Government and Federal Government)
- $5 million for a study into full duplication of the North Coast Rail Line between Beerburrum and Nambour
It’s part of a budget that promises some $10 billion in spending across Australia for infrastructure projects aimed at making roads safer, reducing travel times and creating jobs.
The money earmarked for the Mooloolah River Interchange does not meet what the State Government wanted on its wishlist to Canberra.
The Queensland Government was asking for $256 million from the Commonwealth to contribute towards the $320 million project but has only been promised $160 million.
That’s $64 million less than was requested.
Howevern Mr O’Brien said the interchange was the responsibility of the State Government.
“But, there’s been too much talk and too little action, so the Federal Government is stepping in.”
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Mooloolah River Interchange
This is one of the worst traffic-congestion hotspots in the heart of the Sunshine Coast that has been on the drawing board for 18 years.
It’s a major convergence of the Nicklin Way, Kawana Way and Sunshine Coast Motorway.
The busy major road links Mooloolaba, Kawana and Mountain Creek and has become a worsening congestion nightmare in the central part of the Coast.
The project’s key features include widening the Sunshine Coast Motorway from two lanes to four lanes between the interchange and Kawana Way.
It also includes new road links between:
- Nicklin Way to Brisbane Road for northbound traffic
- Karawatha Drive in Mountain Creek and Brisbane Road
- New road connection across the Mooloolah River
“Work to upgrade this dangerous choke-point is long overdue,” said Mr O’Brien.
“Every morning thousands of Sunshine Coast residents are delayed heading to work or school at this bottleneck and it’s more than an inconvenience, with near misses on a daily basis and a sad history of fatalities.
Mr Wallace said: “Anyone who travels to or from Mooloolaba on the Nicklin Way or Sunshine Motorway will know the frightening and frustrating experience of navigating this congested and out of date junction. For tourists trying to reach our spectacular beaches it can be a nightmare.”
Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade
One of the worst congestion nightmares on the Sunshine Coast is the ’roundabout from hell’ connecting Caloundra Road and Nicklin Way.
Sunshine Coast News revealed in March that member for Fisher Andrew Wallace was refusing to come to the party with funding to fix this choke point.
He later performed a backflip and has now announced the required $7 million being requested by the Sunshine Coast Council and State government.
The project includes a new intersection and four-lane road linking the Nicklin Way and Caloundra CBD so motorists can bypass the time-wasting roundabout on Caloundra Road.
The roundabout is a major bottleneck in every direction at peak times and a frustrating entry point into the CBD for locals and visitors.
Mr Wallace said that the budget’s $7 million for the project would be a game changer at one of the Coast’s most congested intersections.
“I have been pushing for years for a real road solution which will do something about the gridlock around the Nicklin Way roundabout. This Federal Government funding is the key which will unlock this long-standing headache for Sunshine Coast locals.
“I listened very carefully to understand the community’s concerns around the extension of Third Avenue.
“However, through those conversations, I became satisfied that this road can be constructed in a way which can preserve the character of the region, while delivering a massive benefit for all Caloundra residents.”
Study for ‘full duplication’ of rail
Mr O’Brien said the budget would commit $5 million for a study into “a better Stage 2 design for the Beerburrum to Nambour project”.
“The current Stage 2 proposal for passing loops and other upgrades between Landsborough and Nambour is totally unacceptable,” said Mr O’Brien.
“Nothing short of full duplication of the line, that’s two tracks, all the way to Nambour is what the community deserves.
“A new Stage Two design should allow for full duplication to Nambour while accommodating the possibility of a fast rail solution in the future,” said Mr O’Brien.
Mr Wallace said that further upgrades north of Beerwah would deliver important benefits for residents in Landsborough, Eudlo, Palmwoods, Woombye and Nambour.
“Whether you live in Caloundra, Kawana or in the hinterland, I want to see all residents on the Sunshine Coast able to access a frequent and fast rail service to travel within our region and further afield. This study into rail duplication north of Beerwah is another important step forward in making that a reality,” added Mr Wallace.
The Federal Government’s $5 million commitment to this project is subject to matched funding from the state government.
Frydenberg’s budget promises
The federal budget will include at least $5 billion in funding for infrastructure projects across Australia when Treasurer Josh Frydenberg hands down his third budget on Tuesday.
“Our record funding commitment is creating jobs, boosting business investment, while securing Australia’s COVID recovery,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison says.
OTHER KEY PROJECTS TO BE FUNDED INCLUDE:
* $2 billion initial investment for a new Melbourne Intermodal Terminal
* $2.03 billion for Great Western Highway Upgrade – Katoomba to Lithgow – construction of east and west sections in NSW
* $400 million for Inland Freight Route (Mungindi to Charters Towers) upgrades in Queensland
* $161.6 million for the Truro Bypass in South Australia
* $160 million for Agricultural Supply Chain Improvements – ‘Package 1’ in Western Australia
* $150 million for National Network Highway upgrades (Phase 2) in the Northern Territory
* $80 million for Bass Highway safety and freight efficiency upgrades in Tasmania
* $26.5 million for William Hovell Drive duplication in the ACT
