Politicians from both sides of the spectrum are pleased that a controversial $1.6b funding commitment by the previous federal government has been retained in the first budget handed down by the new Albanese Government.
But the positive news hasn’t stopped them butting heads.
The funding amount has been promoted as being half the cost of a Beerwah to Maroochydore heavy rail project – known as the Direct Sunshine Coast Line.
Local Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien, of the LNP, has been the ‘face’ of the campaign to retain the funds after he first announced them during the federal election campaign earlier this year.
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“Securing that $1.6 billion earlier this year wasn’t an easy feat for (Member for Fisher) Andrew Wallace and me, but we got there, and I’m pleased the Government is honouring the Coalition’s investment,” Mr O’Brien said.
State Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey, of the ALP, also welcomed the funds, but added, “the failed Morrison LNP Government did not allow a vote on their last March budget, meaning their Direct Sunshine Coast Line promise was nothing but a last-minute fake-funding election stunt.
“…federal co-funding has been allocated for a detailed $6 million Sunshine Coast Direct line planning … the study is already underway, which when completed next year will provide us with a more accurate cost estimate for a Direct Sunshine Coast Line.
“The Palaszczuk Government estimates that work will be completed over the course of 2023.”
See related story: Environmental surveys begin for long-awaited railway to Sunshine Coast beach towns
The rail line was seen as a vital piece of new infrastructure in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic Games, in which the Sunshine Coast region will play a key role by hosting several major events.
Mr O’Brien has now raised concerns over possible delays for the project.
“We know that more delays means higher costs, especially in a highly inflationary environment … What’s more, a delay puts our deadline for the 2032 Games in jeopardy,” he said.
“The next step is to make sure the federal and state government get on with it and don’t delay because we know more delay means higher costs.”
The project has been under discussion for more than 20 years and uses the Caboolture to Maroochydore Corridor Study (CAMCOS) corridor (now the Direct Sunshine Coast Line).
Sunshine Coast Council includes heavy rail along the CAMCOS corridor in its overall vision for transport upgrades for the region.
Earlier this week, Mr O’Brien repeated his hopes the project would be linked to the construction of a convention/sports centre in the new Maroochydore City Centre, for use for basketball fixtures at the 2032 Olympic Games. A new stadium suitable for basketball games has also been mooted for Kawana.
Meantime, the Sunshine Coast’s Mass Transit Action Group has been calling on “all levels of government and all political parties to support Heavy Rail to the Sunshine Coast – Brisbane to Maroochydore CBD”.
Read a recent related story: Will political disconnect impact Olympics on the Coast?
“The time has come to stop playing politics and to deliver something that will be a legacy investment for the region.”
For more on the Federal Budget, read: Looming power price hikes among key takeaways from federal budget
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