The state government has announced a raft of measures to address cost of living and infrastructure needs on the Sunshine Coast, but drawn criticism for not fully committing to a proposed rail line.
Labor’s record-breaking budget included state-wide $550 rebates on electricity bills and free kindergarten.
For the Sunshine Coast it includes boosts to infrastructure and capital works, the hospital and health service, schools, social housing, essential housing and support services, and workforce participation.
There was a further $14m to continue a business case for the proposed Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line from Beerwah to Maroochydore, after an initial $6m commitment for a planning study.
But the Shadow Minister for Olympic and Paralympic Infrastructure, the LNP’s Jarrod Bleijie, said that wasn’t enough.
“At a time when the government is rolling in record revenue from coal royalties, a golden opportunity to deliver the heavy passenger rail line has been squandered,” the Member for Kawana said.
“By failing to back this project, the government has confirmed that the promise of legacy Olympic infrastructure will be concentrated in Brisbane.”
Mr Bleijie and other local members of the Opposition last month started a petition for people to get behind the 37km rail extension.
The federal government recently made a $1.6b recommitment to the line, but also said that major infrastructure projects are under review.
Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace also labelled the budget a “missed opportunity” for public transport in the region.
“The Sunshine Coast deserves a financial commitment from state Labor to build heavy rail from Beerwah to Caloundra, Kawana and all the way up to Maroochydore,” the LNP MP said.
“State Labor have been nowhere to be seen when it comes to their 50 per cent share of funding this critical infrastructure.”
A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesperson recently told Sunshine Coast News an informed decision on funding and the line would be made after a planning phase is completed next year.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey yesterday told SCN that the planning was necessary “to establish a scope and a costing of the project”.
“This year’s budget provides $14 million, including $5 million already expended towards finalising the detailed business case later this year, which will then be considered by both governments.
“This funding will also support pre-construction site investigations and work on securing relevant environmental approvals. This will ensure the most accurate information is available to prospective tenderers during procurement.”
Labor Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt also said more details were needed before any full commitment could be made towards the line.
“You can’t build major infrastructure without doing the planning first, which is exactly what has been happening,” he told SCN.
He said the state government was committed to a transport corridor through the region.
“We know the Sunshine Coast is growing rapidly and needs transport options that can keep up,” he said.
The budget does include a recommitment to the $550m Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (Stage 1), which includes a rail duplication from Beerburrum to Beerwah.
Mr Hunt said the budget was “fantastic for health, housing and cost of living”.
“For all those young families, this is a game-changer. (Free kindy) is going to make a difference,” he said.
“There’s also money for (local) hospitals, ambulance stations and schools.”
Labor Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton echoed his colleague.
“It (the budget) is a big win for Sunshine Coast people,” he said.
“We’re delivering energy rebates and free kindy, which is going to be fantastic in our fast-growing region, which has a lot of families.
“We’re also bringing online our maintenance schedule, with our older schools.”
Meanwhile, the Opposition issued a media statement saying the budget had not adequately addressed cost of living, youth crime, health and housing.
Shadow Treasurer David Janetzki said the budget “failed to deliver the long-term infrastructure solutions Queenslanders deserved”.
“The Treasurer has pocketed an extra $60 billion than he forecast in his first budget less than three years ago, but there’s nothing to show for it,” he said.
While much of the budget’s funding measures for the Sunshine Coast were recommitments, there were some new announcements.
Selected new commitments for the region
- $14m to continue the business case for the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line
- $800,000 out of a $1.7m spend for a new ride at Aussie World
- $100,000 out of a $200,000 spend for an expansion of Amaze World
- $3.8m to acquire land for a replacement fire station at Beerwah
- $35m out of a $105m spend towards the Bruce Highway (Pine River to Caloundra)
- $226,000 out of a $455,000 spend for operational works to support a new ‘coffee to cup’ cafe roastery experience and agribusiness at Glass House Mountains
- $7.1m out of a $14.3m spend for construction of 16 eco-villas, boardwalk and car park to the RACV Noosa Resort
- A portion of $219m, out of a $381m spend, to allow eligible homeowners to raise, repair or retrofit their homes to incorporate flood-resilient design
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