100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

MP voices opposition to light rail as five public transport options contemplated

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Latest news: near drownings; dog attack

Sunday, October 6, 4.30pm: One patient with significant facial injuries has been airlifted by helicopter in a stable condition to Sunshine Coast University Hospital More

Your say: ferry queues, parking meters and more

Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name More

Wedding Belles: fairytale day for groom and his ‘Tinderella’

Jarrod Jacobson and Tahnee Rub felt like the luckiest couple in the world when they met each other four years ago after ‘swiping right’ More

Pedestrians struck after driver suffers medical episode

Five people have been taken to hospital, including one in a critical condition, after a vehicle struck pedestrians on a busy Sunshine Coast road. Emergency More

Struggling plane uses built-up sand for landing strip

A light plane with a student pilot and instructor on board made an emergency landing off the beach this morning. The plane touched down on More

Unwanted visitors: scary snake tales emerge

Some of the world's most venomous snakes have been keeping Sunshine Coast residents on their toes this spring. Red-bellies and browns have made their presence More

A member of federal parliament has called on the community to rally against a light rail proposal, as the state government considers options to improve public transport on the Sunshine Coast.

Light rail is among five options for enhanced travel from the Maroochydore City Centre to Sunshine Coast University Hospital at Birtinya, with a possible extension to Caloundra.

It would complement the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line and other proposed transport upgrades like the Kawana Motorway and Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade.

But the LNP MP for Fisher, Andrew Wallace, said there was no place for light rail in the region.

“The light rail project will remove a lane either side of Nicklin Way and Alexandra Parade while allowing for a wall of high-density residential development along this same coastal strip,” he said.

“Light rail will worsen congestion and impact on the character and liveability of our community.

“In previous community feedback, light rail had the lowest number of positive sentiments and the highest number of negative sentiments. Despite this, it has not been ruled out.”

A Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said the department was undertaking a detailed business case for an improved public transport system, and exploring options including bus rapid transit, light rail, wireless light rail, trackless tram and a quality bus corridor.

“Our current focus is on narrowing down these mode options to identify which of these will progress through the detailed business case,” they said.

“We want to create the best possible public transport network for the Sunshine Coast and ensure everyone’s needs and views are considered when it comes to determining options for a future public transport system.

“Community consultation is currently underway for the project, until August 20.”

The project webpage said there was an over-reliance on car travel in the region, and more options were needed for commuters.

“With expansive growth forecast for the region between now and 2041, a fresh approach is needed to provide more convenient, sustainable and accessible ways to get around and develop an improved public transport system that connects everyone,” it said.

The department’s detailed business case comes as business and industry leaders meet with experts to discuss the region’s transport needs.

The public transport network could follow the coastline, adjacent to the proposed Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line.

The five options could come at varying costs and times.

A preliminary Sunshine Coast Mass Transit Options Analysis indicated that electric and wireless light rail could cost more than $1.5b to build, while trackless tram and bus rapid transit could cost more than $1.3b, while a quality bus corridor could cost about $427m.

It’s estimated the bus corridor would cost less than half of the others to operate, but the others could yield about three times the revenue in fares.

It’s not known how long it could be before work starts and finishes but the clock is ticking for the 2032 Olympic Games in South-East Queensland, and the region’s population is expected to balloon in coming years.

“Costing and possible timeframes for the shortlisted options will be developed as part of the detailed business case,” the TMR spokesperson said.

The $15m business case is being funded through contributions from the Australian Government, Queensland Government and Sunshine Coast Council.

Neither TMR or council commented when asked about the potential for high-density residential development along Nicklin Way and Alexandra Parade.

Sunshine Coast Public Transport options

Quality bus corridor: a high-frequency bus service running in dedicated kerbside bus priority lanes with features such as high-quality vehicles, pre-paid boarding and quality bus stops.

Preliminary analysis suggested it could cost $426m to build and it would be twice as cheap as the other options to operate, but it would generate less revenue.

Bus rapid transit: 25m-long, battery-powered, rubber-tyred vehicles running at high frequency in a dedicated busway corridor mostly in the centre of the road with high-quality stations, pre-paid boarding and priority signalling.

Preliminary analysis suggested it could cost $1.33b to build and it would cost about the same to operate as the tram and rail options and yield similar revenue.

Light rail: 45m-long modern rail vehicles running at high frequency on a dedicated trackway mostly in the centre of the road with high-quality stations, pre-paid boarding and priority signalling.

Preliminary analysis suggested it could cost $1.57b to build and it would cost about the same to operate as the tram, wireless rail and rapid bus options and yield similar revenue.

Trackless tram: 32m-long battery-powered rubber-tyred ‘tram like’ vehicles running at high frequency in a dedicated busway corridor mostly in the centre of the road with high-quality stations, pre-paid boarding and priority signalling.

Preliminary analysis suggested it could cost $1.34b to build and it would cost about the same to operate as the tram rail and rapid bus options and yield similar revenue.

Wireless light rail: A wire-free light rail system, identical to the light rail option, minus the overhead wires, with on-board batteries and charging equipment at select stations.

Preliminary analysis suggested it could cost $1.57b to build and it would cost about the same to operate as the tram, wired light rail and rapid bus options and yield similar revenue.

Local journalists supporting local people. Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our FREE daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email at the bottom of this article.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

Hidden
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share