Some of the region’s biggest projects remain in limbo while the federal government considers whether they represent “value for money”.
Five major transport proposals, including a coastal passenger rail line, were included in an independent 90-day review of Australia’s infrastructure investment program.
The review started almost six months ago, and local and state politicians are calling for action, but a government spokesperson told Sunshine Coast News that decisions on the projects would be announced “in due course”.
Local builds being examined are the Direct Rail Sunshine Coast; Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade; Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade; Glass House Mountains Road (Steve Irwin Way) and Caloundra Street Intersection Upgrade at Landsborough; and Nicklin Way and Third Avenue Connection as part of the Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade.
They are in different stages of planning and works, with various levels of funding commitments from state and federal governments. Homes have already been marked for acquisition for some of the projects, by the state government.
The state MP for Kawana, LNP’s Jarrod Bleijie, called for movement on the projects, which could be worth hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars.
“While residents sit frozen behind the wheel, this review is on a road to nowhere,” he said.
“Queenslanders deserve access to world-class public transport and roads.
“We (state LNP) have written to the Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King, calling on the federal government to back Queensland projects.
“This cannot go on for another day.”
He also urged the state government to push the issue with their federal Labor counterparts and to announce what they know.
The Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace also called on federal and state governments to inform locals whether or not the projects will go ahead.
“Families on the Sunshine Coast have the right to know if this Labor government are fair dinkum about building the infrastructure our community needs, and if so, what, where, and when?” he said.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said earlier this month that she was yet to see the review or an assessment of it, and the wait was “frustrating”.
“I do not want to see any situation where Queensland is worse off,” she said.
“We want to see that infrastructure review as quickly as possible.
“There are a number of infrastructure projects across this state where we require matching funding from the federal government.”
Deputy Premier Steven Miles said funding was required to cater for a “surge of population growth” in Queensland.
A spokesperson for the Department of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development told Sunshine Coast News that an announcement on the future of the projects would occur “in due course”.
“An independent strategic review of the Infrastructure Investment Program has been undertaken to ensure projects funded by the Australian Government represent value for money and deliver lasting benefits for Australians,” they said.
“The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (Catherine King) has received the reviewers’ report and is considering the recommendations of the report in detail.
“The government’s response to the review will be announced in due course.
“The minister is consulting closely with her colleagues in Cabinet and in state and territory governments in considering the reviewers’ recommendations to ensure any outcomes are fiscally responsible and serve the interests of the Australian public.”
In a media release on Budget night (May 9), Ms King stated the review would need to be taken to ensure they were investing in projects that were “truly nationally significant”.
“Under the Liberals and Nationals, the number of infrastructure projects in the pipeline blew out from 150 to almost 800,” she said.
“This review will allow all levels of government time to consider the projects that are priorities and assess their cost and deliverability in the current climate.
“The process will help to lay firm foundations to build a more sustainable, credible pipeline of investment.”
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