The state government’s commitment of $2.75 billion to initially bring heavy rail to Caloundra but not Maroochydore has been called “a slap in the face for all Sunshine Coast residents”, but the local council has welcomed the move.
Premier Steven Miles yesterday made the funding pledge for Stage 1 of the project, which would see a 19km dual track built from Beerwah to Caloundra potentially by 2032, but future stages to Birtinya and Maroochydore remain unscheduled and unfunded.
The delivery of Stage 1 of the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line, which will now cost an estimated $5.5 billion to $7 billion, is dependent on matched funding from the federal government.
Deputy Opposition leader and Member for Kawana Jarrod Bleijie said all the Miles Government had done was “cut the project and consigned Caloundra to becoming a car park”.
The project was initially proposed as a 37km dual line from Beerwah to Maroochydore that would cater for a rapidly growing population in time for the 2032 Olympics.
“The project has been slashed with Steven Miles tearing up two-thirds of the planned tracks to Maroochydore and its completion has exploded beyond any reasonable timeline,” Mr Bleijie said.
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Sunshine Coast Council has welcomed the annoucement, with Acting Mayor Rick Baberowski saying that, for the first time, the region had a clear commitment for the state government and better clarity on the likely cost, timing and destinations.
“What is important now is that the Commonwealth Government comes on board to match this commitment so Sunshine Coast residents have certainty that the first stage of this critical public transport link to one of the fastest-growing regions in the nation can get underway,” Cr Baberowski said.
“While having this rail link delivered in time for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is important, what is more important is having in place an efficient, reliable and sustainable public transport network.
“We don’t have this now and securing the commitment of both state and federal governments to Direct Sunshine Coast Rail will provide enormous benefits for our community, our environment and the economic productivity of the Sunshine Coast.”
LNP State Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson said the plan to deliver Stage 1 was a “tourniquet rather than a transport solution for Sunshine Coast commuters”.
“Labor’s half-baked plan, cutting rail to Maroochydore and cutting the Mooloolah River Interchange, will turn Caloundra into a car park and the rest of the Sunshine Coast into gridlock,” she said.
“What happens with the Maroochydore CBD, which relies on public transport for future jobs growth? What happens with the athletes’ village in the CBD and connections to other Sunshine Coast venues?”
The LNP’s Federal Member for Fairfax, Ted O’Brien, was also critical of the changes to the planned delivery of the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line.
“The most sought-after legacy of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is dead in its tracks,” he said.
“The 2032 Games was the Sunshine Coast’s ticket to finally secure passenger rail to Maroochydore, but two years of delay and indecision amidst a hyper-inflationary environment has left this project in tatters.
“It’s a slap in the face for all Sunshine Coast residents to see Labor ministers cynically smiling as they announce a plan to deliver half the rail line for twice the price.
“Work should have already commenced two years on from the former Coalition government’s historic commitment of $1.6 billion towards this project.”
Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish said yesterday the project would change the way people move around on the Coast.
“Direct Sunshine Coast Rail will revolutionise public transport – making a trip to from Caloundra to Brisbane at least 45 minutes faster than a car,” he said.
“For the first time, residents in the region will have a direct, fast and reliable connection to the South-East.
“Direct Sunshine Coast Rail will not only help ease congestion, but also help unlock future housing development on the Sunshine Coast.”
Cr Baberowski said the Sunshine Coast had the second highest rate of private vehicle trips per day of any regional area in the country.
“So, getting people out of cars and on to public transport is vital to reduce traffic congestion, cut emissions and increase productivity and wellbeing by better connecting people with their workplaces, shops and services in a timely and efficient manner,” he said.
“What our council and our communities will now be looking for is a clear matching commitment from the Commonwealth to the funding announced by the Miles Government for Stage 1 of Direct Sunshine Coast Rail.
“We also want to see agreed timeframes, designs, plans and a starting date for Stage 1, and for the state government to continue to explore methods of procurement that maximise the speed of delivery to ensure completion of Stage 1 by 2032.
“What also remains critical is that all levels of government keep focused on ultimately delivering public transport connectivity from Caloundra through to Maroochydore – our region’s capital and major commercial centre – so that the bulk of our community can easily access a reliable and efficient public transport system to get them to where they need to go.”
The business case for the project has been submitted to Infrastructure Australia for assessment.
“Infrastructure Australia has received the business case and is currently in the process of conducting its independent assessment. Once we formally receive a submission, we work to complete our assessment as efficiently as possible,” an Infrastructure Australia spokesperson told Sunshine Coast News.
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