Federal and State Labor Governments have been criticised for “insulting” Sunshine Coast residents, by failing to mention the region’s transport needs at a state party conference at Twin Waters.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spent a couple of days in town and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk joined him at a party gathering at Novotel Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
The Member for Kawana, LNP’s Jarrod Bleijie, said Labor officials spent all weekend in the area but did not talk about the need for heavy rail. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Queensland said they “forgot” the region while in town.
“Heavy rail is one of the most critical pieces of infrastructure needed on the Sunshine Coast and it didn’t even warrant a mention during their conference in the region,” Mr Bleijie said in a press release.
“This is an insult to the people of the Sunshine Coast.
“It’s clear the Palaszczuk and Albanese Governments just don’t care about delivering infrastructure for the Sunshine Coast.
“This project is long overdue and, with the Olympics around the corner, the urgency will only grow.
“The longer this project is delayed the more it will cost Queenslanders.
“It will be another Labor project blowout.
“It’s time for the Palaszczuk and Albanese Governments to invest in the Sunshine Coast.”
Mr Bleijie said the state LNP team would match a $1.6b commitment from the former LNP Federal Government, to connect Beerwah, Caloundra, Kawana and Maroochydore.
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The Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey, said the State Government was committed to transport infrastructure in the region.
“We (have) delivered a seventh consecutive record investment in transport and road investment, which will see nearly $30b of funding across the state over the next four years, supporting 25,200 good jobs,” he said.
“This includes more than $3 billion in transport infrastructure projects for the Sunshine Coast and surrounds – more than triple what it was when the LNP was last in office.”
The Federal Government has made an initial $1.6 billion funding commitment towards the Direct Sunshine Coast Line and Minister Bailey said the State Government would wait for a co-funded $6m planning project to be completed before putting a dollar figure on their overall investment.
“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,” Mr Bailey said.
“You can’t build a new railway line without proper and extensive planning.
“That study, by transport experts, will establish a scope and a high-level costing for the very first time, once complete in 2023.”
He said heavy rail would provide a boost to the region and it could be built within 10 years.
“A Direct Sunshine Coast Line would assist in supporting a rapidly-growing Sunshine Coast and potentially for Olympic events in 2032,” he said.
“Pending the outcomes of the Direct Sunshine Coast Line planning study, as well as the planning for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, it is expected to be feasible to be able to build a Direct Sunshine Coast Line by 2032, to support a growing Sunshine Coast, should a funding agreement be achieved across different levels of government.”
Journalists did query the Prime Minister about heavy rail while he was in the region but Mr Albanese was relatively tight-lipped.
When asked if he was worried the rail line would not be ready in time for the Games, he said “the coming period is important.”
“We know there has been, nationally, some delays in infrastructure rollout. Because of the shortages of labour and shortages of some of the inputs it has caused some issues around the country.”
He also reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to funding the line.
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