100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Transport minister blasts Morrison government's Coast rail pledge as 'smoke and mirrors'

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

‘Strong inquiries’ for takeaway site following bakery rejection

A vacant fish and chip shop is up for lease following a failed attempt to transform the site into a bakery. Trading as a takeaway More

Fishers urged to avoid problem bait

Fishers are being reminded not to use raw imported prawns as bait, due to the risk of spreading a highly contagious virus affecting crustaceans. Raw More

Bigger and better: grocery store’s $3m expansion complete

A Sunshine Coast grocery store has been revamped with a fresh new look and an expanded range. White’s IGA Mooloolah underwent a 12-month $3 million More

Memories of Sunshine Coast uploaded to digital library

Thousands of images by a photographer who snapped people and places on the Sunshine Coast for more than 30 years are now available for More

B2B: Do you know how your Will works?

A person who makes a Will must have testamentary capacity. This means the person understands the nature and effect of making a Will and understands More

Photo of the day: lovely bunch

Prior to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, Denis Ball spotted these coconuts on the sand built up in the Pumicestone Passage at Happy Valley. If you have More

The Morrison government has been accused of plucking a budget promise “out of thin air” after it pledged $1.6 billion for the decades-old CAMCOS project.

The staggering figure was announced on Monday to advance the long-awaited Beerwah to Caloundra and Maroochydore railway line, which has not progressed since 1999.

However, the State Government, which has to match that $1.6 billion for it to go ahead, has questioned the figure after examining the budget announcement “in detail”.

In a statement, State Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the announcement was all “smoke and mirrors”.

“Details of the Morrison Government’s federal budget show just $250 million of its $1.6 billion promise will be delivered between now and late 2026,” Mr Bailey said.

The passenger rail, which would have to built before the 2032 Olympic Games, has not been officially costed yet.

On Monday, Mr Bailey labelled the election promise a “cynical” attempt to buy votes.

“We’ll wait to see the outcome of the federal election, but there’s no doubt we’ll be investing in the Games infrastructure, but this is just a cynical election bribe by a desperate government,” he said.

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. See SUBSCRIBE at the top of this article. 

Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien, who spruiked the budget announcement, said the State Government was avoiding the real question — would it match the funding 50:50?

“The Federal Government’s $1.6 billion commitment is there in black and white in budget papers, with payments staged across the project’s lifetime as per normal practice,” said Mr O’Brien

“Detailed design, planning and approvals will take place over coming years, with the bulk of construction in the second half of the decade, in time for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

He accused the State Transport Minister of trying to “sabotage” the CAMCOS project.

“Mark Bailey is playing word games to avoid answering the real question which is whether the State Government will match the Federal Government’s $1.6 billion to build the new passenger rail line,” he said.

“Bailey has been supportive of this project but that all changed when we put serious money on the table to make it happen.

“The total cost of the project is $3.2 billion which is based on the North Coast Connect business case plus additional contingency.

“Sunshine Coast residents won’t be taken for mugs. Everyone knows Bailey’s prepared to sabotage any Sunshine Coast project to get a weak Albanese Labor Government into office.”

Member for Fisher and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Andrew Wallace, said the State Labor Government should “get on board” with the project instead of playing “political games”.

“Instead of coming to the table and stumping up their share, Labor are playing silly political games, at Sunshine Coast residents’ expense,” he said.

“The Premier, Mark Bailey and Jason Hunt just need to come out and tell us whether they will match our $1.6 billion.

“If they won’t match it, they need to explain to the Sunshine Coast community why.

“Why are they funding more rail for the Gold Coast and Brisbane, but no new rail for the Sunshine Coast?”

State Member for Caloundra, Jason Hunt, said Sunshine Coast residents would see through the “big dollar election stunt”.

“I want to see this project properly costed and properly planned rather than making premature and empty promises to try to save their seats at the federal election,” he said.

Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor with your name and suburb at Sunshine Coast News via: news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au

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