The Sunshine Coast mayor is urging the federal government to help deliver “desperately needed” transport projects that have been cut from the national Infrastructure Priority List.
Rosanna Natoli has voiced her concern and dismay that key projects have been put on the backburner.
Uncertainty surrounds the multibillion-dollar Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line (DSCRL), Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade(B2N) Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade (MRIU) and Sunshine Coast Public Transport (SCPT) after they were removed from the federal funding list by Infrastructure Australia, which is an advisory group to the Australian government.
Cr Natoli said the projects were needed now, to cope with growing traffic congestion.
“Our region is experiencing extraordinary population growth, which is placing significant pressure on our transport infrastructure,” she said. “The strain is becoming a serious issue for our community and visitors.”
But a Department of Infrastructure spokesperson said the federal government was committed to improving transport on the Sunshine Coast, stating that there was already $2.85 billion allocated towards projects in the region.
Cr Natoli said she would appeal to the federal Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King to help fund the DSCRL and MRIU.
“Every day projects are delayed the cost to deliver them escalates and that, in turn, could further delay them,” the mayor said.
“That is something our community will not accept.
“Our council needs Australian Government assistance to help build the infrastructure we need now and for the future”.
Cr Natoli said the state government and Sunshine Coast Council had identified the DSCRL as a region-shaping initiative.
The planned 37.8km line would run from Beerwah, via Caloundra and Kawana, to Maroochydore.
Combined state and federal funding of $5.5 billion is locked in to build the first stage of the line between Beerwah and Caloundra but the state government wants to build the entire $12 billion line to Maroochydore by the 2032 Olympics.
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The mayor said the line would ease congestion.
“We don’t have an adequate public transport system,” she said.
“It is needed now. It cannot be put off any longer.
“The planning will take years, let alone the construction. Removing it from the list puts our residents and our region behind the eightball.
“We have 370,000 people calling the Sunshine Coast home and in less than 20 years we’ll have another 200,000 people here. We need a safe, modern public transport system because our roads will be choked.”
She said the MRIU, which would be at the intersection of Kawana Way, the Sunshine Motorway and Brisbane Road, would be crucial.
“This key junction connects several major centres in the region and is a vital link to other transport projects,” she said.
“The interchange is already under enormous pressure. It is a serious traffic bottleneck and has become more so since the opening of the Sunshine Coast University Hospital in 2017.”
There was some funding for planning, and some homes were acquired, for the MRIU but the federal government withdrew support before it was revealed that the project would also cost $750 million: much more than initially anticipated.
Meanwhile, federal and state funding of $1.004 billion has been allocated to the B2N upgrade, for Stage 1, including duplication of the line from Glass House Mountains and Beerwah, but future stages are now clouded.
And some funds have been allocated to study the SCPT, which could include the installation of a rapid bus transit network, but further planning and works are now in doubt.
The federal MP for Fisher, the LNP’s Andrew Wallace, said local transport upgrades were sorely needed.
He said the federal Labor government should make the DSCRL a priority.
“Catherine King should come out and expressly state whether Labor will continue to fund the Sunshine Coast rail project, and she must do that today,” he said.
“Sunshine Coast locals have waited too long for rail to be brought into the Coast.
“Queenslanders deserve better.”
State Deputy Premier and Member for Kawana Jarrod Bleijie was disappointed the number of Queensland projects on the priority list had been slashed from 29 to seven.
He wrote to Ms King seeking “urgent intervention to restore all the ongoing infrastructure projects that have been cut”.
He asked that future stages of DSCRL, to Maroochydore, be included in the IPL and that the government provides funding to support the construction of the MRIU.
The state Minister for Transport and Member for Buderim Brent Mickelberg last year urged the federal government to return to the table for the MRIU.
He said on Tuesday that he will keep pushing for funding for the DSCRL and MRIU.
“To see those projects removed from the priority list is incredibly disappointing,” he said.
“I’m not going to stop fighting, as the local member, for projects like the Mooloolah River interchange. We need to see the federal government working in partnership with the state government to deliver critical projects like that.”
But a federal Department of Infrastructure spokesperson said the government was committed to improving transport in the region.
“The Australian Government recognises the importance of connecting the growing Sunshine Coast, which is why we’re making major investments such as our $2.75 billion commitment for Stage 1 of Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line project,” they said.
“This will deliver a new dual-track rail line from Beerwah to Caloundra, two new stations and upgrade Beerwah station. Stage 1 will also include planning for delivery to Birtinya and corridor protection up to Maroochydore.
“Other Australian Government investments on the Sunshine Coast include $5 million for the Southern Sunshine Coast Roads Improvement Study, which includes planning for a new major road connection (Kawana Motorway) and planning for upgrades to the Caloundra Road, Kawana Way Link Road and Bells Creek Arterial Road intersection, and $5 million for the Sunshine Coast Public Transport study.”
The spokesperson said it was still possible that transport projects would receive further funding.
“We will continue to work with the Queensland Government to deliver priority land transport infrastructure for all Queenslanders,” they said.
“Should the Queensland Government wish to seek further funding for the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line, it would be considered as part of future budget processes.”
Sunshine Coast News has approached Infrastructure Australia for comments.
