Sunshine Coast public transport advocates have welcomed an announcement on rail duplication but say the State Government hasn’t gone far enough.
Community group RAIL Back on Track is imploring officials to extend a planned duplication, to accommodate a growing number of passengers between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
In response, the State Government told Sunshine Coast News that a study was underway for more potential works on the line.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads last week set a timeline for a 13km rail duplication between Beerburrum to Beerwah, with work to be completed by 2027.
It’s part of the $550m Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (B2M) Stage 1 project, designed to increase rail capacity for passenger and freight services in the region.
RAIL Back on Track welcomed the announcement but said more needed to be done, in the face of rapid population growth and the 2032 Olympic Games.
They said the duplication should go another 7km to Landsborough, which was part of the government’s initial plans five years ago.
“It would be a disaster not to duplicate through to Landsborough,” lead spokesperson Robert Dow said.
He said improved services were needed “to cope with the significant pax (passenger) demands during peaks”, and to connect with the extensive bus network at Landsborough.
Sunshine Coast commuter advocate Jeff Addison also called for more action.
“I welcome the news and the date for completion (but) I only ask, beg if I have to, that it goes to where they (initially) announced it to go: Landsborough,” he said.
A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesperson told Sunshine Coast News on Monday that the full scope of the business case for the B2N project “includes duplication of the North Coast Line between Beerburrum and Landsborough”.
“B2N is being completed in stages to deliver community benefits, while investigating funding for future stages,” they said.
The spokesperson said future stages “will be confirmed as part of a $6.25m duplication study, which is underway”.
“This study will review the demand on the North Coast Line between Beerburrum and Nambour (beyond completion of Stage 1), refining the scope for B2N Stage 2,” they said.
Mr Dow said time was of the essence and he urged the State Government to upgrade a longer section of track in one go.
“It will cost a lot more to come back and do it later,” he said.
The B2N Stage 1 project includes the 13km rail duplication, expansion of park ‘n’ ride facilities, intersection upgrades, a road realignment and new road overpasses. It’s funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on a 70:30 basis, with a commitment of $390m and $161m respectively.
Mr Addison said the State Government had committed much more on the $2.6b Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project, with a 50:50 split with the Federal Government. Those works will include a rail quadruplication.
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the B2N Stage 1 project “will massively increase capacity on the rail network between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast”.
“This upgrade is a vital infrastructure project for the Sunshine Coast,” he said.
Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton said it would make commuting more accessible and efficient.
“With a growing population in the region, this key piece of infrastructure will help alleviate pressure on the Bruce Highway,” he said.
TMR said via its website that the State Government was “continuing discussions with the Australian Government regarding funding for future stages to deliver the full scope under the business case”.
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