Sunshine Coast rail go-slow shows need for independent body to oversee Games infrastructure

Debate over extending the rail line from Beerwah to Maroochydore has been going on for decades, but the opportunity of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games made it seem more promising. Now there are doubts, writes the Editor.

The ongoing political blue over the Sunshine Coast rail extension is a perfect example of why an independent body is needed to oversee Olympics-related infrastructure.

Debate over extending the rail line from Beerwah to Maroochydore has been going on for more than 20 years, but the opportunity of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games made it look like the vital infrastructure was finally going ahead.

In March last year a whopping $1.6bn was committed by the then-Morrison government towards what it expected to be a $3.2bn project, all tied up with the Games.

But very quickly any bipartisanship evaporated with an election on the horizon, and it descended into accusations of “fake funding” or more reasonable questions over details of the planning documents it was based on.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson warns in The Courier-Mail today that the vital project is running out of time to be able to be delivered before the Games.

“We’ve only got nine years left and it will take all of that time to get it done,” he said, and he’s right.

The Olympic Games, as we have stressed repeatedly in this column, is not just about a two-week sporting event. It is about delivering a legacy for the host city and South East Queensland that will live on.

The South East Queensland Council of Mayors, who came up with the idea for the Olympics bid, originally envisioned the Games bid as a way to secure and fast-track much needed public transport infrastructure for the region, which was quickly falling behind population growth. Early planning documents for the Games set out the public transport needs and included talk of “fast rail” to get people from the Sunshine or Gold Coasts to Brisbane in 40 minutes, though this latter part disappeared over time.

The International Olympic Committee wants a sustainable Games – using existing venues as much as possible – focused on delivering a legacy.

Now, the focus of the Brisbane Games has very quickly become about stadiums.

There has been significant blowouts to the cost of upgrading the Gabba, from an estimated $1bn to $2.7bn, almost tripling before a shovel has hit dirt, while Brisbane Live stadium will be $2.5bn.

These are both worthy projects which will deliver real legacy for Brisbane, but there must be more to the Games than this.

An independent Olympic Games infrastructure authority would take the politicking out of decisions around venues, public transport and other transformative projects for the region.

At the moment the infrastructure office will be located within the Premier’s department and overseen by a leadership forum chaired by the Premier.

While this is the case, the political argy-bargy over projects which should be above politics will continue, as is evident over the lack of action on the Sunshine Coast rail extension.

It is time for our political leaders to bring the focus back on to what the Games will deliver for Queensland residents. If they don’t, they risk losing the public support needed for the Games to be a success, which unites the city, state and nation.

MORE PROOF QUEENSLAND IS THE HOME OF FOOTY

How quickly the sporting landscape has changed in Queensland.

With the dwindling fortunes of local teams in recent seasons, coupled with a resurgent Brisbane Lions, rugby league had lost a little bit of swagger in its heartland. But the first month of the 2024 NRL season has emphatically reaffirmed the place that the greatest game of all holds in the hearts of all true Queenslanders.

The emergence of the Dolphins has merely proved that our appetite for footy is all but insatiable, and The Battle – after just one edition – has become the most anticipated derby in the sport.

The Broncos are undefeated on top of the table, fans are walking just a little bit taller and daring to dream that this season may be the one to break their long premiership drought.

As well as The Battle, there are two new footy features this year we hope will become institutions.

The Courier-Mail Queensland Cup pits our four teams against each other on their own ladder, and our team of the week is just for Queenslanders. It’s more proof that this is the home of footy.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details are available at www.couriermail.com.au/help/contact-us