Local MPs silent as Interchange loses public transport link

THE revised $440 million Mooloolah River interchange announced by the Newman government has found its cost savings by axing the public transport link.

SCALED BACK: The revised plan for the proposed Mooloolah River interchange without the CAMCOS rail link and (below) the 2008 plan with the CAMCOS rail link.

THE revised $440 million Mooloolah River interchange announced by the Newman government in August last year has found its much-touted cost savings in the axing of a vital public transport link.

At the time then Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the new plan would address capacity issues while saving taxpayers millions.

"Labor had a $1.5 billion thought bubble, but failed to act on this important congestion issue for years. They never budgeted for it and had no intention of delivering," Mr Emerson said last year. "I tasked the department to come up with a smarter, more cost-effective design that would reduce congestion and address capacity issues, while spending a third as much."

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But missing from the new design is any reference to a CAMCOS rail link from the main north-south line into Maroochydore which had been included in 2008 plans for the interchange.

"The MRI project does not include specific planning for a rail alignment, but this does not preclude the opportunity for a rail line in the future," a Transport and Main Roads spokesman said this week.

Sunshine Coast Environment Council CEO Wiebe ter Bals said you didn't need to be a rocket scientist to see the new plan does preclude the rail link.

"Every planning document for the last 20 years has included it so if they are not precluding it, why isn't it there?" he asked. "The new interchange would be built for only half the infrastructure needed to go through it. That's a sure way of saving costs. What does this community have to do to be taken seriously about its infrastructure needs?"

Buderim MP Steve Dickson's office said he could not confirm that new Mooloolah River interchange protected the integrity of the CAMCOS multi-modal transport corridor and the intended rail link to the main north-south line.

"As you would be aware, the government remains in caretaker mode. As a result of this, our office is unable to assist with your inquiries," a spokesperson said.

Kawana MP Jarrod Bleijie was also silent.

In response to questions a spokeswoman for the former Attorney-General said: "As the government remains in caretaker mode, I respectfully request you contact the media team at the Department of Transport and Main Roads".

Last November Mr Bleijie told the Urban Development Industry Association only the LNP had a plan to fund the interchange saying it would never be delivered if Labor was returned to office.

Mayor Mark Jamieson said it was Sunshine Coast Council's understanding the new design did not preclude the future provision of a CAMCOS solution.

"This council has and will continue to support and advocate for the protection of CAMCOS because it is essential to address future growth on the Sunshine Coast," he said.

"The interchange was an LNP State Government election promise contingent upon leasing of assets and the future of this commitment now appears uncertain."

MOOLOOLAH RIVER INTERCHANGE

• A two-lane road, between the Mooloolah River Interchange and Kawana Way at Parrearra, including a new crossing over the Mooloolah River.
• A new two-lane northbound connection from the Nicklin Way to the Brisbane Rd southern approach to Mooloolaba, including a new northbound crossing over the Mooloolah River.
• Upgrading the east-west connection between Karawatha Drive and Brisbane Rd.
• Upgrading the Sunshine Motorway from two to four lanes between the Kawana Way interchange and Karawatha Dr.