Locals furious as over-budget Nambour Tram is delayed to 2027

Post pandemic costs and a vow to leave ‘no stone unturned’ for approvals are two reasons behind a major Sunshine Coast tourism project running about six years behind schedule and $1.4m over estimates.

A file photo of TNT Co chairman Greg Rogerson at the tram terminal in Nambour. Picture: Patrick Woods/File.

The charity leader behind a Sunshine Coast tourist attraction has faced an at times fiery community meeting, telling participants the project may finish six years behind schedule and more than $1.4m over original estimates.

The Nambour Tramway Company (TNT Co) called a public meeting last Thursday.

The group posted on its Facebook page the meeting would “address concerns and provide transparency” after an “increase in personal attacks, misleading accusations and concerns” shared on social media.

Established in 2012, TNT Co had a vision to provide an “innovative and unique” tram in Nambour, running along about 800m of heritage-listed cane train tracks to the Nambour Heritage Tramway Depot terminus on 28 Mill St.

The project is led by Greg Rogerson, chairman of TNT Co and former Division 10 Sunshine Coast councillor.

Greg Rogerson speaking to the public in front of the Tram design.

On July 7 2021, initial work began on the tram and the first component of the tram, the wheels, were delivered last month.

During the meeting, TNT Co shared slides showing its project management plan that started in August 2022.

The commissioning date was revealed to possibly be June 2027.

Mr Rogerson attributed the delays to “leaving no stone unturned” when it came to approval from the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator and Department of Transport and Main Roads and “making sure this tram is fit for purpose”.

Mr Rogerson was asked during the meeting if TNT Co would meet the 2027 deadline.

“We’re sick and tired of having deadlines that we’ve never been able to meet with,” he responded.

“I hope we can get it all done (on time), but it is what it is.

Nambour Tram Company financial reporting

“We don’t know, we really don’t know.”

Board member Rodney Tunstall, speaking on behalf of treasurer Matthew Wall, said the original cost of the project was about $2.027m.

“Costs post-COVID have risen substantially, and instead of abandoning the project, we have continued forward,” he said.

The presentation showed the unfinished tram had cost $581,194 so far, with the complete terminus costing $1,201,762 and the track $1,723,654.

TNT Co’s stated total expenditure on the project to date comes to $3,506,610, more than $1.4m over the original estimate.

TNT Co is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission (ACNC) and has received substantial funding from Sunshine Coast Council, federal government grants and philanthropists alongside fundraising by the organisation.

A member of the crowd asked for the community to be updated more often and proactively by the board.

Mr Rogerson said some of the information put out by TNT Co had been “misleading”, such as when they announced the tram would be running by 2021.

“When we look back, we didn’t know very much about it at all,” he said.

Tickets for the tram will cost anywhere from a gold coin donation to $5 for locals, with kids riding free and tourists having the option to purchase a $100 annual pass.

A young boy in the audience said it took him five minutes to walk the tram route “for free” with another audience member asking why people would want to pay to ride from “Coles to Aldi”.

Mr Rogerson said the aim was to target “train enthusiasts” and bring tourism to the town.

“I want to make it very clear that none of the board are rail buffs, we’re doing this for the community,” he said.

“Would you like to admit you’ve bitten off more than you can chew?” asked a community member.

The meeting became heated at times with participants raising their voices to ask or counter questions.

The board refused to answer whether the cost would increase again before 2027.