Sunshine Coast Mayor to ‘make sure’ LNP delivers heavy rail promise

As the LNP looks on track for a sweeping victory across the Sunshine Coast, local leaders have been quick to remind the party of its ambitious rail promise.

An artist's impression of the Sunshine Coast Direct Rail Line, which could cover 37km and feature seven stations. Picture: TMR.

As a sweeping victory looks increasingly likely for the LNP across the Sunshine Coast, local government and business experts have been quick to remind the party of its ambitious rail promise.

The LNP leader and Queensland’s new premier, David Crisafulli, promised voters the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line would be delivered to Maroochydore in time for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The commitment formed a key part of the LNP’s campaign on the coast, with local MPs Jarrod Bleijie and Fiona Simpson touting the ambitious project to voters.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli has pledged to make sure the LNP stick to their ambitious rail promise.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the delivery of the rail line to Maroochydore was a “top priority”, as the Sunshine Coast Council prepares to work with the new state government.

“The rail line to Maroochydore underpins so much of our planning and it is really vital,” Ms Natoli said.

“I will be making sure that they do stick to that promise.”

When asked whether the council had doubts over the project’s deadline, Ms Natoli said she trusted the LNP’s experts.

Prior to the election results, Sunshine Coast Business Council chairwoman Sandy Zubrinich also promised to “very quickly” remind the LNP of its commitments in terms of rail.

When asked by this publication in March whether the federal opposition would also commit to Mr Crisafulli’s rail plan, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Senator Bridget McKenzie, stopped short of promising to meet the 2032 deadline.

Following the LNP’s win at the election, Ms McKenzie reaffirmed the federal opposition’s support of the project, but would not say whether they would commit to providing funding contributions.

Queensland’s new Premier David Crisafulli promised voters the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line with reach Maroochydore by 2032. Picture Lachie Millard

The reignited rail discussion comes as the LNP takes power in Caloundra and looks set to have won back the seat of Nicklin, after losing them to Labor in 2020.

The LNP’s Kendall Morton said she received a phone call yesterday from Labor’s Jason Hunt who conceded the seat of Caloundra.

She acknowledged the work Mr Hunt had done in the electorate over the past term of government.

When questioned about the LNP promise to put rail all the way to Maroochydore by the 2032 Olympics, Ms Morton said it had to happen.

“The Sunshine Coast has missed out on generational infrastructure,” Ms Morton said.

Kendall Morton won the seat of Caloundra from Labor’s Jason Hunt. Picture: Patrick Woods.

She said with such a strong state LNP team on the Sunshine Coast, the federal government would have to acknowledge that it was a “critical piece” of infrastructure.

The LNP’s Marty Hunt also looks set to win back the seat of Nicklin from Labor’s Rob Skelton.

Mr Hunt said this morning a third of the votes were yet to be counted but it was looking very promising for the LNP, while reaffirming the party’s focus on rail to Maroochydore.