Budget 2017: Cross River rail on track for reality with light rail missing out on funds

CONGESTION on the Gold Coast-Brisbane rail line could soon be a thing of the past with funding set to flow for the cross river rail. But what about the light rail?

COMMUTERS to Brisbane could enjoy an easier trip to work thanks to a $10 billion spend on rail infrastructure announced by Treasurer Scott Morrison in last night’s Budget.

The Turnbull Government’s National Rail Programme will fund major rail projects across cities and regions and has been hailed as a way to ramp up infrastructure across the south east.

Brisbane’s $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project was singled out in the Budget as having the potential for funding through the program, subject to a “proven” business case.

Artist impressions of the Cross River Rail

However, funding from the program is still two years away from being implemented.

The push from Gold Coast civic leaders for the Brisbane project comes on the back of State Government reports which showed it would improve travel times on the rail network between the cities.

Mayor Tom Tate and the Gold Coast Combined Chamber of Commerce have both led the local push for funding the Cross River Rail project, saying it would contribute to easing congestion.

Treasurer Scott Morrison and Minister for Finance Mathias Cormann with the Budget. Picture Kym Smith

Treasurer Scott Morrison said the funding of rail projects was important for the future.

“It is important to invest in infrastructure, but we have to make the right choices on projects, as part of a broader economic growth strategy,” he said in his budget speech.

Other projects singled out include the Brisbane Metro public transport network while the Gold Coast light rail missed out.

Mayor Tom Tate is pushing for light rail to go south, eventually to the airport and border. Picture Mike Batterham

It is unclear whether the program would allow for funding of the tram system’s $600 million third stage, which will run from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads.

Prior to the budget, Cr Tate, who is in China on a trade mission, confirmed he was hoping to secure $3.3 million from the Federal Government for a $10 million design stage.

Acting Mayor Donna Gates last night welcomed the spend.

“The cross river rail project, while initiating in Brisbane, is something all the southeast Queensland mayors are pushing for because of its positive flow-on effects,” she said.

“Hopefully there will also be a drop in the bucket from this program we can use to fund the design of light rail stage three.

“You can be sure we will make sure our case will be heard so we get the $3 million we are asking for. It is not a huge ask.”

But Moncrieff MP Steve Ciobo, who is also Tourism and Trade Minister, was bewildered the council was expecting funds it had not actually applied for.

Moncrieff MP Steven Ciobo. Picture by Scott Fletcher

“They’ve written to the Minister, Paul Fletcher, saying they wanted to work together on the project but there’s not been a funding request for a feasibility study,” he said.

“We’re very happy to work constructively on stage three, but we need to know its feasibility – it’s taxpayers’ money.”

It comes as Deputy Premier and Transport Minister Jackie Trad used state parliament to take aim at federal MPs for being “missing in action”.

“It’s time the Federal Government put their money on the table like the Palaszczuk Government has to get this critical nation building piece of infrastructure built,” she said.

“Down in Logan and on the Gold Coast – Bert van Manen, Stuart Robert, Steve Ciobo and Karen Andrews – are all missing in action, even though Cross River Rail will save people in Logan and on the Gold Coast 15 minutes on the train for each journey.”