Astounding cost of Sunshine Coast Direct Rail revealed in bombshell Olympics submission
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has walked back on a commitment to finishing the Sunshine Coast Rail through to Maroochydore by 2032 saying the projected $20bn figures for it are “alarming”.
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Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Jarrod Bleijie had sensationally walked back the government’s commitment to finish the Sunshine Coast Rail through to Maroochydore by 2032.
It comes after a submission made to the government’s 100-day Olympics review revealed the total cost of the project could balloon to $20bn, equivalent to $530,000 per metre of track.
Mr Bleijie on Wednesday said the projected figures were alarming, adding alternative transport solutions would be considered for the Games delivery.
“Unfortunately, the Labor federal government has taken the (Sunshine Coast Rail) future stages off the (funding) list, and that’s why now we are absolutely saying we must deliver a transport solution to the people of the Sunshine Coast by 2032,” Mr Bleijie said.
“And we’ll be looking at all the proposals put to GIICA (Games Independent Infrastructure Coordination Authority).
“If there are other modes of transportation that might be done sooner, we’d rather get on with the job and build things a lot quicker.”
In an explosive submission to the government’s Olympic and Paralympic review board, obtained by the Courier-Mail, advocacy group Sunshine Coast 2032 (SC2032) revealed the true cost of the heavy rail would boom to $20bn for the entire 37.8km stretch.
The group, which has consulted with several international transport infrastructure experts to independently assess the Sunshine Coast Rail proposal, are now urging the state government to consider an alternative transport investment.
SC2032 chair Roz White said with the deepening debt burden announced by Treasurer David Janetski last week, the state could no longer afford the eye-watering cost of the direct rail.
“We really have to face the harsh facts and harsh reality of what’s affordable and deliverable,” she said.
“There is a big black budget hole, there’s no money and if we lose our credit rating and interest rises we don’t want to be borrowing more money.
“We’ve taken the time to look beyond the headline and we are asking the government to consider other solutions.”
Mr Bleijie said it was “positive” to see the SC2032 group’s submission to the review for alternative solutions.
The state government has also launched a review into the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4 between Burleigh and the airport at Coolangatta.
“We’re looking at the modes, the type of transport, the route, everything is on the table,” Mr Bleijie said.
“I think it’s appropriate that the Department of Infrastructure does this independently of the Department of Transport and Main Roads, who oversaw the business case.”
The LNP made an election commitment to review southern Gold Coast trams and transport options.
The submission outlines several key delivery issues including plans to build the track over a flood plain, requiring it to be raised 12-18m above ground.
Based on current station locations, the rail is also likely to reach average speeds of 50km/h during regular service hours and 60km/h during peak hour.
Public transport expert John Lee, who delivered the rail services for the Sydney 2000 Games, said the Sunshine Coast Rail provided little value for money and would not be complete through to Maroochydore until “half way through this century”.
“If history is right, it won’t get to Caloundra until 2035,” he said.
“Cross River Rail has been going ten years and it’s still not finished, so let’s not kid ourselves.”
Mr Lee, Queensland’s former Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport Director-General and former New South Wales Transport Director General, said the Sunshine Coast instead needed mass transit solution to match the urban environment including population and future housing densities.
“Heavy rail is not necessary, it’s ten times more expensive, with price hikes due to an over headed infrastructure market across the nation,” he said.
“It means Queensland will pay a premium of 30-40 per cent.” network.
A mass transit alternative, Mr Lee said, could be designed in a way that allows light or heavy rail to be built on top of the corridor at a later stage.
The SC2032 is advocating for a Bus Rapid Transit program, which Mr Lee estimates could be able to be fully implemented before 2032 at a rough cost of $3-5bn.
The system would aim to replicate networks in south Sydney and Brisbane, and would be designed to service Sunshine Coast airports, universities and Olympic venues.
“It’s critical we get real connectivity through the east, west, as well as north and south,” Ms White said.
“People in our community have this sense of urgency to get the rail done or we’ll lose all opportunity for any project for 2032, but this proposal proves we have other options that will reduce congestion and deliver more for our community.”
It is understood SC2032 is scheduled to meet with Infrastructure Minister Jarrod Bleijie next week.
Mr Bleijie said all Queenslanders were encouraged to give feedback to the 100-day review.
“Providing mass transit solutions on the Sunshine Coast before 2032 is a key election commitment for the Crisafulli Government,“ he said.
“As we have previously said the government will listen to the advice of the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority.”
Mayor Rosanna Natoli on Monday threw her support behind the project, saying it would unclog roadways and help the council prepare for an expected 200,000 person population boom over the next two decades.
The federal and state governments have jointly funded $5.5bn towards stage one of the rail between Beerwah and Caloundra but works along the 19km stretch could cost up to $7bn -equivalent to $368,000 per track metre.
Construction is not slated to start until at least 2026.
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Originally published as Astounding cost of Sunshine Coast Direct Rail revealed in bombshell Olympics submission
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