Labor pledges federal funding for Sunshine Coast Olympic rail extension

Labor has reversed a decision to put the Sunshine Coast rail extension on ice following pressure from Queensland deputy premier Steven Miles.

Labor has backflipped on a decision to put the Sunshine Coast rail extension on ice following pressure from Queensland deputy premier Steven Miles.

Labor has backflipped on a decision to put the Sunshine Coast rail extension on ice following pressure from Queensland deputy premier Steven Miles.

Infrastructure Minister Catherine King guaranteed federal funding for the project just weeks after saying there was no assurance or confidence in the costs of the project which were already “billions of dollars higher than previously stated”.

Following pressure from Mr Miles who led a delegation to Canberra this week seeking assurances from Ms King, the Albanese government has committed $1.44bn for the construction of the project plus an additional $160m for a business case.

The Queensland government, who blasted Labor’s decision to axe 50 projects from the commonwealth’s $120bn capital works pipeline, was concerned Labor’s commitment to the project had been ditched.

The federal government had axed funding for eight Queensland projects and cast doubt over another five.

Accelerated transport investment was the catalyst for Brisbane’s original Olympics proposal almost a decade ago, but Ms King had claimed funding for the $3.2bn Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line was contingent on a near-complete business case.

When pressured about the Sunshine Coast rail extension earlier this month, Ms King said there was no assurance or confidence in the costs of the project which was already “billions of dollars higher than previously stated”.

“The estimates that we have got so far is, in order to take that project to Maroochydore is three times higher, billions of dollars higher than has been previously stated,” she said earlier in November.

“What I am saying is, if we are to deliver this project and not repeat the mistakes of the past, what we need to do is plan this properly, get a handle on the cost and then move forward to deliver it.”

Ms King said the project will now be prioritised and argued the government’s commitment had not changed.

“We have already made significant commitments to help ensure the success of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics,” she said in a statement.

“The importance of rail and of the role of the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line as part of the transport infrastructure for the Olympics is why our commitment to it hasn’t changed.”

The Sunshine Coast is set to host the marathon, basketball and cycling events as part of the 2032 Games, and accommodate 1400 people at a “satellite” athletes village.

While the public has been repeatedly assured the running of the Games would be cost-neutral for taxpayers, there has been no dollar value placed on transport and other urban infrastructure that will be required outside sports venues.

Mr Miles, who expressed outrage at Ms King’s decision to cut infrastructure funding as part of its capital works review, welcomed the decision.

“Not only will a new rail line on the Sunny Coast make a huge difference for the 2032 Games, it will also mean less time in the car and commuting for lots of people on the Sunshine Coast,” he said.

“I want to thank Catherine King for meeting with the delegation and thank the mayors for their support.”