Sunshine Coast rail row: Bleijie election ‘con’ sparks fury among residents

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie takes great delight in going after Labor on the floor of parliament. But he should face some questions of his own after appearing to walk away from a key election promise to his own community.

Deputy Premier of Queensland Jarrod Bleijie should face some questions of his own in Parliament over the Sunshine Coast rail line promises. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has long been known as the attack dog of the LNP, one who takes great delight in going after Labor on the floor of parliament.

But the Member for Kawana now has some massive questions to answer himself after appearing to walk away from a key promise to deliver a rail line on the Sunshine Coast.

A proper rail line into the Sunshine Coast has been talked about for more than three decades.

Imagine what it might have cost if it had been built when the Caboolture to Maroochydore Corridor Study (CAMCOS) was assessed in 1998 or even when the corridor was first protected in 2001.

The need for better public transport – and better connections between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast – is not just important for local residents.

Anyone who has travelled to or from Sunshine Coast beaches via the highway on the weekend will know how appallingly slow it can be.

The Coast’s population is expected to grow from 341,900 in 2021 to 536,300 in 2046 – a 57% increase.

It is estimated there will be a 45% increase in travel times on the Bruce Highway between Yandina and Caboolture in the morning peak.

Advocacy group Sunshine Coast 2032 (SC2032) has claimed the true cost of the heavy rail would blow out to $20bn for the entire 37.8km stretch from Beerwah to Maroochydore

Labor promised a Sunshine Coast rail line – but only to Caloundra.

Chair Roz White, a respected Coast businesswoman, maintains the region needs to look at alternative transport solutions.

But federal LNP Fairfax MP Ted O’Brien has rejected the figures submitted to the state government’s 100-day Olympics review.

“Claims that the project now costs $20 billion with trains running at only 50kmh along 20m high tracks across the coast are in stark contrast to every briefing I’ve had on this project over the last eight years,” Mr O’Brien said.

Mr Bleijie said earlier this week he would consider alternative transport systems as the government would “rather get on with the job and build things a lot quicker”.

During the state election campaign Mr Bleijie promised voters the rail line would reach Maroochydore in time for Olympic Games before 2032, should the LNP form government.

When repeatedly asked how the project would be delivered, given Labor’s predicted cost blowouts, Mr Bleijie claimed the LNP had confirmed the 2032 deadline was “achievable”.

Mr Bleijie said in October he had spoken with “lots of people in industry” who had assured the LNP the rail line could be completed.

Now many are already questioning the Sunshine Coast MP’s failure to deliver in government.

The Sunshine Coast Direct Rail Line would cover 37km and feature seven stations. Picture: TMR.

WHAT YOU ARE SAYING

Peter

When will people learn, a member of a political party runs for parliament they will make promises that they can’t deliver on, say 90-95% of the time. So here we go again, LNP will blame (rightly so) Labor, Labor will blame the LNP so instead of the blame game how about using the money that ALP promised for the Games and build the infrastructure now, cancel the Games stop this overpriced overrated sports carnival and put the money into QLD and fix this State’s problems... Stop blaming the previous governments... get on with what you were elected to do.

Cameron Tenardi

Jarrod Bleijie used to work hard for his community, but now he’s just another party yes man.

Such a shame considering the Coast has been a Liberal stronghold for so long. I guess they’re getting complacent.

There should be genuine repercussions for promises not kept. The threat of voters changing sides doesn’t really matter when both parties just do as they please.

Bill Hoffman

Even with five out of six Sunshine Coast Members of parliament holding senior cabinet ministerial positions they can’t or won’t deliver for a region that has consistently supported them for decades. Five out of six now enjoy the salaries and lavishly awarded perks of office.

But where’s the rail link and where’s the Mooloolah River interchange?

Fat chance seeing the Pacific Paradise section of the deadly Sunshine Motorway duplicated.

As did Labor this lot will push council to increase population densities against the wishes of residents without requirements for developers to pay the true costs of their projects. And certainly without any commitment to deliver themselves.

Premier Steven Miles at the opening of a new information and engagement centre for the Sunshine Coast Direct Rail at Caloundra. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Paul Tatton

I knew that the LNP would find a way to not proceed with rail into Maroochydore …. So typical of Bleijie to do this … the LNP should be gone at next election, esp Bleijie and the useless Nicklin mp too.

Samantha White

This is my 46th year on the coast the rail project is a story we have been hearing for the last 30 years.

RazorJ

I voted first time for LNP because I believed they would deliver promises, but not again. Seems they are no better that the previous mob – lies and broken promises. I would have expected better from Jarrod Bleijie and our other local LNP MPs

Julius

Jarrod doesn’t know what he’s doing. One of the worst MPs ever. Completely Useless. Talks it up, but in reality is pathetic.

Alfred

Tender this out worldwide, cut out unions and get it built on time at half the cost.

COSTINGS QUESTIONED

Steve

The cost of this infrastructure to the tax payers is outrageous. Fast train in the US including all associated infrastructure $54 Million per mile

In Europe same thing $38 million per kilometre

China builds fast trains for a fraction of the costs and in months not years

There has to be a “big drink” being taken in Australia

God only knows what the Union component is in Australia

Col

What percentage of the $530,000 per metre of track is red / green tape and Union deals.

On budget, on time in Australia never.

Luke

Despite some parochial Mayors and residents (ever it has been thus), SEQ is now basically a contiguous metropolis from Coolangatta to Noosa. One in seven Australians live here and soon enough that will be one in six.

The economic benefit in building public transport systems to service 4m Australians is undeniable. The traffic jams on the M1 and southern Bruce Highway from dawn to dusk basically every day are appalling.

Plan, design and build the projects regardless of whether you have to take on more debt to do it because the price to deliver the outcomes will only be billions more in the decades to come.

Regional Ranger

Either scrap the Olympics or have them on a much smaller scale. The Poison Chalice of debt that Anna and her incompetent mates have left us will last for many years to come. If the coffers are empty then we have to just suck it up until the dead level can be reduced.

Entropy

37km is the same length as the Kuranda railway. While a flood plain does require elevation of the track in places, it is still on easily accessible flat ground.

Kuranda OTOH is straight up the side of cliffs, has 15 tunnels that had to be hand cut through solid rock, and 37 bridges. Kuranda took five years to build.

Zee

Just one more reason to cancel the Olympics. If the Government can’t afford to do basic infrastructure requirements then they can’t afford the Olympics

Gary

Have a look at the congestion on the Bruce Highway and how much it would cost to alleviate it and then tell me why the Sunshine codes Rail is not needed or is a bad investment.

Peter

Is this rail line paved with gold?

Laurie

Governing is so easy from opposition Time to make some hard decisions. All on show no squibbing it now

Originally published as Sunshine Coast rail row: Bleijie election ‘con’ sparks fury among residents