What you said on $7 billion rail line for Sunshine Coast

A proper rail corridor for the Sunshine Coast was first being discussed more than 30 years ago. Now just the first stage could cost up to $7 billion. JOIN THE CONVERSATION

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

As a young reporter at the Sunshine Coast Daily in the late 1980s, I was writing about the need for better public transport and a rail corridor on the Sunshine Coast.

The Caboolture to Maroochydore Corridor Study (CAMCOS) defined a corridor for a future passenger rail line and station locations between Beerwah and Maroochydore. State Cabinet endorsed the corridor in 2001.

Yet here we are, more than 20 years later, and politicians are still arguing over it.

And the cost, well it could be up to $7 billion – just for stage 1. Some of our readers are wondering whether it will be made of gold. Maybe its Olympic gold.

Compare that to the $3m a kilometre it cost to build sections of the Sunshine Motorway. At the time, we thought that was a bit rich.

The state government on Sunday trumpeted its pledge to pour almost $3bn to build the 19km, rail line extension from Beerwah to Caloundra – short of the original plan to extend the line north to Maroochydore.

Many have questioned the enormous cost and Labor’s ability to deliver or manage any major project it promises.

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

As John pointed out: “Maybe there should be an inquiry into the costing of all government funded construction projects.

“For that $7bn you could build 10,000 homes at $700,000 each. It seems a lot for 19km of track and a couple of new stations.

At that rate the line from Brisbane to Cairns must be worths trillions.

Others point out its no coincidence that stage one of the rail line starts and finishes in the state seat of Caloundra.

Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt, Deputy premier Cameron Dick and Transport minister Bart Mellish arrive at Beerwah on Sunday to announce the direct Sunshine Coast rail project. Picture Lachie Millard

“ Very convenient that this is a Labor seat, where Jason Hunt only got elected in 2020. Pork barrelling at its finest to try to buy the votes of residents, particularly those in the new outer suburbs in the Aura development, to get him re-elected,’’ Ron said.

“Like the Mooloolah River Interchange (that federal Labor axed), the rest of the Maroochydore rail line is in seats that are held by the LNP at both federal and state levels. Funny that. The message from this is clear: “Vote Labor, and we’ll promise you the world. Don’t vote Labor and we’ll punish you.”

The proposed 37km Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line would expand the South East Queensland rail network through a proposed spur line from the North Coast Line at Beerwah to Maroochydore.

WHAT YOU SAID

Paulie

When I think of the magnificent rail projects of the late 19th century and early 20th century, traversing the United States, tunnelling through the Alps, the overcoming the trans-alpine challenges in New Zealand, linking up remote and tiny communities in the far North of Scotland. Then I think of the piddling 100 odd Ks of track here, taking nearly 20 years, costing unknown billions and using our current technology and mechanisation. Where have we gone so wrong!

Paul

Remember the Redcliffe Rail was first proposed in late 1800s and was a regular election carrot at nearly every election until it was finally funded by a desperate Julia Gillard in 2010. This is never going to happen in the short term, perhaps your great-great-grandchildren might see it.

Ross

Something does need to be done about public transport to and from the Sunny Coast. The highway is constantly clogged with cars even though there are additional lanes. Can anyone explain why those completed lanes with barriers on them aren’t yet open? Of course we should have started this project when the previous federal government offered a cost share arrangement but there wasn’t a Qld election brewing then and it would have given credit to the LNP. This project was originally proposed in the early 2000s but of course the government ran out of money by the time they reached Beerburrum.

Ian

Let’s review, Scott Morrison for the Feds offered a 50/50 deal and $1.5 billion to built it 3 years ago but Miles and Bailey turned him down for Queensland’s $1.5 billion contribution. NOW Queenslanders have to front up with the full $2.7 Billion- Miles is a complete goose and how Bailey even exists staggers me, what a horrible decision for Queensland that turned out to be.

Ralph

The whole selling point of the unwanted Olympics was that a fast rail link to the Sunny Coast be locked in. We now get the useless Olympics and no finished rail.....

Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt, Deputy premier Cameron Dick and Transport minister Bart Mellish pose for pictures for LaborÕs media team at Beerwah on Sunday at the announcement of the direct Sunshine Coast rail project. Picture Lachie Millard

LawsOfMucha

This rail corridor has been preserved since the 1970s, and the business cases have been ongoing since the early 2000s. Incompetent bureaucracy has resulted in this not being able to be delivered on time. Regardless of the Olympics this should’ve been an urgent priority for what is the fastest growing regional population in the whole of Australia. How previous governments and Premiers have missed this point is mind boggling

Peter

At 3 billion for 24 klm of track. That’s 124 million per kilometres appox. There kidding, it’s just a railway line not a six lane hwy.

Steve

These people haven proven time and again how incompetent they are when they touch anything that requires planning and budgets The (Cross River Rail) CRR started at 4.5 billion now its north of 10 billion and we don’t know what’s not included. The Gabba started a 1 billion and within two weeks went to 2.7 billion. The CG were a monumental stuff up with Beattie in control leaving a trial of broken small businesses in its wake as has happened with the CRR. We will never know how many billions have been wasted on the Bruce Car Park as its all commercial in confidence. Now Miles and co are beaming around about a commitment of some 2.75 billion on a train that no one knows when it will be completed

Wayne

How much money do the Caloundra corridor land developers contribute to the Labor govt? Could it be that the Labor govt is looking after its big donors? Could it be like Wellcamp in Toowoomba?

It seems odd that Labor are only promising to have the rail line stations at Aura, and at Caloundra. Caloubdra is not even the Sunshine Coast’s designated business centre.

Ted

Get the Chinese to build the rail – no unions involved – and bet the entire train line gets built before the games. And probably cost less!!!

Bernie

Clearly there will be no money to fix the goat track (Bruce Highway) north of Gympie.

We may have a new Premier but the Qld regions are still ignored despite the mining royalties paying the bills.

Susan

Just another flimsy proposal to fool the voters of Caloundra from the Suburban Dad’s economics in an attempt to save the oddball Alp seat on the Sunshine Coast. It will end up being like the Redcliffe line which took 110 years and we are only 20 years down on this one. There’s no intention from this Alp government to build the line.

Anthony

How many times will Labor bring up the rail to the Sunshine Coast. This is the 12 time since Labor have been in power...12 times

Ben

He’s a thought premier, if your government had procrastinated 3 to 5 years ago and started the procurement and feasibility process it would have been either shovel ready now or underway. This was talked about when Beattie and Bligh were in. It can be done in 9 years you just don’t know how to get it built without union interference. Time to go Giggles. Please Queenslanders vote Labor out in 24

Paul

Campbell Newman had the plans for north coast rail in place 11 years ago and had the financial acumen and drive to get it done by 2024. Would probably be finished now but for the financial wreckers and youth crime builders, the ALP getting in and spoiling it all.

Jill

I cannot see how heavy rail is needed here. Surely some sort of elevated system would have numerous benefits such as reduced environmental impact, less impact on properties and existing road networks and hence faster travel times. Time to think outside the square!

Originally published as What you said on $7 billion rail line for Sunshine Coast