Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line business case reveals Labor assessment delayed progress

The business case behind the Sunshine Coast’s heavy rail line has revealed an uncomfortable truth for the state government following an eternity of finger pointing between the major parties.

Premier Steven Miles officially opened a new information and engagement centre for the Sunshine Coast Direct Rail in Caloundra last week. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The business case behind the Sunshine Coast’s heavy rail line has revealed an awkward truth for the state government as criticism of the scaled-back 2032 commitment continues.

According to the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line business case published earlier this year, an assessment conducted in 2010 found investment into the heavy rail project was not warranted before 2031.

“In 2010, a Strategic Assessment of Service Requirements (SASR) for the project was undertaken indicating that investment in rail was not warranted prior to 2031,” the business case stated.

The SASR was completed by the Queensland government at the time, under the leadership of Labor premier Anna Bligh.

Labor were also in power federally, with both Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard guiding the nation.

The Sunshine Coast is finally getting a rail line even though it is only going to Caloundra Picture Supplied

Both Labor and LNP members have repeatedly blamed each other for the delay, leaving residents frustrated as those in government point the finger.

Deputy Premier Cameron Dick previously slammed the Morrison government’s $3.2bn estimate for the line as a “nonsense decision”.

The findings of the SASR stated in the business case come as Premier Steven Miles claims the only way the rail line will eventually Maroochydore is under a Labor government.

Transport Minister Bart Mellish said the Albanese government was the first federal government to commit funding to the project, with the first of three the stages of the project expected to cost state and federal governments a combined $5.5bn.

Transport Minister Bart Mellish said calls for the line to reach Maroochydore in time for the 2032 Olympics were unrealistic. Picture: John Gass

As the October state election approaches, prominent Sunshine Coast business leader, Sandy Zubrinich, last week called for the rail line to be extended to Maroochydore by 2032 as per the original plans.

However, Mr Mellish said calls for the line to reach Maroochydore in time for the 2032 Olympics were unrealistic.

“A construction program was developed with input from expert industry advisors,” Mr Mellish said.

“Even when staged or built concurrently, this program demonstrated that construction of the dual track rail line to Maroochydore would not be feasible prior to 2032.

“Delivery of rail between Beerwah and Maroochydore is anticipated to take a decade or more, even when working across multiple work fronts at the same time.”

Last week the state government opened an information centre in Caloundra regarding the rail line, as geotechnical works got underway.

Originally published as Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line business case reveals Labor assessment delayed progress