Federal coalition MPs urge state government to commit to rail target

Federal coalition MPs have weighed in on the Sunshine Coast Rail debate, with one claiming the predicted $20bn price tag is in “stark contrast” to other briefings as state Labor labels LNP’s election promise ‘a con’.

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

Federal coalition MPs have weighed in on the debate surrounding the Sunshine Coast Rail, with one minister claiming the predicted $20bn price tag is in “stark contrast” to other briefings.

Fairfax MP Ted O’Brien rejected the figures submitted to the state government’s 100-day Olympics review, which predicted the delivery of the rail line into Maroochydore would cost more than $20bn.

“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.

Fairfax MP Ted O’Brien has cast doubt over the $20bn cost blowout estimated for the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail line. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

The submission prompted deputy premier Jarrod Bleijie to seemingly walk away from his election promise to deliver the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail line into Maroochydore in time for 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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”.

Mr O’Brien and Mr Wallace announced $1.6bn in federal funding for the project in 2022.

Mr O’Brien strongly urged the state government to remain focused on keeping the federal government’s current $2.7bn funding commitment.

“Our first priority is to make sure the Albanese Government doesn’t strip away $2.7 billion of federal funding by invoking Infrastructure Australia’s downgrading of the project and pointing to reports that some on the Sunshine Coast do not want to use the CAMCOS corridor for rail after all,” he said.

Fisher MP Andrew Wallace said he believed the project could still be delivered on the 2032 deadline.

“As a former builder, I know that all things are possible from an engineering perspective, if there is the political willpower and the money to deliver a project,” Mr Wallace said.

“I am absolutely of the view that the DSCRL cannot only be delivered to Caloundra by 2032, but it could be delivered to Birtinya by 2032 – and even Maroochydore, with project acceleration, in time for the lighting of the Olympic torch.”

SC2032 chair Roz White maintains the region needs to look at alternative transport solutions. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

Mr Wallace also slammed the proposal put forward by SC2032, regarding the implementation of a bus rapid transit program, claiming the estimates provided were “fanciful” and would mean the region would “never, ever get heavy rail”.

“SC2032 quote an unidentified major civil contractor who has provided what could best be described as a ‘back of the envelope’ costing for a dedicated busway from Beerwah to Caloundra, including 19km of roadway, two bus interchanges and a bridge over the Bruce Highway at just $171 million,” Mr Wallace said.

“Let’s be very clear, that estimate is fanciful.”

Mr O’Brien said redirecting rail funds to instead focus on a mass transit system on the Sunshine Coast, would be like “robbing Peter to pay Paul” and he urged that governments to not “put up the white flag”.

SC2032 chair Roz White said she welcomed the debate.

“I respect their position and I’m happy to consult with them, I think it is important that we work together and we don’t need fragmentation,” Ms White said.

Ms White said after the release of the business case into the rail proposal last year there were already signs of “enormous uncertainty”.

“There was enormous uncertainty around it, I thought it could be deliverable into Caloundra but what has come to light more recently, since the last business case was completed, is the escalation of costs,” Ms White said.

Opposition slams LNP’s rail promise as ‘a con’

The opposition has branded the state government’s election-time promise to deliver rail into Maroochydore as “a con”, after Mr Bleijie revealed it would look to alternative transport options for 2032.

During the state election campaign Mr Bleijie promised voters the rail line would reach Maroochydore 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.

He went on to say “everybody knows this is achievable, everybody knows the only reason the Labor Party in Queensland said they will only build rail to Caloundra is to save Jason Hunt”.

Speaking on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday, opposition leader Steven Miles said the LNP had labelled the delivery of the project as its “iron-clad guarantee”.

“They have exposed the con they put on the Sunshine Coast people in the lead-up to the election,” Mr Miles said.

Mr Miles also cast doubt on the state government’s commitment to deliver the rail to Caloundra.

Originally published as Federal coalition MPs urge state government to commit to rail target