Mayor Mark Jamieson criticises governments for lack of investment in Bris to Maroochydore rail

A “realistic” plan for a Maroochydore to Brisbane public transport solution has been described as “slow rail” as questions are asked around when the region will finally see investment.

Governments have been slammed for a lack of investment in a Maroochydore to Brisbane transport solution, with new plans being described as “slow rail”.

Fairfax MP Ted O’Brien this week called on the state government to commit to extending the existing passenger train network to Maroochydore CBD as a compromise to high-speed rail.

Mr O’Brien, who is the Prime Minister’s special envoy on the Olympics, said it was a “realistic” plan that could eventually deliver fast rail.

But Mayor Mark Jamieson criticised governments for failing to address congestion and the need for public transport upgrades sooner.

“How long ago was the Member for Fairfax declaring fast rail for the Sunshine Coast?” he said.

“It was probably five or six years ago … and today, it’s slow rail.”

Mr Jamieson said the state government received five times, and the federal 27 times more taxation revenue compared to local government.

“Major transport projects rightly belong with the state and federal governments,” he said.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson criticised governments for a lack of investment in the region after Fairfax MP Ted O'Brien revealed his new vision for a Maroochydore to Brisbane rail connection.

Infrastructure Australia found in March the long-touted fast-rail project – hoped to cut travel times between Sunshine Coast and Brisbane to 50 minutes – failed to stack up.

It further found it remained unclear who would deliver the estimated $5.3bn project.

Mr O’Brien’s new bid is to extend the track from Beerwah into Maroochydore.

“We know the Queensland Government won’t agree to start building a new fast-rail network between Brisbane and Maroochydore, so let’s not squander the next few years arguing about it and getting nothing done,” he said.

“I propose the Queensland and Australian governments discuss an initial step of building a heavy-rail line between Beerwah east and the Maroochydore CBD.

“This new line can be built as an extension to the existing heavy rail network so long as it’s designed to accommodate the possibility of fast rail in the future.”

Regional Development Australia Sunshine Coast chair Carol Cashman said fast rail was preferred but it was clear the funding was not there.

She said a better rail service was “vitally important” for the region‘s future, with the population expected to exceed 560,000 by 2041.

“If a heavy rail solution is deemed more viable and can be funded, and it can provide a platform in the future for a faster rail solution, then let’s move forward and explore this solution now,” Ms Cashman said.

“Heavy rail will form a transport spine around which other modes of transport can be planned and constructed to integrate.”

She said the upgrades were crucial for the Sunshine Coast to continue to attract talented workers, new businesses and grow the economy.

Mr O’Brien said it was essential the expanded line was straight and wide enough to ­facilitate high-speed rail in the next two decades.

“This is a pragmatic solution … it is an interest-based proposal that will satisfy the interests of the state,” he said.

“It moves us towards the fast rail network vision but it doesn’t deliver on it.”

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said he was committed to working with all levels of government to deliver a future rail link to Maroochydore.

“The corridor to build this extension has been protected by the state government to be built in the future but Sunshine Coast residents need federal funds not federal words,” he said.

“Mr O’Brien’s own federally funded business case showed fast rail isn’t viable.”

Mr Bailey said future transport infrastructure on the Coast would be discussed once governance arrangements were finalised for the Games.

Council of Mayors South East Queensland first launched a Games bid in 2015 to use it as a catalyst to accelerate infrastructure investment and economic development.

Originally published as Mayor Mark Jamieson criticises governments for lack of investment in Bris to Maroochydore rail