Two major rail projects in doubt as LNP looks for alternatives

Heavy and light rail projects are in doubt despite being part of the LNP’s election commitment to boost mass transit before the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Crisafulli government had vowed to have mass transit in place by the Games but was now reconsidering its approach and awaiting further advice.

While the LNP promised to extend rail to Maroochydore, and also complete the Gold Coast light rail network, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie this week accused the federal Labor government of undermining the projects by not making them national infrastructure priorities.

An artist’s impression of one of the stations along the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line. Credit: Department of Transport and Main Roads

Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King rejected the claims, saying the Queensland government had not done the necessary work and was already funding projects in the state.

The former state Labor government only planned to extend rail to Caloundra by 2032, with Commonwealth funding locked in, and there were concerns the cost of the Maroochydore option could blow out by more than $8 billion to about $20 billion.

Bleijie will lobby for more funding from Canberra before the federal election.

But he said the 100-day review of Games venues and infrastructure, and a separate departmental rethink of the plans, might dictate the way forward.

“We are absolutely saying we must deliver a transport solution to the people of the Sunshine Coast by 2032 and we are looking at all the proposals put into the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority,” Bleijie said.

He said further consultation with the Sunshine Coast community was also needed.

For the Gold Coast, Bleijie has asked his department to review Transport Department plans for light rail and whether buses on dedicated bus routes might do the job quicker and cheaper.

“If there are other modes of transportation that might be done sooner, we’d rather get on with the job and build things a lot quicker,” he said.

Stage four of the project has long been debated after the former Labor government revealed costs could rise to $7.6 billion.

AAP