Palaszczuk Government steams ahead on Beerburrum to Nambour

The Palaszczuk Government is delivering for Sunshine Coast commuters, announcing $160.8 million in funding for the Beerburrum to Nambour Upgrade as part of this year’s Budget.

Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad said this funding will allow the project to get underway immediately.

“The Palaszczuk Government has a clear track record of investing in the public transport infrastructure Queensland needs to support our growing population,” Ms Trad said.

“That’s why we’re getting on with it – with money on the table now to get this duplication underway as soon as possible.

“The Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Duplication will deliver increased capacity, travel time savings for passenger and freight services, and increased reliability on the North Coast Line.

“It will reduce the competition between passenger and freight services, and enable vital public transport links to the rapidly growing Sunshine Coast area.

“This project wouldn’t be able to happen if the Palaszczuk Government hadn’t kickstarted it by doing the business case and submitting to Infrastructure Australia last year after 3 years of inaction by the former LNP Government.”

The Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade Project involves duplication of about 20 kilometres of North Coast Line between Beerburrum and Landsborough.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said Infrastructure Australia had given a favourable assessment of the business case for the upgrade recognising it as a priority project.

“While we welcome the Turnbull Government’s recent funding announcement for this project, it’s important to note they have not contributed their fair share under the national land transport network agreement,” Mr Bailey said.

“Despite the fact that the federal LNP Government amended the national land transport network to include the Beerburrum to Nambour rail line so far they have only offered funding on a 50:50 basis. 

Ironically, the rail line runs adjacent to the Bruce Highway, which receives 80:20 funding.

Mr Bailey recently approved the gazettal of land requirements, further signalling the State’s commitment to progressing the project.

 “Declaration of the land requirements, which have already been subject to community consultation, will occur in the coming weeks, giving the local communities from Beerburrum to Nambour more certainty, and opening up the option for impacted properties to apply for early acquisition, subject to meeting early acquisition criteria,” he said.

With the current funding on table for this project totalling more than $550 million, detailed design work can get underway now, to be followed by the commencement of construction.

“There’s no reason why work can’t start on this now while we continue to negotiate with the Turnbull government to get Queensland’s fair share. We just need Malcolm Turnbull to get the funding flowing now”

“This is a huge project which we know will take years to complete, so let’s get to work straight away and start to see this infrastructure delivered for the Sunshine Coast.”

“It is also important to remember that none of these proposed new rail lines will work without Cross River Rail to open up the network.

“The only way extra capacity on the Sunshine Coast can work is if there are no bottlenecks further down the line.” 

ENDS

Media contact:          Clare Manton 0432 446 268