For some years you would be aware we have advocated for improved frequency of rail services from Gympie North to connect to the Nambour services to Brisbane and elsewhere, providing the Noosa electorate via Cooroy an option to the current offerings.
The most recent response to my requests to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads is as below in italics;
I draw your attention to the following planning studies, jointly funded by the Australian and Palaszczuk Governments:
- $1.5 million Brisbane to Sunshine Coast (B2SC) Rail Corridor Strategy. This strategy will guide future non-infrastructure and infrastructure investment opportunities to improve network capacity, travel times, safety, resilience and efficiency for passengers and freight. The strategy will also consider the forecast population growth in the Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, Noosa and Gympie regions with increases in service frequency between Gympie and Nambour to be considered. The strategy is expected to be completed in 2023.
- $6 million investment planning for the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line project (formerly known as the Beerwah to Maroochydore rail extension) to plan for a proposed passenger rail corridor between Beerwah and Maroochydore to increase public transport opportunities for the growing Sunshine Coast community.
- $6.25 million Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade Duplication Study investigating options for future upgrades to the North Coast Line from Beerburrum to Nambour, which is in addition to the $550.8 million Beerburrum to Nambour Rail upgrade (Stage 1) duplication project currently being delivered.
In summary, some good news, and we look forward to the release of the report.
For anyone wishing to add to our advocacy on the above, please write to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads at transportandmainroads@ministerial.qld.gov.au and please cc’ us in to noosa@parliament.qldgov.au