The Sunshine Coast Business Council has commended the efforts of Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien and Stockland Regional Manager Ben Simpson following today’s announcement that the North Coast Rail Connect project will receive federal funding for a full business case under the $20 million Faster Rail Prospectus.
The project is one of just three nation-wide that have had funding allocated for further assessment.
Sunshine Coast Business Council Chair Sandy Zubrinich said Mr O’Brien and Stockland, as well as SMEC and Urbis had been instrumental in preparing the initial business case and should be applauded for their contribution to advancing transport infrastructure in the region.
“The competition has been fierce, and making it through to this stage is testament to the hard work and dedication that has gone in to putting the North Coast Rail Connect project on the agenda,” Ms Zubrinich said.
“The project has the support of Mayors Quirk, Jamieson, Wellington and Sutherland, as well as the SEQ Council of Mayors.”
“It is certainly a project that the three tiers of government and the community can get behind and support.”
The project consists of three rail projects – an upgrade of 64.5km of the existing North Coast Line from Brisbane to Beerburrum; an upgrade of 40km of the existing North Coast Line from Beerburrum to Nambour involving the duplication of 20km of rail line between Beerburrum and Landsborough; and a new passenger rail service comprising 40km of line connecting suburbs between Beerwah and Maroochydore to Brisbane.
Ms Zubrinich said approximately 65 per cent of the current population (totalling 170,000 people) lived within the proximity of the CAMCOS corridor and 85 per cent of the growing population forecast for the Sunshine Coast would be at the southern end of the Coast, also in proximity to that corridor.
“Locals will benefit significantly from the increased connectivity,” she said.
“Imagine the benefits of being able to travel to Brisbane in as little as 45 minutes. There would be a significant boost to tourism, commerce and employment choices, and freight movements and links with Brisbane could open the Sunshine Coast to new trade markets.”
Ms Zubrinich went on to say that the potential benefits to the regional economy and the communities along the corridor between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast would be huge.
“If the North Coast Rail Connect project was to proceed, it would play an important role in reinvigorating regional towns and enhancing appeal and accessibility for both domestic and international tourists,” she said.
“Having a sustainable, integrated transport system in place would also place the Sunshine Coast in good stead when bidding to host major events, injecting millions of dollars into the tourism and hospitality industries.”
“The addition of passenger services between Beerburrum and Maroochydore would service many of the Sunshine Coast’s highly populated and high-growth areas, making commuting across the region quick and simple and minimising reliance on cars.”
“It would also support the ongoing release of new land for housing, addressing the housing shortage and providing greater housing diversity and affordability.”
“SCBC will continue to support the North Coast Connect consortium as it compiles its full business case over the next 12 months, and we eagerly await the outcome.”
The Sunshine Coast Business Council is the leading regional business advocacy group on the Sunshine Coast. It represents approximately 4,000 businesses through its membership, which includes key national and regional industry groups and their members as well as national and regional businesses.
For more information please visit www.scbusinesscouncil.com.au.
