Sunshine Coast locals are being asked to sign a petition in support of heavy rail along the CAMCOS corridor following the release of Infrastructure Australia’s Infrastructure Priority List this morning. The Infrastructure Priority List did not include the Federally funded North Coast Connect faster rail proposal which was lodged with Infrastructure Australia (IA) by a local consortium last year.
Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace said that while he was disappointed about IA’s decision, he continued to be committed to delivering heavy rail on the CAMCOS corridor.
“I was hoping that faster rail on the Sunshine Coast would be named a Priority Project by Infrastructure Australia this morning, however, this is only the beginning for heavy rail on the Sunshine Coast. We will have to wait for their summary assessment to be published for us to know why IA has not prioritised the North Coast Connect proposal this year and what the future for fast rail might look like, but in the meantime I will not stop fighting for the public transport solution we need.” Mr Wallace said.
Sunshine Coast locals can sign Mr Wallace’s petition in support of Heavy Rail on the CAMCOS corridor at www.sunshinecoastrail.com.
“Whether it is fast rail specifically or a more traditional service, we need heavy rail from Beerwah, along the CAMCOS corridor, through Caloundra and Kawana to Maroochydore and I am calling on Sunshine Coast locals to help me secure it. If you agree with me that heavy rail on the CAMCOS corridor is the public transport solution we need on the Coast, then jump online now and sign my petition.” he said.
“Heavy rail on the CAMCOS corridor would service the areas where the vast majority of Sunshine Coast locals live and complement the existing rail in the Hinterland. It would help Sunshine Coast locals not only to move around our region, but to travel to Brisbane and would take significant pressure off the Bruce Highway. Heavy rail along the coastal strip could form the foundation for building the region we want to see as we rebuild after COVID-19 and I remain as determined as ever to fight for it.”
The North Coast Connect proposal, created by a consortium of Stockland, Urbis, KPMG and SMEC was funded with a share of $20 million under the Federal Coalition Government’s Faster Rail Plan.
“The Federal Government considers many factors when choosing to fund infrastructure projects and their position on IA’s Priority List is just one of them. If we can unite the community behind heavy rail on the CAMCOS corridor, and show the Government our support for better public transport on the Sunshine Coast, then anything is possible.” Mr Wallace said.
Sunshine Coast residents looking for more information about heavy rail on the Sunshine Coast should visit www.sunshinecoastrail.com or contact Mr Wallace on 07 5493 5556 or andrew.wallace.mp@aph.gov.au.
