Sunshine Coast Federal MP Andrew
Wallace has welcomed a commitment from Treasurer Jim Chalmers to invest in
“good projects” for the region.
Mr Chalmers told media during a
visit to Maroochydore last week, investments that are slated for
communities like the Sunshine Coast, which will deliver an economic benefit for
the country and for the community, will go ahead.
The Federal Member for Fisher said
the community will be up in arms if the Coalition Government’s $1.6 billion
commitment to Sunshine Coast rail was not retained in October’s Federal
Budget.
“It is great to hear that
Mr Chalmers has made this commitment to keep projects with a genuine benefit to
the country and the community,” Mr Wallace said.
“This is exactly what the Sunshine Coast rail project is –
it’s more than good, it’s essential.
“Sunshine Coast Rail will revolutionise the way we move people in southeast Queensland – busting congestion on our busiest roads and reducing the use of cars and thereby carbon emissions.
“This is not an issue of party politics, it is about delivering for one of the country’s fastest growing regions.”
In the March Budget, the Coalition Government committed $1.6 billion for heavy passenger rail, connecting Beerwah to Maroochydore via Caloundra and Kawana.
The Sunshine Coast rail project
also requires the state government to match the federal government’s 50 per
cent commitment to the $3.2 billion project.
“We are going to absolutely hold
Labor to that commitment. The Sunshine Coast needs that $1.6 billion and the
State Government needs to stump up their $1.6 billion,” Mr Wallace said.
“With 10 years to run before the
Olympics and the Paralympics, where the Sunshine Coast will host a number of
events, it is imperative that we get that train line built.
“Need I remind the Labor State Members on the Sunshine Coast that they should be the voices for their constituents in George Street, not George Street’s voices on the Sunshine Coast.”
Concerned residents can make their voice heard by signing Mr Wallace’s petition for heavy passenger rail from Beerwah to Maroochydore by visiting www.sunshinecoastrail.com.au.
