There is good news locally in the fight for better infrastructure.
The submissions for feedback closed on 27 August for the proposed design for the Mooloolah River Interchange (MRI) and the $360m joint State-Federal Funded Stage 1. For link to map CLICK HERE
I welcome this as a big step in the right direction but I make no apologies for keeping up the fight to ensure the next stages are planned, designed and funded soon – and that rail is planned and designed at the same time to bring Maroochydore heavy rail forward before the Olympics. While MRI and CAMCOS rail are different projects, they cross the same territory meaning they require good design and planning work at the same time so the best and most cost effective rail plan isn’t compromised.
The State Government needs to answer three questions:
1) when the road link through Parrearra in the Mooloolah River will be built as that’s a critical connection to the hospital;
2) why the CAMCOS rail line which runs alongside it in a preserved corridor, isn’t being designed and costed for delivery at the same time?; and
3) when the Sunshine Motorway will be duplicated?
I’ve questioned Transport Minister Bailey in Parliament about planning the rail line at the same time as this Mooloolah River (MRI) road crossing and he has failed to commit to timeframes.
We need heavy rail to Maroochydore on the CAMCOS route – not a silly tram between Caloundra and Maroochydore along Nicklin Way, but the State Government has unfortunately sabotaged the business case for heavy rail to Maroochydore.
