Last week was the final Parliamentary Sitting Week for the year with yet more chaos and crisis from a State Labor Government with major ramifications for the Sunshine Coast.
The big news for the week was the fake fight between the State and Federal Government over Labor’s infrastructure cuts with multi-billion projects axed, delayed or left without a clear timeline. The Mooloolah River Interchange (Sunshine Motorway/Nicklin Way) remains a victim with $160m funds chopped, leaving the upgrade for the most dangerous black spot on the Sunshine Coast in limbo.
Deputy Premier Steve Miles and entourage travelled to Canberra to put on a show to “save” the $1.6 billion Federal Government funding commitment of the previous LNP Coalition Government for the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line (passenger rail from Beerwah to Landsborough). However, the announcement that the project was “saved” with $1.44billion Federal funds still committed came with no matching funds from State Labor, or a timeline or a destination commitment to Maroochydore.
This is a dangerous delay – yet again – from State Labor and a failure to keep their previous promise of taking rail to Maroochydore.
It’s time for the State Government to stop dragging the chain and get on board.
There’s been more business cases done on rail to Maroochydore than the outrageous cost of the Gabba knockdown and upgrade. Which is another matter again!
Maroochydore CBD is the city centre for the Sunshine Coast and is at the nexus of the public transport system and services. Rail to Maroochydore is important not only for the Olympics, but to get people off the roads and to their jobs and services.
How did the State Labor Government allow this to happen? They are meant to be governing for all Queenslanders, not just their mates but that’s not the case.
The Mooloolah River Interchange funding after demolishing hundreds of homes and displacing Sunshine Coast residents is still off the table and has not been mentioned by the State Labor Government. Safety on our roads clearly is not a priority for them.
Thank you to everyone that completed my infrastructure survey – I had a record number of responses in a very short time. The results from the survey were:
- Do you think the State Labor Government have forgotten the Sunshine Coast? – 91% agreed Yes
- Do you think the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line to Maroochydore is important for the Sunshine Coast? – 78% very important
- Is the Sunshine Motorway/Nicklin Way (Mooloolah River Interchange) upgrade for the Sunshine Coast important? – 80% very important
- Are you concerned about these recent Labor infrastructure cuts for the Sunshine Coast?- 94% are concerned
It’s time for the circus of chaos and crisis of this uncaring Labor Government to end.
