Sunshine Coast Council wants the next Queensland Government to provide the $6.5 billion required to extend rail services to Maroochydore before 2032.
The Direct Sunshine Coast rail line extension is one of a number of initiatives Mayor Rosanna Natoli has called on an incoming State Government to fund after the October election.
“The Queensland State Government election comes at a critical time when our region is experiencing extraordinary population growth, while we also prepare to deliver the crucial infrastructure necessary for a successful Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Mayor Natoli said.
She said Council were also after commitments to fund and deliver the $160 million Mooloolah River Interchange upgrade and provide $25 million to support the establishment of the Sunshine Coast Innovation Hub in Maroochydore CBD and upgraded University Innovation Centre.
Mayor Natoli said investment in social housing was vital, with a call on the incoming State Government to increase the percentage of social housing in the Sunshine Coast region from 1.9 to 5 percent over their four-year term.
She said Council also wanted the next State government to commit that Halls Creek would be removed as a Potential Future Growth Area and included within the Northern Inter-urban Break of the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2023 so that this area was prevented from being developed in the future.
“Council is willing and able to play our role in continuing to advance major region-shaping infrastructure that attracts investment and creates jobs across our region. However, we cannot do this without Queensland Government assistance.
“The commitments we are seeking are about the future for our residents, our communities and our region, as well as enhancing our already significant contribution to the Queensland economy, forecast to grow to $33 billion by 2033.”
She said council had already made substantial progress to strengthen the region’s economy, in particular, through the $2.5 billion investment into Australia’s largest greenfield CBD project at Maroochydore.
“Our world-class city centre continues its rapid transformation, accelerating momentum with the unveiling of the $98 million City Hall in 2022 and the opening of The Corso last week,” she said.
“Work is well underway on the $100 million private hospital and the 15-storey premium grade commercial office building, 50 First Avenue.”
The Sunshine Coast Council 2024 State Election Advocacy Priorities document can be found on Council’s website.
The advocacy announcement comes as the current Queensland Government is set to meet on the Sunshine Coast for Community Cabinet on August 7. Local groups and individuals can register to meet a Minister on the Queensland Government website.
Sunshine Coast Council Advocacy Priorities:
Transport:
- Commit to working with the Australian Government to jointly fund the $6.5 billion required to extend the proposed Direct Sunshine Coast rail line to Maroochydore.
- Commit $350,000 to update the Sunshine Coast Public Transport Detailed Business Case and $250 million to implement the outcomes of the plan.
- Commit to fund and deliver the $160 million Mooloolah River Interchange upgrade.
- Commit $14 million additional funding to facilitate stage 2 of the Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade.
Industry:
- Commit $6.5 million to the TURBINE project to enable the project to progress.
- Commit $25 million to support the progression of the Sunshine Coast Innovation Hub.
- Commit $5.2 million to support the advancement of manufacturing in the Sunshine Coast region.
- Commit $5 million to deliver an immersive reality digital creative precinct.
Policy and statutory:
- Provide statutory protection – by primary legislation to preserve and maintain the regional inter-urban break.
- Social Housing – increase the percentage of social housing in the Sunshine Coast region from1.9 per cent to 5 per cent over the next term of the Queensland Government.
