$1.6 billion for Rail
AFTER years of leading a campaign to build a new heavy passenger rail line along the CAMCOS corridor between Beerwah and the Maroochydore CBD, we secured $1.6 billion in Government funding in the recent Federal Budget. Consistent with the normal 50/50 funding split between the State and Federal Governments, that makes the total project cost is estimated at $3.2 billion.
As the single largest transport infrastructure investment in this year’s Federal Budget, it’ll be the most transformational project we’ll see for generations. The project will deliver a new 37 km line, starting at Beerwah and passing through Caloundra and Kawana before reaching the Maroochydore CBD. In the construction phase alone, it will support over 9,500 jobs.
Budget Delivers
While our rail commitment is a huge investment in our region’s future, the Budget also offers immediate support for Sunshine Coast residents by introducing a cost of living package to take the pressure off the household budget, including a price reduction for fuel of 22 cents per litre. For a more detailed look at this year’s Budget please go to: https://tedobrien.com.au/2022-federal-budget-delivers-for-the-sunshine-coast/
Turbine Precinct
I recently announced a world-first food and beverage manufacturing, and education precinct is set to be built on the Sunshine Coast with $33.4 million in Federal funding. The Turbine Precinct will be a huge 20,000 m2 purpose-built facility located at the Sunshine Coast Airport. Significantly, local start-ups will have access to the equipment and resources required to go to market and the advanced infrastructure and networks will help them scale to meet demand from global markets.
SEQ City Deal
Three tiers of government recently signed the Southeast Queensland City Deal, which will create a collaborative mechanism to deliver transformative projects to the region. As part of the deal, the Sunshine Coast will have the opportunity to share in $435.8 million through two newly created funds and will receive a $35.3 million boost to the Sunshine Coast Council’s Blue Heart Environmental initiative. Learn more about the SEQ City Deal here: https://tedobrien.com.au/city-deal-to-transform-south-east-queensland/