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But instead of trains running from Birtinya to Maroochydore as promised, the government will now build an express bus system along a dedicated corridor that will extend further to the Sunshine Coast Airport. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asked on Wednesday whether he would rule out privatising the system, Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said the government would “consider any measure” to fund the massive project. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n“If that involves working with the private sector, I’d welcome their investment,” he said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
“With respect to the Brisbane arena, the private sector have demonstrated that they’re willing to pay and to invest and to gain a return and deliver infrastructure that will benefit all Queenslanders, and we’re not averse to that conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n
\nBrisbane’s privately built Airtrain is operating under a 35-year exclusive contract. (ABC News: Giulio Saggin, file photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n “We’re more than happy to consider investment from any party, whether that’s the federal government or the private sector, to deliver this legacy infrastructure.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, Premier David Crisafulli on Thursday said he would not be drawn on the prospect of a privatised network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n“I haven’t heard what Brent [Mickelberg] said. I won’t comment on that,”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When asked how much the project would cost, Mr Crisafulli did not provide a figure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Let’s continue to do the analysis \u2026 we’re doing due diligence on that at the moment,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n
\nGames visitors will now be asked to ride The Wave, with direct rail to Birtinya followed by connecting buses.\u00a0(Supplied: Queensland government)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n The previous Labor government’s business case estimated the heavy rail to Maroochydore would cost $12 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the government’s Olympics plan was fully funded, but Mr Mickelberg clarified that this only referred to stadiums and minor venues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
‘Poor’ track record of private lines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Griffith University transport expert Matthew Burke said Australian cities had a “pretty poor” track record of individual train lines being privatised, citing the Brisbane and Sydney airport links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matthew Burke says privatised single train lines tend to be expensive in Australia. (ABC News: Baz Ruddick)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n “We’re still paying $20 for a basic suburban train to take you only a small number of kilometres,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We need to avoid that on the Sunshine Coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“If the private sector is willing to invest in a line, they usually want financial return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Sometimes that can come through land development rights but usually in Australian cities it’s been \u2026 by [charging] an extra fare.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Home owners in limbo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Residents whose homes were to be demolished for the original heavy rail line to Maroochydore are now waiting to see whether their properties will be spared. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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