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The Queensland opposition says the state will embarrassed if the proposed Sunshine Coast direct rail line doesn't make it to the Maroochydore city centre by the 2032 Olympics.
Nineteen kilometres of the spur line have been funded to finish at Caloundra by 2032 as part of stage one, with the remaining 19km to Maroochydore yet to be funded or given a timeline.
However, the LNP has promised a 100-day review of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympic infrastructure.
LNP leader David Crisafulli said Queenslanders did not want to be embarrassed by "under investment" on the international stage during the home Olympic Games.
"Queenslanders need to have pride in the Olympics and Paralympic Games," he said.
"We do have a plan for generational infrastructure … that looks like road and rail, but it also looks like having stadiums that Queenslanders can be proud of."
An artist's impression of Beerwah station's upgrade on the Sunshine Coast ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. (Supplied, Transport and Main Roads)
Deputy Opposition leader Jarrod Bleijie said the 100-day review would work out how to build the full 38km Sunshine Coast heavy rail line from Beerburrum to Maroochydore by 2032, to ensure there is adequate transport for the region, "inclusive of the Mooloolah River Interchange, which is on the same transport corridor as that rail project".
ALP says LNP lacks credibility
Labor Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt says the LNP held his seat for the past century and did not deliver on its infrastructure promises.
"They have had 116 years, two premiers and a treasurer [in this seat] to fix it and have done precisely nothing," he said.
Transport Minister Bart Mellish says the LNP are hoodwinking the residents of Caloundra and the Sunshine Coast.
Labor MP Jason Hunt (centre) with Transport Minister Bart Mellish and Treasurer Cameron Dick announcing Sunshine Coast Direct Rail in February 2023. (ABC News: Jessica Ross)
"The LNP's only commitment to transport infrastructure before today was to build the Sunshine Coast Direct Rail to Maroochydore at an additional cost of at least $6.65 billion, which experts say simply cannot be done by 2032," he said.
"Adding in today's announcements, the LNP already have a more than $7.65 billion black hole. And that’s just on the Sunshine Coast."
Olympic rail to nowhere?
Rail Back on Track spokesperson Brian O'Connor says, despite the delays, the rail line has to make it to Maroochydore.
"The issue is when? We know that the line will get to Caloundra and, in a pinch if the money is forthcoming, to Birtinya.
Brian O'Connor from Rail Back on Track said the rail line would be most effective when it reached Maroochydore. (Supplied: Brian O'Connor)
"A bus network could radiate out from [Caloundra station] to serve other parts of the Sunshine Coast as an interim measure.
Mr O'Connor said the LNP commitment was only for a review of the project's time frame and not to build tracks to Maroochydore by the 2032 Olympics.
"The review is welcomed because it will confirm the urgency to build the line. We know from the business case that 80 per cent of Sunshine Coast residents back construction of the direct Sunshine Coast line.
"The section of track that is most in doubt is the bit from Maroochydore to the Sunshine Coast Airport."
Road to election promises
The LNP has announced $400 million for five projects to ease traffic congestion in and around problematic Caloundra Road.
Leader David Crisafulli said work would begin on each of the projects in their first term if his party won government.
Deputy opposition leader Jarrod Bleijie, LNP candidate Kendall Morton and opposition leader David Crisafulli at Thursday morning's announcement. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Amy Sheehan)
"We're mapping out a long-term vision to show we're fair dinkum and we're putting the money on the table to begin work immediately," he said.
If elected, the party has promised to build an overpass, link road, and slip lanes to ease pressure on Caloundra Road.
It has also pledged to complete the long-awaited Third Avenue connection road, which would provide alternative access into the Caloundra CBD from the busy Nicklin Way.
The Third Ave plan to connect Nicklin Way to the Caloundra CBD. (Supplied: Sunshine Coast Council)
Mr Hunt said Labor still had $7 million on the table for the 3rd Avenue project, but work had not progressed because the federal government withdrew its $7 million funding commitment.
"We did push back on that," Mr Hunt said.
"Which is why we had the minister up here delivering the $2.7 billion for the largest transport project the Sunshine Coast has ever seen, which is the heavy rail project."