Voice of Byron regular, Mike Watterson, found some interesting information on what the Queensland Government thinks of railway services.
Mike says, “TRAINS – for those people who like playing trains, it could be of interest to google up – American Maglev Technology Inc (AMT).
“Under that heading will include an article published this week, ie: News Review – $1.2 Billion offer derailed by State Govt.
“It is in respect to a light rail between Maroochydore and Beerwah.
“Incidentally as a kid we used to play trains under the house in the dirt but the line was very cheap and easy to establish!
This yarn is not really relevant to Byron and Queensland has enough problems without foisting them onto northern NSW.
Their much publicised Redcliffe rail line opened 112 years after it was first proposed and when it did open last October there were not enough trains to provide the promised services.
A light rail service from Beerwah to Maroochydore? They’re dreaming because the main railway line is mostly single track from Caboolture north. This greatly reduces services and additional loadings from light rail passengers would be chaotic.
It takes around 3 hours using the bus and train to travel from Maroochydore to Brisbane, a distance of about 100 kms. This is about the same distance as from Coolangatta to Brisbane so duplicating the north coast line is a major priority.
And a maglev transport service? Not in our time, the one at Dreamworld is about as far as maglev will get in Australia.