Next round of investigations commence for light rail

Sunshine Coast Council has called tenders for the next stage of light rail investigations as part of its feasibility and business case studies for the $ 2 billion project.
Council decided to proceed to a full feasibility and business case on the Light Rail Project in August, after considering a pre-feasibility report prepared by the Project’s expert taskforce.
Mayor Mark Jamieson said tenders released on 1 December call for external service providers to assist council to commence the $ 4 million study.
“The tenders focus on proving up the preliminary costings prepared in the pre-feasibility phase, and considering route options within the corridor from Maroochydore to Caloundra,” he said.
“This next round of work will finish in June 2013. We will then consult the community before finalising the results.”
Tenders must be lodged by 11 January 2013, with the feasibility work expected to start in February.
Cr Jamieson said Council was on track to complete the full business case by 2014 and was aiming to see the first stage of a light rail service in the corridor between Caloundra and Maroochydore established as soon as 2020.
“This new form of public transport aligns perfectly with Council’s vision to be Australia’s most sustainable region, and reflects the aspirations and values of the Community Plan,” he said.
The pre-feasibility work established the first two stages of the project should be focussed on the corridor between Maroochydore, the Kawana Town Centre and hospital, and Caloundra.
Future extensions to the north, south and east could follow in time.