MAYORAL candidate Ashley Robinson today welcomed the Miles Government’s $2.75 billion funding commitment towards the building of a Heavy Rail link between Beerwah and Maroochydore, and called on the Federal Government to quickly match the pledge.

Premier Stephen Miles has committed an initial $2.75 billion to deliver Stage 1 of the project – a 19km dual track built linking Beerwah with Caloundra, which will make train travel between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast 45 minutes quicker than by car.

If the Federal Government matches the commitment, the first stage could be operating by 2032, when southeast Queensland will host the Olympic Games.

Mr Robinson said the State Government’s announcement was great news for the Sunshine Coast, which urgently needed a Heavy Rail service linking the region’s growth areas with southeast Queensland’s rail network.

“The case for this important piece of transport infrastructure speaks for itself,” he said.

“Ours is one of the fastest growing regions in the country and a railway service like this will not only make it easy for tourists to visit us, it will also provide people in areas like Aura to access the rest of the Sunshine Coast and accelerate the delivery of affordable housing within our region.”

Mr Robinson called on the Federal Government to quickly match the State Government’s commitment.

“For decades we’ve missed out on our fair share of infrastructure funding because we’ve been considered to be a conservative stronghold,” he said. “That’s certainly no longer the case and I’m expecting our federal Liberal Party representatives to strongly lobby for this commitment to be matched.

“On past performances I’m not particularly optimistic – but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’m wrong.”