Sunshine Coast Light Rail Project: Phase Analysis and Budget

The Sunshine Coast Light Rail Project is a strategic initiative designed to enhance transportation and promote development within the region. The project aims to create a reliable, affordable, and high-frequency light rail system connecting Maroochydore and Caloundra. Planned in four phases, the project, expected to be completed by 2020, includes route extensions, traffic signal systems, and elevated tracks. The project's budget is sourced from the Gold Coast City Council, the Commonwealth Government, and the Queensland Government. The project objectives are to foster sustainable growth, improve infrastructure, and accommodate the growing population, with a focus on economic prosperity and high-quality public transport. The project also outlines initial risks, project deliverables, a summary budget, and stakeholder analysis. The project's success criteria involve environmental impact, community acceptance, and financial viability. The project is divided into two major phases, Phase 1 and Phase 2. The project approval requirements include social impact assessment and impact over the stakeholders.

S u n s h i n e C o a s t L i g h t R a i l P r o j e c t
P R O J E C T C H A R T E R
Project Title: Sunshine Coast Light Rail Project
Sunshine Coast Council
Project Sponsor:
Project Manager: Taskforce (H. B. Harrison)_
Executive Summary:
…
Transportation is one of the most important tools, which help in bringing development on a larger scale.
The light rail project at Sunshine Coast is a strategic project that was undertaken to improve the working
atmosphere of the selected regions. This research aimed to make the transit system more rapid. The
purpose of this research paper was to provide equivalent support to other projects like expansion of
airport, connecting the conventional centers and other major locations of Maroochydore. In order to keep
pace with the growing demands of population, this project of Light Rail has been proposed and with
construction of light rail from Maroochydore and Caloundra. The entire project has been planned out into
4 phases, which shall be accomplished by 2020. Through this strategic step, Sunshine Coast shall
become one of the most prominent areas to sustain life and initiate progress with help of sustainable
goals.
Project Purpose or Justification:
…
The main purpose of this project is to develop a light rail, which has features like highly reliable greater
affordability and high frequency. In order to develop better connections in terms of transportation in the
community, this project has been proposed. The business activities shall be enhanced and prosperity will
be achieved simultaneously. The regions, which will be covered through this light rail route include
Maroochydore and Caloundra. The primary reason for which this research paper has been undertaken is
the growing demand of local individuals for accessing public transport. The congestion, which is created
due to cars and heavy vehicles has caused a lot of trouble to the localities which is not a good sign of
growth. Hence, this project was undertaken to minimise the congestion issues and improve
transportation facilities.

S u n s h i n e C o a s t L i g h t R a i l P r o j e c t
P R O J E C T C H A R T E R
Project Description:
…
The use of railways, roadways and airways helps in supporting business activities to a great extent and
also employs pathways which can be helpful; in fulfilling the needs of exchange. In situations where there
is not transportation, there won't be any sort of exchange of goods or ideas, which depicts that
development would take place at very slow rate. Sustainability is one of the key attributes for which every
nation is striving currently. This project of Sunshine Coast Light Rail is one of the key steps that shall
facilitate development with sustainability in one of the prominent regions of Australia. Hence, the
respective Council developed Transport Strategy in the year 2011 for walking towards sustainable goals.
The overall budget shall be procured from funding of three components i.e. Gold Coast City Council,
Commonwealth Government and the Queensland Government. The project is estimated to be completed
by 2020. The routes which are considered to be extensions of the core railway track developed under
this project include:
 Sippy Downs and Palmview to University and the schools, which will be further developed in this
corridor.
 Maroochydore to Sunshine Coast Airport
 Maroochydore to Nambour, etc.
A traffic signal system shall be instilled in this light rail project, which shall be helpful in managing the
congestion conditions and enabling a frequency of locomotion according to the adaptability of the area.
The elevated tracks shall help in devising good speed to the rail and would not disrupt through
intersections with the streets. The overhead power transmission will be based on 750V DC current. On
the other hand, the overhead power lines which currently exist shall be shifted to underground cables for
avoiding interruptions or disruptions. Furthermore, the design of the track is quite efficient and the
stations are divided at distance of 1km. The platform on which passengers shall arrive or depart is raised
300mm from the tracks whilst maintaining a gap of 40mm.
The main aim of this project is to gain economic prosperity with higher stability in terms of sustainability.

S u n s h i n e C o a s t L i g h t R a i l P r o j e c t
P R O J E C T C H A R T E R
Initial Risks:
…
Risk Id Risk
Statement
Probability Impact Score Strategy Response
Planning It affects the
suitability of
preferred
routes
High Project
viability and
community
support
low Adopting
comprehens
ive pre
feasibility
phase
To mitigate
such risk
and helps in
planning
light rail
journey
Procuremen
t
It helps in
identifying
suitability of
risk
allocation
Medium It impacts in
the form that
level of
market
interest and
pricing
competition
Medium It helps in
establishing
competent
resources
so that
desired
results could
be attained.
It helps in
identifying
the available
products so
that light rail
journey
could be
carried out.
Construction Poor
managemen
t in adjoining
properties
and
impacting
upon
planning
and
unplanning
activities
Medium Its impact is
in the form
of safety,
cost, delays
etc.
Medium Making
proper
project
planning so
that
construction
risk could be
avoided.
It helps in
carrying out
effective
construction
so that light
rail journey
could be
carried out
effectively.
Operation It needs to
maintain
safety with
road
interfaces
and thus
carry out
effective
results.
High It might
impact upon
the services
in the firm of
poor
publicity and
thus carries
out injuries
to
individuals.
Low Developing
proper
design and
maintenanc
e through
carrying out
proper
campaigns.
It is the best
way through
which
effective
operations
are being
carried out.

S u n s h i n e C o a s t L i g h t R a i l P r o j e c t
P R O J E C T C H A R T E R
Initial Stakeholders:
…
Name Interest Impact Strategies
Community The
participation
of
community
is in the
form that it
gets
benefited in
terms of
high earning
capacity.
Due to high
flow of
people from
outside
nations,
opportunitie
s
decreases.
Government needs to
protect the community in the
form of providing them
proper welfare and support.
Visitors Travelers
visit the
country to
explore and
experience
rail light
journey
It might
harm the
public
utilities
Government needs to make
certain rules and decide if
anything is being harmed
them fine need to be given.
Government Government
ensures that
light rail
should be
famous
worldwide in
order to
attract more
number of
tourists.
It impact in
the form of
increasing
revenue in
the country
Such type of project need to
be introduced so that more
number of visitors could be
attracted.

S u n s h i n e C o a s t L i g h t R a i l P r o j e c t
P R O J E C T C H A R T E R
Project Deliverables:
…
The project is divided into two major phases i.e. Phase 1 and Phase 2. The Phase 1 of this project is to
dedicate funds in gaining the feasibility reports and developing the appropriate business case till June
2012. On the other hand, Phase 2 is scaled for a time period of two years i.e. till June 2014. The
feasibility procured in Phase 1 is enhanced with major detailing and specifications which shall be helpful
in execution. There will be a phase 3 which involves implementation and tendering of the design with
proper financial practises until June 2017. Furthermore, construction is considered to be a part of the
fourth phase which shall be completed by June 2020.
Summary Budget and Feasibility:
…
There are certain substantial costs involved in this project which shall help in funding the entire process
in an effective manner. The scarcity of capital infrastructure has been the major finding of phase 1.
However, next phase include strategic investigations which are made in areas of funding and revenue.
The Sunshine Coast Light Rail Project is divided in the basis of funding into three components which
shall be helpful in procuring finances. This includes Gold Coast City Council which shall provide $120m,
Commonwealth Government shall provide $365m and Queensland Government is $464m.

S u n s h i n e C o a s t L i g h t R a i l P r o j e c t
P R O J E C T C H A R T E R
Project Objectives and Success Criteria
Scope:
The major objective of this project is to administer growth and development in Sunshine Coast
in such a manner that local authenticity is not lost and sustainable position is achieved.
On the other hand, the scope of this project is understood through the figures like population
growth of the region will reach till 51% by 2030. This counts for greater facilitation in terms of
infrastructure and transportation. Currently, Sunshine Coast has 280,000 individuals residing
while this figure shall increase by 144,000 as figure of new residents. Hence, development of a
light rail will help in stabilising growth in the near future. The local employments generated by
Sunshine Coast region is quite high as compared to the individuals that work outside this area.
This implies that project shall be easily implemented through acquisition of labour at a cheaper
cost.
Time:
The time taken for completion of this project is 9 years currently. It is estimated to be completed
by 2020.
Cost:
The overall cost of this project is about $1000m. However, the forecasts depict that reduction in
car travel and efficiency in transportation shall yield greater benefits in the long run.
Quality:
High quality branded bus services are required on a rapid basis currently which is not being
achieved. This project shall have high quality rails which are made up on advanced tracks and
greater reliability.
Other:
The development of public transport has to be facilitated with growth of more shops and certain
branded shelters near the stations for easier accommodation and lifestyle.
Acceptance Criteria:
The implications over environment and any sort of harm to the local surroundings is a criteria which
results in negative implications over the project.

S u n s h i n e C o a s t L i g h t R a i l P r o j e c t
P R O J E C T C H A R T E R
Project Approval and Manager
Project Approval Requirements:
The approval requirements for this project include social impact assessment and respective
impact over the stakeholders. The greater risks involved in the project, greater are the chances of
rejection. Further, sufficient provision for funds has to be stated so that clarity is acquired
amongst the community representatives for the concerned Light Rail project.
Project Manager:
Approvals:
Project Manager Signature Sponsor or Originator Signature
Project Manager Name Sponsor or Originator Name
Date Date