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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Ben Smee

Federal government criticised for ‘pathetic’ Brisbane to Sunshine Coast rail line costings document

Urban infrastructure minister, Paul Fletcher, says the $3.2bn figure is based on ‘robust’ costings, but the Queensland government expects the project to cost far more.
Federal urban infrastructure minister, Paul Fletcher, says the $3.2bn figure is based on ‘robust’ costings, but the Queensland government expects the project to cost far more. Photograph: Dean Lewins/AAP

The federal government has sought to justify its costings for a Brisbane to Sunshine Coast rail line by releasing three heavily redacted pages from a 2019 feasibility study – a move branded “pathetic” and “embarrassing” by Queensland’s transport minister.

The Morrison government claims the North Coast Connect project will cost $3.2bn and has promised half the funding. It wants the Queensland government to match its $1.6bn spend.

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