Q. The 2012 study identifies Nambour as the preferred site over Woombye. Why was Nambour not selected as the final site?
A. The feasibility studies identified the Nambour and Woombye sites as potential sites, however both required further strategic and technical assessment before a preferred site could be nominated. Multi-criteria assessment informed technical feasibility studies undertaken by Parsons Brinkerhoff and strategic assessments conducted by Queensland Rail.
Expansion of the existing Nambour stabling facility was assessed as an option and compared to the Woombye site. Nambour was found to be less viable due to a number of technical constraints and the need to close the existing stabling facility during construction, with significant impact on passenger and freight services on the North Coast line.
Woombye delivers similar benefits to Nambour in relation to rail operations, the site is less constrained, allowing flexibility in long term strategic planning and all identified issues were shown to be manageable.
The Woombye site is 150 metres away for the closest residence.
Q. The reports mention 7 car trains. What does this mean?
A. Additional carriage length was an option investigated in the earliest review of long term stabling requirements. This was not progressed. The New Generation rolling stock all are six car sets.
Q. The reports indicate capacity to expand the facilities further than what has been announced. Is this confirmed?
A. The SEQ Stabling Strategic Investigation (SEQ SS1) done by the department of Transport and Main Roads in 2012 looked at short (pre 2020), medium (2020-2031) and long term (2031 to 2051) train stabling requirements. Future planning was part of the site selection process. At this time there is no plan for further expansion of the rail fleet.
Q. The feasibility studies identify ecological issues at Woombye. How will these be managed?
A: The project requires the contractor responsible for the design and construction of the facility to develop an Environmental Management Plan. When this has been approved, this will be shared with the Woombye community.
Q. How will you communicate with the Woombye community going forward?
A: Queensland Rail has established a dedicated free call 1800 number (1800 783 334) and a stabling email address (stabling@qr.com.au) to provide prompt response to any questions or concerns about the construction of the stabling facilities.
Queensland Rail’s project delivery team and communication team members introduced themselves to the local community at an information session in November 2013. Interested stakeholders were invited to provide their contact details for receipt of project updates and anyone interested will be added to that contact list.
Regular project updates will be provided in the form of resident letters and letter box drops. Works Notices will be letter box dropped in advance of activities that will impact the local community.
Information sessions will be arranged to engage with the community at project milestones, such as completion of detailed design.
Queensland Rail will establish a representative community reference group that will meet monthly to receive project information and updates and be a forum for community questions and comment.
Information will be posted on the Queensland Rail website, including documents such as the Environmental Management Plan, Traffic Management Plan, and results of noise modelling and monitoring once the facility is operational.