Nambour Tram Board vows to go the course despite challenges, criticism: Light at the end of the tunnel

Greg Rogerson fronts Thursday’s meeting “this will be the best tram of its kind in the world”

by Cameron Outridge

Tensions flared at a recent meeting in Nambour as residents gathered at the Mill St Tram terminus for an information session and update about the Nambour Tram.

Originally expected to be completed in 2021, the project – designed to revitalise the town’s CBD and celebrate Nambour’s heritage as a former sugar hub – has faced repeated delays, with the latest timeline pushed from 2025 to 2027.

Nambour Tramway Company (TNTCo) Chairman Greg Rogerson, who has led the venture from its inception and shouldered the burden of community frustration, acknowledged the community’s concerns. 

“I know it’s taking longer than expected but there can be no short-cutting with regard to time taken on tram design or manufacture nor on the maintenance and servicing on the future operational network tram,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Mr Rogerson remained confident about the tram’s potential. “I'm telling you here now this will be the best tram of its kind in the world – in the world,” he told Thursday’s meeting. 

“There will be train buffs from all around the world that will come to this. We think we are on a winner. 

“And others that are in the tourism industry believe that we are on a winner. And if we are on a winner, the whole of Nambour becomes the winner.”

Complex compliance and financial outlay

Mr Rogerson and other speakers told the meeting that starting a brand new, fully-compliant tram operation from scratch involved stringent oversight from the Department of Transport and Main Roads and the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR). “No-one in their wildest dreams could have predicted the obstacles we’ve had to overcome,” Mr Rogerson said. 

Board member and accountant Rod Tunstall detailed the project’s funding, explaining it had received more than $4 million from Sunshine Coast Regional Council, a federal government grant, philanthropic donations, and community fundraising.

Mr Rogerson noted the generous support of local professionals.  “I've got to tell everybody, all the engineering thus far has been done pro-bono (by Covey Associates) … There's at least a couple of hundred thousand (dollars) just in wages commercial. If it was on a commercial value it'd be up closer towards the million dollars.”

Covey Associates Director Kevin Covey reciprocated: “I fully support what the town of Nambour is doing for the tram. Our office has been behind it since day one. And without Greg's eagerness, support, his doggedness just to get this to happen, it wouldn't have happened. So from me, my family has been in Nambour for probably nearly 90 years, we are 100 percent supportive.”

The design embraces a steampunk-inspired, solar-powered tram intended to run from Nambour Mill Village Shopping Centre to Quota Park, with hopes to extend it to the Showgrounds. The tram is being designed by renowned artist and designer Russell Anderson from Witta. “He is an absolute, he's a genius. He's just a good man,” said Mr Rogerson. 

Plans include carrying visitors during major events and even transporting students to and from school in Stage 2. The tram will have advanced electric motors, be capable of travelling in both directions without turntables, and rely on supercapacitor technology for efficient energy storage.  

Divided opinions and heated exchanges

It was only at the end of the meeting that tensions flared. One man called the project a “joke” and doubted it would ever be able to navigate school grounds, as envisioned for time the project was taking. A woman questioned the tram’s ability to draw crowds to a town of empty shops.

The project’s backers insist the delays and compliance hurdles, while frustrating for everyone and especially Tramco, will be worthwhile. 

They argue the tram will ultimately become a symbol of local pride, a world-famous tourism drawcard, and an innovative piece of street theatre once it rolls onto the tracks and into the sunshine.

In the meantime additional funds of around $190,000, are still required to reach the June 2027 target as the team works through engineering, compliance and final assembly, in the lead-up to what they hope will be a new chapter for the town. 

TNTCo Board Members Ron King, Greg Rogerson, Matt O’Grady, Ross Boyle, Rod Tunstall, Darren Shepherd and Peter Clark.

Perseverance and vision will deliver Nambour’s unique tram

Opinion by editor Cameron Outridge

Nambour’s long-awaited tram project has tested the patience of locals. But we must remember to recognise the extraordinary effort and dedication of those driving it forward. 

The people behind this endeavour – including board members, volunteers, philanthropists and professionals – are striving to achieve something truly world class. 

Frustration at shifting deadlines and rising costs is natural and undrestandable. But we should appreciate that this is no ordinary undertaking. It is a complex, creative feat that few towns would even dare to attempt.

Chairman Greg Rogerson and his board have embraced a Herculean challenge, wading through a labyrinth of stringent regulations and vast compliance requirements. 

One person likened the endeavour to trying to invent something as revolutionary as the next Tesla in terms of oversight and compliance. 

Every authority involved, from council to national safety regulators, must be satisfied before the tram can take to the rails. 

This is not a simple or a routine project; it will be a technologically advanced piece of moving street theatre that will reflect Nambour’s heritage and define its character.

No one wants delays. The project’s rising costs and drawn-out process have understandably vexed the public. 

But spare a thought for those who carry the weight of these setbacks – the board and its supporters. They must balance community expectations while navigating a shifting landscape of technical and bureaucratic complexities. 

Their motivation from the start has been a love of Nambour, it’s heritage and the hope of giving the town an attraction that will inspire pride and draw visitors from around the world.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion on the project. But, as we near the finish line, the people behind it deserve our patience, understanding and appreciation for what they are achieving.