Tram edges forward with agreement signing

Left: Greg Rogerson and artist Russell Anderson sign the agreement to build the battery powered, solar regenerative tram that will feature interactive technology, also pictured.

Nambour’s newest attraction has moved a step closer to completion, with the signing of the Commissioning Agreement with renowned kinetic artist,  Russell Anderson. 

Nambour Tramway Company Chairman and former Division 10 Councillor Greg Rogerson said construction of the ‘Edwardian Steam-Punk’ inspired Tram was the final, vital step in bringing the highly anticipated project to life. 

With the Nambour Heritage Tramway Depot (terminus) building completed and works also completed on the tramway tracks  and signalling, Mr Rogerson predicted the tram would be rolling along Mill and Howard Street by middle to late next year.

“While the Commissioning Agreement states a 12 month timeline for completion, The Nambour Tramway Company (TNTCo) Board, is extremely cognisant of their and the hinterland community’s overwhelming desire to achieve a ‘world class’ tram.  This means it might take a little longer to build a great tram, rather than force Russell Anderson’s hand to conform simply to a legal Agreement with a stated completion date.

“The TNTCo Board wants the best, safest, and most technically advanced tram that we can build, albeit at an affordable price. Hence if it takes a couple months more to complete the build, so be it”,  Mr Rogerson said.

The Western Tram Terminus is located near Coles Shopping Centre in Mill St and will include an Information Centre that will hopefully bolster tourist venues and businesses within the hinterland, something that the hinterland gateway capital, Nambour, hasn’t done for nearly two decades.

Mr Rogerson said he was delighted to sign the agreement and move a giant step closer to seeing Mr Anderson’s vision come  to life.

“Almost all the labour and materials for the terminus build were sourced from Sunshine Coast tradespeople and businesses and now this magnificent, bespoke, tram will also be built right here on the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Rogerson said.

“Throughout the entire manufacture we will be continually seeking excellence in build quality and materials used, to give Nambour’s tram that lasting longevity that supporters of the project, so rightly demand. A good example of this sought excellence is demonstrated in the current investigation of Ultra/Super Capacitor electricity storage technology instead of Lead Acid Gel batteries, or a hybrid of both.

“The duty cycle of the proposed electrical storage system could be doubled or even trebled with this latest technology. In reality, it might give us a life expectancy far, far greater, than we ever thought possible. And with this longer electrical storage life, we will certainly derive far better financial sustainability in the overall operation of the tram.  The balancing act is endeavouring to employ state of the art futuristic, technology against tried and tested technology and making sure we can still achieve a great, long lasting product.”

The project has faced criticism locally as a “tram to nowhere”, with some saying the journey, only a kilometre in length in Stage One of the Project, terminates only a relatively short distance away. 

Supporters including Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien predict “a moving piece of street theatre” that will be a key ingredient in sparking life into the Nambour CBD.   

The battery powered, solar regenerative tram will feature interactive technology designed by Mr Anderson in his typical vibrant and eye-catching style.

Local Sunshine Coast Engineering Consultants, Covey Associates, will oversee and collaborate extensively with a range of specialty engineers, tradespersons and in particular with Mr Anderson on the build.

Mr Anderson said his interest was in building, primarily an art object, that was also fully functional as a working tram. 

“Realistically, this tram’s function is not primarily for transport,” he said recently. 

“It’s a tourist attraction. It represents the town’s history. I see a lot more potential than it just being a vehicle that transports people. I think it’s a lot more than that. Maybe a cultural catalyst or something like that. 

“And if it has culture and whimsy built-in and if it has more spirit and life to it, then I hope it may become a springboard for other cultural activities and ideas and artworks in town.

“Nambour has its own energy and hopefully this will be part of that energy.”