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Brent Mickelberg MP, Kendall Morton MP, Fiona Simpson MP, Mayor Natoli, Jarrod Bleijie MP at Sunshine Coast Council Atrium.
Future-proofed growth to keep us moving forward
By Sonia Isaacs and Mitch Gaynor
TO illustrate the monumental changes the hinterland and Sunshine Coast will face in just seven years, consider two figures.
First, 9,000—the approximate number of daily passengers currently catching trains on the Sunshine Coast/Nambour line.
Second, 126,000—the forecast daily ridership on the new Sunshine Coast line at the peak of the 2032 Olympics.
The state government hasn’t specified the daily service count needed, but using a future-proofed nine-car train with a maximum capacity of 1150 passengers suggests that roughly 110 services per day would be running through hinterland stations.
And while peak usage will occur during the Olympics, modelling shows that rail usage will triple from current levels to 12.5 per cent of all trips between the coast and Brisbane by 2046 or an additional 9400 trips per day.
A stark review by the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) warned that urgent investment in rail and bus services is critical to meet this forecast demand. In response, the state
government unveiled its planned project, dubbed “The Wave” — a heavy rail extension from Brisbane to Beerwah, linking to Birtinya and integrating with a new metro bus hub servicing the Maroochydore CBD and Sunshine Coast Airport.
Although this falls short of the LNP’s promise to extend heavy rail to Maroochydore, the move has been largely welcomed by local leaders.
Federal MP Andrew Wallace, a longtime advocate for heavy rail between Brisbane and Maroochydore, called it a pragmatic step forward.
“The real winners here will be those in the hinterland, particularly west of the highway, where public
on the eastern side,” he said.
“This should create an integrated bus and rail network, and I’m really excited about it.”
Sunshine Coast Commuter Advocate
Jeff Addison underscored the stark disparity in rail services. “The Redcliffe Peninsula line opened in 2016 with 650 weekly services,” he said.
“The Sunshine Coast line to Nambour has just 325— half that number.
Vox Pop Beerwah
BUSINESS owners and rail commuters have mostly welcomed the Olympic and
Paralympic legacy project announcement that the Sunshine Coast will see
Region’s population boom requires dependable, accessible and integrated transport systems promised. jumping on a train and then changing to a bus, just to get to Maroochydorehonestly I’d rather drive.”
Karly McDonald
“I’d be more inclined to visit the beach and the coast if I can easily access those areas by a direct connection. I think it’s good if we can save on fuel by using public transport and get cars off the road.”
“And 75 of those are buses that can take up to 90 minutes to cover 54 km from Caboolture to Nambour. Our region has been railstarved for too long, and that must change.”
Sunshine Coast Business Council chair, Sandy Zubrinich, said the improved connectivity will boost workforce participation, drive business productivity, and keep the Sunshine Coast attractive for
Key transport projects like The Wave and the Beerburrum to Nambour (B2N) rail upgrade are vital for the region’s economic future, though she warned that futureproofing the coast will also require road upgrades, expanded public transport, and
a new integrated public transport system ‘The Wave’ connecting Beerwah to Birtinya by rail, and metro bus to Maroochydore and the Sunshine Coast
Glass House Mountains resident Daphne Knox welcomed the news, noting that a more cohesive public transport system would ease travel for hinterland rail towns. “It currently takes me more than two hours each way to get to Sunshine Coast Hospital from home. It’d be great to have a direct service without the hassle of switching trains and buses,” she said.
Beerwah business owner Pai Thongmee believes the new rail system will make commuting easier for staff and boost visitor numbers.
“Improved access means we’ll see more people in town, which is fantastic for business,” she said.
At a state press conference last week, Transport Minister Brett Mickelberg described the new system as a “game changer” for cutting congestion.
He confirmed plans for additional high-frequency bus routes to connect
Airport by 2032.
While many welcomed a long awaited opportunity for the hinterland to connect with the coast, others expressed their
“It’ll be good for our business. Transport has always been a challenge. Also it’d be great to have a direct train service to Caloundra and Aurainstead of having to drive or spend a lot on a Uber/taxi”
Chris Wadley “I think it’ll open up a lot more work opportunities for people. It’ll be so much easier to get to the coast and Maroochydore - at the moment you have to change buses twice and most of the times the services don’t link up so you wait for hours.”
Birtinya. “The Wave will be the spine, and from that, we’ll build a high-frequency bus network across the region,” he said.
Despite the state’s commitment to delivering critical infrastructure for the Games and long-term growth, full funding for The Wave remains uncertain.
While $5.4bn has been secured for the Beerwah to Caloundra 19km Stage 1 there is no confirmed funding for the extension north to Birtinya.
A business case study completed last year estimated this 7km second stage would cost around $3bn.
The cost of the metro busway to the Airport is unknown with the Government declining to answer questions.
“We’re happy to work with anyone interested—whether it’s the private sector or the Federal
disappointment that a longpromised delivery of a train line direct to Maroochydore was off the table.
Most predicted positive growth for Beerwah and
“We’ve already received considerable interest from the private sector in relation to some of the announcements we’ve made.”
Beerwah Marketplace and Village manager Judy Dewar summed it up: “This new transport system will bring phenomenal economic growth to Beerwah and the hinterland, and huge opportunities for our region, improving accessibility both in and out.”
“I think it’s fantastic
Marshall Caldwellk
“It’ll be good to have better connections and more services here on the Sunshine Coast. I think it’ll help people get around easier and it’ll just be better for everyone.”
the region, though some expressed scepticism that the outcome could be achieved within the required seven year timeframe.
Mark Blong, Coffee
“Change always brings change and I think this can be a big positive if it happens. People will need to build confidence and be re-educated in using public transport after years of not having adequate services to get around the Coast.”
walking infrastructure.
Swapnil Patel, Neddy’s Nosebag
Club
Pai Thongmee, Little Sukhothai.
Daphne Knox.
Artist impression of The Wave metro hub.
A Bold Vision
By Andrew Powell
Transport investment is critical to keep Glass House and the greater Sunshine Coast moving.
While securing safe access for locals and
transport boosts our local economy, and keeps us
plan unveiled to shape lasting infrastructure and ensure seamless connectivity for generations
connected to major urban centres like the Brisbane CBD.
As a state Minister raising a family in this beautiful part of the world, the importance transport networks is always front of mind.
solutions that support our growing community are congestion – something
awaited bikeway between Glasshouse Mountains is just one example.
The number of projects announced last week alone is proof that we’re prioritising the liveability of our region for years to come.
Looking toward the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line remains unwavering.
Travellers will be able to ‘ride The Wave’ with seamless public transport from Beerwah through to Sunshine Coast Airport.
Heavy passenger rail from Beerwah to Birtinya, then metro to the Sunshine Coast Airport with stations at Mountain Creek and Maroochydore, will ensure
way without delay.
As the Premier said, the
generation opportunity to deliver the infrastructure our region needs for decades to come.
Labor mismanagement, there’s no shortage upgrades screaming for attention in our electorate. The Crisafulli Government respects your money, and we are determined to deliver projects on time and on budget to a standard that our community can be proud of.
your local
regularly don’t need to be told why it’s necessary, you live it every day.
$10 Million secured to upgrade D’Aguilar Highway Intersections Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has been instructed to investigate designs and prioritisation
of Campbell’s Pocket Road in Wamuran, Mount Mee Road and Raeen Road in D’Aguilar, and George Street in Woodford. We will ensure every cent of that $10 million package delivers the
$1 Million secured for Detailed Design Study for Upgrades of Mount Mee Road Through Ocean View
The detailed design study will get the ball rolling on upgrades to the tourist route (or goat track) from Dayboro to Mount Mee. Rated third on the RACQ’s
‘Unroadworthy Roads
Survey 2024’, Mount Mee Road desperately needs a patch job.
We’re making our roads
safer by easing congestion, providing alternative ways home, reducing travel time, and investing in reliable solutions for a growing Glass House.
As
member, increasing road safety for motorists around Maleny, Montville and Blackall Range is paramount. Locals who travel the road
$7 Million secured for Maleny-Landsborough and Maleny-Montville Intersection Upgrade