A contractor has been selected to finalise the design and start building a “pivotal project for the future of the Sunshine Coast”.
John Holland Queensland Seymour Whyte Joint Venture will lead the charge for the $1.004 billion Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade Stage 1, with major works to start next year.
The rail upgrade is set increase the capacity and reliability of the North Coast Line, enabling more efficient travel and improved passenger and freight connections between the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, Brisbane and beyond.
The contract package includes duplication of the rail line between Beerburrum and Beerwah, straightening the rail line between Beerburrum and Glass House Mountains, an upgraded park ’n’ ride facility at Beerburrum, new or upgraded road overpasses and upgraded train signalling systems.
Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton said the upgrade was crucial.
“Beerburrum to Nambour is a pivotal project for the future of Sunshine Coast,” he said.
“This project will change the way people travel on the Sunshine Coast, unlock economic opportunity and bring growth to our region.”
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The joint venture brings experience to the project, having been appointed in 2023 to undertake preconstruction and design work, as part of an early contractor involvement process.
This included collaborating with the Department of Transport and Main Roads and Queensland Rail in design development, stakeholder engagement, site investigations and site preparation activities as well as environmental and cultural heritage planning and approvals.
Preliminary designs will be further refined, shared with the community and finalised, with construction, testing and commissioning activities delivered in a staged sequence of packages over the next three years.
The joint venture will work with designers SMEC Australia and WSP Australia.
Awarding of the contract for the major works package follows completion of separate early works late last year. This delivered an expanded park ‘n’ ride facility at Landsborough station with 300 new car parks and a new bus interchange on the eastern side of the station, an expanded park ‘n’ ride facility at Nambour station with 50 new car parks on the eastern side of the station, and a realigned section of Steve Irwin Way at Glass House Mountains to accommodate the new rail corridor and track infrastructure.
B2N Stage 1 ties in with the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line at Beerwah and is among the projects being planned together to improve public transport services and infrastructure for the growing South-East Queensland region.
The federal government is contributing $616.7 million and the Queensland is contributing $387.5 million. The upgrade investment is estimated to support an average of 333 direct jobs over the life of the Stage 1 project.
Stage 1 is expected to be completed in 2027, weather and construction conditions permitting. Stage 2, which could include improvements to the line from Beerwah to Nambour, is not yet funded or detailed.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Bart Mellish said the contract announcement for Stage 1 was an important milestone.
“This is excellent progress for the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade and great news for everyone in the community who has been eagerly anticipating updates about this important project,” he said.
“I am excited to see Stage 1 advance towards benefits that will make a genuine difference for rail users, including excellent new park ‘n’ ride facilities and more reliable connections across South-East Queensland.
“It also helps to prepare the wider regional transport network for future growth by providing an important interface connection at Beerwah with the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line and other Sunshine Coast public transport projects.
“This investment will help people get home safer and sooner, to spend more time with family and friends and enjoy our state’s great lifestyle.
“As we move closer to main construction, I’d like to thank residents, local communities, road and rail users in advance for their patience and understanding as these major improvement works take place.”
