A “seamless public transport” link for the Sunshine Coast has been spruiked as part of the 2032 Olympic Games Delivery Plan.
The state government has announced that the region will be connected from Beerwah through to the Sunshine Coast Airport, with a major new rail and metro bus connection dubbed The Wave.
It is one of the major infrastructure legacy projects revealed for the Sunshine Coast, including the revitalisation of the Mooloolah River Interchange initiative.
The Wave is set to roll through the Sunshine Coast, with heavy passenger rail from Beerwah to Birtinya, then metro bus to the airport with stations at Mountain Creek and Maroochydore.
Infrastructure will be constructed from the Birtinya station to the Maroochydore station, via the long-awaited MRIU.
The state government stated that it would build the interchange as a priority to remove congestion and allow The Wave to carry commuters without delay.
The state government had previously planned to build the rail line from Beerwah to Maroochydore by 2032.
“Make no mistake, we’re committed to making it go all the way through to the Maroochydore CBD by the 2032 Games,” then-Opposition leader David Crisafulli, who is now Premier, said in June.
But the Opposition maintained it would be impossible to construct the whole line by then, due to rising costs and construction complexities.
Now, there are plans for the line to reach Birtinya, which is where Olympic events will be held at an upgraded Sunshine Coast Stadium and where commuters are expected to link with an enhanced bus network.
Sunshine Coast mayor Rosanna Natoli welcomed the announcement of The Wave, saying it would support the sustainable growth of the region.
“We know that the delivery of a world-class transport solution by 2032 is intrinsically linked to our Olympic venues and the role we will play in hosting the Games,” Cr Natoli said.
“This is a great day for the Sunshine Coast, and we look forward to getting back to work on delivering this important legacy infrastructure for our community.”
Premier Crisafulli said The Wave would keep the Sunshine Coast moving, now and beyond 2032.
“The Games are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver the infrastructure the Sunshine Coasts needs, not only today but in the decades to come,” he said.
“The Wave will go further and faster, with seamless public transport all the way to the Sunshine Coast Airport, and connect to the Athlete Village built for the Games.
“This is exactly what is needed for 2032, but more importantly, it is necessary for the future of the Sunshine Coast beyond the Games.”
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said The Wave would deliver a lasting public transport legacy for the Sunshine Coast.
“The Wave is something the Sunshine Coast can really get behind,” he said.
“We are delivering seamless public transport further than what was initially planned, with commuters now able to travel past Maroochydore all the way to the Sunshine Coast Airport.
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“By delivering metro, we are able to build the Mooloolah River Interchange, which locals have been waiting for decades to see but has repeatedly been delayed by Labor.
“The Mooloolah River Interchange will ease congestion at the well-known traffic chokepoint on the Coast, and will include two extra lanes on the Sunshine Motorway north of Kawana Way, which is long overdue.
“The Wave is just part of Delivering 2032 and Beyond, now we’ve set the plan, we’ve got to get on with it.”
Federal LNP Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace hailed the plan.
“In a huge win for Fisher, we will finally see legacy public transport in the form of direct Sunshine Coast Rail from Beerwah to Birtinya, with an integrated metro hub connecting Birtinya with the Maroochydore CBD and the Sunshine Coast Airport,” he said.
“It is now time to get on with it.”
Funding has been secured for delivery of Stage 1 of the new direct heavy rail line from Beerwah to Caloundra (19km).
The 2032 Delivery Plan also includes bus service improvements on the Sunshine Coast, to cater for additional demand, including increasing service frequency, reliability, and capacity.
The European Train Control System (Level 2) will also be delivered on the rail network from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast to improve safety and allow for increased service frequencies on this high-demand sector of the rail network.
