The state government is unsure what will become of rail land after a track realignment is complete, but possible uses will be investigated.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads is yet to decide what will become of soon-to-be unused areas between Beerburrum and Beerwah, after the North Coast route is altered.
The 39km section of line is being duplicated, with a new and improved alignment that is expected to reduce curves and enable more efficient travel.
A TMR spokesperson said the project is well underway.
“Works are progressing well on B2N Rail Upgrade (Stage 1) with main construction works having commenced in November.”
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The spokesperson said the department did not know what will happen to stretches of land that will be no longer required by Queensland Rail, but options will be considered.
“TMR has undertaken a planning study to investigate future uses of the existing rail corridor once the corridor becomes disused following the completion of Stage 1.”
The update comes after a Sunshine Coast resident told Sunshine Coast News the land should be used for recreation or for revegetation.
“Disused rail corridors and alignments are actually hugely useful to communities,” Lachlan Begley said.
“I believe that this stretch would be wonderful as a bike and walking trail, running along the new alignment.”
“Otherwise, re-wilding the area, offsetting the cleared vegetation would still be a great outcome.”
The department spokesperson said elements of the existing track will be repurposed.
“TMR remains committed to sustainability opportunities for material reuse both onsite and offsite.”
“This includes existing railway infrastructure such as sleepers and rail, which will be investigated further at that time.”
The contract to design and construct B2N Stage 1 was awarded to a John Holland Queensland Seymour Whyte Joint Venture.
A B2N Stage 1 project update, issued last year, stated that the project could be completed by 2027, weather and construction conditions permitting. The project also includes additional car parks, road realignment and new road overpasses.
TMR added that it has conducted stakeholder and property owner engagement, completed more than 700 geo-technical, site investigation and ground preparation activities, and progressed environmental and cultural heritage planning and approvals.
The project is approved under the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. Targeted vegetation clearing started in August, with measures in place to reduce impacts on koalas.
The federal and state governments have committed more than $1 billion towards Stage 1, including $616.7 million from the former and $387.5 million from the latter. Property acquisitions were completed in 2021.
Both governments have also funded a study to review future demand on the line between Beerwah and Nambour and services between Nambour and Gympie North, assessing options to improve operations, efficiency, accessibility and freight capacity, and guiding future stages beyond Stage 1.
The project ties in with The Wave, a planned train and metro transit route between Beerwah and Sunshine Coast Airport.
