Preliminary works are underway on the southern end of the Sunshine Coast as activity ramps up on one of the region’s most significant transport infrastructure projects.
Telecommunications works have begun as part of the $71-million Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade (CTCU), a jointly funded Sunshine Coast Council and Department of Transport and Main Roads project to create a new 1.6km connection between Caloundra’s business centre, Omrah Avenue and Nicklin Way.
Council said contractor Ventia was installing new conduits and relocating existing telecommunications cables at locations including First Avenue and Olm Street as part of underground infrastructure upgrades associated with the project.
The first stage of the work is expected to continue until late June, with temporary traffic changes in place while crews undertake under-boring works beneath footpaths, driveway crossovers, road surfaces and verges.
The telecommunications infrastructure includes fibre-ready pit and pipe infrastructure designed to accommodate modern fixed and mobile telecommunications services, including NBN, broadband and telecommunications network providers.
“The existing telecommunication cables are being relocated to align with standard utility corridors following recent property acquisitions and changes to the road and property boundaries along Gosling Street, Oval Avenue and Third Avenue,” a council spokesperson said.
“The new locations will also ensure services are clear of any future works associated with the Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade.”
The latest move comes after the completion of electrical infrastructure works last month. According to council’s CTCU May update, new underground electrical conduits and pits were installed at locations including Oval Avenue, Third Avenue, Olm Street, Arthur Street and Second Avenue.
Final design for the project, which has proved controversial, was completed in May 2025 and the major construction tender process began earlier this year.
A council spokesperson confirmed tenders closed on June 8, 2026, but did not state when an announcement would be made.
The CTCU proposal is currently under assessment by the federal government, with a final decision from the environment minister still pending after the project was referred for consideration under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act in October 2024 and subsequently deemed a controlled action.
Public consultation on environmental documentation prepared for the project closed in April after being published on the EPBC website for feedback.
The documentation identified potential impacts on Matters of National Environmental Significance, including koalas, coastal swamp sclerophyll forest and Ramsar wetlands.
According to council, the Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade is expected to provide an alternative connection into Caloundra’s business centre while reducing pressure on the Caloundra Road, Nicklin Way and Pelican Waters Boulevard roundabout.
The new link is expected to reduce the number of vehicles travelling through the roundabout, along with alternative routes including Buccleugh Street, Queen Street and Elizabeth Street, by around 20 per cent.
The project will include a new intersection at Nicklin Way through the extension of Third Avenue, an active transport underpass, signalised pedestrian crossings, pedestrian pathways, a dedicated two-way cycle track, street lighting and landscaping.
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The upgrade will be delivered in two sections. Section one, between Omrah Avenue and Arthur Street, will be funded and delivered by council, while section two, between Arthur Street and Nicklin Way, will be jointly funded by the Department of Transport and Main Roads and local government body.
Sunshine Coast Council’s 2026-27 budget includes a $26.8 million allocation for section two of the project.
Construction is earmarked to begin in mid-2026 and be completed in early 2028.
