The state government has pledged $5.5 billion to begin delivering The Wave public transport plan for the Sunshine Coast.
It was the largest announcement for the Sunshine Coast to come out of today’s budget, which also included funding for smaller local projects.
A state government media release said that on top of The Wave funding, an additional $40 million was allocated in this year’s budget to accelerate planning for stages two and three of the project.
“(We are) commencing work to deliver heavy rail from Beerwah to Birtinya, with The Wave providing high frequency metro-style services from Birtinya through Maroochydore to the Sunshine Coast Airport,” it said.
The budget also includes the Caloundra Congestion Busting Plan, although no funding allocation was apparent. The LNP last year announced it as a $400 million pre-election plan.
It said it was “delivering road upgrades across Caloundra to ease congestion hotspots, boost capacity at the intersections and create additional connection roads to get Queenslanders home sooner and safe”.
The Tewantin Bypass was also listed among the budget projects. It was a $30 million pre-election commitment last year.
A total of $10 million was committed to rebuild the Kawana Waters Surf Lifesaving Club, while $17.5 million will go towards the replacement of permanent fire and rescue stations in Beerwah and Caloundra.
A $78 million TAFE Centre of Excellence will be built at Caloundra with a focus on construction trades to deliver generational infrastructure.
Funds for a new Caloundra South school were also confirmed, with the facility set to cater for about 1140 students when it opens in 2028.
Sunshine Coast police will benefit from $22.8 million over the next three years and will extend its POLAIR helicopter operational capability to include the Moreton Bay region.
Among the community projects to gain funding was $5 million to expand Caloundra-based food rescue organisation Gateway Care to help welfare recipients with low cost groceries, $1 million for the upgrade of Currimundi Community Hall and $1 million to Everyday Foundation for renovations of its community supermarket in Nambour.
Sporting clubs will also benefit, with $620,000 for a major lighting upgrade at Maroochydore Rugby Union Club, $540,000 for equipment and field upgrades at Palmwoods Warriors Football Club and $44,000 to upgrade lighting at Tewantin Noosa Tennis Club.
Budget funding was also expected to kickstart the long-overdue upgrade of the Mooloolah River Interchange.
The Virtues Improving Relational Behaviours Education Hub in Caloundra will receive $520,000 over four years to support students who are disengaged, or at risk of disengaging, from education ensuring healthier and happier students.
For small business owners, the budget includes $11.5 million to extend the micro-credential courses by the University of the Sunshine Coast for four years, delivering courses face to face and online in priority areas of need.
In housing, Sunshine Coast homeless charity Roofs to Recovery will receive $2 million to buy land and build six one-bedroom homes.
“This year’s budget is helping deliver a transport network that meets the needs of our growing population, supports our economy, and connects our communities,” Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said.
“Whether it is the Barron River Bridge in Cairns, the Caloundra Congestion Busting Plan or the Bribie Island Bridge, we are progressing these important projects for Queensland’s future.
“We are delivering to ensure Queensland is well positioned to meet the challenges of hosting the 2032 Games, while also preparing for the significant transport demand that comes with a growing state.
“We’re working across multiple levels of government and with industry bodies to explore innovative products and delivery options to drive value for money and manage project cost pressures.
“These include improving design quality, conducting earlier investigations to manage risk, and engaging with industry early to ensure better outcomes.”
