The Queensland Government has proposed a 37.8-kilometre dual-track rail line between Beerwah and Maroochydore, with six new stations in Bells Creek, Caloundra, Aroona, Birtinya, Mountain Creek and Maroochydore. The project is proposed to be delivered across three stages.
Stage One includes:
- a Greenfield package for the delivery of a 19-kilometre dual-rail track line between Beerwah and Caloundra and construction of Bells Creek and Caloundra Station, and
- a Brownfield package for an upgrade/rebuild of Beerwah Station.
Key Dates
| Mar 2022 | Project Announcement |
| Nov 2024 | ROIs Open |
| Dec 2024 | ROIs Close |
| Dec 2026 | Expected Construction Commencement |
| Dec 2032 | Expected Construction Completion |
Funding contributions
| Federal Government | |
| Queensland Government |
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads |
PROJECT HISTORY
| Mar 2022 | The 2022 Federal Budget allocated $1.6 billion to the project. |
| Feb 2024 | The Queensland Government announced funding of $2.75 billion to deliver the Beerwah to Caloundra component of the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line project. |
| Mar 2024 | The Queensland Government released the business case summary for its proposed 39-kilometre Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line. The first stage between Beerwah and Caloundra had an estimated BCR of 0.29 at a four per cent discount rate, and 0.15 at a seven per cent discount rate. The summary document recommends a staged approach to delivery to enable half of the rail line to be complete and opened before 2032. Latter stages will eventually connect through to Maroochydore with Stage Two, between Caloundra and Birtinya, and Stage Three between Birtinya and Maroochydore. The business case has been provided to Infrastructure Australia for review. |
| May 2024 | The Federal Government announced additional funding of $1.15 billion for Stage One of the project, bringing their total investment to $2.75 billion. |
| Nov 2024 | The Queensland Government commenced a Registration of Interest (ROI) process for the delivery of Stage One, closing 10 December. |
| Jun 2025 | The 2025-26 QLD Budget repackaged the project from Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line Stage One to Rail Infrastructure Improvements – North Coast. $140 million was allocated to the project in FY2025-26. |
Estimated Total Cost
(2024)
Sector
Rail
Procurement approach
Unconfirmed |
Location
Queensland |
Resources
