Project info
The Queensland Government proposed a major initiative to investigate an integrated land use and public transportation system for the Caboolture to Sunshine Coast region. The development of an integrated transportation system challenges traditional approaches to urban management and to quality of life enhancements.
The Caboolture to Maroochydore Corridor Study recognises the importance of integrating transport networks and land use distribution.
What was the study about?
The Caboolture to Maroochydore Corridor Study was completed in 2001. The study investigated the feasibility, preferred development, impacts and benefits of a new public transportation corridor between Beerwah and the Sunshine Coast Airport.
In consultation with the local community, the study focused on:
- developing an integrated land use transport strategy for the Caboolture to Maroochydore area
- determining the need for a new public transport corridor
- identifying a preferred route for the corridor
- identifying the preferred public transport mode (for example, busway, heavy rail, light rail and so on)
- identifying station locations
- developing an integrated public transport system
- undertaking impact assessment studies and identifying environmental management strategies
- establishing staging options for the development of public transport infrastructure.
What happened during the study?
The study was undertaken in three stages.
Stage one – corridor identification
Stage one gathered baseline data to identify environmental and social constraints and opportunities. These were produced in a map format to illustrate the most significant environmental, engineering and social constraints that needed to be considered when looking at locations for public transport corridors. Along with public consultation they were used as evaluation criteria to assess and finalise the corridor options.
| Stage one tasks |
Outputs |
| Establish modelling framework |
- Working paper one
- Working paper two
- Draft Terms of Reference
- Evaluation criteria
|
| Define 2050 vision |
| Select corridor options |
| Identify constraints and opportunities |
| Establish evaluation criteria |
| Procedural risk assessment |
Stage two – corridor evaluation
Stage two involved:
- investigating existing and future travel patterns and alternative mode options
- investigating economic, transport, environmental, engineering and social issues
- undertaking a preliminary economic and financial viability study of the public transport within the corridor
- undertaking an evaluation of the different corridor options
- narrowing the short-listed corridor options.
In stage two, it was decided that:
- the preferred transport mode is heavy passenger rail, similar to the current Citytrain network
- detailed evaluation should be undertaken for the short-listed corridor options.
| Stage two tasks |
Outputs |
| Analyse demand for options |
- Corridor Assessment Report
- Issues Papers
- Preliminary Impact Assessment Study (IAS)
- Draft Terms of Reference
- Recommended options
|
| Establish engineering feasibility |
| Identify rail/bus operations |
| Evaluate environmental field data |
| Comparison between options |
| Develop broad land use transport strategy |
| Provide basis for community input/evaluation |
| Nominate shortlisted options |
| Narrow the corridors |
| Finalise Corridor Assessment Report (CAR) |
Stage three – route assessment
The first part of stage three involved an assessment of options around Caloundra and the identification of a preferred corridor.
The second part of stage three was the preparation of the Impact Assessment Study to examine the alternative options, benefits, environmental impacts, proposed strategies to counter any significant impacts and ways to enhance a beneficial outcome.
| Stage three tasks |
Outputs |
| Seek feedback on Corridor Assessment Report and draft Terms of Reference |
- Impact Assessment Report
- Land use/transport strategy
|
Conduct more detailed environmental and heritage survey
|
| Prepare planning layouts |
| Assess preferred option |
| Identify mitigation strategies |
| Prepare Caloundra Option Assessment Report (COAR) |
| Conduct assessment and choose the preferred Close Caloundra Option |
| Develop recommendations for land use strategy and implementation |
| Prepare draft Impact Assessment Study Report |
| Provide basis for community input/assessment |
| Finalise IAS Report |
What was decided at the end of the study?
The Queensland Government agreed to implement the recommendations from the Caboolture to Maroochydore Study, including the need to protect the preferred future public transport corridor from Beerwah to Maroochydore and on to the Sunshine Coast Airport. Since then, the government has been actively acquiring land for the corridor.
Track upgrading and duplication from Caboolture to Beerburrum was completed in 2009, as was the elimination of the open level crossing at Beerwah, ultimately providing for the branching off of the new line to Caloundra and Maroochydore.
Publications
Visit the Caboolture to Maroochydore Corridor Study publications page to download a copy of the study and other associated documents.
Contact
Information on the study can be obtained by emailing: planning.projects@tmr.qld.gov.au.
