Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (Stage 1)

The project will progressively upgrade the North Coast Line to improve its safety, efficiency and reliability.

The Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (B2N) project covers about 40km of the North Coast Line and will provide additional track capacity and reliability, creating travel time savings and increased passenger and freight services to the growing Sunshine Coast region.

The full scope of the business case for B2N includes a duplication of the North Coast Line between Beerburrum and Landsborough stations (around 20km in length) as well as station upgrades, new park 'n' ride facilities and new rail passing loops between Landsborough and Nambour. The project will be delivered in stages.

A 20km active transport corridor between Beerburrum and Landsborough is being planned. The first section of this recreation trail, between Glass House Mountains and Beerwah, will be constructed in tandem with the B2N project.

Benefits

  • Increases capacity
  • Improves safety
  • Reduces travel time
  • Improves network efficiency
  • Increases car parks
  • Contributes to regional growth
  • Contributes to economy

Key features

Key features of the full scope of the business case for B2N include:

  • Duplication of the North Coast Line between Beerburrum and Landsborough stations (around 20km in length)
  • Beerburrum Road overpass
  • Expansion of park ‘n’ ride facilities at Beerburrum, Landsborough, Palmwoods and Nambour stations 
  • Steve Irwin Way realignment
  • Replacement of Barrs Road level crossing with a new connection
  • A new bridge over the rail track at Burgess Street
  • Replacement of the Caloundra Street level crossing in Landsborough with a grade separated crossing
  • Passing loop extensions at Landsborough, Eudlo and Woombye stations
  • Replacement of the temporary single platforms at Mooloolah, Eudlo, Palmwoods and Woombye stations with permanent dual platforms connected by lifts and overbridges.

Concept design (February 2021)

Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade Stage 1 reference design View the concept designs for Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (Stage 1)

Beerburrum to Nambour

Video Transcript

The North Coast Line is a vital part of the transport corridor connecting South East Queensland to Cairns.

As freight and passenger demand increases, parts of the line are approaching capacity.

The 39-kilometre section between Beerburrum and Nambour is currently a single track, with trains using passing loops at stations to pass each other. This limits the number of daily train services, making it increasingly difficult to meet peak-hour passenger demand and to manage competition between freight and passenger services.

In addition, tight curves in the track also limit train speeds in some sections.

The Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade will increase capacity, improve reliability and reduce travel times for passengers and freight.

The upgrade will duplicate 20km of track between Beerburrum and Landsborough, create new rail passing loops, upgrade stations and provide new park ‘n’ ride facilities.

The Australian and Queensland Governments have committed $550.8 million to stage 1 of the project, which will include:

  • Expanding the park ‘n’ ride facilities at Beerburrum and Nambour
  • Duplicating the track between Beerburrum and Beerwah and straightening the Beerburrum to Glass House Mountains section
  • Realigning a one-kilometre section of Steve Irwin Way
  • Building three new road-over-rail bridges at Beerburrum Road, Barrs Road and Burgess Street
  • Creating a new park ‘n’ ride facility on the eastern side of Landsborough station - reducing the need to drive across the level crossing to park.

The Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade will improve the region’s connection with Brisbane, helping divert commuters off the Bruce Highway and supporting the growing Sunshine Coast community.

Funding

The project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on a 70:30 (federal:state) basis with a commitment of $550.8 million towards Stage 1 of the B2N project. Investment ID: 858087
The Queensland Government has allocated $6.5 million towards the design and construction of the recreation trail. Investment ID: 1565753 and 1764813

Total investment
$550.8 million
Australian Government
$390 million
Queensland Government
$160.8 million

Current status

Early works construction has started and will include:

  • expanding the Landsborough and Nambour park 'n' rides
  • realigning a 1-kilometre section of Steve Irwin Way.

The contract has been awarded to Hall Contracting.

The design and construction contract for the Stage 1 main works is expected to be awarded in late 2022.

Stage 1 will provide passenger benefits through: 

  • increased capacity and patronage
  • improved connectivity between passenger transport modes
  • increased park 'n' ride capacity
  • more frequent feeder bus services 
  • improved train service reliability. 

Key design features for Stage 1:

  • duplication of the track between Beerburrum and Glass House Mountains on an improved alignment
  • duplication of the track between Glass House Mountains and Beerwah within the existing corridor
  • realignment of a 1km section of Steve Irwin Way between Nursery Road and Moffatt Road to accommodate the new rail corridor and track infrastructure
  • Beerburrum Road and Steve Irwin Way intersection upgrade including a new road overpass on Beerburrum Road
  • expansion of the park ‘n’ ride facility on the northern side of Beerburrum station
  • replacement of the Barrs Road level crossing in Glass House Mountains with a new road overpass connecting Barrs Road to Moffatt Road
  • replacement of the Burgess Street road-over-rail bridge with a new road overpass
  • construction of a new bus interchange at Landsborough
  • a new park 'n' ride facility on the eastern side of Landsborough station
  • expansion of the park ‘n’ ride facility on the eastern side of Nambour station.

Full freight benefits will be realised in future stages.

The timing for delivery and staging of construction works will be finalised, confirmed and communicated following the detailed design phase.

We are continuing discussions with the Australian Government regarding funding for future stages to deliver the full scope under the business case.

Environment, culture and heritage

The Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade project is committed to the protection and sustainability of our unique Sunshine Coast environment, culture and heritage. The project team aims to tread lightly, minimise and mitigate impacts, and to replenish or enhance where possible.

On 12 January 2021, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment confirmed the B2N project is a controlled action requiring assessment and approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

On 25 February 2022, the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment advised approval of the project proposal with conditions, in accordance with Part 9 of the EPBC Act.

Sustainability 

We are committed to the implementation of sustainability principles for the B2N project aligned to the TMR Strategic Plan 2019-2023 objectives to be Accessible, Safe, Responsive, Efficient and Sustainable.

The sustainability principles will be linked to specific targets and objectives within the B2N Infrastructure Sustainability Management Plan to optimise environmental, social, economic and governance outcomes.

The B2N project aims to achieve a formal Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) rating of ‘excellent’ for both design and as built phases of construction.

Beerburrum to Landsborough recreation trail

The Queensland Government has allocated $6.1 million to design and construct a section of shared pathway between Glass House Mountains and Beerwah and $400,000 to plan the full trail between Beerburrum and Landsborough. 

This shared pathway will be delivered by using a combination of old rail corridor land and land adjacent to the new rail corridor alignment.

The project will deliver benefits for both the local community and the wider region, providing further connections between townships for local residents, as well as access to local tourism attractions and numerous National Park trail heads.

The recreation trail will also improve safety by providing an alternative to Steve Irwin Way and other busy nearby roads and intersections for local pedestrians and bike riders. 

Next steps

Early works construction has started.

Two tenderers have been shortlisted for the design and construction contract for Stage 1 main works. This is expected to be awarded in late 2022.