Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (Stage 1)

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

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

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

Current status

Pre-construction activities are underway, and the design and construction contract is expected to be awarded in mid-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.

Next steps

Early works construction is expected to start in early 2022.

Request for proposals for the main construction contract have now closed.