Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade (Stage 1)

The Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade will provide additional track capacity and reliability, creating travel time savings and increased passenger and freight services to the growing Sunshine Coast region.

Stage 1 will:

  • deliver 3 new bridges
  • address 3 level crossings
  • expand 3 park 'n' ride facilities
  • duplicate the section of rail track between Beerburrum and Beerwah
  • construct a new bus interchange on the eastern side of Landsborough Station.

Benefits

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

Key features

  • Duplication of the North Coast Line between Beerburrum and Glass House Mountains on an improved alignment.
  • Duplication of the North Coast Line between Glass House Mountains and Beerwah following the existing alignment.
  • 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.
  • Closure of 2 private level crossings with alternative access provided.
  • Replacement of the Burgess Street road-over-rail bridge with a new road overpass.

Early works are nearly complete, with the following now open and available for use:

  • a new park 'n' ride facility and bus interchange on the eastern side of Landsborough Station.
  • a new park 'n' ride facility on the eastern side of Nambour Station.
  • a new 1km section of Steve Irwin Way between Nursery Road and Moffatt Road, realigned to accommodate the new rail corridor and track infrastructure.

Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade project location (March 2023)

Project location map of the new rail line that will run from Beerburrum Station to Glasshouse Mountains Station to Beerwah Station.

Beerburrum to Nambour rail upgrade—visualisation

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

Stage 1 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

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

Current status

John Holland Queensland and Seymour White Joint Venture with SMEC Australia and WSP Australia as Joint Venture designers have been appointed to undertake enabling works and finalise the design for the Stage 1 rail duplication and associated road works. The timing for delivery and staging of construction works will be finalised following the completion of detailed design. 

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 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.

Visit the cultural heritage page for more information

View historical images from the Beerburrum and Nambour section of the North Coast Line

Sustainability 

We are committed to the implementation of sustainability principles for the project aligned to the Department of Transport and Main Roads Strategic Plan 2023-2027.

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

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