Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade (Stage 1)

The Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade project will address long-standing safety and congestion issues on the Sunshine Motorway, with the Sunshine Coast experiencing rapid population growth and development.

This project is critical to improving north-south road connectivity and is a key component of The Wave Stage 3 (Metro) — a broader plan to deliver generational infrastructure for the region.

Benefits

• Improves safety
• Improves network efficiency
• Better road access
• Reduces peak hour congestion
• Reduces travel time
• Contributes to economy

Key features

The first stage of this project will include:

• a new road overpass to provide a more direct and efficient connection from Nicklin Way to Brisbane Road at Mooloolaba
• a new local road connection between Karawatha Drive at Mountain Creek and Brisbane Road at Mooloolaba
• a new signalised intersection linking Brisbane Road and the new connection to Karawatha Drive, and provision of a two-way service road
• a new active transport provisions for pedestrians and bike riders, connecting Mountain Creek and Mooloolaba
• local traffic separated from high-speed motorway traffic.

Funding

The Queensland Government is progressing the delivery of Stage 1 of this transformative project with additional State Budget commitment in QTRIP 2025–26 to 2028–29.

Investment ID: 2007574

Current status

The project is progressing, with early works underway. These initial activities include:

• site preparation, such as clearing, service relocations for public utilities, and geotechnical investigations
• a second early works package focusing on major earthworks and embankment construction, is scheduled to commence in 2026, with main construction to commence in 2027
• procurement for the Civil Infrastructure Program Alliance delivery partners is currently underway with contract award expected in late 2026.

We appreciate your patience as we work to deliver this transformative infrastructure for our community. 

Community consultation

Extensive community consultation has been conducted to ensure the project aligns with the needs of local residents and businesses. Regular updates will continue to be provided as the project progresses. 

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Integration with The Wave

The Mooloolah River Interchange is a critical part of The Wave, an integrated plan for the Sunshine Coast. It will facilitate seamless access to:

• Kawana Way through to Sunshine Motorway
• The Sunshine Coast Airport, via the Maroochydore CBD.

The Wave Stage 3 (Metro) and the Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade will have shared infrastructure. To deliver optimal outcomes, the design processes for both projects will be closely integrated.

An integrated approach ensures a connected, future-ready transport network to support the region’s growth. 

Environment, culture and heritage

The project complies with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). A baseline data collection program was conducted to monitor the Water Mouse population and its habitat.

View all EPBC Act compliance reports ( https://sc-p-cm.tmr.saas.dataweavers.io//community-and-environment/environmental-management/epbc-reporting ) ( https://sc-p-cm.tmr.saas.dataweavers.io//community-and-environment/environmental-management/epbc-reporting ) ( //community-and-environment/environmental-management/epbc-reporting ) associated with this project.

Detailed design layout – Stage 1

( https://sc-p-cm.tmr.saas.dataweavers.io//_/media/projects/s/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade-stage-1-detailed-design-map-stage-1-design-lay.png ) ( https://sc-p-cm.tmr.saas.dataweavers.io//_/media/projects/s/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade-stage-1-detailed-design-map-stage-1-design-lay.png ) ( //_/media/projects/s/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade-stage-1-detailed-design-map-stage-1-design-lay.png ) ( //_/media/projects/s/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade-stage-1-detailed-design-map-stage-1-design-lay.png )

Future stages

( //_/media/projects/s/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade-design-layout_july-2023.png )

Mooloolah River Interchange location map

( https://sc-p-cm.tmr.saas.dataweavers.io//_/media/projects/s/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade/mooloolah-river-map.png ) ( https://sc-p-cm.tmr.saas.dataweavers.io//_/media/projects/s/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade/mooloolah-river-map.png ) ( //_/media/projects/s/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade/mooloolah-river-map.png ) ( //_/media/projects/s/sunshine-motorway-mooloolah-river-interchange-upgrade/mooloolah-river-map.png )

1. An additional northbound lane between the Mooloolah River Interchange and Buderim-Mooloolaba Interchange.
2. New Sunshine Motorway overpass connecting north to west.
3. New overpass providing eastbound traffic with a direct link to Brisbane Road.
4. Duplication of the Sunshine Motorway between the existing Kawana Way Interchange and the new Mooloolah River Interchange, completing 4 lanes to the Bruce Highway.
5. New direct local road connection between Karawatha Drive and Brisbane Road, removing the need for local drivers to weave across Sunshine Motorway traffic.
6. New overpass to connect Nicklin Way northbound with Brisbane Road.
7. New Mooloolah River Crossing connecting the Sunshine Motorway to Kawana Way.
8. New signalised intersection with Kawana Way.
   
    

View related projects

• The Wave ( https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/thewave ) ( https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/thewave )
• Sunshine Coast Public Transport ( https://www.yoursay-projects.tmr.qld.gov.au/sunshine-coast-public-transport ) ( https://www.yoursay-projects.tmr.qld.gov.au/sunshine-coast-public-transport )
• Kawana Motorway (Mooloolah River Interchange to Kawana Way Link Road) ( https://sc-p-cm.tmr.saas.dataweavers.io//projects/kawana-motorway ) ( https://sc-p-cm.tmr.saas.dataweavers.io//projects/kawana-motorway )