Contractor appointed for $1bn Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade Stage 1

The $1.004 billion Beerburrum to Nambour (B2N) Rail Upgrade Stage 1 is on track to begin major construction next year following the awarding of the contract to deliver the major rail works package. 

Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has awarded the contract under a Collaborative Project Delivery Agreement to the John Holland Queensland Seymour Whyte Joint Venture alongside its partner designers SMEC Australia and WSP Australia (as a joint venture). 

This contract award will enable the Joint Venture and its designers to finalise project design and carry out major rail works. 

The Joint Venture was appointed in 2023 to undertake pre-construction and design works as part of an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) process, which involved collaborating with TMR and Queensland Rail in design development, stakeholder engagement, site investigations, site preparation as well as environmental and cultural heritage planning and approvals. 

Preliminary designs will now be refined, shared with the community and finalised while main construction works, testing and commissioning to be delivered in stages over the next three years. 

“Beerburrum to Nambour is a pivotal project for the future of Sunshine Coast. 

“This project will change the way people travel on the Sunshine Coast, unlock economic opportunity and bring growth to our region. 

“The Miles Government is delivering the infrastructure the Sunshine Coast needs,” Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton said. 

Key features of Stage 1 of the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade include: 

• 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 two private level crossings with alternative access provided 

• Replacement of the Burgess Street road-over-rail bridge with a new road overpass 

Late last year, early works were completed and it delivered: 

• A new park ‘n’ ride facility with 300 new car parks and bus interchange on the eastern side of Landsborough Station 

• A new park ‘n’ ride facility with 50 new car parks on the eastern side of Nambour Station 

• A new 1-kilometre section of Steve Irwin Way between Nursery Road and Moffatt Road, realigned to accommodate the new rail corridor and track infrastructure 

Project alignment (source: Department of Transport and Main Roads)

The Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade will boost capacity and reliability of the North Coast Line. Once completed, it will allow more efficient travel and improve passenger and freight connections between the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, Brisbane and beyond. 

This project builds on the State’s broader transport planning for an enhanced and integrated public transport network that better connects Sunshine Coast communities. 

Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade Stage 1 also ties in with the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line at Beerwah and is among the projects being planned together to improve public transport services and infrastructure for the growing South East Queensland region. 

This project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments, each contributing $616/7 million and $387.5 million respectively. 

This rail upgrade project is expected to support an average of 333 direct jobs over its life. 

Main construction will commence next year and is anticipated to be completed in 2027, weather and construction conditions permitting. 

“This is excellent progress for the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade and great news for everyone in the community who has been eagerly anticipating updates about this important project. 

“I am excited to see Stage 1 advance towards benefits that will make a genuine difference for rail users, including excellent new park ‘n’ rode facilities, and more reliable connections across South East Queensland. 

“It also helps to prepare the wider regional transport network for future growth by providing an important interface connection at Beerwah with the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line and other Sunshine Coast public transport projects. 

“This upgrade is making an enormous contribution to the biggest decade of infrastructure delivery in our state’s history – Queensland’s Big Build. 

“This investment will help people get home safer and sooner, to spend more time with family and friends and enjoy our state’s great lifestyle. 

“As we move closer to main construction, I’d like to thank residents, local communities, road and rail users in advance for their patience and understanding as these major improvement works take place,” QLD Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services Bart Mellish said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Queensland Government – Department of Transport and Main Roads; Infrastructure Magazine