The $550.8 million Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade in the Sunshine Coast is progressing towards construction as tenders for the design and construction of Stage 1 will be released to market next month.
“Reduced travel times, greater service reliability and increased parking at stations will attract more travellers to rail, between the Sunshine Coast region and Brisbane in particular.
“By investing in project such as the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade, the Australian Government’s $100 billion nationwide infrastructure investment program is supporting jobs and communities at a time when it’s needed most,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said.
In the coming months, this multi-million-dollar project is set to progress from planning to construction.
“Realignment of Steve Irwin Way needs to happen before we can start work in the rail corridor, so it’s pleasing to see progress being made.
“The 333 jobs and economic stimulus that will be delivered by Stage 1 of the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade project are essential for the Sunshine Coast,” Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said.
The jobs generated from this rail upgrade will add to the more than 2,300 jobs being supported by the Bruce Highway upgrades that are already underway or are expected to begin in the coming months between Caboolture and Gympie.
The Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade Stage 1 will include:
- 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 one-kilometre 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
- 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
Early works on the project are anticipated to commence early next year, with major construction to begin in 2022.
A briefing was held recently for local industry and suppliers looking to get involved in the delivery of the rail upgrade, with community members also given more opportunities to get involved.
“The industry briefing was a good opportunity to give local businesses some indication on what kind of work was coming down the line and allow the project team to get early feedback that will help as they develop the final scope of the upgrade.
“This project will provide local jobs for local people and we want Coast and Hinterland communities to be part of every step of this project,” Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace said.
According to Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien, the 333 jobs generated from this rail upgrade will be vital to the local community’s economic recovery.
“The Federal Government has been focused on saving jobs during this pandemic and now we are working harder than ever to create them too.
“Jobs change lives and I am very excited for work to begin because I know the opportunities this will bring to our community,” Mr O’Brien said.
Planning activities for the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade commenced in early 2019 and it includes land surveys and geotechnical investigations, environmental and cultural heritage surveys, hydraulic modelling, traffic counts, park ‘n’ ride design and consultation with the owners of affected properties.
The Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments, each contributing $390 million and $160.8 million respectively.
Source: Queensland Government; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Inside Construction; Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads
