Stage 4 of the BHWA extends from Steve Irwin Way at Beerburrum to the D'Aguilar Highway at Moodlu.

The study area contains established communities, areas of rural living, important agricultural land, state forest, national parks, and the Elimbah development area that transitioned into the Urban Footprint in the latest South East Queensland Regional Plan (ShapingSEQ2023).

Community and stakeholder feedback on possible corridor options for Stage 4 was sought between November 2023 and February 2024. Throughout the 10-week consultation period more than 850 feedback submissions were received. The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) thanks everyone that provided feedback.

As TMR continues to carefully consider all the feedback received, early insights highlight significant community interest in alternative routes for the Stage 4 corridor. This includes suggestions for a route further west to reduce residential property impacts and community disturbance.

Early insights also highlight community interest in utilising more government owned land, following existing power easements and roads, multi-modal transport options, environmental and lifestyle considerations, and integration with the broader planned growth in the area.

As a result of this feedback, TMR has commenced initial investigations to understand the viability of possible corridor routes further west between Steve Irwin Way, Beerburrum, and the D'Aguilar Highway, Moodlu.

These new investigations will take additional time and will be used to inform revised project timelines, including when a preferred alignment is likely to be identified. Until a preferred alignment has been identified, possible property impacts are unknown.

TMR is currently preparing a summary of consultation outcomes. When available, this will be shared with the community along with further details regarding new project timelines and next steps.

TMR will keep the community informed of progress and ongoing opportunities to provide feedback.

Technical investigations, along with early community and stakeholder feedback collected since 2021, helped TMR to identify two possible corridor options for Stage 4. Option 1 is to the west of the North Coast rail line and the Elimbah township, and Option 2 is to the east.

These possible corridor options were shared with the community and stakeholders for feedback between 30 November 2023 and 9 February 2024. Details of these options are outlined below, and further information is provided in the project newsletter.

Please note, the corridor options shown below are subject to change following consideration of community feedback and pending further technical investigations.

Northern section

East of Old Gympie Road, 2 viable corridor options are shown on the map.

Option 1 is west of the North Coast rail line and Elimbah township, crossing the rail line north of McDougall Road in the Beerburrum State Forest. The corridor option provides opportunities for a connection to the proposed Elimbah PFGA. This option maintains local connectivity for residents and businesses by providing overpasses at Whittington, Markwell, Alcock, Old Gympie, Twin View, McDougall, and Beerburrum roads.

Option 2 crosses the North Coast rail line south of the Elimbah township and Six Mile Creek, and travels east of the rail line. This alignment provides greater flexibility to facilitate connections to the proposed Elimbah PFGA. The option maintains local connectivity by providing overpasses at Whittington, Markwell, Alcock, Old Gympie, Smiths, Beerburrum and Bartholomew roads and Jacks Lane.

Both options share a common alignment on the southern approach to Steve Irwin Way near Beerburrum.

Southern section

The Stage 4 corridor continues from Stage 1 at the D’Aguilar Highway, Moodlu. The corridor options follow a common alignment through Moodlu, crossing Old Gympie Road north of Alcock Road.

Where possible, this section will closely follow the existing power easement.

Other options southeast of this alignment, between the D’Aguilar Highway and Old Gympie Road, were not progressed as they impact a large number of residential properties.

Options further west were ruled out as they had more impacts to the environment and important agricultural land.