Planning for a new rail line

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is planning for the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line – a proposed new 37 kilometre passenger rail line connecting the Sunshine Coast community between Beerwah, Caloundra and Maroochydore to Moreton Bay, Brisbane and beyond.

The new rail line will tie in with the Sunshine Coast Public Transport project to increase public transport opportunities for the growing Sunshine Coast community, as outlined in the Southern Sunshine Coast Public Transport Strategy. The rail line is proposed to link longer and medium distance trips with local trips provided for by the Sunshine Coast Public Transport project.

Project planning

TMR is undertaking investment planning for the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line.

This project builds on planning completed in 2001 by the Caboolture to Maroochydore Corridor Study (CAMCOS). As part of that planning, a corridor (route) was determined and land preserved (protected from development).

TMR is now reviewing the preserved corridor, considering refinements to the alignment and station locations and evaluating potential staging plans for construction to meet passenger demand and land use outcomes within the region. This planning will include a detailed analysis of design, risks, financials, economics, environmental impacts, community impacts and utilities.

Construction dates and stages will be determined as part of the detailed design phase, following allocation of funding for detailed design and construction, which will be subject to future funding availability in consideration of competing statewide priorities.

Have your say

Community feedback provides important input for the project team during this current investment planning phase and in future stages such as detailed design.

Some aspects of the project must be determined by the existing project corridor, technical considerations relating to geotechnical and hydraulic investigations, as well as rail operations, maintenance and safety.

Consultation closed on 20 August 2023. The community will be invited to view further details and have their say in future phases of the project.

Read the sections below to learn more about the project.

How would the new rail line benefit you?

Illustrations of people who may use the new rail line

Tell us in a few words how and why you would use this new rail line (max 140 characters).

15 September, 2023

Luke23 says:

Taking a high speed train to Brisbane would be perfect and is long overdue. Needs plenty of last mile transport and park & ride.

15 September, 2023

btforrest20 says:

I would use this 4 times a week to get to Brisbane. It would be even better if it connected to the airport, both Brisbane and Sunny Coast.

12 September, 2023

Deafaussie says:

Please make train stations in the city of Sunshine Coast. Helps avoid traffic congestion on the highway

7 September, 2023

inkstorm says:

I live near Coolum, work in Brisbane. Currently public transport takes me almost 4 hrs each way. Why so slow? Need fast train to Sunny Coast

1 September, 2023

TomS says:

The train fare to Brisbane would be less than the cost of the petrol I use, and I could relax on the way.

26 August, 2023

Mykenlisa says:

Gosh build it already. This is way overdue. Having railway access through the Coast and on to Brisbane to avoid the highway would be amazing

21 August, 2023

MarkStanley says:

Would also provide a great intra-region transport option within the Sunshine Coast..get some cars off the (now cluttered) local roads.

21 August, 2023

MarkStanley says:

Safe, reliable, efficient, cost effective access to Brisbane for workers and Uni students. Great for tourists too..need before 2032 Olympics

21 August, 2023

BenVee_12 says:

It is about time, this needs to be delivered as soon as possible

20 August, 2023

RachB says:

Faster rail from Brisbane to Caloundra would be a game changer. Then BRT Callies to Mdore via Kawana Way to the uni. Elec bus on coastal rd

20 August, 2023

Ridingwithkids says:

The DSC rail line needs to be competitive with car trips. Make the rail fast, and discourage car travel to even the playing field.

20 August, 2023

Ridingwithkids says:

Bike ride from my house to Birtinya Station, then rail to Maroochydore for work. Also, bike to Birtinya, rail to Brisbane to visit family.

Connecting the growing Sunshine Coast region

Congestion-free journeys

Reliable journey times

More accessible public transport

Growing the region’s economy

  • Did you know?

    TMR uses Queensland Treasury's Project Assessment Framework to assess projects at critical stages. From the initial assessment of the service required, through to business case and delivery, a project's progress and quality is assessed via a series of reviews by independent tehcnical experts from across Australia to ensure it meets strategic objectives and achieves value for money. For more information about the process, click here.

  • The DSC Rail Line project is guided by long-term planning for South East Queensland.

    TMR has a blueprint, SEQ Rail Connect, for shaping the rail network to meet the future needs of the growing South East Queensland region. This blueprint outlines how we are preparing the network to be ready for Cross River Rail, which will transform the way our rail network operates and how customers travel by train in SEQ. The DSC Rail Line is identified as a key initiative.