Planning is following the Caboolture to Maroochydore Corridor Study (CAMCOS) corridor, which was preserved in 2001. This corridor travels from Beerwah, through Caloundra South (Aura), Pelican Waters, Meridan Plains and Birtinya, towards Maroochydore.

The Southern Sunshine Coast Public Transport Strategy sets out the proposed vision for public transport for the southern Sunshine Coast. Planning for the future network includes a western corridor (the North Coast Rail Line), a centre corridor (Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line), a coastal corridor (Sunshine Coast Public Transport project) and the key connectors (connections between the 3 corridors).

The proposed Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line would provide medium and longer distance trips, including to/from the Sunshine Coast and between the region's economic centres. The Sunshine Coast Public Transport project would provide local travel (shorter distance trips).

The proposed Sunshine Coast Public Transport project would provide an accessible, more sustainable travel option for residents and visitors making intra-regional journeys between Maroochydore and Caloundra. It would help reduce the high reliance on private vehicles for shorter trips, leading to eased congestion on the road network and reduced travel times.

Together, the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line and the Sunshine Coast Public Transport would make travelling by public transport to, from and within the region more convenient, affordable and reliable.

The 2 projects will share key transport hubs to make it easy for passengers to transfer between them or connect on to other supporting public transport services.

The detailed business case for the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line is expected to be completed in late 2023.

All major infrastructure projects are required to go through this planning phase to determine:

• how they would be constructed
• how long construction would be expected to take
• what the impacts would be on the surrounding communities and environment
• the benefits of the project and how much construction would cost.

This planning will inform project costs, government consideration of funding and timeframes for construction.

Beerwah Station is proposed to be upgraded, with new stations proposed at Nirimba (Aura), Caloundra, Aroona, Birtinya, Mountain Creek and Maroochydore as part of the current planning.

TMR will inform and consult the community on the proposed station locations in 2023.

The station locations are being carefully planned to ensure the community has easy and convenient access to the new rail line and ensure the new train services are efficient (more stations mean slower train services as the trains need to slow down and speed up at stations).

Station locations are determined to position them within the preserved CAMCOS corridor where possible. Modelling has been undertaken to determine forecast station patronage and travel times, and technical evaluations considered the rail geometry on either side of the station to help determine the location. This is to achieve straight rail track connecting to the stations, to future-proof for longer trains and meet accessibility requirements. The surrounding environment, including ground type and environmental impacts, are also considered.

Investment planning follows the Queensland Treasury Project Assessment Framework. The detailed business case planning considers the following:

• confirm the project requirements
• confirm project option(s) and delivery models to be evaluated
• conduct detailed analysis of options design, risks, financials, economics, environment impacts, community impacts and utilities
• develop implementation plan, assessing staging and timeframes for construction.

These considerations will be used to confirm a detailed cost estimate for construction (how much it will cost to build) and develop a preliminary design.

TMR is undertaking a detailed business case to determine the requirements of building and operating a new rail line to Maroochydore to inform a government investment decision.

This business case will update previously completed work as part of the 2001 CAMCOS study. It will confirm and provide more detail on various elements of the rail design, rail operation and stabling, construction, land use, environment and waterways, and community to ensure a new rail line could be successfully delivered and operated at this location.

The new rail line would likely involve require construction of:

• the new track and stations
• connecting active transport infrastructure to make it easier for people to walk and ride to public transport and/or their destination
• maintenance access, stabling, signalling and operation facilities.

Specific details about construction methods would be determined in future phases of the project.

Once construction impacts are identified, TMR will notify stakeholders and work with people in the community who may be impacted by construction. TMR will notify impacted community members as early as possible of potential impacts and disruptions.

The planning is considering how the rail line interfaces with nearby projects including the Mooloolah River Interchange and Kawana Motorway. The respective project teams are working closely together to determine how these designs would work together to provide safe and efficient road, rail and active travel.

TMR is committed to managing transport projects in a manner that optimises environmental outcomes for natural, social and built environments. The department uses a range of environmental expertise to develop detailed management plans to ensure all of its projects are environmentally sustainable.

An Environmental Impact Assessment will be undertaken during the planning stages. At the construction stage, an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is developed and implemented by the contractor to address aspects such as the management of native flora and fauna, as well as measures to minimise construction impacts, such as noise and dust. This plan ensures that contractors comply with current environmental legislation and industry best practice.

Technical studies being undertaken include flood modelling, geological studies and studies for ecology (flora, fauna and water quality), cultural heritage, noise and vibration and air quality.

Some property owners will be impacted by property acquisitions required for the project. Once the corridor realignments are confirmed and these properties are determined, TMR will liaise directly with those property owners to ensure they are well-informed of the project, in line with TMR's acquisition process.

TMR will engage with the community, including residents, during this planning process. We encourage all interested community members to register for future project updates to receive information as the project progresses. Register on this page in the top right corner.

Staging is being considered as part of the current planning. It is possible that not all stations will be constructed at the same time, as this amount of construction would create high levels of disruptions for the Sunshine Coast community and would place pressure on industry. This needs to be carefully considered due to the volume of infrastructure projects being planned for the Sunshine Coast and for South East Queensland in the coming years.