The Wave is a transformative public transport project that includes a new heavy passenger rail line from Beerwah to Birtinya (Stage 1 and 2), seamlessly transitioning to a metro-style service (Stage 3) to connect to the Sunshine Coast Airport via Maroochydore CBD.

The Wave (Rail) Stage 1 will deliver 19 kilometres of dual-track rail line from Beerwah to Caloundra.

The Wave (Rail) Stage 2 will extend the rail line by approximately 7 kilometres from Caloundra to Birtinya.

Stage 1 of The Wave (Rail) includes an upgrade to Beerwah station, along with new stations at Bells Creek (Aura) and Caloundra.

Stage 2 will deliver new stations at Aroona and Birtinya.

Station locations have been planned to ensure the community has easy and convenient access to the new rail line (local catchments, multimodal connections and close to key destinations), while also ensuring the new train services are fast and efficient.

While more stations can improve accessibility, they also lead to slower train services and longer overall journey times, as the trains must slow down for each stop.

The project also allows for a future station at Beerwah East.

Learn more about the planned stations and their locations here.

Beerwah Station will be upgraded to modern, accessible standards to better service the community.

An additional platform will be built, with existing platforms future-proofed for extension to accommodate longer trains.

The design is also proposed to include:

• expanded park ‘n’ ride facilities to support more commuters
• a new bus interchange and kiss ‘n’ ride zone for smoother drop-offs and connections
• station facilities including ticket office, public toilets, secure cycle and scooter storage, CCTV and improved lighting
• new and upgraded active transport facilities
• public access through the station to provide a connection between Beerwah Parade and Simpson Street.

Further community consultation will be undertaken for all stations to help finalise the designs. This is expected to occur in 2026, once a preferred contractor has been selected for this package of work.

The Wave (Rail) builds on the 2001 Caboolture to Maroochydore Corridor Study (CAMCOS). TMR protected the CAMCOS corridor in 2001. The preserved land was protected from development for future delivery of a single-track rail corridor.

The previously protected rail corridor was reviewed in 2023 and has been refined to meet modern rail design standards, optimise rail operations and minimise impacts to surrounding areas. The refinements include:

• widening the corridor for dual-track
• eased curves and grades
• design of station precincts
• road connections
• integration with existing infrastructure.

The proposed alignment for The Wave (Rail) generally follows the previously protected CAMCOS corridor, except for refinements and changes to accommodate the above.

We understand that property impacts are a concern for the community, and we have worked to keep impacts to a minimum.

Following the CAMCOS corridor has resulted in a lower number of newly directly impacted private properties along the alignment, when compared with other major projects of this scale. Where there are new impacts, they are mostly due to updates to the rail alignment to meet modern rail design and construction standards.

The refined rail corridor and reference design has however been carefully developed to minimise property impacts wherever possible. For example, the rail line will be built on elevated structures along much of the alignment, which helps to reduce the overall footprint of the corridor and minimise impacts on the community and environment.

We are liaising with directly impacted property owners to ensure they are fully informed about the project and the acquisition process.

The new rail line will transform transport across the Sunshine Coast and will bring long term benefits to the region. Benefits are expected to include (but won’t be limited to):

Improved connectivity: faster, easier and more reliable travel across the Sunshine Coast and beyond.

Improved links to Brisbane: catching a train will become the fastest and most reliable way to travel between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane. Passengers could save up to 45 minutes during peak travel times, compared to driving between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.

Reduced road congestion: more people on public transport, means less cars on our roads.

Environmental benefits: a shift to public transport will help to reduce emissions and reliance on private vehicles. Providing a new public transport corridor also helps to balance the need for future major road upgrades and expansions, helping to reduce the impacts of new infrastructure in the local area.

Housing and growth: accelerates the release of thousands of affordable homes, already planned for the region. Future residents will benefit from accessible, affordable and efficient public transport, reducing the reliance on private vehicles.

Reduced transport inequity: public transport provides choice for those that do not have access to a private vehicle, linking people to workplaces, essential services, friends and family and enabling participation in community life.

Active transport expansion: supports the growth of local walking and cycling networks, promoting healthier lifestyles and improved community wellbeing.

A boost to the economy: in the short term through construction jobs and in the longer term by improving connectivity for locals and visitors alike.

Support for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: supporting the movement of tens of thousands of people between accommodation and events across South East Queensland during The Games.

Stage 1 of The Wave (Beerwah to Caloundra) is expected to cost between $5.5 billion and $7 billon.

The Australian and Queensland governments have committed $2.75 billion each in funding to deliver Stage 1.

The Queensland Government announced Stage 2 of The Wave with the release of the 2032 Delivery Plan. Funding for Stage 2 is expected to be considered by government in 2025 and 2026 as designs and plans are further developed for this section of the alignment.

The project is currently in the pre-delivery phase. This is the stage following the business case but before construction. This phase is important as it allows us to refine the project design and to carry out important technical studies and investigations to support the next steps.

Activities undertaken in this phase include, but are not limited to:

• developing the design – taking it from concept design to reference design
• environmental referrals – following the Environment Protection and Biosecurity Conservation Act
• market sounding – talking to representatives from the construction industry to gain further insights into project delivery
• undertaking procurement – selecting preferred contractors to undertake the work.

Technical studies undertaken and ongoing include general surveys, flood modelling, geological studies, flora and fauna surveys, as well as initial investigations for water quality, cultural heritage, noise and vibration and air quality.

We will keep the community informed about any surveying or investigative work that might be disruptive. This helps residents and businesses plan ahead and understand what’s happening, while we work to keep any disruption to a minimum.

Engineering work will continue to advance design during the pre-delivery stage. This will include ongoing engagement with Queensland Rail and other key stakeholders.

The project's detailed business case included an initial environmental assessment and management plan and identified anticipated environmental approval requirements.

Design refinements were also made in the business case to minimise environmental and heritage impacts.

Visit the environment and sustainability page to find out more about the design refinements made, ongoing environmental investigations and the environmental approvals currently underway.

Ensuring safe and efficient access to and within stations for everyone is a key priority. Other important accessibility considerations will include signage and wayfinding, active travel connectivity and safe multimodal transport connections.

We have been working closely with accessibility specialists and groups to ensure accessibility is considered in all stages of planning and design for this project.

This engagement will continue throughout the detailed design and construction stages.

Delivery of The Wave (Rail) will involve the construction of:

• the new track and stations (including any embankment, structures and bridges that may be required)
• park ‘n’ ride, kiss ‘n’ ride and interchange facilities at stations, to make it easier for people to transfer to and from rail from other modes
• connecting active transport infrastructure to make it easier for people to walk and ride to public transport and/or their destination
• road and/or rail bridges to provide grade separations where road and rail cross to remove the need for level crossings
• maintenance access, stabling, signalling and operation facilities
• planning and delivery of an updated bus network that will provide convenient links to stations.

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

Once plans for construction are detailed further, we will notify stakeholders and work with people in the community who may be impacted by construction.

Stage 1 (Beerwah to Caloundra):

• Approximately 7 kilometres of viaduct between Bells Creek (Aura) station and Caloundra station due to the low-lying terrain and environmental sensitivities within this area. Elevating the rail on structure at this location helps to minimise flooding impacts, limits overall corridor width and enables fauna passages below the corridor.

Viaduct heights are being refined as the project progresses and further modelling and design work is undertaken.

• There are 10 bridges proposed in this stage to enable the rail line to cross local roads, creeks and the Bruce Highway.

Stage 2 (Caloundra to Birtinya):

• Approximately 4 kilometres of viaducts and bridges in this stage enables rail to cross local roads and creeks.
• There are 6 bridges proposed in this stage to enable the rail line to cross local roads and creeks.
• A tunnel approximately 1.2 kilometres long is proposed at Little Mountain (between Caloundra West and Aroona) to minimise environmental and community impacts.

These details will be updated as the design matures in future stages.

We will aim to enhance the visual amenity of the project so it complements the natural landscape and characteristics of the Sunshine Coast.

These opportunities may include:

• tree planting/revegetation to expand natural tree canopy coverage
• soft landscaping such as hedges, shrubs, turf, mulch and soil
• sub-tropical design elements that balance light and shade using natural materials
• station precinct designs reflecting the unique character of each local area.

These opportunities will be explored in future stages of the project to inform the design as it matures.

We expect to appoint the preferred construction contractors for The Wave (Rail) Stage 1 in early 2026, with detailed design work to follow. The preferred construction contractor for The Wave (Rail) Stage 2 is expected to be selected by late 2026.

Major construction is planned to begin in late 2026, subject to necessary approvals.

The new rail line will be operational before the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Wave (Rail) will operate using Queensland’s newest train fleets, the (existing) New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) and new Queensland Train Manufacturing Program (QTMP) fleet.

The rail line is being designed for train speeds up to 160 km/h, depending on factors such as track geometry (curves and gradients) and station locations.

The current rail fleet can generally operate at speeds of up to 140 km/hr. This means it will be one of South East Queensland’s fastest rail lines, helping passengers get to their destination quicker.

The Wave (Rail) is being carefully planned to minimise impacts on both the community and environment.

We are collecting samples of background noise levels and these measurements will be used to develop a 'noise model' to guide design and construction. Noise from other rail corridors across Queensland cannot be used as directly applicable examples of noise expected on this corridor as noise levels will depend on the surrounding environment of the corridor, height of the corridor, design of the corridor (curves, gradients and materials) and the trains used on this corridor.

Mitigation measures such as noise barriers and other design features will be considered to minimise impacts to neighbouring communities.

The exact number of trains per hour will be determined as planning progresses. However, service levels will be planned to align with the objectives set out in SEQ Rail Connect (long distance express category), including faster travel times, reliable and consistent services, comfort and capacity and better connections.

During the morning peak heading towards Brisbane, the trip from:

• Caloundra station to Roma Street station is expected to take 1 hour and 23 minutes
• Bells Creek (Aura) station and Roma Street station is 1 hour and 18 minutes.

These times may change slightly as the design is finalised, stopping patterns are confirmed and elements such as dwell time (the time that a train is required to stop at a station for passengers) are finalised.

From Beerwah to Birtinya, the journey will take just under 20 minutes.

An enhanced bus network is being planned to ensure communities around the Sunshine Coast have convenient and reliable connections to the planned stations along The Wave.

This includes a network of high frequency and connector bus routes to provide convenient connections to major centres and popular destinations, including the University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Nambour and Landsborough.

These services would link to each other, local services and regional services running further north, south and west. Bus services have also considered those residents and visitors north of Maroochydore. Services are being proposed which connect these northern Sunshine Coast communities to the rail stations.

Active transport infrastructure is an important part of The Wave (Rail) project. The project will provide active transport facilities, such as pedestrian and bicycle rider pathways around stations and along the corridor to connect key communities and centres, where it is safe and feasible to do so.

Park ‘n’ ride facilities are being proposed for all stations. The location and number of park ‘n’ ride spaces will be confirmed in the detailed design stage, expected to be undertaken in 2026 and 2027.

All stations will have accessible parking, as well as active transport connections for bicycles, personal mobility devices and walking.

TMR invited the community to have their say on a new rail link for the Sunshine Coast in mid-2023.

The community provided feedback on a wide range of items relating to the project, including station locations and designs, corridor location, active transport and connections with other public transport services.

People also shared how they would use the proposed rail line, including to visit family and friends, travel to the beach and key tourism destinations, attend sports games and events in other regions, travel to and from work in Moreton Bay and Brisbane and more.

We heard that a safe, fast, reliable and efficient alternative to private vehicle travel would be a welcome addition to the regional transport network within the Sunshine Coast region.

Feedback was also provided on stations. More details on the stations and how the community’s feedback has been incorporated into the business case can be found here. Key statistics about the mid-2023 consultation are available in the consultation summary report.

We have carefully considered all feedback received during the business case and pre-delivery stages. To date, key project changes in response to the community’s feedback include:

• refinements to the rail corridor alignment to minimise environmental, cultural heritage and community impacts
• refinements to the active transport alignment and providing active transport facilities at stations
• enhanced facilities at stations and access to and from stations (from all modes)
• noise mitigation incorporated into the design of the rail corridor
• unique considerations for each station, based on the local communities and places that they serve
• enhanced station design and surroundings, including public art and urban design
• improvements to the Sunshine Coast bus network at all stations.

Community engagement is a key part of planning and delivery of The Wave (Rail) project. We are committed to maintaining open and ongoing consultation with stakeholders throughout the life of the project.

We will continue to provide opportunities for the community to contribute feedback on specific aspects of the project, including station design, environmental considerations and other matters of local interest. This input will help inform decision-making and ensure the project reflects community needs and expectations.