Crucial Sunshine Coast rail link route remains under a cloud

The future route of the Sunshine Coast Rail remains a mystery as political games and delays plague the long-discussed project, despite the tight deadline to get it delivered ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The future route of the Sunshine Coast Rail remains a mystery as political games and delays plague the long-discussed project, despite the tight deadline to get it delivered ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Federal Labor’s October budget did not specifically list funding for the Sunshine Coast, which sparked some concern, but Infrastructure Minister Catherine King has since confirmed the project is continuing.

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But political games still dominate the cost, timing and route of the project, despite it being a key part of the region’s Olympics bid.

The former Morrison government’s budget did not see significant money flowing for the Sunshine Coast Rail until 2025-26, and Ms King has also confirmed there is no money allocated until that year, meaning there can be little to no delay if it is to be delivered before the Games.

It is currently expected to follow a planned rail corridor from Beerwah to Caloundra, Kawana and Maroochydore, but has challenges to overcome, such as wetlands.

The Palaszczuk government has committed to a new business case looking at the whole corridor, and it is expected to be completed by the end of next year, but has questioned the estimated $3.2bn price tag.

The planned route is currently expected to follow a planned rail corridor from Beerwah to Caloundra, Kawana and Maroochydore. Photo: Brett Wortman / Sunshine Coast Daily

Fairfax MP Ted O’Brien said he was deeply concerned about the project being delayed and that the track may stop short of Maroochydore, ending in Caloundra or Kawana instead.

“More delays mean higher costs, especially in a highly inflationary environment. What’s more, a delay puts our deadline for the 2032 Games in jeopardy,” he said.

“The risk of ongoing games being played by the three tiers of government and postponement of the project is that heavy passenger rail never reaches the Maroochydore CBD.”

State Transport Minister Mark Bailey accused the Morrison government of announcing the funding as a “last-minute fake funding election stunt”, but confirmed the new study was under way. He said it would still be able to be completed before the Games, pointing to the Redcliffe rail line being completed just six years after the funding commitment was announced.

“It is expected to be feasible to be able to build a direct Sunshine Coast Line by 2032 to support a growing Sunshine Coast should a funding agreement be achieved across different levels of government,” he said.

Ms King said the federal government was undertaking investment planning for the Sunshine Coast Rail project, which included refining the alignment and statement locations.

Lisa Sinclair and partner Louis Albert with their children Marley Albert (3) and Ryder Albert (2) are on holiday from a flooded Echuca in Victoria, and think the railway connection to Brisbane is a great idea. Pic Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

“The budget also takes an important step to make our infrastructure pipeline more sustainable and to ensure we don’t further strain a sector already facing labour constraints, inflationary pressures and cost increases due to supply chain challenges,” she said.

Interstate tourists Lisa Sinclair and Louis Albert are staying at Cotton Tree Holiday Park with their children Marley, 3, and Ryder, 2 and would benefit from a more direct railway connection from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast.

A spokesperson for Sunshine Coast Holiday Homes, which are operated by Sunshine Coast Regional Council said the new infrastructure would help keep the Sunshine Coast connected to the rest of the southeast.