On the fast track: $5m boost for Sunshine Coast rail

The Queensland government has fast-tracked $5 million to advance the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail line to the planning and development phase.

The Queensland government has fast-tracked $5 million to advance the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail line to the planning and development phase.

Transport Minister Bart Mellish said the next stage would also kickstart community engagement to prepare construction companies to bid to build the line linking Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast and removing congestion from the Bruce Highway.

“The Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line is a game-changer for transport, with trains able to travel at 140km/h on large sections of the new line,” he said.

“It’s also a significant opportunity for Queensland businesses and local suppliers to contribute to this critical infrastructure project.

Transport Minister Bart Mellish

“The market sounding and industry engagement process will look at the capacity and capability of businesses to do the work required to bring the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line to life.

“This important step will tell us more about when shovels can get in the ground and when we could potentially see the first trains operating from Caloundra to Brisbane.”

Last week, federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said the federal government was yet to agree to an increased contribution request from the Miles government for the rail construction from $1.6 billion to $2.75 billion.

“We’re working our way through the requests from the Queensland government in the upcoming budget,” she said.

“We already have $1.6 billion on the table for Sunshine Coast rail, but I’m not going to pre-empt budget decisions.”

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