The Sunshine Coast public transport network will be connected from Beerwah through to the Sunshine Coast Airport as part of the Olympic and Paralympic Games infrastructure plan.
The project, nicknamed “The Wave”, will include heavy passenger rail from Beerwah to Birtinya, then metro to the Sunshine Coast Airport with stations at Mountain Creek and Maroochydore.
Metro infrastructure will be constructed from the Birtinya station to Maroochydore station, delivering the long-awaited Mooloolah River Interchange.
The Program includes the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line Stage 1 and 2 Projects (Beerwah to Caloundra – 19km and Caloundra to Birtinya – 7km) with a final public transport link from Birtinya to Maroochydore and on to the Sunshine Coast Airport to be delivered by 2032.
Premier David Crisafulli said The Wave represented the type of legacy projects the Games were designed to deliver.
“The Games are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver the infrastructure the Sunshine Coasts needs, not only today, but in the decades to come,” he said.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the Mooloolah River Interchange would ease congestion at a well-known traffic chokepoint on the Coast.
“(It) will include two extra lanes on the Sunshine Motorway north of Kawana Way, which is long overdue,” he said.
Under the plan, the Sunshine Coast will also host an integrated Athlete Village, arena and cultural precinct in the Maroochydore City Centre.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said she was incredibly grateful for the investment
“This much-anticipated announcement, along with the confirmation of the Sunshine Coast Stadium expansion and the progress of the Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre, represents a significant milestone and marks the delivery of great benefits for our community,” she said.
“After years of advocacy, Council is thrilled about the opportunity to bring this kind of arts and culture infrastructure to fruition.
“We are now looking forward to being involved in more detailed planning of the integrated Athletes Village, arena and cultural precinct to better understand the proposal and significance for the Maroochydore CBD, the wider region, and our ratepayers.”
