Maroochydore line | |
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Overview | |
Website | queenslandrail.com.au |
Technical | |
Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
The Maroochydore railway line, also known as the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line [1] or CAMCOS (Caloundra and Maroochydore Corridor Options Study), is a proposed railway line on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.
Initial public consultation was conducted in January 1999, with newsletters and displays of aerial photographs. On 31 March 1999, Minister for Transport & Main Roads Steve Bredhauer announced that a route from the existing North Coast line at Beerwah through to Maroochydore had been decided on. [2] The Queensland Government's Connecting SEQ2031 Infrastructure Plan, commits to the proposal, but doesn't state a proposed completion date. [3] [4] Further documentation on the Qld Government Transport and Main Roads website in July 2022 indicates that planning is continuing. [5]
In July 2007, the City of Caloundra and Queensland Government commissioned a study into the realignment of the proposed corridor in Caloundra South. It is proposed the corridor be altered to run west of Golden Beach, and through the Caloundra Airport site. [6]
The construction of a new 14 kilometre double track alignment on the North Coast line from Caboolture to Beerburrum to improve capacity in 2009 was a key requirement for the project, [7] [8] with the line scheduled to be duplicated through Beerwah to Landsborough by 2021. [9]
In the 2022 federal budget, the Morrison Government announced a commitment of $1.6 billion towards the construction rail line to improve connectivity for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. The federal government's funding was under the condition the project's budget would be under a 50:50 split with the Queensland Government. [10]
In 2023 a 37 km line allowing for 160 km/h speeds is being planned. [11]
In November 2023, Federal Transport Minister, Catherine King announced she would cut funding for the project, citing cost blowouts and a lack of demand. The project has been put on hold until the cost has been determined. [12]
In February 2024, the Queensland government announced funding of $3 billion for the first stage of the project from Beerwah to Caloundra. Construction could start in 2026 for completion by 2032 if the federal government matches funds. [13] In May 2024, the federal government announced its contribution of $2.75 billion for the first stage to Caloundra. [14] [15]
The 2009 proposal includes eight new stations, and one existing station: [16]
The 2023 proposal includes six new stations: [11]
The Bruce Highway is a major highway in Queensland, Australia. Commencing in the state capital, Brisbane, it passes through areas close to the eastern coast on its way to Cairns in Far North Queensland. The route is part of the Australian National Highway and also part of Highway 1, the longest highway route in Australia. Its length is approximately 1,679 kilometres (1,043 mi); it is entirely sealed with bitumen. The highway is named after a popular former Queensland and federal politician, Harry Bruce. Bruce was the state Minister for Works in the mid-1930s when the highway was named after him. The highway once passed through Brisbane, but was truncated at Bald Hills when the Gateway Motorway became National Highway 1 upon its opening in December 1986. In January 2025, the Australian prime minister announced that the Bruce Highway would immediately get AU$7.2 billion dollars funding from the Commonwealth federal government treasury.
Caloundra is a coastal town in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia.
Maroochydore is a coastal town in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the urban area of Maroochydore had a population of 63,673 people.
Landsborough railway station is located on the North Coast line in Queensland, Australia. It serves the town of Landsborough in the Sunshine Coast Region.
Beerwah railway station is a heritage-listed railway station on the North Coast line in Queensland, Australia. It serves the town of Beerwah in the Sunshine Coast Region. It is listed on the Sunshine Coast Region Heritage Register.
Glasshouse Mountains railway station is located on the North Coast line in Queensland, Australia. It serves the town of Glass House Mountains in the Sunshine Coast Region.
Beerburrum railway station is located on the North Coast line in Queensland, Australia. It serves the town of Beerburrum in the Sunshine Coast Region.
Elimbah railway station is located on the North Coast line in Queensland, Australia. It serves the town of Elimbah in the City of Moreton Bay.
Landsborough is a town and a locality in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Landsborough had a population of 4,446 people.
The Sunshine Coast railway line refers to the section of Queensland's North Coast line that has regular interurban passenger services, which connect Brisbane with the Sunshine Coast and as far north as Gympie. It is the longest line on the Queensland Rail Citytrain network.
Beerburrum is a rural town and coastal locality in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, the locality of Beerburrum had a population of 941 people.
The City of Caloundra was a local government area about 90 kilometres (56 mi) north of Brisbane in the Sunshine Coast region of South East Queensland, Australia. The shire covered an area of 1,093.1 square kilometres (422.0 sq mi); it existed as a local government entity from 1912 until 2008, when it amalgamated with councils further north to form the Sunshine Coast Region.
The Sunshine Coast Region is a local government area located in the Sunshine Coast region of South East Queensland, Australia, from which it takes its name.
Railways in South East Queensland consist of a large passenger and freight rail network centred on Brisbane, the capital city of the Australian state of Queensland. Suburban and interurban passenger rail services are operated by Queensland Rail, which also operates long-distance services connecting Brisbane to the rest of the state. Aurizon and Pacific National are private companies which operate freight services. The passenger rail network in South East Queensland is known as the Citytrain network.
Coochin Creek is a coastal locality in the south of the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. The locality is named for the creek which flows through it.
The Sunshine Coast Light Rail is a proposed light rail system for the Sunshine Coast region of Queensland, Australia. The light rail system would link Maroochydore with Caloundra via Mooloolaba and Kawana and was planned to bring a frequent, high-quality light rail service to meet the region's predicted growth. The system underwent feasibility studies in 2015.
Landsborough Air Raid Shelter is a heritage-listed air raid shelter at Cribb Street, Landsborough, Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1942. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 3 April 2009.
Glass House Mountains Road is a continuous 30.4-kilometre (18.9 mi) road route in the Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast local government areas of Queensland, Australia. Part of it is designated as part of State Route 6. It is a state-controlled road, part regional and part district.
Caloundra Road is a continuous 9.3-kilometre (5.8 mi) road route in the Sunshine Coast local government area of Queensland, Australia. Most of it is designated as part of State Route 6. It is a state-controlled district road, part of which is rated as a local road of regional significance (LRRS).