The state government has spruiked its plans to unlock the Sunshine Coast’s traffic “bottleneck” and ease its “growing pains”, but the move is set to lead to the displacement of sporting groups and continued uncertainty around resumptions.
A “seamless public transport” link dubbed The Wave, connecting Beerwah through to the Sunshine Coast Airport, was revealed on Tuesday as part of the 2032 Olympic Games Delivery Plan.
The plan involves constructing heavy passenger rail from Beerwah to Birtinya, with a metro bus system then connecting Birtinya to the airport via the CAMCOS corridor and stations at Mountain Creek and Maroochydore.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie and Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg on Wednesday fronted the media to hail the “fantastic solution”, despite the state government previously saying it would build the rail line from Beerwah all the way to Maroochydore by 2032.
“I think this is a far better program,” Mr Bleijie said. “This is far better because we’re now actually connecting the airport, which was not in any in any of the discussions we had before the election because everyone has ruled it out because it was too expensive.
“The benefit now is the Games Independent Infrastructure Coordination Authority (GIICA), having looked at it, having looked at what could be delivered, their main focus was that to really connect the Sunshine Coast, you need an airport connection. The way you can deliver the airport connection, they’ve come up with what I think is a fantastic solution.
“I’ve got to say, the people on the Coast I’ve been talking to over the last 24 hours – I just got off the phone to Sandy Zubrinich, the chair of the Sunshine Coast Business Council – they’re excited.
“GIICA have also recommended high-frequency buses, which we’ll get to and we’ll add to the network. That will mean that other coastal communities, the beachside communities, and also the hinterland communities, will be better connected into a huge transit hub in Birtinya.
“The Wave will be the spine and then off the spine we’ll have the high-frequency bus network across our road network on the Coast. I think it’s a far better plan and I’m absolutely ecstatic to get behind it.”
Related story: Arena plans at heart of $10b Coast transformation
Mr Mickelberg said delivering the Mooloolah River Interchange, which has been resurrected as part of the plan, was vital to unlocking the Coast’s traffic.
“We’re investing in the Mooloolah River Interchange, which is the bottleneck, the chokehold, in the centre of the Sunshine Coast road network right now,” he said.
“In doing the work on the Mooloolah River Interchange, which is required to deliver The Wave north of Birtinya, we will be able to unlock our road network in a way that couldn’t have been envisaged.”
Mr Mickelberg said he was already looking to secure funding for the project, which is fully funded only for the rail to Caloundra.
“I’ve already written to the federal government asking for them to work with us to deliver our investment to support the Games, and to support infrastructure right across the state,” he said.
“I’d make the observation that The Wave is only being delivered because of this commitment that the LNP Crisafulli government has made and will consider any measure to deliver this in a fiscally responsible way that delivers for Sunshine Coast residents and supports the Games plan.
“We’re more than happy to consider investment from any party, whether that’s the federal government or the private sector, to deliver this legacy infrastructure that will make every single resident on the Sunshine Coast have a better way of life.
“It’ll ease our growing pains that have come from a growing population that hasn’t seen the investment that we need for so many years.”
But the transport plan won’t be without its problems.
“We’ll also be dealing with the issues of Kawana Football Club, who play on the Western Fields (at Bokarina),” said Mr Bleijie, who is also the Member for Kawana.
“By delivering stage two of the direct heavy passenger The Wave, that will displace the Kawana Football Club and Kawana Touch.”
Mr Mickelberg revealed 84 homes had previously been knocked down in his Buderim electorate alone in anticipation of the Mooloolah River Interchange.
“People were evicted and those homes have subsequently been demolished. Then Labor remove the funding. It’s a travesty for the Sunny Coast,” he said.
Mr Bleijie said the resurrected Mooloolah River Interchange plan would tie in with The Wave.
“You would expect a similar corridor based on the CAMCOS corridor,” he said. “However, there are situations – I know in my electorate and I know Brent has been dealing with in his electorate, particularly Lake Kawana – there were some homes that are not now having to be resumed. Transport and Main Roads have had those discussions with individuals.
Related story: Properties resumed to make way for uncertain mega-build
“The sad reality is for the Mooloolah River Interchange, a lot of the houses had been resumed and sat vacant for years. The transportation system that we’ve come up with The Wave is on top of the Mooloolah River Interchange, which is a vital project for the Sunshine Coast.
“We’ve committed now to finalising and building the Mooloolah River Interchange. Those discussions with impacted households will commence and continue. Obviously, we want as less impact as possible. People that have been notified of the impact, Transport and Main Roads will have those discussions with people.”
Ms Zubrinich said the 2032 Delivery Plan outlined substantial infrastructure developments aimed at enhancing the region.
“The introduction of The Wave, a direct rail line from Beerwah to Birtinya with a metro hub connecting to Sunshine Coast Airport through Maroochydore CBD, aims to alleviate congestion and enhance commuter movement across the region,” she said.
“The Sunshine Coast has emerged as a significant beneficiary of the infrastructure funding – around $10 billion in seven years – which will lead to long-term legacy benefits for our region.
“Notably, the extension of heavy rail from Brisbane to Beerwah, connecting through to Birtinya and linking with a state-of-the-art metro hub, will provide improved connectivity to the Sunshine Coast Airport and Maroochydore CBD – a major win for our region.”
