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.
| Maroochydore line | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Website | queenslandrail.com.au |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
Planning history
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]
Proposed stations
The 2009 proposal includes eight new stations, and one existing station:[15]
- Maroochydore
- Mooloolaba
- Parrearra
- Kawana Town Centre
- Erang Street
- Aroona
- Caloundra
- Pelican Waters
- Beerwah (existing)
The 2023 proposal includes six new stations:[11]
- Maroochydore
- Mountain Creek
- Birtinya
- Aroona
- Caloundra
- Nirimba
- Caboolture North (Planned Infill Station)
2023 planned station upgrades as part of the project
- Beerwah (under planning)
- Glass House Mountains (under planning)
- Caboolture (under planning)
- Morayfield (under planning)
- Burpengary (upgrade to commence in 2024)
- Dakabin (Upgrade Completed in 2022)
- Strathpine (Upgrade Completed 2021)
- Wooloowin (under planning)
- Albion (under planning)
- Bowen Hills (under planning)