‘Long-lasting legacy’: Sunshine Coast promised mass transit for 2032
The Crisafulli government has unveiled a mass transit solution for the Sunshine Coast – dubbed ‘The Wave’ – that would see Metro-style rapid buses complement an extension of rail services from Brisbane.
While the LNP had promised to extend rail services to Maroochydore, despite questions over the budget and timeframe, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie last week hinted that the government could go “beyond Maroochydore” in its plan for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The solution involves heavy rail running through Caloundra to Birtinya, and the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, where it would connect with rapid buses running to Sunshine Coast Airport at Marcoola.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the transport project was the reason the region joined Brisbane’s Olympic bid.
Premier David Crisafulli said the government had listened to the community and avoided terminating heavy rail at Caloundra, which could turn arterial roads on the southern end of the Sunshine Coast “into a carpark”.
“We promised people they’d be able to get on public transport at Maroochydore and head into Brisbane, they’re going to be able to do that from the airport, and that happened because of the review,” he said.
A heavy rail Sunshine Coast Line would run from the existing Beerwah station through to Birtinya, inland of Caloundra.
“It became clear that the missed opportunity in not allowing someone to be able to fly into the Sunny Coast and get on public transport was too great.”
The public transport announcement was coupled with an athletic village slated for Maroochydore – where the council has been developing a new city centre for several years – and upgrades to the Kawana Sports Precinct and Sunshine Coast Mountain Bike Centre.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the upgrades would be a “long-lasting legacy” for the region.
