The Landsborough to Nambour Rail Project
The Queensland Government is building a better future for South East Queensland by planning for the future infrastructure needs of Australia’s fastest growing urban region. Improvement of the North Coast Line between Landsborough and Nambour is one of the many infrastructure projects listed in the state government’s South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program 2008 – 2026 (SEQIPP) which outlines the government’s priorities for regionally significant infrastructure.
The SEQ Regional Plan actively supports consolidating and containing travel within the Sunshine Coast area. With a projected population of more than 473,000 people by 2026 generating an additional 500,000 trips each day, the Sunshine Coast is now at a stage where public transport must play a larger role in the region. Improving the North Coast Line between Landsborough and Nambour will build on other major rail improvements in the region, including the Caboolture to Landsborough rail upgrade. Other transport initiatives being addressed on the Sunshine Coast include providing a quality bus system between Caloundra and Maroochydore, planning for a rail service between Beerwah and Maroochydore, upgrading the Bruce Highway between Cooroy and Curra and upgrading the Sunshine Motorway.
The Landsborough to Nambour Rail Project will include construction of a double-track railway along a predominantly new route, with room for extra tracks if required. The project will improve the efficiency, service frequency, operating speeds and reliability of trains, and cater for the increasing demand for rail services in the corridor caused by population and freight transport growth.
The Landsborough to Nambour Rail Corridor Study is an early phase of the Landsborough to Nambour Rail Project. The study will include comprehensive community consultation, identification of a preferred route, and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The study is a significant, long-term planning project that will allow for a greater level of certainty around the future development and land use of the areas surrounding the North Coast Line. By identifying and acquiring the land now, Queensland Transport is providing for the future needs of both rail users and the communities that surround the corridor.
About the North Coast Line
The North Coast Line extends from Brisbane to Cairns carrying a mix of rail services from commuter services to long distance passenger (including Tilt Trains) and freight services. The existing rail line between Landsborough and Nambour is approximately 22 km in length and is a single electrified track with passing loops at stations. This section of the North Coast Line was established in the late 1800s to cater for the timber and primary production industries in the local area. Stations along this section of the North Coast Line include Landsborough, Mooloolah, Eudlo, Palmwoods, Woombye and Nambour.Due to the terrain, this section of track is winding and undulating, significantly reducing the speed at which rail services can travel. Some services currently travel at less than 50km/h for much of the journey from Landsborough to Nambour, severely limiting the capacity of this section of the North Coast Line.
