The state government is pushing ahead with Sunshine Coast projects worth billions of dollars, despite the federal government’s refusal to allocate more funds in the recent budget.
A Transport and Main Roads spokesperson says the Crisafulli government is intent on providing The Wave, including the Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade.
The initiatives will provide more efficient travel in one of the country’s fastest-growing areas, and are expected to be completed within the next six years, despite being omitted from the federal budget this month.
“The Queensland government recognises the importance of key infrastructure projects such as The Wave and the Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade (MRIU) on the Sunshine Coast,” the spokesperson says.
“These projects will not only support the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, but also provide a long-lasting legacy for the Sunshine Coast residents, businesses and visitors.
“While it is disappointing that the federal budget did not allocate any new funding for major Sunshine Coast infrastructure projects, the Queensland government remains firmly committed to delivering these initiatives.”
Work on The Wave, including the MRIU, has already started, with site investigations, tree clearing, property acquisitions and more.
The state government is believed to have made funding for the initiatives a priority and is expected to continue to engage with the federal government to secure additional contributions where possible.
There is some funding: the federal government in 2024 matched the state government’s $2.75 billion commitment to build Stage 1 of The Wave: a 19km dual track rail line with stations between Beerwah and Caloundra.
But it is not yet clear how Stage 2 (a largely elevated 7km dual track rail line with stations between Caloundra and Birtinya, including a 1.2km tunnel) and Stage 3 (an estimated 21km metro vehicle system between Birtinya and Sunshine Coast Airport, and the MRIU) will become reality.
The state government has committed $40million to accelerate planning and market readiness for both stages, and last year committed unspecified funding for the MRIU, while Stage 2 is included in Infrastructure Australia’s Priority List.
But the state government has not received any support for Stage 3, including the MRIU, from Canberra and the project was excluded from Infrastructure Australia’s Priority List.
A 2024 business case showed that it could cost more than $5billion to build Stage 1 and another $3billion for Stage 2, while costings are uncertain for Stage 3.
