Sunshine Coast rail, rapid bus plans may be off cards before Brisbane Olympics
In short:
The Sunshine Coast will host Olympic and Paralympic events in 2032, but time is running out to build major bus and rail projects.
While a major rail line from Brisbane to Caloundra should be built on time, an expert says it's unlikely to reach Maroochydore.
What's next?
The newly elected Queensland government has vowed to lengthen the rail line and an update on the rapid bus project is due mid-2025.
One of Queensland's biggest cities may end up without a train or bus network that can carry athletes and spectators to Olympic and Paralympic venues in 2032, with experts warning it will be difficult to have them ready in time.
The Sunshine Coast is poised to hold multiple events during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, including the marathon, mountain biking, and some football and basketball matches.
But despite being home to more than 400,000 people, the only existing rail lines are away from major centres and its bus network struggles to attract passengers.
Big public transport plan
Sunshine Coast Council began planning a light rail line in 2012 — nine years before the Games were announced for Brisbane — but the project has since been scrapped in favour of a 25-metre-long rapid bus service.
Under the proposal, the first stage would put buses on their own corridor, with at 19 stops between the city centre at Maroochydore and the Sunshine Coast University Hospital at Birtinya.
Proposed stations for the rapid bus network. (Supplied, Sunshine Coast Council)
There would be stops near the proposed athlete's village, indoor stadium, road events and Sunshine Coast stadium.
Although a business case for the rapid bus service was given to the Transport Department in 2023, the council has been told not to expect any update until mid-2025.
The council initially estimated the mass transit system could be operational by 2027, if given the go ahead.
Now, one of its key officers is warning that even with almost eight years to go, time may have run out.
Eight years somehow not enough
James Coutts leads the council's urban growth projects team, and has previously worked in the Department of State Development.
He said the rapid bus plan was competing for funding and labour against every other major project being built ahead of the Games.
"The bus rapid transit from Maroochydore to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital is not physically able to be delivered in that timeframe," he said.
Rapid buses and battery-powered "trackless trams" have been rolled out as a transport option in China. (Supplied: CCRC)
Mr Coutts told the council meeting his team was "cautiously optimistic" that some form of the project might still occur, but it may have to share the road with other vehicles in parts.
He said that would still be more reliable, comfortable and more popular than the council's current bus network, which was used by fewer than 3 per cent of local residents.
Anything is possible, for a price
Griffith University cities expert Matthew Burke was more optimistic, and said if the government moved quickly and thoughtfully, it could be done in time.
"It'd definitely be possible to do this but it would take money," Professor Burke said.
"We could have multiple crews, starting at each end, and kind of working on the stations simultaneously."
Griffith University Professor Matthew Burke is a transport and cities expert. (ABC News: Curtis Rodda)
He said with dedicated transit lanes, the rapid buses could still be an excellent way of travelling across the coast.
It would limit traffic in those lanes to vehicles that were carrying at least two or three people, including the buses.
"The best approach is to have its own right of way, but while you're building it, you can give some bus priority on an existing road," Professor Burke said.
"They've got to be able to be fast and reliable and not stuck behind 20 single-occupant cars that are waiting to turn left at a traffic light."
'Roll the dice'
Professor Burke said the government needed to "roll the dice" and give the rapid buses a shot.
He said any delays would mean more congestion.
"The Sunshine Coast is the largest city in Australasia that's left without decent public transport," he said.
"It's high time the Sunshine Coast got its due.
"When it comes, it will be much loved."
The rapid bus service would ideally connect to a planned rail link connecting Caloundra to Brisbane, which has been funded at a cost of up to $7 billion.
However, the proposed bus line currently terminates 10 kilometres north at Birtinya.
Sunshine Coast MP and Queensland Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said he was "asking questions" about the project.
"I know we need a far better public transport network to connect one end of the coast with the other, and everywhere in between," he said.
Mr Mickelberg said he too was waiting for next year's update on the business case, so "funding and timelines" could be considered.
"We want to ensure the 2032 Games leaves Queensland with a lasting legacy, and for the Sunshine Coast that means better infrastructure and public transport options," he said.
Train must cross 'giant swamp'
The new LNP government has vowed to spend billions more to extend the rail link between Brisbane and Caloundra all the way to Maroochydore by 2032, a goal which is yet to receive federal support.
But Professor Burke said the new heavy rail line would need to cross "giant swamps" and required major tunnelling work.
"It's going to be really difficult for us to make 2032, and it's going to take billions, billions, and billions of dollars," he said.
Rosanna Natoli hopes both direct rail and rapid buses will be ready ahead of the Games. (ABC Sunshine Coast, Josh Dye)
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said she remained hopeful the rapid bus service and the full length of heavy rail could still be built ahead of the Games.
"We need them both so that we can move people around the Sunshine Coast, north, south and east and west," she said.
"That is when we will get a really effective public transport system."