The government of the Australian federal state of Queensland has unveiled plans for a direct railway link between Sunshine Coast and Brisbane. The line will provide a 45-minute journey. The proposed 37.8 km railway line will extend the railway network in south-east Queensland and create a new link from the North Coast Line in Beerwah to Maroochydore. The first phase of the project is estimated to cost up to €4.2 billion (AU$7 billion), of which €1.65 billion has already been committed by the government. This includes the protection of the upgraded railway line to Maroochydore and the construction of a 19 km double-track section from Beerwah to Caloundra. The phased implementation of the project will see the railway line eventually run to Birtinya and Maroochydore, with trains able to reach speeds of up to 140 km/h on parts of the line. The line from Beerwah to Caloundra could be operational in time for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.
