The designs for The Wave – Stages 1 & 2 have been opened for public consultation. The Wave is the passenger rail line from Beerwah to Birtinya on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. The project includes train stations, station precincts, and rail corridors, with a metro-style connection to Sunshine Coast Airport via the Maroochydore Central Business District. Stage 1 of The Wave will see a new heavy rail line delivered from Beerwah to Caloundra. Stage 2 of The Wave will see rail extended from Caloundra to Birtinya. Both stages are expected to be constructed at the same time, subject to funding.
Environmental Refinement
Following community feedback and initial environmental assessments, the team implemented several design refinements to minimise ecological and hydrological impacts. These include using elevated structures over more than 40% of the alignment to reduce disturbance to low-lying acid sulphate soils, and designing waterway crossings as bridges where feasible to facilitate fauna movement and protect riparian areas and fish passage.
Precinct Designs
Beerwah Station
A modernised Beerwah station precinct is being delivered to better connect people, places and opportunities across the region. The new station includes a main entrance on Simpson Street and a landscaped public plaza designed to create a welcoming atmosphere and enhance precinct activity. It features new retail and commercial spaces to strengthen connections between the station and the town centre, a 400-space multi-level park-and-ride facility with direct access to the station, and upgrades to the Simpson Street and Peachester Road intersection to ensure safe and efficient movement for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Bells Creek (Aura)
Bells Creek (Aura) station will provide a new public transport connection south of the future Aura Town Centre, supporting access to Aura, the new 10-hectare parkland and surrounding communities. The station development features two fully accessible 160-meter-long platforms designed to accommodate nine-car trains, enhancing capacity and future-proofing the station.
The project includes a variety of transport such as a kiss ‘n’ ride zone, taxi and rideshare areas, a bus interchange, and a multi-level park and ride with 1,000 parking spaces. Additionally, new parkland west of the station includes sports fields, courts, playgrounds, a skate park, a dog off-leash area, and BBQ facilities, creating a vibrant community space. Active transport connections include cycle and pedestrian pathways and secure bicycle storage for 40 bikes. Public spaces are designed for comfort and safety, with 50% of areas shaded.
Caloundra
Caloundra station will provide a new public transport gateway to the southern Sunshine Coast, with connections to Caloundra, Golden Beach, Bulcock Beach and Kings Beach.
The development includes two fully accessible platforms designed to along with a variety of public amenities such as green spaces, including a new Paperbark Plaza that connects the station to a nearby paperbark forest, offering areas for relaxation and recreation. It also features a street-level park ‘n’ ride with 700 parking spaces, a dedicated kiss ‘n’ ride, taxi and rideshare zones, and a bus interchange.rd, south of the station.
Active Transport Infrastructure
Active transport infrastructure (such as pathways for walking and bike riding) is an important part of the station precinct planning. This gives people options for how they travel to and from stations.
Walking network plans have been developed for Beerwah, Caloundra and Aroona stations including Key walking routes, access points, safety issues, locations for road crossing points and seating, and areas for improvement were identified. The walking network plans show primary and secondary routes for walking through an area, as well as running and moving with a mobility device such as a wheelchair, mobility scooter, mobility cane, or walking frame.
The Wave project will now deliver parts of the walking network plans and will continue to work with Sunshine Coast Council to deliver future active transport connections.
Stage 1 is expected to cost between $5.5 billion and $7 billion Australian dollars. Stage 2 (Caloundra to Birtinya) is subject to funding approval.
Find out more about the station consultation at https://www.yoursay-projects.tmr.qld.gov.au/thewaverail/station-designs-and-planning
Project Team
Landscape Architect: ASPECT Studios
Architects: Grimshaw Architects and Mode Design
Client: CoastalTraX, a consortium comprising Acciona, Georgiou Group, Mott Macdonald, Aurecon and DT Infrastructure
Client: Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads
Images: courtesy of the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads
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