Australian government releases first tenders for US$17bn rail project

The Kuranda rail line in Queensland, Australia. (Image: Adobe Stock)

It’s the first offerings from the massive multi-phase rail project, which is valued at approximately $17 billion, overall.

“Two tenders for the major rail project have just been released, enabling detailed quotes to be sought from the construction industry in 2025 ahead of major construction in 2026, subject to approvals,” stated the joint release.

Stage one includes construction of a 19km link between Beerwah and Caloundra and upgrades to the station at Beerwah. Two new stations will be built at Aura and Caloundra.

“Meanwhile, geotechnical investigations are set to begin from Beerwah to Birtinya [the week of 8 August],” noted the Australian government. “These investigations are a key milestone in the preliminary works package for Stage 1... [and will] better inform approvals, the design process and help contractors to price the project with more certainty.”

The state and federal governments are contributing equal dollar amounts to fund entirely the almost $3.6 billion build.

Delivery for stage one is expected in 2032.

About the multi-phase DSC Rail Line project

(Map courtesy Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads)

The three-phased scheme consists of constructing 37.8km of new dual track and rail systems between Beerwah and Maroochydore. Beerwah and Maroochydore are located about 75km and 100km north, respectively, of Queensland’s capital Brisbane.

Brisbane is scheduled to host the Olympic Games in 2032.

The plan calls for at least six new train stations, provisions for a seventh and a rebuild of another in Beerwah East. Mechanical and electrical work is also scheduled, along with 17km of flood mitigating and road/rail separation structures.

Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Bart Mellish said, “Queensland is growing fast and a lot of the growth is happening on the Sunshine Coast, which is why we are backing rail infrastructure to support the region’s future.

“With trains able to travel at 140km-an-hour on large sections of the new line, it will help people move around our region and get to where they live, work and play quickly and easily.”

The minister added that the build will also reduce congestion and encourage more public use of “sustainable and climate friendly transport options.”

A projected completion date for the entire project was not available.

DCS project first-phase will require tonnes of concrete, create ‘thousands’ of jobs

In its March 2024 business case summary, the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads said, “DSC will require imports of large fill quantities, delivery of high numbers of pre-cast units, and supply of concrete and other materials to site on a regular basis.” 

Officials said 2,200 jobs would be created, although they did not specify how many were related to construction.