THE State Government is committing $5 million towards further design and planning of the Beerwah to Caloundra rail line.
The extra funding comes as the Federal Government continues to consider whether to plunge billions in commonwealth funding required to make the project happen.
The state government’s $5m will fund geotechnical investigations between Beerwah and Birtinya.
While the Miles Government has committed $2.75 billion in funding, this is subject to matched funding from the Federal Government.
Infrastructure Minister, Catherine King, said more would be revealed in the upcoming federal budget.
“We’re working our way through the request of the Queensland Government in the upcoming budget, and Infrastructure Australia is assessing the best case for Sunshine Coast direct rail,” she said recently.
Member for Caloundra, Jason Hunt, said the line would put Queensland businesses and employees “front and centre”.
“The rail line will support thousands of jobs during construction, and ongoing operation and maintenance of the line after construction means secure jobs well into the future.”