By Sonia Isaacs
THE president of Beerwah’s 90-year-old co-operative says the board had “the rug pulled out from under it’s feet” after discovering it’s long-held lease over the Simpson Street co-op and service station would not be renewed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR).
Ahead of construction of the $5.5 billion Wave rail line from Beerwah to Caloundra, including a major upgrade of the local train station, the co-op has been told it will have to move out of its long-term premises.
Beerwah Co-op board president, Ken Bullen, said the board had “every reason” to believe the lease over the State-owned rail corridor land was a long-term rolling arrangement, only discovering otherwise after it sought reassurance ahead of planned upgrades.
“The previous boards had negotiated what they understood to be a permanent arrangement. Otherwise you wouldn’t put fuel tanks in the ground,” Mr Bullen said. He said successive co-op directors had invested significantly in the site installing underground fuel tanks, constructing the shed and establishing the Shell-branded service station on the understanding it was a secure, long-term home.
The historical view, he said, was that the lease operated on a five-by-five basis renewed every five years, with an expectation it would continue indefinitely.
“There was no indication to the current board that there was any chance of that lease not being renewed,” he said.
That confidence underpinned decades of investment, and the shock only came recently when the board began planning a major service station upgrade that included a café and coffee shop, he said.
“We got approval for all that through Council. We spent $50,000 on all that to get it approved,” Mr Bullen said.
“Before we spent the money, we consulted with TMR to make sure the lease was sound. And then all of a sudden they went, ‘Oh … we haven’t told them, have we?’”
Mr Bullen said communication from TMR in the early stages was inconsistent and difficult to navigate. “We had little to no contact with them. They were really hard to communicate with; you just don’t know where to get in,” he said.
While the board is now exploring relocation options, Mr Bullen said bringing its award-winning service station was more complicated and expensive than relocating the retail, hardware and garden centre.
“The logistics and the cost of relocating that service station are extremely prohibitive,” he said.
Even with strong community support, he warned that this level of investment was beyond the co-op’s capacity.
“If they resume that site, the chances are we will not be able to logistically or financially relocate that service station … it’s highly probable that it will not be feasible, nor economically achievable,” he said.
The co-op’s fuel partner, Viva Energy (Shell), has indicated it wants the service station to remain in the region.
“They know that we’re the best operators. We regularly win national awards for that service station,” Mr Bullen said.
“They’d be keen to help us into somewhere. But finding a site and funding it is two different matters.”
Suitable sites in the region are scarce, he said, and attract heavy commercial competition.
A Viva Energy spokesperson told GCM News: “Viva Energy recognises what an important role the Beerwah Co-op plays in the local community and we hope it is able to find a solution so we can continue our longstanding partnership with them.”
Local residents have voiced concerns about the service station, saying it was a vital stop for fuel, convenience and heavy vehicles travelling through the region.
A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said the Beerwah Ralilway Station would be transformed into a modern transport hub with an extra track, a third platform, a bus interchange and a multi-storey park-and-ride to support the growing region.
“The co-op site is State-owned rail corridor land, leased since 2015 for a 12-year term ending June 30, 2027. As with all leases, vacant possession is required at expiry,” the TMR spokesperson said.
“Once it became clear the site was essential for the station upgrade, TMR met with the Co-op Board and has since kept them informed. We’ve also engaged extensively with the Beerwah community, including releasing refined corridor maps in September 2025 and hosting local drop-in sessions.”
“After assessing all available options, this site remains critical to deliver The Wave.
“Detailed design will start in 2026, with further opportunities for public feedback. Clean-up responsibilities will follow lease conditions and legislation, and TMR will assist the co-op in navigating these requirements.”
The Wave project is due for completion before the 2032 Olympics and will deliver high frequency passenger services between Beerwah and Caloundra via a 27km rail spur.
