By Sonia Isaacs
EXTENSIVE clearing now under way is revealing the full scale of the $1 billion Beerburrum to Nambour rail duplication (B2N), well ahead of its 2027 completion.
More than 60 hectares will eventually be cleared for the project, which will duplicate the rail line between Beerburrum and Beerwah to increase passenger and freight movements on the north coast line. The project will see the Barrs Rd level crossing closed and replaced with an overpass for traffic.
A new bridge entrance to Beerburrum will be built and new traffic lights on Steve Irwin Way will also be installed as part of the realigned tracks.
Member for Glass House, Andrew Powell, said he had been advocating for the rail upgrade for many years but acknowledged the confronting pace of change in recent weeks.
“I appreciate that, now the work is finally under way, the scale of the project is daunting,” he said.
He said duplication of the rail line was essential to support population growth and ensure the region was well-positioned ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Locals can be reassured that the project has met strict environmental standards at both the state and federal levels,” he said.
However some locals are struggling with the changes.
Long-time Beerburrum resident, Jenny Donovan told GC&M News that “the whole feeling of village life is being erased”.
“It’s heartbreaking,” she added.
“Visitors come here because of the trees. We’re more than just a corridor between Brisbane and Maroochydore.
“We all moved here for the peace, the trees, the animals and the nature and it’s being destroyed.”
Other locals have taken a different perspective.
Tracey Heilig, owner of Café Phillies in Beerburrum, said the clearing did not concern her and that she believed it was ultimately beneficial.
She described the works as a “necessary evil” that would support the region’s long-term growth, adding that much of the vegetation removed at the Beerburrum entrance was regrowth rather than century-old trees.
“I’ve seen the landscaping and regeneration plans, and I know people will have different opinions,” she said.
“But for me, I think it’s important for the future.
And honestly, it’s now easier and safer to see the entry to Beerburrum when driving at night – that corner has been a problem for years.”
A Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said vegetation removal at the entrance to Beerburrum was necessary to construct “permanent infrastructure” and allow the project to progress.
“Vegetation clearing is necessary to allow construction of new rail and road infrastructure,” the spokesperson said.
“The project will also construct a new road overpass connecting Steve Irwin Way and Beerburrum Road, including a new signalised intersection on Steve Irwin Way.”
Mr Powell said that strict environmental conditions governed the project, including requirements at both state and federal levels.
These conditions involve fauna passages beneath the rail corridor, comprehensive pre-clearing wildlife surveys, and licensed fauna spotters during all vegetation removal, particularly under koala conservation rules.
The most significant environmental measure is a large Habitat Offset designed to compensate for the removal of 64 hectares of nationally significant habitat required across all B2N stages.
Under the approved Offset Area Management Plan, 198.97 hectares of Sunshine Coast Council land between Maleny National Park and Kondalilla National Park will be rehabilitated to improve habitat quality and connectivity for koalas and grey-headed flying foxes.
Federal approval for the offset has been granted under the EPBC Act, and TMR will work with Council to deliver restoration outcomes at the site, located within 15 kilometres of the B2N project area (Nambour-Obi-Obi).
TMR maintains it has “worked to minimise and mitigate” environmental impacts and remains committed to “environmental stewardship” throughout construction, including rehabilitation works at Kirbys Road and continued monitoring of offset sites over coming years.
Despite assurances, residents like Ms Donovan said they remain deeply concerned about the long-term visual and environmental impacts on the region’s identity.
“It just won’t ever look the same,” she said. “In 15 years I’ve been here, it’s just gone. It’s just disgusting – we’re talking about thousands of trees. It feels like we’ve lost something really special.”
sonia@gcnews.com.au
