Stage 4 of the BHWA extends from Steve Irwin Way at Beerburrum to the D'Aguilar Highway at Moodlu.

The study area contains established communities, areas of rural living, important agricultural land, state forest, national parks, and the Elimbah development area identified in the South East Queensland Regional Plan (ShapingSEQ 2023).

Community and stakeholder feedback on possible corridor options for Stage 4 was sought between November 2023 and February 2024 and TMR thanks everyone that provided feedback.

Feedback confirmed community interest in an alternative route for the Stage 4 corridor, including a route further west of the Elimbah township to reduce property impacts and community severance. Feedback also highlighted community interest in utilising more government owned land, following existing power easements and roads, multi-modal transport options, environmental and lifestyle considerations, and integration with the broader planned growth in the area.

New investigations into a more westerly route

As a result of feedback received, new technical investigations are underway into routes further west of the Elimbah township. These investigations will continue as a priority until early 2025.

TMR will continue to engage with the community and key stakeholders as planning progresses.

Technical investigations, along with early community and stakeholder feedback collected since 2021, allowed TMR to identify 2 possible corridor options. Option 1 is to the west of the North Coast rail line and the Elimbah township, and Option 2 is to the east.

These corridor options were shared with the community and stakeholders for feedback between 30 November 2023 and 9 February 2024. Details of these options are outlined below, and further information is provided in the project newsletter.

Please note, the corridor options shown below are subject to change pending outcomes of technical investigations underway.

Northern section

East of Old Gympie Road, 2 viable corridor options are shown on the map.

Option 1 is west of the North Coast rail line and Elimbah township, crossing the rail line north of McDougall Road in the Beerburrum State Forest. The corridor option provides opportunities for a connection to the proposed Elimbah development area. This option maintains local connectivity for residents and businesses by providing overpasses at Whittington, Markwell, Alcock, Old Gympie, Twin View, McDougall, and Beerburrum roads.

Option 2 crosses the North Coast rail line south of the Elimbah township and Six Mile Creek, and travels east of the rail line. This alignment provides greater flexibility to facilitate connections to the proposed Elimbah development area. The option maintains local connectivity by providing overpasses at Whittington, Markwell, Alcock, Old Gympie, Smiths, Beerburrum and Bartholomew roads and Jacks Lane.

Both options share a common alignment on the southern approach to Steve Irwin Way near Beerburrum.

Southern section

The Stage 4 corridor continues from Stage 1 at the D’Aguilar Highway, Moodlu. The corridor options follow a common alignment through Moodlu, crossing Old Gympie Road north of Alcock Road.

Where possible, this section closely follows the existing power easement.

Other options southeast of this alignment, between the D’Aguilar Highway and Old Gympie Road, were not progressed as they impact a large number of residential properties. Options further west were ruled out as they had more impacts to the environment and important agricultural land.