PROJECT
The Wave (Sunshine Coast Rail Line)
The Wave is a major Queensland Government public transport initiative delivering a new passenger rail line from Beerwah to Birtinya, with a metro-style connection to the Sunshine Coast Airport via Maroochydore. Sunshine Coast Council engaged CPM to provide strategic advisory and technical support to negotiate an Interface Deed with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), ensuring Council’s long-term interests, obligations and community outcomes are protected across all stages of this transformational project.
(Image source: Queensland Government Delivering the Wave)
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Location
Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Client
Sunshine Coast Council
Project Value
Est $5.5 - $7 billion (Stage 2 subject to funding)
Contract Period
Nov 2024 - In progress
PROJECT BACKGROUND
The Wave forms part of Queensland’s 2032 Delivery Plan, supporting population growth, regional connectivity, and improved transport access ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The program spans three stages, including new dual track rail, upgraded and new stations, tunnels, precinct revitalisation, and a new regional bus network. Once operational, The Wave will provide the fastest and most reliable way to travel between the Sunshine Coast to Moreton Bay, Brisbane and beyond, saving over 45 minutes compared to driving in peak times.
Council plays a critical role, given the project intersects highly valued public realm, ecological areas, and community assets. A formal Interface Deed was required to define responsibilities, asset ownership, operational expectations, risk allocation, and technical standards between TMR and Council.
The Challenge
- Navigating a highly comple stakeholder environment involving State agencies, local government, private developers, utilities and community groups.
- Aligning TMR delivery standards with Council's asset, maintenance, and operational requirements.
- Managing multiple concurrent workstreams, including Interface Deed negotaitons, Project Scope and Technical Requirements (PSTR), development, tender phases, and restructuring multiparty agreements.
- Ensuring Council was left with clear asset ownership responsibilities, operational clarity, or funded long-term maintenance contributions from DTMR.
The Solutions
CPM supported Council as strategic advisor, providing technical expertise, governance frameworks, and negotiation guidance. CPM coordinated design and technical reviews, clarified asset conditions and handback expectations, and ensured Council’s priorities were embedded in the Interface Deed and PSTR for Stages 1 and 2.
Through structured engagement and cross department coordination, CPM strengthened Council’s negotiating position and enabled evidence-based decision making.
CPM SCOPE OF WORK
- Strategic advisory services to develop, negotiate and finalise the Interface Deed between TMR and Sunshine Coast Council.
- Restructuring multiparty and lease agreements between TMR, Council, Stockland and EDQ.
- Development, review and refinement of the PSTR for Stages 1 and 2.
- Responding to tender queries regarding Council assets, development standards, materials, returned works and interface conditions.
- Technical assessment and evaluation of tenders relating to Council assets and returned works.
- Internal coordination across Council teams, documentation management, resource scheduling and general project support during TMR’s tender and design phases.
- Providing technical guidance to articulate design standards, operational requirements, lifecycle considerations and asset ownership expectations.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
- Finalisation of the Interface Deed for sign‑off, defining clear roles, responsibilities and risk allocation between TMR and Council.
- Delivery of the final PSTR for Stage 1 and Stage 2, ensuring Council requirements were fully integrated.
- Enabled Council to maintain strong negotiating power in a State led, State funded project, protecting community assets and long-term operational outcomes.
- Ensured that contributed assets met Council’s requirements and standards, significantly reducing future operational and maintenance burden.
- Established governance structures including Project Steering Committee and Technical Working Groups to streamline approvals.
- Introduced key project/interface principles, which were embedded in the Interface Deed, to guide constructive, coordinated State–Council collaboration.
- Improved traceability and quality of project documentation through a consolidated and intuitive file structure in Council’s Management System.
- Ensured timely delivery of reviews, feedback and tender responses in line with TMR program requirements, strengthening Council–TMR relationships.
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