The federal government has pledged a $1.6 billion commitment to link Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast ahead of the 2032 Olympics, a project that’s been talked about for years.

The Beerwah to Maroochydore rail extension is part of a huge boost to Queensland infrastructure funding in this year’s federal budget.

Federal MP for Fairfax, Ted O’Brien, welcomed the announcement.

“Just so happy about this, this is probably the single largest transport infrastructure project in the budget,” he told Scott Emerson.

“It allows for a new 37 kilometre rail line to be built, coming out of Beerwah, if you’re familiar with Beerwah, going across Caloundra, up to Kawana all the way through to the Maroochydore CBD, it’s the first time that that coastal strip of the Sunny Coast will have a heavy passenger rail line connecting it to Brisbane.

“So we couldn’t be happier.”

He’s “optimistic” the state government will match it, and the Brisbane Olympics in 2023 gives governments a deadline to work towards.

There will be stations in Caloundra, Kawana and the Maroochydore CBD.

He says there’s “no time to waste”.

Mr O’Brien denied it was a cash splash ahead of the federal election.

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Mark Bailey calls out ‘hard to believe’ rail extension promised for Queensland