It’s back to the future for the historic Shorncliffe station with a major upgrade to honour its significant heritage while making it easier for everyone to catch the train for years to come.
Tenders are out to refurbish the almost 130-year-old station with works to get underway in 2025.
The renovation will include:
- raising 90m of platform to include boarding points,
- refurbished heritage building,
- a new kiss ‘n’ ride,
- additional accessible parking,
- accessible ticket windows and bathrooms,
- improved customer comfort,
- hearing augmentation loops,
- improved lighting and CCTV,
- customer information screens.
There will also be space for 36 bicycles in a new, secure bike enclosure – complementing the suburb’s substantial bike path network and promoting easy active transport.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Bart Mellish said the government is proud to be getting the job done to deliver a modern and reliable rail network for all Queenslanders.
“Shorncliffe station already has a rich history and now we’re ensuring it has a bright future and continues to serve the entire community for the next century,” he said.
“With the tender process in full swing we’re a significant step closer to delivering a more accessible Shorncliffe station while honouring the old-world historic charm that makes this station so unique.”
Shorncliffe station, originally called Sandgate, was designed by famed Queensland Railways Architect Henrik Hansen.
The heritage charm will be protected and enhanced during the upgrade with the 1940s air raid shelter retained and the building returned to its 1914 footprint.
The station is a historic treasure trove with more than 400 objects of heritage significance discovered in the subfloor of the old station building during early works, including train tickets, clothing, newspapers, and bottles.
The artefacts – some dating back to the 1890s – have been meticulously preserved and catalogued.
Queensland Rail Head of South East Queensland Neil Backer said Queensland Rail is committed to connecting communities and by modernising and improving our stations we’re making sure everyone can catch the train without barriers.
“The Shorncliffe community have been so patient while our teams meticulously sifted through hundreds of heritage artefacts and preliminary works during the early stages of the project but with tenders called, we’re really making tracks,” he said.
“It’s extremely important that we get this project right and treat the heritage building – and piece of our local history – with respect and that’s exactly what we’re doing.
“The Shorncliffe station upgrade is in addition to the accessibility upgrades at Burpengary, Bundamba, Banyo, Morningside, Buranda and Lindum stations.
“Whether you use a wheelchair, push a pram or you’re travelling with luggage, upgrades like the ones we are undertaking across South East Queensland make a real difference in our customers’ lives.”
A 1940s sailor’s cap, unearthed in the dig, was even reunited with its owner’s family seven-decades later – just one example of the delicate care, precision and attention Queensland Rail has been giving to this historic upgrade.
Since 2022, Shorncliffe locals have provided input into the project through community consultation, feedback and engagement sessions.
The Queensland Government remains committed to enhancing the state’s rich rail history while delivering safer, modern and more accessible public transport for all of its customers.
Shorncliffe’s tender process follows the recent reopening of Burpengary station with five more full station upgrades under construction at Bundamba, Morningside, Lindum, Banyo and Buranda. Cross River Rail’s upgraded Dutton Park station will also reopen in coming months.
- Shorncliffe station, previously known as Sandgate, opened in 1897 as a resort station for people to travel from Brisbane to the beach for picnics.
- The restoration of the station building and the retention of the 1940s air raid shelter will be seamlessly integrated with accessible features like the partially raised platform, hearing augmentation loops, tactile ground surface indicators, accessible toilets, wayfinding and platform signage, customer information screens and improved lighting and CCTV.
- Since 2017, Queensland Rail has completed 13 station upgrades including at Burpengary, Alderley, Newmarket, Graceville, Nambour, Dinmore, Morayfield, Boondall, Strathpine, East Ipswich, Dakabin, Cannon Hill and Auchenflower. South Bank Platform 1 was also completed in November 2022.
- Seven southside stations between Dutton Park and Salisbury are being rebuilt as part of Cross River Rail. The transformational project will also see four new underground stations at Boggo Road, Albert Street, Woolloongabba and Roma Street, a new year-round Exhibition station and three new Gold Coast stations at Pimpama, Hope Island and Merrimac.
- In addition to full accessibility upgrades the Queensland Government has invested in improving customers’ comfort and security through partial platform raising, lighting upgrades, enhanced CCTV coverage, bike lockers, new customer screens, and the construction of Queensland Police Service Railway Squad outposts and hubs.
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