Noosa 360

As discussed in our July update, the public comment period on Noosa Council’s EPBC referral for the Beckmans Road upgrade (Tewantin Bypass Stage 2) had closed, with the outcome to determine the project’s next steps. We have since received an update from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads confirming the result of that referral. 

The Minister provided the following response in italics: 

I understand the Tewantin Bypass, Beckmans Road upgrade remains an important priority for the Noosa community. Planning work is progressing to map the long-term, staged improvements needed to provide better connections for all road users. The planning project has been allocated $8.5 million, with a further $30 million committed to commence delivery of these upgrades. The project remains on schedule to commence in 2028. 

Environmental investigations have been fast tracked to inform concept designs and environmental approvals. In May 2026, Noosa Shire Council (NSC), with support from my Department, submitted a referral for the project under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. On 10 July 2026, the proposed upgrade was declared a controlled action under that Act, requiring further federal assessment and approval before the project can progress to delivery. 

This confirms the referral has moved to the next stage of the Commonwealth process. A controlled action declaration means the project now requires formal federal assessment and approval before it can proceed to delivery – this is a procedural step, not a delay attributable to the State, and reflects the standard EPBC Act pathway for a project of this scale. We will continue to monitor the Commonwealth’s assessment process and provide updates as it progresses. 

We note the Minister’s response does not address early works. As raised in our previous update, the Minister had committed to investigating opportunities to bring forward early works following our advocacy, and we wrote seeking an update on whether any opportunities had been identified. This has not yet been answered, and we will follow up directly. 

We will continue to advocate for timely progress on this important safety and congestion project and provide further updates as they become available. 

Further information 

For updates on the Beckmans Road upgrade, visit Noosa Council’s website:
https://www.noosa.qld.gov.au/beckmans-road-upgrade 

To view the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP), visit:
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/qtriponline 

For information on EPBC referrals and assessments, visit:
https://epbcpublicportal.environment.gov.au.  To view details on this project visit https://bit.ly/4r0eAZC

For the Department of Transport and Main Roads’ Tewantin Bypass/Beckmans Road Project page, visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/tewantin-bypass-beckmans-road-planning 

To advocate directly with the Minister for Transport and Main Roads regarding the Beckmans Road upgrade and Tewantin Bypass, email transportandmainroads@ministerial.qld.gov.au. Please remember to copy our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward us any response you receive.