DT Infrastructure has secured the design-and-construct contracts for major upgrades at Rockhampton and Bundaberg railway stations, creating two active regional rail-delivery pipelines across Central Queensland and Wide Bay.

Detailed design is now underway, with early works scheduled to begin in late 2026 before major construction commences in 2027.

For regional contractors and suppliers, the award provides a clearer head-contractor pathway across civil, building, electrical, accessibility and station-interface work.

DT Infrastructure appointed to deliver both stations

Queensland Rail has appointed DT Infrastructure to complete detailed design and construction for the Rockhampton and Bundaberg station upgrades.

The two regional stations collectively receive almost 140,000 customer visits each year and provide important connections along Queensland’s coastal rail network.

DT Infrastructure says design work will begin immediately and that the projects are expected to create meaningful opportunities for local suppliers and contractors during delivery.

What the station upgrades will include

The confirmed improvement program includes:

• new CCTV and improved security infrastructure;
• upgraded station signage;
• tactile ground-surface indicators;
• new handrails where required;
• variable-height luggage check-in counters;
• new accessible toilets;
• accessible station entrances and pathways;
• improved accessible parking;
• upgraded station car parks;
• new or improved drop-off areas; and
• customer-facility and passenger-experience improvements.

The detailed design process will determine the final configuration and construction requirements at each station.

Two regional construction pipelines

The award is commercially relevant because it covers two separate operating railway stations rather than one isolated site.

Delivery will need to address existing station buildings, passenger movements, rail operations, car parks, access pathways and public-transport interfaces.

This could create demand across multiple workstreams, including:

• surveying and detailed design support;
• services investigations and utility locating;
• rail-safe planning and protection;
• demolition and enabling works;
• civil construction and drainage;
• car-park and drop-off-zone works;
• footpaths, ramps and accessible pathways;
• building alterations and amenities;
• accessible toilets and plumbing;
• electrical distribution and lighting;
• CCTV, communications and security systems;
• signage and tactile indicators;
• handrails, balustrades and fabricated components;
• internal fit-out and architectural finishes;
• traffic and pedestrian management;
• temporary facilities and site compounds;
• rail possessions and operational interfaces;
• testing and commissioning; and
• local materials and construction support.

These are potential work categories associated with the announced station scope. They should not be treated as live individual packages unless DT Infrastructure, Queensland Rail or an authorised procurement platform formally releases them.

Businesses can follow related activity through BBI’s coverage of rail projects, transport infrastructure and Queensland construction projects.

Accessibility is central to the program

The station upgrades are intended to provide more accessible entrances, pathways, parking, toilets and customer facilities.

Accessibility work at operating stations often requires careful integration between civil levels, building entries, platform access, signage and passenger-management systems.

This could involve specialist design review, compliant gradients, tactile surfaces, accessible amenities, handrails and coordination with existing station structures.

Security and passenger systems

New CCTV and signage form part of the confirmed program.

That creates a defined electrical and communications component alongside the civil and building works.

Potential supporting capabilities may include:

• CCTV installation and integration;
• communications cabling;
• power supplies and switchboards;
• lighting upgrades;
• security-system commissioning;
• passenger-information interfaces; and
• wayfinding and regulatory signage.

Operating-station delivery will require careful staging

Rockhampton and Bundaberg stations will continue to play important roles in Queensland’s regional passenger network during the project period.

Construction may therefore require staged access, temporary passenger routes, protected work zones and coordination around station operations and train movements.

This creates additional requirements across rail safety, temporary works, traffic management, public communication and site logistics.

Local supplier participation

DT Infrastructure has stated that it expects the projects to create opportunities for local suppliers and contractors throughout the delivery phase.

The most likely regional participation areas could include:

• civil works and concrete;
• electrical and communications installation;
• plumbing and amenities;
• fabrication and handrails;
• line marking and signage;
• plant and equipment hire;
• traffic management;
• temporary fencing and facilities;
• waste removal and site services; and
• regional accommodation and workforce support.

Readers can also follow BBI’s industrial supply-chain coverage and regional economic development updates.

Maryborough West remains the next project to watch

Queensland Rail says planning and early design work for the Maryborough West station upgrade is continuing.

A construction contractor has not yet been announced for that location.

The Maryborough West appointment could create a follow-on regional package and should be treated as a separate Project Watch update when procurement advances.

BBI Project Watch assessment

The DT Infrastructure award is important because it provides a named head contractor, two confirmed regional sites and a defined transition from detailed design into early works and major construction.

The projects are unlikely to have the scale of a new railway line or major urban station, but they could produce practical packages for regional SMEs across civil, accessibility, building, electrical, security and public-realm work.

The strongest near-term milestone will be completion of detailed design, followed by early works mobilisation in late 2026.

What contractors should watch next

• completion and release of final station designs;
• DT Infrastructure supplier-registration processes;
• early works and site-establishment packages;
• civil, building and electrical subcontract opportunities;
• rail-safety and possession requirements;
• major construction commencement in 2027;
• local supplier briefings; and
• appointment of a contractor for Maryborough West.

Which regional package is most likely to create the strongest local supplier opportunity — civil access works, station buildings or electrical and security systems?

Sources:

• Queensland Rail — Major contractor appointed for Rockhampton and Bundaberg stations
• DT Infrastructure — Regional station upgrades contract award
• Queensland Rail — Regional Station Upgrades project page

Disclaimer: Bowen Basin Index provides project information based on publicly available sources at the date of publication. References to potential contractor, supplier or employment opportunities are general observations based on the announced project scope and do not represent confirmed tenders, contracts or engagement by Queensland Rail or DT Infrastructure. Businesses should verify procurement information directly with the relevant project authority, contractor or authorised tender platform.