Concerns rise among beekeepers over B2N's impact on local hives.

Concerns have been raised by Sunshine Coast beekeeper Dean Bryant regarding potential losses of native bee colonies due to vegetation clearing for the Beerburrum to Nambour rail project, especially amid the ongoing varroa mite crisis affecting pollinators. Bryant, who has specialized in native stingless bees for 21 years, noted a surge in demand for native hives as European honeybees suffer from varroa infestations. He fears that wild colonies in tree hollows may have been unintentionally destroyed during the clearing process for Stage 1 of the Beerburrum to Nambour (B2N) Rail Upgrade.