About the planning

About the planning

What has happened so far?

In 2006, a pre-feasibility study was conducted to identify a potential alignment for the bus corridor between Caloundra and Maroochydore. This early planning was done to identify an alignment that would deliver the most benefits with the least impacts.

The first round of consultation for CoastConnect — Caloundra to Maroochydore took place in November 2007 with the release of the draft Terms of Reference. Using feedback from the community, the Terms of Reference document was finalised and used to draft the concept design options for the Caloundra to Maroochydore corridor.

The draft concept designs were released for the next round of consultation with residents and businesses in September and October 2008. Feedback was sought from as many local residents as possible, via:

• a newsletter to 57,000 households
• radio and print advertising
• information sessions and library displays
• a 1800 free call hotline and pre-paid postal address
• a website
• meeting and speaking individually with over 220 potentially impacted property owners and tenants.

A lot of feedback was received, including a total of 283 letters or emails, 149 feedback forms and 64 calls to the project hotline. Many people supported the idea of improving the bus system on the Sunshine Coast. Many people also gave their views on how the plans could be improved to make sure the project fits in with the look and feel of the Sunshine Coast, particularly at Alexandra Headland and Maroochydore.

In general the community wanted the department, through CoastConnect, to:

• reduce impacts on property
• make bus trips faster and more reliable
• minimise impacts on Alexandra Parade and Aerodrome Road
• investigate the potential to reduce and slow traffic on Alexandra Parade and Aerodrome Road to make it safer and easier to cross and have the majority of through traffic and all express buses travel on the Sunshine Motorway
• minimise impacts on parking as much as possible, particularly in commercial precincts
• make sure there is safe pedestrian access to the beach
• provide more dedicated cycle lanes
• relocate some bus stops
• have more frequent shuttle and express bus services.

Project timeline

Next steps

Following the consultation period and the review of community feedback, the final Concept Design and Impact Management Plan is due to be completed later this year. It will contain a more detailed analysis of the project’s anticipated benefits and impacts and will then be submitted to the Queensland Government to consider.

Delivery of CoastConnect — Caloundra to Maroochydore will be staged over several years. This means we can improve the most congested sections first to reduce impacts on communities, businesses and road users. Construction will occur in a logical sequence to minimise disruptions.

Subject to Queensland Government approval, the work is planned to be undertaken between 2011 and 2019. However, the upgrade of the Maroochydore bus station is likely to be undertaken earlier with some work proposed for later this year.

A larger version of the map (PDF*, 388KB) is available. Please note that horizontal scrolling will be required on smaller screen resolutions.

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Last Updated (Monday, 29 June 2009 10:23)