The Federal Member for Fisher has performed a backflip and says he will now throw his weight behind a road project aimed at easing congestion on Caloundra’s roundabout from hell.
Andrew Wallace MP, who was accused of standing in the way of the Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade, on Friday said he had changed his mind and would now push for the $7 million federal money needed.
As Sunshine Coast News revealed earlier this month, Mr Wallace was the only one holding out against plans for a new intersection and road off the Nicklin Way so motorists could bypass the horror roundabout on Caloundra Road.
A 1.6km four-lane transport corridor from Nicklin Way would connect to the Caloundra CBD north of the roundabout and include a new road extension of Third Avenue from Arthur Street to Nicklin Way.
Mr Wallace said he changed his mind after receiving a briefing from the Sunshine Coast Council, which he had requested.
He said until the briefing, which was held on Thursday, no level of government had explained the project to him nor directly asked him for the $7 million needed to complement State and council funds for stage 2 (the total cost of stage 2 is $18 million).
“This sort of mega-phone diplomacy of ‘gimme gimme gimme’ without actually telling me what the project is about is quite frankly childish and ludicrous,” said Mr Wallace.
“The electorate of Fisher is my electorate and I would have thought at the very least he (State Transport Minister Mark Bailey) would have had the courtesy of picking up the phone and asking me for money and explaining to me what the project is about.”
Mr Wallace said he was initially against the project after receiving a petition from the Caloundra RSL with 8000 signatures. The RSL was upset it would lose some of its cherished Memorial Garden to the new road.
He had also been concerned the roads project would “facilitate” any future proposal for light rail which Mr Wallace said he was also against.
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But Mr Wallace said he was now supportive after the RSL decided two weeks ago to negotiate with the council for a better outcome, and after being reassured the transport upgrade would not enable council’s proposal for a mass transit system (of which light rail is one option).
“I am prepared to go into bat for this project. I’m not standing here to say I’m announcing the $7 million; with any luck I may be able to get it through the budget in May.”
Sunshine Coast News revealed earlier this month Mr Wallace had refused to come to the party with funding, angering the State Transport minister Mark Bailey who labelled him “Whingey Wallace” and accused Mr Wallace of not fighting for his constituents.
Mr Bailey said he had written to Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack in September 2020 asking for the funding.
“I presume Mr Wallace was aware of that request from his fellow Federal Government team at that time so it is odd he has waited six months to have a whinge,” Mr Bailey said at the time.
Mr Wallace said the project was not the Federal Government’s responsibility.
Mr Wallace has now said he would try and secure funding in this year’s Federal Budget in May, making a late submission, after which the project could go to tender about six months after all monies were secured.
The council has earlier indicated construction was expected to start in 2023, subject to funding and approvals, and would include two stages.
Council will take responsibility for the $19.6 million first stage, which includes duplicating and upgrading local roads and installing new traffic lights.
Stage 2, which incorporates the Nicklin Way intersection, is a joint council and state project ($18.2 million) which needs $7 million from the federal government.
Design concept
A design concept, which the public can view here, shows how Third Avenue will be extended to Nicklin Way with new traffic lights and road upgrades along the route.
A council spokesperson said stage 1 between Omrah Avenue and Arthur Street would be delivered by the council (cost $19.6 million) and include:
- Duplicating traffic lanes in both directions (two lanes in each direction) on Oval Avenue and Third Avenue
- Connecting Oval Avenue with Omrah Avenue
- Building a separated cycle way and pedestrian pathways along the full length of the upgrade
- Upgrading intersections to traffic signals at Bowman Road/Gosling Street, First Avenue/Oval Avenue, Third Avenue/Oval Avenue, Arthur Street/Third Avenue
- Making changes to traffic movements at Nicholls Street and Second Avenue
- Installing new street lighting and landscaping
Stage 2 between Arthur Street and Nicklin Way will cost $18.2 million with the State Government providing $7 million and the council paying $4.2 million and will include:
• Extension of Third Avenue from Arthur Street to Nicklin Way including cycle and pedestrian facilities.
• Extension of Industrial Avenue to the Nicklin Way
• A new signalised intersection on Nicklin Way with pedestrian and cyclist crossings connecting the Third Avenue and Industrial Avenue extensions
Sunshine Coast Council said it would be connecting with the community during the design process “to ensure all aspects of the project are well communicated and understood”.
“Further details on traffic impacts and a construction schedule will be confirmed closer to the start of construction.”
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