The LNP has announced a $400 million proposal to address traffic woes on the southern Sunshine Coast, but the state government has labelled it a “sham plan”.
Opposition leader David Crisafulli was at Caloundra to announce the pledge on Thursday, ahead of the state election next month.
The LNP stated its plan would target the biggest pinch points along the Caloundra Road corridor, divert traffic from congestion hotspots, boost capacity at key intersections and create additional connections to the Caloundra CBD.
But the state government has rebuked the announcement, citing a lack of detail, including how it would be paid for.
The plan includes completing the Nicklin Way to Third Avenue connection to take traffic off the Nicklin Way-Caloundra Road roundabout, providing alternative access into Caloundra CBD.
It also involves delivering a new link between Aura Boulevard and Pelican Waters Boulevard to ease pressure on Caloundra Road; constructing a new Kawana Way Link Road-Bells Creek Arterial Road overpass over Caloundra Road to keep traffic moving; and signalising the Bellvista Boulevard-Caloundra Road intersection and upgrading with slip lanes to and from Caloundra Road to boost capacity and move vehicles more quickly.
It would also look to start planning for a solution for the Nicklin Way-Caloundra Road roundabout.
More than 32,000 vehicles travel along the Caloundra Road corridor daily, making it one of the busiest arterial roads outside of Brisbane.
Mr Crisafulli said the LNP’s plan was designed to get busy roads flowing again.
“Caloundra Road is an artery in the heart of the southern Sunshine Coast, connecting Aura, Caloundra and Kawana, but under Labor it has become clogged and caught in congestion,” he said.
“The LNP will end the Caloundra car park and get traffic moving again.
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“Our plan will not only deliver relief to the gridlock, it will future-proof Caloundra for the coming decades.”
But Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish said the plan lacked detail.
“The LNP are hoodwinking the residents of Caloundra and the Sunshine Coast. David Crisafulli’s media release contains no detailed costings apart from an overarching $400 million,” he said.
Mr Mellish said it would likely cost a fortune.
“Early estimates show this package could cost as much as $1.5 billion – adding more than $1 billion to the LNP budget black hole.”
“(And) two of the projects are already underway by the Miles Labor Government.
“The LNP’s only commitment to transport infrastructure before today was to build the Sunshine Coast Direct Rail to Maroochydore at an additional cost of at least $6.65 billion, which experts say simply cannot be done by 2032.”
“Adding in today’s announcements, the LNP already have a more than $7.65 billion black hole. And that’s just on the Sunshine Coast.
“Short on detail, short on ideas.”
However, LNP candidate for Caloundra Kendall Morton said the $400 million commitment was the right fit for the area.
“The LNP’s plan is a game-changer for Caloundra and for the Sunshine Coast,” she said.
“Congestion is the bugbear of every driver who travels Caloundra Road and it has been getting worse every month.”
She said Labor’s plan to build the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line to Caloundra would “make gridlock even worse”.
“Only the LNP will end the Caloundra car park with a congestion-busting traffic plan and delivering Sunshine Coast heavy passenger rail all the way to Maroochydore,” she said.
The state government has hailed the planned line to Caloundra, which represents Stage 1 of the proposed heavy rail project to Maroochydore.
The $5 billion stage will include the construction of a 19km dual-track line from Beerwah to Caloundra, an upgraded station at Beerwah, new stations at Aura and Caloundra, park ‘n’ rides and active transport connections, supporting 2200 local jobs.
It’s expected to save Sunshine Coast-Brisbane commuters 45 minutes at peak time.
Mr Mellish said the line would help accommodate growth on the Sunshine Coast.
“With trains able to travel at 140km/h on large sections of the new line, it will help people move around our region and get to where they live, work and play quickly and easily,” he said.
“This project will help us to manage road congestion as the region grows and encourage more people to use more sustainable and climate friendly transport options.”
Meanwhile, a council spokesperson said the proposed Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade – planned by council and the state government but lacking full funding – would have immense benefits.
The local and state bodies reaffirmed their intentions to create the enhanced 1.6km connection into the CBD, which is expected to reduce traffic congestion at a main roundabout and have flow-on benefits for local roads.
It includes lane duplications, new and upgraded intersections, road extensions and active transport networks – delivered in two sections.
“This major transport infrastructure investment is the next step in meeting the current and future needs of motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and public transport users in Caloundra,” the spokesperson said.
“The project is aimed at reducing traffic gridlock, improving connectivity, travel choice, and helping the Sunshine Coast and Caloundra cope with the growth we’ve got now and will continue to see in the future.”
But LNP deputy leader said only the LNP had committed funding for the second stage of the project.
“(It) is a win-win, delivering a new connection into the Caloundra CBD while also taking major pressure off Caloundra Road,” he said.
“(There will be) fewer delays, less cars and a quicker drive.”
