The state government has released a snapshot of community feedback it received regarding four major projects on the Sunshine Coast.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads undertook consultation between July 19 and August 20 on the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line, Sunshine Coast Public Transport, Kawana Motorway and Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade.
Now TMR has released the Sunshine Coast Major Projects Consultation and Engagement Insights Summary, which reveals 1660 contributions were made during the consultation period.
“This engagement included a digital engagement platform with an opportunity to provide feedback through surveys, interactive maps and idea walls as well as face-to-face engagement with community and stakeholders,” the summary says.
“The local knowledge gathered, identified a range of community challenges and priorities to inform each of the projects.”
The Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line garnered 544 survey responses, with TMR listing the key themes as: construction start date; improved travel times and less congestion; visual/amenity impacts; active transport; environmental impacts; property impacts; corridor alignment; design suggestions and integration with Sunshine Coast Public Transport.
The summary report says 88 per cent of respondents said the rail line would encourage them to use public transport more frequently.
“Gosh build it already. This is way overdue. Having railway access through the Coast and on to Brisbane to avoid the highway would be amazing,” one commenter said.
Another wrote: “Would also provide a great intra-region transport option within the Sunshine Coast … get some cars off the (now cluttered) local roads.”
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The feedback snapshot for Sunshine Coast Public Transport says 344 responses to the survey were received. Its key themes were: reliability; accessibility; design suggestions; frequency; affordability; integration with Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line; option/mode preference; and active transport.
“Rapid public transport (light rail or bus) and heavy rail must be prioritised over wasteful and congestion-creating highway projects,” one person wrote.
Another said: “Whatever the mass transit solution, it needs to be implemented ASAP and link with the heavy rail line. We need to think of future generations.”
Eighty-eight responses about the Kawana Motorway were received, with 31 per cent of them saying they felt very strongly about public transport being a better alternative to the new road.
Feedback on the Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade was provided via an online engagement platform, email, phone and community information sessions, with more than 250 responses received.
The survey report says the general feedback themes included timeframes; staging; connectivity; active transport; environmental concerns; and noise attenuation.
“The majority of the community recognises the need for the MRI Upgrade project to improve connectivity and safety and remove traffic weaving,” it says.
“Many recognise that the project has been around for several years and have called for construction to begin immediately.
“… Some feedback was less supportive for reasons such as property impacts, noise and inconvenience that construction may cause. There were also some inquiries about environmental matters such as visual amenity and concern for local flora and fauna.”
A Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said the summary was released as part of a new phase of consultation on November 1.
“This report highlights data and feedback received as part of the consultation undertaken in July and August 2023 for four major projects,” they said.
“Feedback received during this consultation is valuable in helping shape these projects going forward.”
The spokesperson said each project was at different stages of planning.
- The Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line business case will be completed by the end of 2023. Queensland and Australian government consideration of the business case outcomes is anticipated in 2024.
- Consultation for the Sunshine Coast Public Transport project is also underway with the community able to share their thoughts on station locations and vehicle modes until Sunday, December 10.
- The business case for Kawana Motorway is expected to be completed in early 2024. Timeframes for design and construction of the project are unknown at this time and will depend on government priorities and future funding commitments.
- Early works for Stage 1 of the MRI Upgrade project started in May 2023. In response to community feedback, additional noise assessments are being undertaken. Extensive environmental field investigations and studies started in March 2022 and are ongoing. As the design progresses, environmental measures will be considered and included where appropriate.
Read the summary report here.
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