A Sunshine Coast federal MP has insisted the state government reveal more plans for the Sunshine Coast Public Transport project, which is expected to ease congestion.
The LNP Member for Fisher, Andrew Wallace, has welcomed the government’s decision to implement a bus rapid transit network, instead of light rail, from Maroochydore to Kawana and possibly to Caloundra.
But he wonders how much it will cost and where the money to build it will come from.
He is also worried that the project will lead to increased density and fewer lanes along busy Nicklin Way.
In response, a Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said the project would ease traffic and that more information on costs and changes to the existing road network would be revealed this year while it continues to finalise a detailed business case.
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Mr Wallace said the state government’s announcement of the bus rapid transit network last month coincided with media focus on Labor’s new leadership, to avoid scrutiny over the project.
He said more information was needed regarding the expenses and the schedule for it.
“The Sunshine Coast community is entitled to more detail on the so-called preferred option of bus rapid transit, including the cost and timeline of the project,” he said.
He also wanted more information about the route and its surrounds.
“While light rail is dead, the state government needs to inform the community on the likelihood of increased density on the coastal strip and the removal of lanes on the proposed route.
“The new Premier Steven Miles and (the new) Minister for Transport and Main Roads Bart Mellish must lay out their plan for the Sunshine Coast and make up for the decades of dithering and delays that have resulted in the parlous state of the region’s public transport.”
A total of $15 million was allocated for the detailed business case, with the Australian Government, Queensland Government and Sunshine Coast Council each contributing $5 million.
No levels of government have revealed any further funding towards the build of the bus rapid transit network.
The TMR spokesperson said the business case was being finalised and it would determine the amount of funding needed for the project.
The spokesperson outlined initial plans for “an enhanced public transport connection between Maroochydore and the Sunshine Coast University Hospital at Birtinya (Stage 1), with a possible extension to Caloundra (Stage 2)”.
“The project aims to enable greater travel choices for short, local trips throughout the Sunshine Coast, and help ease congestion and improve efficiency of the broader transport network,” they said.
“The project will work hand-in-hand with the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line, a proposed new 37km passenger rail line connecting the Sunshine Coast community between Beerwah, Caloundra and Maroochydore to Moreton Bay, Brisbane and beyond.
“The projects will make travelling by public transport to, from and within the region more convenient, affordable and reliable, and provide a comprehensive travel solution that meets the varied needs of residents and visitors to the region.
“As part of planning being undertaken for both projects, bus network improvements are also being investigated to service east-west routes.”
The spokesperson said the bus rapid transit option would provide “a sustainable, accessible and comfortable travel alternative that will meet forecast demand for public transport in the region well into the future”.
“It will also help address a desire for greater flexibility and potentially unlock opportunities to service destinations outside the current project area between Maroochydore and the Sunshine Coast University Hospital at Birtinya,” they said.
“The bus rapid transit mode selection means rubber-tyred vehicles would operate within the road surface on a dedicated right-of-way corridor that provides an exclusive separated route from other road traffic, for the sole use of public transport.”
The spokesperson said further information about the project, including changes to the road network, would be revealed this year.
“With the preferred vehicle option, bus rapid transit, now identified for the Sunshine Coast Public Transport project, work can now continue on finalising the business case,” they said.
“This will involve further technical investigations and assessments to refine the design of the corridor for the bus rapid transit, including station locations, active transport opportunities, changes to the existing road network and finalise project costs.
“As these investigations and assessments continue, further information will be provided to the community, expected in 2024.”
The State Member for Maroochydore, the LNP’s Fiona Simpson, welcomed the government’s decision to avoid light rail but said the project’s business case had already proved to be a costly exercise.
“I’m pleased to hear light rail has been shelved but what a waste of money,” she said.
“Shame the state government and (Sunshine Coast) Council didn’t listen to the Sunshine Coast people, who kept saying they didn’t want light rail and all its impacts between Caloundra, Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headland and Maroochydore, but they spent millions anyway.”
The state government and Sunshine Coast Council were asked by Sunshine Coast News about Mr Wallace’s concerns about the project potentially leading to increased density along the strip and the removal of a lane or lanes.
The TMR spokesperson said “future land use is a function of local government” but council told Sunshine Coast News last year that the project was being delivered by state government and it was best placed to provide details.
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