Sunshine Coast dad and residents protesting new bus route at Dalby St, Maroochydore

Police and tow trucks are expected to show up as a young dad and his neighbours are getting ready to stand in the way of construction of two new Maroochydore bus stops on their street. VIDEO

A Sunshine Coast dad and his neighbours are protesting an upcoming bus route along their quiet street, fearing buses could put their children in harm’s way.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads, in consideration with the Sunshine Coast Council, has planned to reroute bus route 619, currently travelling from Kawana Shoppingworld to Maroochydore station, to pass through the new Maroochydore CBD.

To do this, buses would be redirected from Bungama St to Dalby St, where two new stops would be built.

Dalby St resident and dad Daniel Kerr, 34, said he planned to band together with 20-30 residents and park vehicles at the construction site for the new bus stops at 6am Friday when construction will begin.

This is despite him being advised police and tow trucks will show up.

Daniel and Genevieve with their three children. Photo: Asa Andersen.

The electrician, who has three children, said he feared for the safety of his and other children who frequently played outside along the street if the new route went ahead, saying there were 12 families on his road.

“(It’s) the lives of my children,” he said.

Construction sign at the foot of where the new bus stops will be built at Dalby St, Maroochydore. Picture: Asa Andersen.

He said he was also concerned about the new route because his street was narrow, it would hardly be used, it would devalue houses prices, and bus drivers would have to pass two blind corners nearby.

“We have accidents numerous times a year,” he said.

Mr Kerr said he and several residents had already been sporadically protesting at the location of the new bus stops since Wednesday morning.

Dalby St residents gather near the proposed bus stops along their street. Photo: supplied.

Mr Kerr said he also submitted a 500-signature petition to the council to stop the changes, which would be tabled at the council’s November ordinary meeting.

A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said the reroute was planned to travel down Dalby St in response to “turning restrictions” at Maud St and Sunshine Coast Parade intersection.

The spokesperson said they notified residents outside the new bus stops on Dalby St two months ago, and a bus operator, Sunbus, had conducted tests in the area to support the route realignment.

They added that a variety of factors were considered when adding new routes or bus stops, such as safety, driver visibility and pedestrian access.