Sunshine Coast mass transit plan: New report calls for alternative Alexandra Headland routes

Resident feedback could force a rethink of controversial proposal to run a mass transit system along a popular stretch of the Sunshine Coast’s coastline.

Community feedback may have derailed a proposal to run a mass transit system – such as light rail – along an iconic stretch of the Sunshine Coast’s coastline.

New documents on the region’s future public transport plans recommended a rethink of the route between Maroochydore and Mooloolaba – in particular at Alexandra Headland.

The initial proposed mass transit route was designed to run along Alexandra Parade.

However the new report said if the project progressed, a detailed business case should investigate alternative routes instead of the proposed stretch “close to the beachfront”.

Sunshine Coast councillors will meet on October 20 for a special meeting to discuss mass transit with council officers recommending endorsement of the recently-released Mass Transit Options Analysis report.

Officers also recommended councillors agree to refer the options analysis to the state government to proceed with a detailed business case.

The project aims to provide a public transport solution as the region’s population grows to more than 518,000 by 2041.

Options on the table included light rail, trackless tram, wireless light rail, bus rapid transit and a quality bus corridor with low or zero-emission buses.

The concept plans for the light rail option operating along Alexandra Pde, Alexandra Headland.

The report said community feedback showed there was “strong support for maintaining green spaces, beachside amenity, improving active transport and the Sunshine Coast lifestyle”.

It said some residents wanted an alternative route that avoided the foreshore at Alexandra Headland.

The report said the business case should conduct a further investigation and co-design of vehicles, urban design, street landscape and the route.

“This investigation should review potential alternative routes in the area bounded by Alexandra Parade and the Sunshine Motorway and be undertaken in the context of a broader master planning process for the Alexandra Headland area,” it says.

A business case would cost $15m and be funded in a 50-50 agreement between council and the government.

The report finds the Sunshine Coast is heavily dependent on car transport and without intervention will continue on that trend.

“It faces major challenges in managing growth over the next three decades,” it said.

“Population growth and increasing congestion will continue to put pressure on housing, transport, lifestyle, employment, social infrastructure and the environment.”

It forecast congestion cost the region more than $500m a year and that cost would increase to $3b per year if nothing changed.

Stage 1 of the mass transit was proposed to connect Maroochydore to Sunshine Coast University Hospital where it said congestion was the worst.