Caloundra road upgrade designs reviewed while forced land resumptions continue

A $37m Sunshine Coast road upgrade is being reviewed in a bid to reduce impact on parklands but it’s not stopping the council from forcing sales of several homes in the way.

The Castle has met Caloundra as two property owners push back against Sunshine Coast Council’s bid to buy up homes and buildings to be bulldozed for a major road upgrade.

The council is refusing to delay purchases of properties despite reviewing plans to reduce the impact on Ben Bennett and Bicentennial parks for the $37.8m Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade.

Under current plans the upgrade would come at a loss of some of the two parklands as well as about 20 businesses and homes.

Property owners at 19 Third Ave, the Community Masonic Centre, and a home at 15 Oval Ave, are refusing to sell and sent letters to the council objecting to the compulsory acquisition.

The project involves a 1.6km stretch including four-laning Oval Ave and connecting it with Omrah Ave.

It was described by a council spokesman as “fundamental” to addressing traffic congestion in and out of Caloundra.

Emma Rees, a spokeswoman for Value Caloundra which has campaigned against the project, said it would only serve residents commuting to and from work and the beach.

“The project will undermine the other uses of those areas like the RSL memorial gardens, kids trying to get to and from school and the Ben Bennett Park,” she said.

The group continues to push for Third and Oval Ave works to only include two lanes, not four.

She was concerned property acquisitions were continuing regardless.

“I would really like some scrutiny of the proposal, to get experts around the table to look at this,” Ms Rees said.

“This project has been around since 2013 when building big roads were normal.”

“We feel for the people whose properties have already been resumed … it seems quite reckless.”

A council spokesman said the council and the Department of Transport and Main Roads were working on design solutions to reduce the impact on Ben Bennett Park and would review the scale of works through Bicentennial Park.

However they said to accommodate the upgrade land resumptions were required for additional traffic lanes, infrastructure upgrades, a two-way cycle track and pedestrian paths and landscaping.

“This project has been the subject of numerous transport studies and careful planning over the past eight years and is ready to progress to detailed design, thanks to the partnership between Council and the State Government,” he said.

Concept design documents were available for public comment from August to November, 2021 when the project team received more than 200 community inquiries.

The spokesman said the council and the Department were reviewing community feedback.

Jude Crighton and Jasmyne Case with local residents who are opposed to the Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade and the loss of some of Ben Bennett Park. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The council began contacting 19 directly impacted property owners in February, 2019.

They said the council paid market value for properties and covered the cost of valuations.

As of last month the council had negotiated for the purchase of 13 out of 20 affected private properties.

Of those, objections were received from the owners of 19 Third Ave and 15 Oval Ave.

At the March general meeting councillors voted in favour of applying to the Minister for Resources for the acquisition of the land.

The council spokesman said about 594sq m of 19 Third Ave and 392sq m of 15 Oval Ave was needed for the project.

A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesman said the project would be delivered in stages.

The first stage from Omrah Ave to Arthur St is being delivered by the council, with Nicklin Way and Third Ave extensions handled by Transport and Main Roads.

“TMR and SCC acknowledge concerns about any impacts, and we recognise Ben Bennett Park is a special place for the community,” the spokesman said.

“We value the feedback provided, and it will be considered as part of the detailed design phase. The detailed design phase will include reviewing the alignment and additional environmental studies.

“We will continue to work closely with our project partner and keep the community updated as the project progresses, including advising of future consultation opportunities.”

More than 100 people attended a community meeting about the project earlier this year where some politicians, councillors and Department staff also attended.

Ms Rees said the meeting gave them optimism that the scope of works could be changed.