How Nicklin Way will cope with 12,000 new residents

MAIN Roads says its infrastructure is being bolstered to cope with up to 12,675 new residents Sunshine Coast Council expects will come with a major development.

Main Roads says upgrade works are being done on Nicklin Way to help cope with thousands of new residents coming to Kawana Waters. Picture: Eliza Jones

MAIN Roads says its infrastructure is being bolstered to cope with up to 12,675 new residents Sunshine Coast Council expects will come with a major development.

A Sunshine Coast Council spokesman said the newer parts of its Kawana Waters Master Planned Development Area, also known as Stockland's Oceanside project, encompassed Bokarina Beach as well as development on the western side of Nicklin Way.

Some of those elements, such as Birtinya Island, already have residents in homes but the way in which others, like Bokarina Beach, will affect infrastructure is yet to be fully realised.

The council expects about 2700 new residents will live in Bokarina Beach when complete.

Stockland is paying for a $19 million upgrade to Nicklin Way between Beach Drive and Wurley Drive.

A Department or Transport and Main Roads spokeswoman said it would improve connectivity and increase capacity.

"The project includes upgrades to the Nicklin Way and Lake Kawana Boulevard intersection and new bridge crossings on Nicklin Way with a pedestrian and cycle path underneath," the spokeswoman said.

"The pedestrian and cycle path will link Kawana town centre with the foreshore to complete a high quality active transport network in the area."

She said extensive traffic modelling to forecast future traffic volumes was carried out to assist with planning and design of the upgrade.

The spokeswoman said four Kawana Way roundabouts had also been upgraded as part of a $22 million package.

"Work will soon begin on upgrades to Nicklin Way between Main Drive and Waterview Street and connecting Production Avenue to Kawana Way.

"Investigations are continuing into further improvements under this funding package."

She said further Nicklin Way works to improve pedestrian safety were also due to start this month at the intersections of Piringa Street, Regatta Boulevard and Erang Street.