Sunshine Coast public transport strategy released for community feedback
A public transport strategy for the southern Sunshine Coast has been released and everything from light rail to heavy rail and buses is on the table.
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A controversial light rail bid remains on the table as the state government releases a new public transport strategy for the southern Sunshine Coast.
Months after thousands of residents had their say in the Sunshine Coast Council’s $330,000 mass transit consultation, public transport is up for debate again.
Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the new draft strategy was focused on “corridors” rather than the technology used for the public transport.
It features four corridors including coastal, key connectors – including hinterland suburbs, western – for long distance travel, and a centre corridor.
Caloundra MP Jason Hunt described it as a “mature” strategy that would help the Sunshine Coast cater to its expected population of 500,000 in 2041.
Mr Bailey released the strategy this week which identifies four “key corridors” to connect coastal and hinterland communities.
It includes options proposed in the Sunshine Coast Mass Transit Plan and how to connect the region with heavy rail.
“When you look at this draft … integration is the key word,” he said.
“It’s about looking at how these corridors interact with each other and how people can seamlessly move between them is key.”
Mr Bailey said it was a “strong template” for the government to use as it moves forward with the mass transit business case.
He said heavy rail was an important part of the equation but we “would need to see dust settle on the federal election” before work starts.
“We don’t specify modes in this strategy but everything is on the table,” he said.
“Heavy rail expansion is important, bus, light rail is in the mix.
“We need to get the corridors and templates right.”
He said the mass transit business case would look at advantages of different transport options.
“We’ve got a good system in Brisbane, a growing system in the Gold Coast, we need a better system in the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Bailey said.
The council finalised its mass transit options analysis in October last year after 3800 people had their say in a community survey.
Meanwhile the department of transport is reviewing the council’s Mass Transit Stage 1 Options Analysis.
Consultation on the Southern Sunshine Coast Public Transport Strategy is not funded out from the government’s $7.5m commitment to the mass transit business case.
Further consultation will take place as part of the business case process.
Residents have until March 16 to provide feedback on the Southern Sunshine Coast Transport Strategy.
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