Release of comprehensive mass transit report delayed

The release of the latest report on Sunshine Coast Mass Transit Plan which is "hundreds of pages long" has been delayed until later this year.

The release of the latest report on the Sunshine Coast Mass Transit Plan has been delayed until later this year.

The draft Preliminary Business Case and Options Analysis is expected to be “hundreds of pages” long and outline options and challenges of creating a new public transport network for the Sunshine Coast.

Its release has been delayed after Sunshine Coast councillors last week voted in favour of more community consultation on the plan before it was passed to the State Government.

Project manager Ken Deutscher said the technical report should be released with accompanying information when council was ready to undertake community consultation.

What they said: Councillors divided over transit plan

‘Not like Gold Coast’: Transit boss reveals new figures

Several proposals are being considered to address public transport issues including a quality bus corridor, bus rapid transit system and light rail.

The preferred option is a 23km light rail line with 16 stations from Maroochydore to Caloundra.

The latest report, now called Options Analysis, assesses land use, transport and liveability and other challenges, however does not address the alignment of the mass transit system or property requirements.

Mr Deutscher said expert advice on timing for consultation recommended the council delay the release of the report until later this year, before starting the six-week community consultation in February next year.

It said that would allow for time to plan a quality engagement program, avoid school holiday and election periods and other council consultation processes.

Mr Deutscher said it was important to “hold conversations, not broadcasts”.

The feedback will be used to form a new draft Preliminary Business Case and Options Analysis to give to the government for its development of a detailed business case.

Cr Peter Cox agreed the report should be released with additional information to help residents comprehend it.

He asked Mr Deutscher if releasing the report earlier would undermine the consultation process.

“It has the potential, because it is a technical document,” Mr Deutscher responded.

“I’d say it’s better to hold it, develop the material to go with it and go out in an organised way because there’s no rush on this so let’s do it well and do it properly.”

If light rail goes ahead, the estimated opening date for the first stage from Maroochydore to Kawana has been delayed from 2025 to 2027.

He said the additional public feedback was not a problem for the mass transit project team, and that they were “looking forward to it”.

Mr Deutscher said consultation was not initially included before passing the preliminary business case to the State Government because the end project would not be delivered by the council.

“Many of the decisions we’re not going to be in control of because 70 per cent of these roads are state controlled.

“We can advocate but we can’t plan.

“We do have control over land use planning and the urban realm and the look and feel of the project.

“We understand the community is quite rightly saying we want to see some of these things now.”

Originally published as