Sunshine Coast politician claims funding gone from M2M cycleway project

Maroochydore MP Fiona Simpson claims construction money for the proposed M2M cycleway has gone missing after initial designs were revised. Read where the project is at.

The Beach Matters president Rachael Bermingham.

A community group that helped redesign a controversial Sunshine Coast cycleway is confident construction of the polarising sixth stage of the project will go ahead.

The Mooloolaba to Maroochydore cycleway is being delivered by the Sunshine Coast Council and the state government.

Plans for stage six of the project, a 1.2km section from Mary St in Alexandra Headland to Sixth Ave in Maroochydore, faced community backlash in 2020 which forced Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey to scrap the initial design.

Maroochydore MP Fiona Simpson on September 7, 2022, claimed that more than $5m in funding for the construction of the revised stage six had disappeared from the Queensland Transport and Investment and Roads Program.

She said it amounted to a “broken promise” and that the community was told the construction funds were safe.

Stage six of the Mooloolaba to Maroochydore cycleway on the Sunshine Coast.

“I am very disappointed by this state Labor government and its broken promises,” Ms Simpson said.

“I am calling for the Minister to honour his commitment to the Sunshine Coast community and put the funding back in QTRIP now.”

Section one of stage six of the revised cycleway upgrade.

A Transport and Main Roads spokesman said $1.5m remained to complete planning and design of stage six of the cycleway.

“This month we released the preferred planning layout and community feedback told us it aligned with community expectations,” he said.

“We are currently developing a detailed design for stage six of the Mooloolaba to Maroochydore cycleway and will keep the community informed as it progresses.”

The spokesman said that as part of the detailed design phase, the department would develop a revised cost estimate that aligned with the revised design.

Hundreds of residents gathered at Alexandra Headland Beach in 2020 to protest the proposed cycleway. Picture: John Anderson

The Beach Matters president Rachael Bermingham said the community group had been “heavily involved” in the redesign of the cycleway.

“We’ve been encouraged and are thankful to TMR for putting the brakes on the project that was not what the community wanted,” she said.

The Beach Matters president Rachael Bermingham. Picture: Patrick Woods

The president said the group was confident the state government would follow through on construction.

Ms Bermingham also said it was great that Ms Simpson continued to advocate for the community.

Mr Bailey said in a statement that he was committed to delivering the cycleway in full, in partnership with the council.

“Now that the design has been finalised in line with community expectations, we will progress the project for a future funding decision,” he said.