Sunshine Coast - active transport

[ozbob]

Noosa Shire Council

https://www.noosa.qld.gov.au/news/article/1487/new-active-transport-corridor-now-open

New active transport corridor now open

21st November 2022

Bike riders and pedestrians are now better catered for on one of the Noosa Shire's busiest routes with the official opening, today, of the new 1.2km Noosa Parade active transport corridor.

"Council's vision for this project was a safer street that works for everyone, whether you're on four wheels, two wheels, or your own two feet," Mayor Clare Stewart said.

The upgrade delivers new disability compliant refuge islands and wider pathways, including a 1.5m southern pathway and 2.5m northern pathway.

Noosa Councillor Amelia Lorentson, standing in for Mayor Clare Stewart today opened the upgraded section with Noosa MP Sandy Bolton.

"New LED lighting will provide much needed safety boost for those bike-riding and walking in the evening and early mornings," said Cr Lorentson.

"Bike riding, whether it is for sport, commuting or just for recreation, is a popular activity in Noosa. The 1.5 metre on-road bike lane and permanent reduction in the speed limit to 40km will help improve road safety for all users."

All bus stops in the corridor were upgraded to meet disability compliance standards and three Noosa-style bus shelters were also installed to make public transport in the area more accessible and convenient.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey congratulated the council on completing the work, which was partially funded through the Palaszczuk Government's Cycle Network Local Government Grants program.

"Investment in safer bike-riding infrastructure helps get more people riding, more often, and promotes healthy travel," he said.

"We know that, on average, every dollar we invest in bike-riding infrastructure will return nearly five dollars in economic benefit to Queensland with improved health outcomes, reduced traffic congestion, and lower transport costs.

"That's why we have committed nearly $270 million in funding over four years to support and encourage bike riding across the state, improving facilities for locals and tourists alike.

"Our investments in bike-riding infrastructure are targeted at the highest priority cycling routes that improve connectivity across the local network."

Mayor Stewart said the project was an excellent example of Council delivering on its mission to encourage greater uptake of active transport and public transit, and reduce the dependence on private cars.

"By providing dedicated on-road bicycle lanes, as well as safer pathways and pedestrian crossings, we hope to see more residents and visitors choosing to leave their cars at home," she said.

"We would like to thank the residents and community for their patience during the construction period.

"We look forward to seeing more people riding a bike and walking for health, transport, tourism and the environment."

Noosa Parade is a core route in the Principal Cycle Network Plan for south-east Queensland.

Construction of the $8 million Noosa Parade corridor upgrade is partially funded by the Department of Transport and Main Roads through the Cycle Network Local Government Grants program with the balance funded by Council.

The bus stop upgrades were proudly funded by the Queensland Government's Passenger Transport Accessible Infrastructure Program which provided dollar for dollar funding support to Council for the civil works and $19,000 per shelter under the Bus Stop Shelter Program.



Cr Tom Wegener, Noosa MP Sandy Bolton and Cr Amelia Lorentson test the upgraded pathways.

[ozbob]

TMR

https://www.yoursay-projects.tmr.qld.gov.au/caloundra-road-kawana-way-link-road-bruce-highway-cycle-link

Caloundra Road, Kawana Way Link Road to Bruce Highway cycle link

Overview
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has commenced planning for a safe off-road active transport path for a 3.5 kilometre stretch of Caloundra Road from Kawana Way Link Road to the recently constructed active transport paths across the Bruce Highway.

The project will fill a missing link in the cycling network and provide direct connections to:

the path that heads north and parallel to the Bruce Highway (adjacent to Frizzo Connection Road) enabling connection to Sippy Downs and the University of the Sunshine Coast
the path heading south along Racecourse Road to the Sunshine Coast Industrial Park
paths at the Caloundra Road, Kawana Way Link Road and Bells Creek Arterial Road roundabout.
Planning will also consider future connections to Caloundra South, Sunshine Coast Council's future Honey Farm Road Sport and Recreation Precinct, and an opportunity for a future path connection to the growth area of Palmview.

TMR has identified a preferred route for the off-road active transport path and welcomes your feedback.

Have your say

TMR is seeking feedback about the proposed route for the off-road cycle link via the interactive map below.

Consultation is open to 23 January 2023.



Project area and off-road cycle link proposed route

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast News --> Trial set to begin to promote more sustainable transport in key Coast locations

A leading e-transport operator is set to take charge of delivering more affordable and environmentally friendly transport options in the region.

The business has been selected to provide e-scooters and e-bikes in Maroochydore and Mooloolaba as part of an 18-month trial with Sunshine Coast Council.

A gradual roll-out of up to 400 of Neuron Mobility's purpose-built e-scooters and up to 75 e-bikes available for hire will start in June.

It is hoped the e-transport initiative will reduce the reliance on cars for short journeys. ...

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament

https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableOffice/questionsAnswers/2023/746-2023.pdf

Question on Notice
No. 746
Asked on 13 June 2023

MS F SIMPSON ASKED MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS AND MINISTER
FOR DIGITIAL SERVICES (HON M BAILEY)

QUESTION:

With reference to the Minister's promise to the Sunshine Coast community to maintain the
$6.7m funding in the original 2019–2022 QTRIP for the Maroochydore to Mooloolaba Cycleway
Project (M2M) when agreeing to a redesign based on public feedback and the Minister's promise
in answer to Question On Notice No. 995 of 2022 that the re-design would be finished in the
'coming months'—
Will the Minister advise (a) how much the revised plan will cost, (b) when this project's funds will
be restored to QTRIP and (c) when will this project to improve cyclist and pedestrian safety be
completed?

ANSWER:

I thank the Member for Maroochydore for the question.

The Queensland Government remains committed to partnering with Sunshine Coast Council to
deliver the Mooloolaba to Maroochydore cycleway (M2M). This project will provide a safe,
separated bike lane connecting Mooloolaba to Maroochydore, forming part of the region's
Principal Cycle Network.

The Queensland Government committed $1.5 million in the Queensland Transport and Roads
Investment Program (QTRIP) 2020–21 to 2023–24 to progress the detailed design for Stage 6 of
the M2M. An additional $550,000 has been allocated to the project to finalise the detailed design
in line with the community-focused planning layout.

(a) The latest release of QTRIP 2023–24 to 2026–27 includes a total commitment of
$2.05 million for the detailed design of Stage 6 of the M2M.

(b) In late August 2020, $5.2 million was redirected from the M2M Stage 6 project towards the
Beerburrum to Landsborough (Stage 1), Beerwah to Glass House, construct cycleway
project, leaving $1.5 million remaining in the project for redesign activities. The budget
requirements for the project will be informed by the completion of design, and timing for
construction will be considered when the full project budget is approved.

(c) The budget requirements for the project will be informed by the completion of design, and
timing for construction will be considered when the full project budget is approved.

[ozbob]

Mooloolaba to Maroochydore cycleway, design cycleway

> https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/mooloolaba-to-maroochydore-cycleway

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) would like to advise detailed design is progressing for Stage 6 of the Mooloolaba to Maroochydore cycleway (M2M) which spans a 1.2-kilometre section of Alexandra Parade from Mary Street at Alexandra Headland to Sixth Avenue at Maroochydore.

TMR is partnering with Sunshine Coast Council to deliver the Mooloolaba to Maroochydore cycleway which will provide a bike path connecting Mooloolaba to Maroochydore. The cycleway is being delivered over seven stages as funding becomes available.

TMR is delivering Stage 6 of the cycleway with the Queensland Government committing funding to complete the detailed design phase. There is currently no funding available for construction of Stage 6.

Stage 6 of the cycleway is to be a 5-metre wide, off-road shared path that generally follows the existing coastal path. There will be a single pathway with dedicated provisions for pedestrians and bikes, scooters and other mobility devices.

Planning for Stage 6 of the cycleway was completed in September 2022 with a community led planning layout finalised (see below layout).

The detailed design phase will take the final planning layout and develop and refine it to an option suitable to commence the construction phase if funding becomes available.

Extensive community consultation undertaken during the planning phase highlighted that car parking is important to the community and the final planning layout results in no loss to the overall number of beachside car parking spaces

As the detailed design phase progress, car parking design and availability will continue to be a focus for the project team. The final planning layout also included no impacts to the dunes and no median fencing on Alexandra Parade.

The final planning layout to be further refined in the detailed design phase includes:

. a new 26 space off-street beachside carpark located near the intersection of Alexandra Parade and Sixth Avenue, Maroochydore which includes parking for people with disabilities and motorbike parking

. additional parking near the Alexandra Headland Surf Lifesaving Club (AHSLC) provided by rearranging existing arrangements

. closing the right-turn into Maroubra Street allowing parking spaces to be retained on the western side of Alexandra Parade

. a separated bike path near the AHSLC entrance

. a recommendation for a reduced speed limit on Alexandra Parade from 60 km/h to 50 km/h

. a new signalised pedestrian crossing at Maroubra Street

. relocation of the existing bus stop (north of Okinja Road) to south of Okinja Road.

The detailed design phase is expected to be completed early 2024, resourcing permitting.

[ozbob]

Queensland Parliament E-Petition

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/Petition-Details?id=4177

Safe pedestrian zebra crossings in Pomona

TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland

Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House the urgent need to install a safe pedestrian zebra crossings on Factory Street and Hill Street, Pomona.

These roads experience a high volume of traffic, including large 40-tonne quarry trucks from the Kin Kin Quarry, posing significant safety risks. Currently, there is no safe method for pedestrians to cross, resulting in a dangerous divide that hinders cross-town connectivity.

There is a dog park and kindergarten on Hill Street, as well as a school bus stop on Factory Street. Children and families must navigate these busy roads without safe crossings, heightening the risk of accidents.

Recently, Factory Street underwent a speed limit review, which resulted in a reduction to 50 km/h due to the safety concerns associated with the traffic in the area. This indicates the recognition of the significant hazards present.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to do all within its power to install safe pedestrian zebra crossings on Factory Street near the train station and on Hill Street across to the Cooroora Creek dog park, as a matter of urgency.

[Stillwater]

^LNP statement:

https://noosatoday.com.au/news/04-10-2024/lnp-promises-pomona-crossing

[Jonno]

That's such a...checks notes...Council thing??

[Stillwater]

The road on which the pedestrian crossing would be located is a state-controlled road, not council.

A little birdie says Labor will commit to this project also, meaning which ever party wins government, project will proceed.