Caloundra Centre Master Plan

[ozbob]

We now want you to Think Caloundra and have your say on the draft plan. Read more here https://t.co/wq6g6L228Z #sunshinecoast #caloundra

— SunshineCoastCouncil (@CouncilSCC) September 13, 2016

[ozbob]

https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Council/News-Centre/Revitalising-Caloundra-at-the-heart-of-master-plan-130916

Revitalising Caloundra at the heart of master plan

The framework to revitalise the centre of Caloundra was unveiled today and now the community can have its say on building a great future for the popular Sunshine Coast town.

Launched at the Caloundra Regional Art Gallery, Mayor Mark Jamieson said the draft Caloundra Centre Master Plan built on council's ongoing significant investment in key infrastructure projects for the local area.

Highlights include a new town square, new community facilities, new parks and green spaces, better road access and new cycleways and footpaths, as well as initiatives to stimulate investment.

The draft plan features four distinct, interconnected precincts including the Central Park Urban Village which will capitalise on the extensive health, education, sport and recreation activities in and around Central Park to create new housing options and sporting facilities.

"The draft master plan proposes a range of economic, social and urban design initiatives aimed at securing the centre's position as a vibrant, welcoming and prosperous hub on the Sunshine Coast," Mayor Jamieson said.

"It is the culmination of previous consultation and recent work involving council, the community, local businesses, tourism operators.

"The draft master plan is a comprehensive document anchored by a strong vision for the future of Caloundra.

"Other centres across the Sunshine Coast, such as Maroochydore and Kawana, are experiencing steady growth and it is important for Caloundra and its economy to be on a similar growth path.

"The draft master plan capitalises on Caloundra's natural beauty, wealth of community facilities and sports activities.

"It provides a focus for new residential growth and business development and proposes short, medium and long-term actions that will be the catalyst for that continued growth."

Division 2 Councillor Tim Dwyer said the draft Caloundra Centre Master Plan aimed to achieve greater activation, connection and vibrancy for the centre of Caloundra.

"Public input will be vital in determining the preferred outcomes," Cr Dwyer said.

"Consultation is very important because we want to create a centre that reflects our community here in Caloundra.

"We want everyone to 'Think Caloundra'.

"Think to yourself, 'what would you like to see improved in Caloundra?'

"Whether it be more business and employment opportunities, more after hour's activities and events, more and improved connections to the beach and other area, more and improved public transport and road access, or improved gateways, streetscaping and signage.

"Have a good think about what you want for our future centre.

"This special attention given to the centre of Caloundra will boost investment confidence and establish Caloundra as a leading business, employment and community services hub.

"The proposed master plan will facilitate a strong mix of commercial, tourist, community, sport, education and living opportunities.

"There is a strong focus on good quality urban design outcomes, links to the water and initiatives to stimulate investment in, and development of, several transformational sites for residential, commercial and tourism purposes."

Community feedback will close on Friday, October 7.

Feedback received during the community consultation period will inform the final master plan which will then be presented to council for consideration.

Visit the project website 'Have Your Say Sunshine Coast' for a full copy of the draft Caloundra Centre Master Plan and provide your comments online.

Have your say

View the draft Master Plan and complete a survey online at http://haveyoursay.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

View a printed copy at:

    Council's Customer Service Centre at 1 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra
    The Smart Centre, 63 Bulcock Street, Caloundra. (Check the project website for opening times).
    Caloundra, Kawana and Beerwah libraries

Visit the information displays:

    The Smart Centre, 63 Bulcock Street, Caloundra
    Caloundra, Kawana and Beerwah libraries

Alternatively, post your written comments to Sunshine Coast Council, Locked Bag 72, Sunshine Coast Mail Centre, Qld, 4560. For enquiries email strategicplanning@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au or call Council on 5475 7272.

The comment period runs from 13 September 2016 to 7 October 2016.

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> FIRST GLIMPSE: Take a look at this new Coast CBD

A REVITALISED town centre is the focal point of plans for the future of Caloundra.

Residents now have until October 7 to give their feedback on the draft Caloundra Centre Master Plan.

An open air town square with new library and museum for arts and cultural events as well as a mix of residential and tourism development in the CBD is hoped to drive a new era for the coastal town.
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Better connections from Bulcock Beach back to the town square and improved road networks are also keys to the rejuvenation of the city which will also hope to attract and accommodate the needs of some of the future 50,000 Caloundra South residents.

It's unclear exactly how much the revamp will cost or what time frame is being looked at, Division Two Councillor Tim Dwyer explaining that it is only a draft plan.

He said the key was to drive the community to come up with ideas of what it would like to see, not just what it doesn't want to see occur.

Former Brisbane Broncos star Kerrod Walters was on hand to help launch the consultation period in Caloundra today.

The Caloundra resident and business owner said he was excited at the prospect of a fresh city centre.

[Stillwater]

At first glance, no mention of heavy rail.  Focus is on light rail:

"Council is currently investigating a potential priority transit corridor (light rail) connection from Maroochydore to Caloundra. As part of the feasibility study, council identifi ed three potential routes into Caloundra for further investigation. As part of the preparation of the draft master plan, further consideration has been given to the potential routes. This investigation identified that a centralised option is preferred as it provides the best opportunity for urban renewal (refer Map 3: Preferred light rail route for further investigation).

"Further consideration has also been given to the route from Queen Street into the centre. Opportunities to provide a route along Minchinton Street to a new station in Omrah Avenue would ensure that the light rail would provide access into the heart of Caloundra Centre. Opportunities may also exist in the future to connect light rail from Caloundra to Caloundra South (Aura), potentially via Bowman Road or North Street."

[SurfRail]

I've just had a look - the absence of any reference to the preserved Caloundra heavy rail station site only a few hundred metres west of the area in question is frankly a bit bizarre.

The intended transit hub for the Caloundra CBD is in the existing centre itself, but even the indicative light rail alignment just seems to peter out before it reaches the Nicklin Way roundabout.  Somewhere else, it talks about light rail being extended to Caloundra South!

[Stillwater]

Well, the plan is open for public comment .... maybe a submission from RailBOT seeking clarification of heavy rail's role in the Caloundra redevelopment; also, does reference to light rail to Caloundra South mean that the 'stub' of CAMCOS rail terminates at Caloundra South OR, worse still, is it proposed that there be no heavy rail from Beerwah to Caloundra South/Caloundra?

[SurfRail]

Possibly they aren't taking as long a view of things as GCCC, which still has the Coolangatta extension pencilled in.

Or maybe they are, and consequently know CAMCOS won't happen for yonks and so they aren't going to be bothered waiting for an NGR to show up one day before doing something.

[Old Northern Road]

That light rail route is just as dumb as Quirk's metro. It completely misses most of Caloundra and mostly runs through green space. Not to mention how incredibly slow light rail would be. I'm guessing it would take close to an hour to get to Maroochydore

[Fares_Fair]

Well, the plan is open for public comment .... maybe a submission from RailBOT seeking clarification of heavy rail's role in the Caloundra redevelopment; also, does reference to light rail to Caloundra South mean that the 'stub' of CAMCOS rail terminates at Caloundra South OR, worse still, is it proposed that there be no heavy rail from Beerwah to Caloundra South/Caloundra?

There is only an allowance in the proposed Aura development for a corridor to be set aside.. no promises for rail or light rail by the Govt (who the developer Stockland says is their, the Govt's decision)
The online video on the Aura website of a train pulling into a station is downright deception.

in 30 years time with a population expansion of 50,000+ inhabitants in Caloundra South, and 24,000+ in Palmview, they'll be able to walk down the grassy (overgrown) future rail corridor and tell their kids, "here is where a railway could run one day in the far distant future"

[Stillwater]

How much more disincentive must governments throw at the people of the Sunshine Coast to discourage them from using fast, efficient travel to get about and access work?  Agree, the glossy brochures, the fly-through videos and useless strategy documents that materialise at election time and are launched by pollies standing in front of a poster of a train with streaks of paint to simulate speed, are all we are going to get for the time being.  Don't mention 'action plans' that have no clear start or finish date and don't even require action to occur!