22 Sunshine Coast projects we want delivered by 2022

[ozbob]

Sunshine Coast Daily --> 22 Sunshine Coast projects we want delivered by 2022

MAJOR infrastructure projects are either under construction, earmarked or at their inception all across the Sunshine Coast.

From an expanded airport with international capacity, to a six-lane Bruce Highway, exciting tourist attractions and new retail offerings - there's plenty to get excited about in the coming years.

This week talk of a South East City Deal revealed a potential formal agreement between all levels of government to deliver vital infrastructure.

Below is a list of 22 Sunshine Coast projects we want to see by 2022.

1. SIX-LANE BRUCE HIGHWAY

MENTION the "Bruce Highway" to anyone on the Sunshine Coast and you'll hear horror stories of major delays, missed flights, crashes and near misses.

Our connection to Brisbane and beyond is severely disadvantaged by limited access via two lanes which can easily stretch your hour-long trip to several hours long.

Work on a six-lane Bruce Highway between Caboolture and Caloundra is expected to begin next year or in 2020, according to the State Government.

The expansion will form the final six-lane link to Brisbane, and help the road accommodate current and future capacity.

The State Government expects the first phase to cost $662.5 million, and the Federal Government has committed $880 million in the latest budget for upgrades, including between Caloundra and Pine Rivers.

Bruce Highway works are usually 80 per cent funded by the Federal Government and 20 per cent by State Government.

2. MAROOCHYDORE CBD

A NEW "capital city" for the Sunshine Coast is taking shape of a $430 million Maroochydore CBD delivering commercial, retail, residential, civic, cultural and community use land.

The first round of civil works are completed, and the Aerodrome Rd-Maud St intersection upgrade is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

The first residential developments are expected to begin early next year, and fast rail has been factored into the planning and designs as the North Coast Connect bid for Brisbane to Maroochydore continues.

The first development sites are expected to reach settlement and the automated waste system commissioned by the end of the year, before businesses begin moving into the new CBD in 2019.

3. NORTH COAST LINE RAIL DUPLICATION

THE duplication of the North Coast Rail Line between Beerburrum and Nambour will improve speed on freight operations and passenger transport services.

The project involves duplicating 20km of rail between Beerburrum to Landsborough, and additional capacity upgrades between Landsborough and Nambour such as passing loops, route realignments, level crossing removals, station improvements and supporting work.

The Federal Government has committed $390 million, 50 per cent of the total cost, and believes the State Government should bring the remainder to the table.

The State Government committed $160 million but believes the project should be an 80/20 split in their favour.

This project is seen as a "prerequisite" to high-speed, fast rail connecting the Coast to Brisbane.

4. LIGHT RAIL

HIGH population growth over the next 20 years is driving the Sunshine Coast Council's push to connect major hubs via light rail.

The latest update indicates council hopes to deliver the project by 2025 subject to approval and funding.

A recently-released draft SEQ Regional Plan acknowledged the need for a passenger transport trunk corridor from Maroochydore to Caloundra and on to Beerwah.

This reflects council's proposed light rail route between Maroochydore and Caloundra.

5. CONVENTION CENTRE

A "LANDMARK" centre could potentially attract thousands of business visitors per event and play host to international sports, concerts and cultural events.

The $180 million project would need state and federal funds to get off the ground, with hopes private investors would then jump on board.

In full multi-function mode, the proposed centre could accommodate about 3300 visitors in the meeting rooms, plenary and exhibitions halls.

Professional conference organisers in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne are interested in bringing events to the region with attendances from 100 up to 2000, but found we lacked the "suitable meeting facilities".

The Sunshine Coast Council will soon put the business case to tender after the State Government committed $700,000 on top of council's budgeted funds.

6. AIRPORT EXPANSION/INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

AN EXPANDED Sunshine Coast Airport is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2020, including a larger runway with international capability.

The project is expected to create 2230 new full-time direct and indirect jobs by 2040.

It has potential to attract up to two million passengers to the Sunshine Coast each year with hopes to open up to a broader international market.

The airport currently accepts seasonal flights to and from Auckland, with an expected 44,000 visitors expected between July and late October.

7. SUNSHINE MOTORWAY UPGRADE

DRIVERS are revved up over congested single-lane sections of the Sunshine Motorway.

Members of the public have identified the Coolum roundabout as a particularly risky, time-wasting section.

One Marcoola resident said the entire stretch between the Sunshine Coast Airport and Noosa was in need of duplication.

8. NAMBOUR HOSPITAL

MORE beds, better facilities, better access to services and a same-day rehabilitation unit are part of the $86.239 million redevelopment planned for Nambour General Hospital.

The upgrade was announced in May and construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2019 and be completed by December 2022.

Some services have been transferred to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, which has become the primary hospital care provider to the region after it opened in April 2017.

9. WATERPARK ON STEVE IRWIN WAY

A WATERPARK said to rival the Gold Coast's Wet 'n' Wild is planned on a large parcel of land off the Steve Irwin Way, about 10km from Aussie World.

Actventure is a $450 million integrated lifestyle, tourist active theme park with stage one to be built over 14ha at Glenview.

This section is expected to cost up to $100 million, and the remaining stages will take the total area up to 24ha.

The water park includes a wave machine, a four-star hotel, pools, slides, kayaking and paddleboarding plus a large sports field for major sports events.

10. CRUISE SHIP TERMINAL

THE Coast is getting a slice of the state's $1.1 billion cruise ship industry as the occasional cruise ship docks off Mooloolaba.

Cruise shipping is a growth market for tourism and supports 4330 jobs in the state.

A direct link to our shores could create a tourism and jobs boost for the region.

11. ZIP-LINE

A ZIP-LINE through Sunshine Coast rainforest canopy will offer some of the best, most thrilling views after its expected opening this summer.

The tourist attraction is a joint venture between the Big Pineapple and TreeTop Challenge, who operate in the Gold Coast.

12. MOOLOOLAH RIVER INTERCHANGE

CURRENTLY a "major choke point", the upgrade will reduce congestion on Nicklin Way and Sunshine Motorway while allowing increased access to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads is progressing investigations for a range of major upgrades in the area of the Sunshine Motorway Mooloolah River interchange including expanded lane connections, new river crossing and intersection upgrades.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said $7.4 million in funding over two years would support the development of a detailed business case for the project, currently scheduled to be completed by mid 2020.

Their preferred planning option is estimated to cost $430 million.

13. CALOUNDRA RD

THE local population expected to grow by 50,000 when Aura estate is complete, but the Caloundra Rd is already near or at capacity, according to Fisher MP Andrew Wallace.

A secondary access to the Bruce Highway is on his priority list as he doubles down on the State Government to fast-track a connection from Bells Creek Arterial Rd to Roys Rd.

14. NATIONAL STADIUM

TOWNSVILLE has just built the North Queensland Stadium and it's about time the Sunshine Coast got a national-standard facility.

Our current Sunshine Coast Sports Stadium is a great venue, but the 10,000-person capacity pales in comparison to Townsville's 25,000.

A City Deal is said to have secured the government support and funds for the stadium, and with talk of a similar agreement for the southeast, the time could be right to push for a stadium to attract national events to the Sunshine Coast.

15. SPORTS HUB

CONSTRUCTION on the $22.5 million facility began last year and 80 per cent of the first stage is leased.

This will include a high-performance building known as The Sports Hub, which will include a multi-purpose, regional sports and community hub.

It is located at the Kawana Sports Precinct on Sportsmans Pde and Main Drive, near the Sunshine Coast Stadium.

The sports hub will ultimately include a sports and medical centre and accommodation.

16. NAMBOUR TRAMS

GONE are the days when black soot would rain down on Nambour from the sugar mill, but the industry has left its mark on the hinterland town.

A push to revive the heritage-listed tram line whose tracks still runs through the street has council backing and financial Federal Government support.

Council also agreed to lease 28 Mill St, Nambour, to The Nambour Tramway Company (TNTCo), a not-for-profit company, under a community lease for the purposes of constructing the western terminus building and visitor information centre.

17. UNDER-SEA INTERNET CABLE

A NEW international submarine cable landing to the Sunshine Coast by 2020 will stimulate local business, generate new investment and improve telecommunications diversity to the east coast.

Five international submarine cables provide data connectivity from Australia to the rest of the world; four are in Sydney and the fifth lands in Perth.

The Sunshine Coast Council has mapped a potential submarine cable route and lodged a submission with the Australian Communications and Media Authority requesting initiation of declaration for a Cable Protection Zone offshore from the Sunshine Coast.

The project has attracted strong bipartisan support from the Federal and State Governments and has the potential value to the Sunshine Coast economy of $453 million, and $927 million to Queensland.

18. CASINO

WHISPERS of a casino in the developing Maroochydore CBD have not eventuated into anything solid, though international gaming representatives NagaCorp met with developers SunCentral three times last year.

Sunshine Coast Council representatives were also present, but the meetings were described as "fundamentally no different" to any other generic investor briefings.

Tourism Minister Kate Jones ruled out granting a casino licence for the Sunshine Coast when directly questioned in Estimates Hearings late last month.

Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace has led a campaign against any casino development on the Sunshine Coast and had gathered 6500 signatures on a petition to that effect.

19. BIRTINYA RETAIL

MEXICAN restaurant Guzman Y Gomez is the latest delicious offering of an $87 million retail precinct in rapidly-developing Birtinya.

The drive-through and restaurant will form part of a recently-announced service centre to complement the nearby 10,000sq m shopping centre on track to open before Christmas this year.

The service centre, which has a Caltex service station and drive-through Oporto restaurant, is expected to open next year.

Combined, the developments are expected to generate about 750 direct and indirect jobs.

Both developments form part of the broader $830 million Birtinya Town Centre masterplan, which also will eventually include a new civic plaza, walkable waterfront and open green space.

20. SUNSHINE PLAZA REDEVELOPMENT

THE Sunshine Plaza will become the largest retail centre north of Brisbane when it expands from 73,000sq m to more than 107,000sq m.

The region's first David Jones department store, plus a new Big W and more than 100 new specialty stores will become part of the mix.

The first stage will open in time for Christmas this year, and includes a refurbished Myer, about 40 specialty stores and a new Amaroo St entrance.

The final stage will also include a new alfresco dining along Cornmeal Pde and be delivered before Easter 2019.

21. ZIP-LINE AND HIGH ROPES

AN UNUSUAL, much-anticipated addition to the Sunshine Plaza's offerings is expected to open before Easter next year.

Subject to a development application approval, the first and largest high ropes course at a major regional centre in the country will be open to thrillseekers.

It will incorporate a 21-metre-high viewing deck and ten zip-lines with the longest one at 130 metres across Cornmeal Creek.

22. DIVERGING DIAMOND INTERCHANGE:

WORK is under way on an Australian-first engineering solution for the Bruce Highway upgrade between Caloundra Rd and the Sunshine Motorway.

Last month Transport Minister Mark Bailey announced an innovative design would reduce the number of vehicle conflict points and potential crashes by widening to six lanes along with major interchange upgrades.

Using a diverging diamond interchange motorists will be off the highway and home safer.

Construction is expected to be completed by late 2020, weather permitting.

The $812 million project is jointly funded by the Australia Government and Queensland Government.

[BrizCommuter]

A diverging diamond junction? That'll confuse QLD motorists!