Article: Why these rundown shops prove Maroochydore has missed the bus

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Why these rundown shops prove Maroochydore has missed the bus

Why these rundown shops prove Maroochydore has missed the bus

    by: Matt Johnston
    From: Quest Newspapers
    November 30, 2011 12:00AM


http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2011/11/29/1226209/414832-eyesore.jpg

This is the bus station Maroochydore residents have been waiting for since the State Government project was first announced in 2009. At least, it is the site where the bus station is supposed to be.

Instead, the shops have become a haven for vandals as they sit unoccupied following the forced departure of their tenants.

Maroochydore MP Fiona Simpson went on the attack again this week as she slammed the State Government's inability to deliver the bus station, which has been delayed by the relocation of power and communication infrastructure.

"This is simply scandalous and farcical," Ms Simpson said. "Businesses were given their marching orders by a certain date, without an extension of their leases, so this could be built.

"It looks like a disaster zone now."

"It angered me to see they came out with their glossy brochures last year that showed the design and what it would all look like, but now they say they are looking at a new design," Ms Simpson said. "Why would you go on with resuming properties and releasing your brochures if it wasn't even designed properly?"

Construction on the Horton Pde project was scheduled to begin midway through last year and due for completion by the end of this year, but a TransLink spokesman confirmed it was scheduled to be completed by the end of 2012 - weather permitting.

"The relocation of communication and power equipment was required in order to preserve the supply of services near the construction site," he said.

"Works of this nature are common with projects near to major road corridors.

"TransLink and the Sunshine Coast Regional Council have been working closely with stakeholders to ensure the new design meets the needs of local community."

But Ms Simpson questioned the need for another period of community consultation on the design and accused the State Government of wasting taxpayers' money on the project.

As one of the loudest campaigners for improved public transport infrastructure in Maroochydore, she said something needed to be done soon to alleviate congestion and improve safety at the current situation at Sunshine Plaza.

"It's not rocket science," she said.

"It is a bus station."