Convenient and easy-to-access public transport systems to move people efficiently between Maroochydore and Kawana and, eventually, Caloundra, will be considered by Sunshine Coast Council at a Special Meeting on Wednesday, October 20.
From today, the Sunshine Coast Mass Transit Options Analysis, which has been informed by community feedback and includes the summary engagement report prepared by Articulous, will be published on council's website.
Councillors will be considering whether to endorse the Sunshine Coast Mass Transit Options Analysis for referral to the State Government for further investigation, given that level of government is ultimately responsible for the public transport network – the infrastructure, the rolling stock, the ticketing and pricing; and referral to Infrastructure Australia.
Importantly, councillors are not being asked to vote for a preferred option or options; the final route; committing to any investment or funding decision relating to a potential mass transit solution; or committing to, or progressing, any amendments to the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014.
Further community engagement on all aspects of the Sunshine Coast Mass Transit Project will be part of the detailed business case stage, led by the State Government.
In May 2019, the State Government committed $7.5 million towards the first stage of the detailed business case, to be matched by council.
State Government investigations into a significantly improved Sunshine Coast public transport system would initially focus on the Maroochydore City Centre to Sunshine Coast University Hospital, just one component of the long-term Mass Transit Master Plan.
Public transport is a state government responsibility. Any mass transit system will need to be supported by more bus services, improved routes and timetables, and better connections to reduce travel times to areas not directly serviced by mass transit.
The community is invited to watch the Council Meeting live-stream and read the meeting report via council's website.
Council meetings and documents are published here: https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Council/Council-Meetings/Meetings-Minutes-and-Agendas.
Visit council's website for information about the mass transit project and sign up today to receive future project updates.
Background for journalists:
Community engagement 28 April-22 June 2021:
The following community engagement activities were undertaken:
- 19 pop-up events
- 4 virtual reality sessions
- 2 community round tables that included representative groups, aged care, youth, business, and accessibility groups
- a special presentation to Council and State Government Officers by MTAG, the Beach Matters Group and OSCAR on their views
- an Intergenerational Forum that brought together a wide range of interests from across all generations
- an Enquiry-By-Design workshop
- an online survey.
In addition to community engagement sessions, council officers also presented at:
- 5 schools
- 19 community and stakeholder briefings
Project notes:
The mass transit project, which is currently in the options analysis phase of the business case process, is considering a wide range of mass transit options, as an important part of a coordinated approach to moving our community around.
Public transport is a state government responsibility. Council has an important role to play in doing the planning work to encourage the necessary investment by the relevant governments.
