The Sunshine Coast Regional Council is planning for future growth on the Sunshine Coast, which it says is expected to see a population increase of around 200,000 people between 2016 and 2041.
To maintain our lifestyle, we need more sustainable transport options that efficiently connect people to jobs, recreation, tourism, services, and education. The Sunshine Coast currently has 393,000 locals and receives over 3.8 million holidaymakers annually, resulting in more than 1.1 million daily trips.
The draft Southern Sunshine Coast Public Transport Strategy includes a detailed business case for an integrated public transport system. The coastal corridor between Maroochydore and Caloundra is predicted to experience significant growth, and a mass transit system, be it bus or rail-based, can help manage this growth, providing a sustainable and convenient mode of travel while reducing dependence on private cars. The council says that the mass transit system will be part of an integrated transport network that includes local buses, heavy rail, and active transport infrastructure.
The council’s community engagement period has now finished. To date there has been a mixed response to the proposal. Around 8000 public submissions were received by the council. The following is a synopsis of the council’s proposal followed by MADCA’s response.
The Council states that the proposed mass transit system for the Sunshine Coast offers numerous benefits. It supports jobs, tourism, and a stronger economy while providing a sustainable mode of travel to manage the effects of growth.
The council goes on to say that the proposed mass transit system will significantly enhance accessibility for residents and visitors in multiple ways. By providing a sustainable mode of travel, it will effectively manage the effects of growth and reduce car usage, particularly during peak times, resulting in reduced traffic congestion and more vibrant neighbourhoods. The system's improved network efficiency will enhance traffic flow, decrease peak hour congestion, and ultimately reduce travel time, thereby increasing overall accessibility. Additionally, the system will establish high-frequency and feeder bus networks that will connect key locations across the Sunshine Coast, including railway towns, coastal centres, and the airport, facilitating easier mobility for residents and visitors.
The system will also prioritise the development of an improved pathway network, enabling convenient walking, biking, and other micro-mobility options, promoting car-free transportation alternatives. Moreover, the Mass Transit system will contribute to job creation, boost tourism, and strengthen the local economy, benefiting both residents and visitors. It will also improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities who may face barriers in using public transport, while simultaneously promoting population health by facilitating physical activity.
Overall, the council advance that the proposed mass transit system will provide a more accessible, sustainable, and efficient mode of travel, ensuring seamless mobility across the Sunshine Coast for residents and visitors alike.
The council says that the Mass Transit system proposed for the Sunshine Coast has the primary objective of enhancing accessibility for both residents and visitors, with a particular focus on areas currently lacking adequate public transportation options. However, because the council has not provided specific coverage details, it is difficult assess whether this will be the case.
The system aims to reduce car usage, especially during peak times, because the council will offer an alternative mode of travel for individuals who currently rely on private vehicles. This indicates a shift towards more sustainable transportation options.
Secondly, the potential utilization of buses, including articulated and double-decker buses, implies that the system will possess the flexibility to serve a more diverse range of areas and communities. This adaptability would be essential for any effective catering to varyious needs and demand.
Thirdly, the emphasis on improving safety and amenity along the transit routes indicates a commitment to prioritising the interests and requirements of the communities the system will traverse. This focus on enhancing the overall quality of the areas served indicates a more holistic approach to transportation planning.
Fourthly, by investing in active travel infrastructure that connects to stops and stations, the Mass Transit system can support the development of 'walkable communities'. This highlights an intention to enhance accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists, promoting a more environmentally friendly and healthy mode of transportation.
Lastly, recognising that access to public transportation is crucial for independence, especially among individuals with limited mobility and living alone, suggests that the system may prioritise accessibility features for people with disabilities and older adults. This inclusivity aspect acknowledges the diverse needs of the population and aims to address them.
Currently, specific information about the areas covered by the Mass Transit system is currently unavailable. However, the council states that the system seeks to provide a more inclusive, sustainable, and convenient mode of transportation for residents and visitors throughout the Sunshine Coast. Whether we can infer the 'whole' Sunshine Coast, including the hinterland and range communities remains to be seen.
In June 2022, the Mapleton and District Community Association (MADCA) submitted its response to the Sunshine Coast Council's public consultation process on the proposed Mass Transit system following a briefing given by Program Director Urban Growth, James Coutts, which was arranged by Councillor David Law.
Overall, the MADCA endorses the Council's development of a strategic transport plan, which aims to meet the future transport needs of the whole of the Sunshine Coast. However, MADCA is concerned that the Council's transport levy on rates will rise significantly to meet the Council's share of the proposed Mass Transit system, which will provide few direct benefits to hinterland residents.
The Council proposes that the master plan presented in its draft Options Analysis report would be delivered in five stages, including a local mass transit system in the Sunshine Coast urban corridor, continuing upgrades to the Beerwah to Nambour rail line, the provision of regional rail from Beerwah to Maroochydore via the CAMCOS corridor, a high frequency bus network and a feeder bus network, and an improved pathway network to facilitate walking, bicycle and micro-mobility access to the system.
The MADCA supports further investigation of the use of the Caboolture to Maroochydore Corridor Study (CAMCOS) Corridor as an integrated component of a mass transit system, but not necessarily for heavy rail. For example, it could be used as a dedicated bus corridor servicing the needs not only of the Coastal Corridor but linking to the heavy rail at Beerwah.
The MADCA supports the immediate development of a high frequency bus network and a feeder bus network linking key locations across the Sunshine Coast, such as the railway towns to the coastal centres and the airport. This is more likely to provide shorter-term results and lower infrastructure costs, while not precluding more infrastructure-intensive solutions in the future. The improved amenity, given appropriate service levels and public awareness, should lead to reduced car usage and parking requirements.
The MADCA notes that the latest Federal Government budget has $5 million allocated to the business case for doubling the existing heavy rail line to Nambour. MADCA regards the upgrade of the existing heavy rail track as an important component of an integrated transport strategy and strongly supports the doubling of the railway track to Nambour. Coupled with an enhanced bus network, it will make public transport more attractive for commuters and tourists accessing the Sunshine Coast.
The MADCA supports the establishment of a pilot program to trial demand-responsive transport on the Blackall Range using low carbon footprint small buses. This would help reduce traffic and parking pressures in the small hinterland villages for both residents and the growing tourist activity.
The MADCA is strongly supportive of an improved network of pathways across the Sunshine Coast to facilitate walking, bicycle and other micro-mobility access. MADCA strongly supports a pathway connecting Mapleton, Montville and Maleny and provision of connecting pathways to Nambour and Landsborough. Such pathways would serve both residents and encourage walking/cycling tourism.
Overall, MADCA believes that it is too early to commit to the currently proposed Mass Transit system until the impact of the new planning scheme can be considered and the future of the CAMCOS corridor is resolved. MADCA supports further investigation of the use of the CAMCOS Corridor as an integrated component of a mass transit system, but not necessarily for heavy rail.
