First Avenue upgrade - Maroochydore
A new attractive streetscape is planned to transform First Avenue, Maroochydore into a vibrant, shady and inclusive CBD, providing businesses, residents and visitors a more inviting space to live, work and play.
First Avenue will be upgraded to help the street operate more safely and efficiently, and enhance the look and experience of the area.
The design will connect the established northern section of First Avenue and the newly expanded Maroochydore central business district (CBD), Aerodrome Road and surrounds, including to The Esplanade and Duporth Avenue.
The upgrade will provide an attractive and safe environment for pedestrians and cyclists, improve and increase spaces for local businesses, help calm local traffic and will create cool, shady and green streets for all to enjoy.
The final design was developed between 2018 and 2022 in consultation with our community and is now ready for construction thanks to a major funding grant announced earlier this year.
In addition to Council’s funding contribution, the project has received $11.9 million from the Australian Government's Growing Regions Program to progress the critical connection.
Project scope
With construction of the newly expanded Maroochydore CBD in progress, Council is focusing on the surrounding areas to deliver improved streetscape outcomes that benefit residents, visitors and local businesses.
A key goal is to provide safer pedestrian, cyclist and motorist movements including:
- two raised pedestrian crossings along First Avenue;
- a raised pedestrian crossing along Cornmeal Parade, Memorial Avenue and George Street
- a scramble crossing at the intersection of First Avenue, Duporth Avenue and The Esplanade
- upgrading footpaths and driveways
- upgrading underground services including power, telecommunications, stormwater and mains water
- improving access for people with disabilities, prams, motorised scooters and other non-motorised forms of transport
- fixing footpath level variations where possible
- transforming the eastern side of First Avenue including extending kerbing and landscaped areas and new street furniture
- transforming the western side of First Avenue into a six metre wide, shared path for pedestrians and cyclists with a continuous, centralised planting strip
- relocating the two bus stops along First Avenue to The Esplanade and upgrading them to minimise conflict with other First Avenue street users
- extensive landscaping, including planting approximately 70 new trees and 1,800 new plants
- installing new street furniture to provide a welcoming, green environment for residents and visitors.
Project timeline
- April 2018 - Consultation with businesses and traders on the concept design
- May 2022 - Final design introduced to community
- May 2025 - Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program $11.9m agreement executed
- August 2025 - Early site investigation works
- December 2025 - Contractor appointed
- 14 January 2026 - Construction information session
- Early 2026 - *Construction commences
- 2027 - *New streetscape completed
*Some elements of construction may be staged or altered as funding and resources dictate. All works will be weather and site conditions permitting.
Where to from here
It is expected that construction will start by early 2026. Details of the construction schedule will continued to be shared with our community via Community Updates to local businesses and residents throughout the project.
SAVE THE DATE: Construction information session
The project team will be available to answer any question at a drop-in information session:
- Location: City Hall foyer
- Date: Wednesday 14 January 2026
- Time: Between 3pm and 6pm
Please email your interest and questions ahead of time to the project team: [email protected]
Contacts
Make sure you keep up-to-date on the First Avenue Streetscape Upgrade, by subscribing for email updates.
To contact the project team, please email: [email protected].