- Last updated:
- 06 Mar 2019
The Mooloolaba Transport Upgrade Project will see the Walan Street and Brisbane Road south of Hancock Street and Walan Street widened to four traffic lanes in multiple stages over several years.
In addition to making essential improvements to traffic flow, this important project will enhance the southern entrance into Mooloolaba and create a corridor that is integrated and inviting for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and public transport users. This is one of the many Mooloolaba infrastructure projects council is investing in to create a world-class destination for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Project scope
Council has completed planning work to upgrade Brisbane Road and Walan Street to four lanes. The Mooloolaba Transport Corridor Upgrade Planning and associated staging was endorsed by council at the July 2018 Ordinary Meeting. It includes following project stages and scheduled timeframes, which will be subject to council’s budget process and may change.
Naroo Court extension through to Muraban Street. Early works: February to April 2019. Construction: June 2019 to early 2020.
Naroo Court will be extended through to Muraban Street. View map[2337KB] for details.
Works include:
- the construction of a new roundabout at the Muraban Street, Naroo Court intersection
- underground stormwater upgrades
- new footpath on the eastern side of Naroo Court
- some driveway works to residences on Naroo Court and Muraban Street
- new formalised on-street car parking areas
- a new road surface along Naroo Court and the new Muraban Street roundabout
- landscaping including new trees and turf along Naroo Court and adjacent to the new Muraban Street roundabout
- the removal of some trees to accommodate the new through-road (with offset planting to replace any removed vegetation)
- street lighting upgrades
- the demolition of some properties
- some service relocations including electricity, water and telecommunications.
Construction hours will be from 6.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Saturday. In some instances, night or further weekend works may be required. Council will provide the community with advance notice of night or weekend works.
Property access will be maintained to residences and businesses.
What to expect during construction
Council will make every effort to minimise impacts to the local community during construction however, throughout the construction period there will be:
- changed traffic conditions – reduced speed limits, temporary lane closures, traffic and pedestrian realignments, traffic control
- temporary and permanent changes to on-street parking
- increased heavy vehicle movements
- construction noise.
The project team will continue to liaise with directly affected businesses and residents to inform them of specific construction activities, timeframes and impacts.
Stage 1: Walan Street (from Venning Street to Smith Street) dates to be confirmed
The first stage of this project will upgrade Walan Street to four lanes (two traffic lanes in each direction and a central raised median).
It also includes:
- a signalised intersection of Walan Street and Naroo Court
- bus stops on Walan Street
- space to accommodate future light rail and four traffic lanes.
More information about the design and construction of this stage will be communicated in the near future.
Stage 2a and 2b – Brisbane Road (from Walan Street to Mayes Canal) 2020/21 – 2021/22
This stage will upgrade Brisbane Road to four lanes (two traffic lanes in each direction, 1.5m on-road cycle lanes and a central raised median).
It also includes:
- upgrading the intersection of Brisbane Road, Walan Street and Hancock Street (Stage 2a)
- upgrading the intersection of Brisbane Road, Foote Street and Tarcoola Avenue to a signalised intersection (Stage 2b)
- space to accommodate future light rail and four traffic lanes
- limited on-street car parking along the eastern kerb.
Stage 3 – Brisbane Road (from, and including, Mayes Canal Bridge to Tuckers Creek) 2022/23
This stage will further upgrade Brisbane Road to four lanes (two traffic lanes in each direction, 1.5m on-road cycle lanes and a central raised median).
It also includes:
- upgrading the intersection of Brisbane Road, Bindaree Crescent and Woomba Place to a signalised intersection
- bus stops on Brisbane Road
- space to accommodate future light rail and four traffic lanes
- limited on-street car parking along the eastern kerb.
Two options are to be considered for the existing Mayes Canal Bridge:
- construct a new southbound bridge and retain the existing bridge for northbound vehicles
- demolish the existing bridge and construct a bridge that is suitable for future light rail and four traffic lanes.
Council’s endorsed Place Making Mooloolaba Master Plan (2015) provides overarching landscape design guidance for the corridor. Landscape design shall recognise the Master Plan in delivering a holistic design outcome. Where possible the corridor will include streetscape planting, pedestrian pathways, street furniture elements and way-finding signage. These elements will embrace the natural context of Mooloolaba and draw on the forms and patterns of nature as inspiration for the design intent.
Project update
Council is in the process of acquiring the impacted land along the corridor. These acquisitions are being undertaken in stages.
Where to from here
Council is committed to keeping residents and businesses in the affected areas informed about ongoing works.
View the latest Project News and construction notifications:
March 2019 Construction Update - Mooloolaba Transport Corridor Upgrade (MTCU)
February 2019 - Naroo Court extension through to Muraban Street[1008KB]
Background
Mooloolaba is one of the major coastal tourism destinations on the Sunshine Coast. As a result is experiencing significant development pressure that, when combined with increasing through traffic, is leading to congestion on the roads. It is also making access to the centre of Mooloolaba and its local attractions increasingly difficult.
Considering this, council is progressing plans to upgrade Brisbane Road and Walan Street to deliver an outcome that supports the local economy, provides accessible public and active transport options and protects our lifestyle.
In 2003, the former Maroochy Shire Council conducted the Mooloolaba Integrated Land Use and Transport Assessment Study to determine the transport system (including car, public transport, cycle and pedestrian elements) that would best serve the future needs of Mooloolaba. The Study considered a range of alternative options for the Corridor.
In 2010, council re-examined the proposed transport corridor upgrade for Mooloolaba to ensure that any work would be consistent with Council’s vision for the Sunshine Coast to be Australia’s most sustainable region. Following the review, Council engaged external engineering consultants and further refined the options and developed a preferred layout. This layout proposed a four lane carriageway with a central median strip.
Council adopted the preferred layout at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 2 February 2011, and it was later incorporated into the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme 2014 which commenced on 21 May 2014.
Council has continued to revise and improve the Strategic Traffic Model, Mooloolaba Local Area Traffic Model and preferred layout for the Mooloolaba Transport Corridor. The refinement of the Mooloolaba Local Area Model and the preferred layout and construction staging were adopted at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 19 July 2018.
Public consultation for the Brisbane Road upgrade began in 2003 as part of the Mooloolaba Integrated Land Use and Transport Assessment Study and involved both a community forum and feedback analysis. Public participation has indicated an understanding of the need for future transport planning and broad community support for the Corridor upgrade. Council has engaged with Mooloolaba households, local businesses, affected land holders and interested parties through newsletters, media releases and Council’s website. There has been increasing public enquiry and comment requesting action to improve the Mooloolaba Transport Corridor. Extensive stakeholder engagement was also undertaken over a four year period, involving over 3000 participants, as part of the Place Making Mooloolaba Master Plan process.
Further community consultation on trunk transport corridors was undertaken in 2018 as part of the Local Government Infrastructure Plan public consultation phase across the Sunshine Coast region.
Related documents
For more information, please contact council and ask for the Mooloolaba Transport Corridor Upgrade Project Coordinator.