- Last updated:
- 20 Aug 2019
The focus of the Sunshine Coast Mass Transit Project is the provision of reliable, frequent and affordable public transport services, but brings with it a range of other positive spin-offs that will enhance our community connections, business activity, lifestyle and the environment.
On 25 July 2019 Council endorsed the submission to the Queensland Government of the Sunshine Coast Mass Transit Strategic Business Case, representing the completion of the first stage of a government-established review framework through which Queensland and Commonwealth government funding may be accessed. An overview of council's Strategic Business Case will be available here soon. The full document as presented to Council is available here. The community can visit the project website @ https://masstransit.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au to obtain more information and subscribe to receive project updates.
Project scope
Mass transit is one of the major game-changing projects spearheading council’s plans to sustain the Coast’s prosperity, lifestyle and natural assets into the future.
The recently released draft SEQ Regional Plan acknowledges the need for a passenger transport trunk corridor from Maroochydore to Caloundra and on to Beerwah, a corridor that reflects council’s proposed mass transit route between Maroochydore and Caloundra.
Following council’s decision to endorse a preferred alignment for further investigation between Maroochydore to Caloundra, work has continued on getting a better understanding of the costings and developing a planning strategy for the coastal corridor, which will feed into the feasibility and business case for the Sunshine Coast Mass Transit Project.
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Project update
The Sunshine Coast is expected to experience high population growth over the next 20 years. The areas between Maroochydore and Caloundra will be the focus of economic growth as the Maroochydore City Centre and the new Sunshine Coast Public University Hospital at Kawana are developed.
Planning for our growth is critical to protecting our coastal lifestyle, our outstanding natural assets, character and identity, ensuring we have employment and economic opportunities for our residents in the future
At this point in time there is a unique and exciting opportunity for the Sunshine Coast to plan for a new way to move and accommodate projected growth while protecting the unique and attractive lifestyle for future generations.
In addition to its capacity to move large volumes of people efficiently, mass transit is recognised for its ability to improve property values, stimulate investment and improve the urban environment.
Mass transit will provide an efficient, high quality transport option and has the potential to generate social, economic, transport and environmental benefits across the Sunshine Coast including:
- supporting the direct and indirect creation of almost 9000 jobs during construction and operation
- putting an estimated $3.6 billion of benefits back into the economy
- protecting lifestyle and natural assets and hinterland
- connecting people and places to major hubs and areas of employment, education, health and tourism
- improving mobility, especially for the aged and people with disabilities
- encouraging new forms of urban development and reinvigorating urban precincts
- reducing reliance on car travel.
Where to from here
Council is working towards the delivery of mass transit on the Sunshine Coast by 2025, subject to approval and funding.
Background
In mid 2015, after extensive community consultation, an alignment for the mass transit corridor, between Maroochydore to Caloundra, was endorsed for further investigation. Further consultation was also undertaken during the preparation of master plans for Mooloolaba and Caloundra CBD which further refined alignments in these areas.
To read more about the benefits and opportunities that mass transit could provide in shaping the future of the Sunshine Coast, view Sunshine Coast Light Rail: Shaping Our Future.
Contacts
For more information contact the Mass Transit project office via council’s customer service centre.