Maroochydore - First Avenue major streetscape upgrade

Artist Impression of Duporth Ave, First Ave and The Esplanade intersection.

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.

A concept plan was developed in consultation with the community in 2018.

This project received $11.9 million in funding from the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program.

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:

improving pedestrian crossings:
- two raised pedestrian crossings along First Avenue; a raised pedestrian crossing along Cornmeal Parade, Memorial Avenue and George Street. As well as, a scramble crossing at the intersection of First Avenue, Duporth Avenue and The Esplanade
- a scramble crossing is a traffic signal movement that temporarily stops all vehicle traffic allowing pedestrians to cross an intersection in every direction at the same time.
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
providing on-street car parking on the eastern side of First Avenue
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.
on-street parking will be removed and consolidated into more suitable, nearby areas. The reconfiguration of the Cornmeal Place has provided an additional 29 standard parking bays to the car park. When combined with the First Avenue Major Upgrade an additional 12 standard parking bays will be delivered in the local area
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 60 new trees and 1500 new plants.
installing new street furniture to provide a welcoming, green environment for residents and visitors.