Karawatha Drive cycle track

With community engagement now complete, council is progressing detailed design for a new cycle track to be constructed between Golf Links Road, Prelude Drive and Lady Musgrave Drive in Mountain Creek.

Project scope

People riding bikes on Karawatha Drive currently share the road shoulder and traffic lanes with motor vehicles and share the footpath with people walking.

A 1.6 kilometre separated cycle track will be constructed to improve riding confidence and safety for all users and provide an efficient travel route to nearby destinations such as schools, TAFE, businesses and Mooloolaba.

The new separated cycle track design features:

a new 2m wide cycle track adjacent to the footpath and physically separated from traffic lanes or parking bays by approximately 0.6m
a 2.3m kerbside parking corridor, separated from the traffic lane by approximately 0.6m
a 3.5m traffic lane
a narrowed centre median
all bus stops and bus shelters will remain in their current locations. The bus area will be within the kerbside parking corridor
intersection improvements.

Note: exact design widths will be determined during detailed design.

Project update

The cycle track may be constructed in stages over several years, subject to funding. The construction stage will see the widening of the road, installation of the cycle track and further landscaping works.

Karawatha Drive will remain open to traffic during construction and some detours, partial lane closures and nightworks may be required at times.

As part of the project, extensive revegetation will take place.

Early construction works will involve removing required vegetation and replanting the median with native tree and plant species that range in size. This will ensure the maximum available period of growth for newly planted vegetation.

The existing vegetation, combined with the newly planted trees and plants once established, will provide welcome shade for people walking and riding along Karawatha Drive and neighbouring pathways.

Council and the construction contractor will liaise directly with residents and businesses along the cycle track route to advise them of the construction program, including any temporary changes to access.

Project news - October 2022 (PDF, 903KB)
Fact sheet (PDF, 172KB)

Where to from here

The cycle track is currently in detailed design until early-2023 and then progress into early works.

The following indicative timeline is subject to funding, construction staging and the appointment of a construction contractor.

Mid 2023 - Detailed design for construction purposes.
Late 2023 - Early works - Narrowing of median and staged vegetation removal and revegetation.
Late 2024 - Cycle track construction commences. Construction may be staged in sections over several years.

Community engagement

As a result of community engagement Option 2 was chosen as the preferred design for the cycle track.

In 2021, council undertook initial consultation with residents to share the proposed concept designs.

In July 2022, council asked our community for feedback on three separated cycle track design options to arrive at the preferred option.

To view the community engagement history and options please visit councils Have Your Say site.

Background

Karawatha Drive, between Golf Links Road and Prelude Drive/Lady Musgrave Drive is recognised as a Priority A Route in the Queensland Government’s Principal Cycle Network. This rating is the highest priority allocated to provide valuable and safe active transport connections for people walking, riding and using micro-mobility.

The new separated cycle track aligns with council’s Corporate Plan for 2022-2026 (PDF, 5.6MB) which outlines a ‘Strong Community’ goal of encouraging a healthy and active community through planning and delivery of the transport network to support active transport modes via the Integrated Transport Strategy.

Project news and updates

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Contact the project team

To contact the project team, email [email protected].

For more information, please contact council.