Mooloolaba to University (M2U) Active Transport Corridor

The Mooloolaba to University (M2U) Active Transport Corridor project aims to deliver a safe and comfortable route to significantly increase the number of people walking and riding between Mooloolaba and the University of the Sunshine Coast.

This will be achieved by creating an inclusive walking and riding outcome for people of all ages and abilities, including safety improvements for riders continuing on road.

The M2U Active Transport Corridor is located along the Queensland Government’s Principal Cycle Network (PCN). The M2U corridor is a high priority as it links many centres and schools to provide valuable and safe active transport connections for people walking, riding bikes, and using micro-mobility.

The Active Transport Route will cater for people of all ages and abilities and integrate effectively with surrounding open space areas. The corridor will help create calmer streets, particularly around schools, key accesses, assembly points, and integrate effectively with surrounding open space area. Where possible, Council will aim to maintain the existing supply of car parking within the project area.

The Australian and Queensland governments are together contributing $1.9 million in funding through the South East Queensland (SEQ) Liveability Fund, a commitment under the SEQ City Deal, towards stages 1 and 2 of the M2U Active Transport Corridor, and $1.5 million in funding through the SEQ Community Stimulus Program for stage 3 of the M2U.

Map of Mooloolaba to University (M2U) Active Transport Corridor.

The proposed project route will link Mooloolaba and the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC).

Community engagement

Consultation was open between 4 November and 5pm, 29 November 2024. We invited community members to provide feedback via an online survey on Have your Say Sunshine Coast.

The feedback received from the community for the M2U highlighted our community's strong support for the project and their understanding of how the active transport corridors would facilitate shorter local trips.

We received a wide range of feedback and suggestions, with safety being the top priority for many respondents.

Feedback themes:

Safety: Improved safety was the key priority, with calls for physical separation of walkers, riders and motor vehicles.
Support for corridor approach: Respondents largely supported the overall corridor approach to connect these communities.
Improved liveability: There was a strong focus on enhancing shade, landscaping and lighting along the corridor.
Speed zone review: Respondents called for speed zone reviews in key locations.
Local connections: Many respondents emphasised the need for the corridor to connect with existing infrastructure and provide safe access across the corridor.
Prioritising active transport users at roundabouts and intersections.

Our community's input on improving safety, local connections and overall amenity will be integral as we move forward with the design.

Key highlights and themes which emerged from the community engagement for the M2U active transport corridor can be viewed on the Have your Say Sunshine Coast website.

Background

Sunshine Coast Council’s Corporate Plan 2025-2030 includes ‘Our Strong Community’ goal. This encourages a healthy and active community through planning and delivery of the transport network to support active transport modes (walking and cycling).

To align with strategic priorities, the project will also reference Council’s Active Transport Plan. This considers development in the region, including population growth, the emergence of personal mobility devices, and improved active transport standards and guidelines.

Timeline

November 2024 – Community Engagement Phase 1 NOW CLOSED
November 2024 – Targeted stakeholder engagement
November 2024 – April 2025 – development of design options
November 2025: Community Engagement (Phase 2)
Late 2025: Detailed design
Early 2026 - July 2027: Implementation / construction

Next steps

The project team is considering all feedback received from the community through the engagement activities to guide and inform the concept design of the M2U active transport corridor.

We will present the M2U concept designs for community feedback and commentary in November 2025.

The Australian and Queensland governments are each contributing $1.9 million in funding towards sections of the active transport corridors, through the South East Queensland (SEQ) Liveability Fund.

The SEQ Liveability Fund is a $285.8 million commitment under the SEQ City Deal, a partnership between the Australian Government, Queensland Government and Council of Mayors SEQ.

Planning for the entire route of the M2U corridor is a multi-year, long-term project.

Funding is required to progress other stages to design and construction. We will keep our community updated with information as it becomes available.

If you would like to remain updated on this project, please follow the project via Have your Say Sunshine Coast.

Frequently asked questions

What is active transport?

Put simply, active transport incorporates walking, riding bikes and e-bikes and other physically active ways of travelling that can be undertaken alone or combined with public transport.

Why is active transport so important?

All members of our community deserve to feel safe and welcome on our streets. An active transport corridor will ensure that more people can get around safely whether for recreation or commuting. Active transport will play a key role in Council creating a transport system that enables everyone in our community to access and enjoy our streets, while also supporting a healthy and sustainable future for our region.

Why is active transport important for the Coast?

Council recognises the importance of making our streets safe and accessible for everyone. We know that our community love to go for a walk or a bike ride with family and friends, yet it is not always safe or possible to do so. Constructing an active transport corridor will help guarantee that our streets work for everyone, and that our community is able to enjoy healthy, sustainable and inclusive transport options.

This will also help us address other important factors such as population growth, the liveability of the region and the Olympic and Paralympic Games Brisbane 2032.

When will this project be constructed?

Indicative timing (subject to funding and consultation):

Foreshore to Palm Avenue Investigation and Design 2024-26. Construct 2026-27.
Amarina Avenue to Karawatha Drive Investigation and Design 2024-26. Construct 2026-27.
Molokai Drive to Golf Links Drive Investigation and Design 2023- 26. Construct 2026-27.
Golf Links Drive to Dixon Road Investigation and Design 2026-27. Construct 2027-28.
Dixon Road to Stringybark Road Investigation and Design 2024-27. Construct 2028-29.
Ballinger Road to Sunshine Motorway Investigation and Design 2024-26. Construct 2027-28.
Stringybark Road Bridge Construction - Complete.
Sunshine Motorway to Sippy Downs Drive Future investigations.

What other active transport projects is Council delivering?

Council also invited community and stakeholder feedback on the design and implementation of the Caloundra to Currimundi Active Transport Corridor.

In February 2025, Council became aware that the Department of Transport and Main Roads had made a funding commitment to deliver the Schools Active Transport Infrastructure Pilot project at Caloundra State School and Caloundra State High School.

The timing of this announcement occurred after Council’s community consultation for the C2C active transport corridor.

In response to our community’s feedback and concerns, and to allow the Queensland Government pilot project to achieve its desired outcomes, we have paused any further delivery of the C2C active transport corridor.

This will ensure the learnings from the pilot project are fully understood and that any future improvements to the active transport network in this locality complement this project.

We are grateful for our community's interest and engagement in active transport on the Sunshine Coast.

What are the negotiable elements of the project?

Connectivity and accessibility - our community will be asked to provide feedback about connectivity and accessibility improvements along the corridor alignment. We will consider these as part of planning and design. Community members may be supportive or against local road closures as part of the project.

Open spaces and urban design - our community will have an opportunity to provide feedback on open spaces and landscaping preferences for Council consideration as part of planning and design.

Landscaping: our community will have an opportunity to provide feedback on landscaping preferences for Council consideration as part of planning and design.

Will there be impacts to off/on street parking along the route?

Car parking changes may be required in sections along the preferred corridor alignment, however we will aim to maintain current car parking supply, where feasible. Our community can provide feedback about car parking changes for Council’s consideration as part of the concept design for the project.

Will the project affect access to my property during construction/once complete?

Community members are encouraged to share suggestions regarding property access along the alignment. Council will work to ensure all feedback is integrated into project design, and any potential impacts are mitigated while guaranteeing that the safety and operational efficiency of the network is maintained.