Council commits millions to sustainable transport

In partnership with Queensland Transport, Sunshine Coast Council is committing over $5 million towards two significant projects that will dramatically improve public transport linkages across the Coast.

Sunshine Coast Councillors Vivien Griffin and Russell Green will join Transport Minister Rachel Nolan to turn the first sod of the Noosa Transit Centre tomorrow before heading to Maroochydore to announce the detailed design of the Maroochydore Bus Station.

Integrated Transport portfolio chair Cr Vivien Griffin said that this funding commitment was evidence that the Sunshine Coast Council was prepared to make serious investment in improving public transport in the region.

“Both these projects are for new interchanges, one at Noosa Junction and one at Maroochydore,” Cr Griffin said.

“It is essential that bus passengers have safe and efficient interchanges — every part of a passenger’s journey is important and these projects will deliver a quality outcome for passengers.”

Queensland Transport has invested nearly $11 million towards these projects with the Federal Government committing $3 million to the Noosa project.

“Both projects will generate local jobs and improve reliability of bus services across the Coast,” Cr Griffin said.

“This shows three levels of government working together to achieve real, on-the-ground sustainable transport outcomes on the Coast.”

The Noosa Transit Centre will be located in the heart of the Noosa Junction commercial centre. Sunshine Coast Council is contributing $2.3m to the project with $5m from Queensland Transport and $3m from the Federal Government.

Division 11 Councillor Russell Green welcomed the progress with the Noosa Junction Transit Centre.

“We have worked in strong co-operation with Translink to ensure a quality and functional outcome for Noosa passengers,” Cr Green said.

“A real focus was to ensure that good design and functionality went hand-in-hand throughout the design process. I strongly believe that this new interchange will deliver a great business boost to Noosa Junction businesses.”

The Maroochydore Interchange will be a $9.8m project, with $5.5m funding from Translink and $2.8m from the Sunshine Coast Council. It will be located in Horton Parade, outside K Mart Tyre Centre and Dick Smith Electronics respectively.

Major Projects Portfolio councillor Debbie Blumel said the Maroochydore interchange was a welcome investment in the Maroochydore centre, which has been identified as the Principal Activity Centre for the coast.

“Maroochydore is the hub for many Sunbus services. This will be a high quality facility for the many bus passengers travelling on routes which begin or end at this point,” Cr Blumel said.

“This interchange will replace the current one at Sunshine Plaza, and is an integral component of the CoastConnect project for improving public transport on the Coast.”