First stage of Bells Creek Arterial Road complete

A ceremony to mark the completion of the first stage of the much-anticipated Bells Creek Arterial Road has been held at the southern end of the Sunshine Coast.

Mayor Mark Jamieson and Division One Cr Rick Baberowski joined Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety Mark Bailey and representatives from developer Stockland at the official opening of the 2.8km stretch which gives direct access to Aura, Australia’s largest master-planned city.

Mayor Jamieson said the road construction had provided the first of 18,500 direct and indirect local jobs for the Sunshine Coast over the first 10 years of the Aura project.

"I know our residents and visitors have been watching its progress with great interest and will be delighted to know this road will soon be open for them to use," he said.

"More than 200 people have been employed in the construction of this road alone which contributes to our high employment rates – better than the Queensland average.

"The arterial road is part of a $1.3 billion Infrastructure Agreement between council, the Queensland Government and Stockland - an agreement that comes at no cost to the ratepayer.

"Aura, or Caloundra South, is a major site for accommodating the significant growth occurring on the Sunshine Coast and it’s vital that we get its transport needs right.

"The arterial road will ensure Caloundra South is incorporated in the fabric of the established Caloundra/Bellvista area and doesn’t become an isolated community.

"It will also help to improve traffic flows and over time, once complete, will help to improve connectivity and accessibility around many parts of the southern area of the Sunshine Coast.

"And significantly, the Arterial creates a direct connection between Aura and the jobs and services of the world class health, commercial and education hub at Kawana."

Minister Bailey said the road was a commitment to the infrastructure needs of the emerging communities in the rapidly growing area of Caloundra South.

“The current and future residents of the Sunshine Coast will reap the benefits of this new link with access being provided directly from Caloundra Road to the new city of Aura,” he said.

“Active transport options, including high-quality bike and walking paths that are separate from the road, are another exciting addition incorporated to support the residents’ lifestyle and add to the vibrancy of the community.

“Importantly, this state-controlled road is being delivered at no cost to Queenslanders.

“Under the conditions of the development, Stockland Pty Ltd is providing more than $140 million worth of state roads and land for future roads and public transport, which in turn will help support their growing development."

Stockland has invested $30 million in the construction of this first phase of critical state road infrastructure providing direct access to the emerging Aura community.

Kingsley Andrew, general manager for Queensland at Stockland, said the Bells Creek Arterial Road would be the main access into Aura’s first suburb of Baringa and would provide a welcome second access for the existing communities of Bells Reach and Bellvista.

“This is the most significant piece of infrastructure to be delivered by Stockland at Aura to date and a huge milestone for this rapidly growing community, the first residents of whom started moving in just last month,” Mr Andrew said.

Bells Creek Arterial Road is being built in stages.  This 2.8km section is the first phase of the almost 12km road which will eventually link Caloundra Road with the Bells Creek/Roys Road interchange on the Bruce Highway.

Fast facts:

• 2.8km Stage 1 was completed in 12 months
• 50 plus workers contributed 80,000 working hours
• More than 133,000m3 of earth was moved - enough to fill 53 Olympic swimming pools
• 2000 m3 of concrete used
• 5000m3 of asphalt used
• 70,000 tonnes of gravel from local quarries used

Finishing touches are being put to the road and it is expected to be opened to traffic in the near future.

Timing of construction of the remaining stages of Bells Creek Arterial Road will be confirmed as the development progresses.