How to help shape two active transport corridors

Sunshine Coast Council is planning to deliver safe and inclusive active transport corridors, for people walking, riding bikes and using personal mobility devices including e-scooters.

The two corridors will improve the active transport network connecting Mooloolaba to the University of the Sunshine Coast, and Caloundra to Currimundi.

Council is inviting community input to understand safety issues and opportunities along these two routes.

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

Planning for the entire route of these corridors is a multi-year, long-term project and funding will be required to progress the other stages to design and construction.

Both routes are recognised on Queensland Government’s Principal Cycle Network.

Safe, accessible, enjoyable

When complete, the Mooloolaba to University (M2U) corridor will offer a 10-kilometre route connecting six schools, shopping centres and the communities of Mooloolaba, Mountain Creek, Sippy Downs and Buderim.

The Caloundra to Currimundi (C2C) corridor will provide a safe and direct six-kilometre ‘spine’ connecting six schools, shopping centres and the communities within Currimundi, Dicky Beach, Moffat Beach and Caloundra.

Sunshine Coast Council Transport Portfolio Councillor David Law said Council aimed to deliver connected, safe and sustainable transport systems for the region, ensuring all members of the community could move around safely and enjoyably.

“On average more than 70,000 people per week ride bicycles on the Sunshine Coast,” Cr Law said.

“Through Council’s ThinkChange program we are also supporting engagement on the Active Transport Corridor with initiatives such as the recent successful Biketober promotion.

“This encouraged community and workplace cycling participation.

“Walking and cycling will play an increasingly important transport role in the future and we’re planning now to help support this.

“Active transport along these two corridors will deliver improved mobility, safer streets, and healthier communities, and I encourage our communities in these areas to share your feedback with us.”

Mooloolaba to University

The 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.

Sunshine Coast Council Division 6 Councillor Christian Dickson encouraged people to have their say to help Council create an inclusive walking and riding outcome for people of all ages and abilities.

“All members of our community deserve to feel safe and welcome on our streets,” Cr Dickson said.

“This active transport corridor connecting Mooloolaba to the University of the Sunshine Coast will ensure that more people can get around safely, whether for recreation or commuting.

“It will help create calmer streets, particularly around schools, and integrate effectively with surrounding open space area.”

Caloundra to Currimundi

Sunshine Coast Council Division 3 Councillor Tim Burns said according to last year’s Queensland Household Travel Survey, almost 80,000 total daily trips were made by active transport in the Sunshine Coast region in 2023.

“For active transport on the Sunshine Coast, the average travel distance and time for bike riding is 2.3km and 14 minutes, for e-mobility is 2.3km and 12 minutes, and for walking is 0.8km and 15minutes,” Cr Burns said.

“The Caloundra to Currimundi Active Transport Corridor will deliver a safe and comfortable route to significantly increase the number of people walking and riding within Currimundi, Dicky Beach, Moffat Beach and Caloundra.

“This active transport route will create safer and more accessible streets.

“It will reduce the need for interaction between motorists and people walking or riding bikes on roads.

Consultation now open

Cr Law said stakeholder and community engagement would play an important role in ensuring connectivity and accessibility measures were tailored to community needs.

“We want to hear from residents so we can find out how active transport can be improved and used by more people in our community,” Cr Law said.

“Between November 4 and November 29 we invite our community to provide feedback via an online survey. 

“Your input and feedback will help us to better understand the issues and opportunities along these two corridors, understand the type of active transport infrastructure that is important to our community, and ensure connectivity and accessibility measures are tailored to the needs of the communities along these routes.”

Our community can provide feedback via Have Your Say Sunshine Coast by November 29. 

Select a button below to share your feedback on the M2U or C2C Active Transport Corridor.

Next Steps

These projects will have two phases of community engagement.

Feedback gathered during Phase 1 will be used to inform planning and design of the corridors. It will ensure that Council recognises and addresses any potential issues or concerns.

Next year, as part of phase 2 community engagement, Council will share the outcomes from Phase 1 community engagement and present the corridor designs to the community for feedback and commentary.

Feedback received during Phase 2 will be used to finalise the detailed design of both corridors.

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

For more information on the M2U Active Transport Corridor and the C2C Active Transport Corridor, visit Council’s website.

Background

Sunshine Coast Council’s Corporate Plan 2024-2028 includes ‘Our Strong Community’ goal. This encourages a healthy and active community through planning and delivering 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.

Sunshine Coast Council is developing its new Active Transport Plan to provide a strategic, long-term plan which will support people walking and riding around our region.

The SEQ Liveability Fund is one of 29 commitments being delivered under the $1.8 billion SEQ City Deal, a partnership between the Australian and Queensland governments and Council of Mayors (SEQ) to generate long-lasting benefits for the fast-growing region.