Project info
CoastConnect is an integral part of the Queensland Government's long-term plan to meet the changing transport needs of the Sunshine Coast. The Department of Transport and Main Roads is undertaking this project to increase options for sustainable travel on the Sunshine Coast through a priority bus spine from Caloundra to Maroochydore, including:
- bus priority lanes
- on-road cycle lanes
- bus stations in key activity areas
- bus stop upgrades
- bus queue bypasses.
The need for CoastConnect is outlined in the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031, the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program 2010-2031, the draft Connecting SEQ Plan 2031: an Integrated Regional Transport Plan, and the TransLink Network Plan 2010. The South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program 2010 – 2031 estimates the staged delivery of the project will occur between 2014 and 2019.
What has happened so far?
| Phase |
Purpose and outcomes |
Timing |
| Phase one – terms of Reference |
Community and stakeholder input was sought into the project’s terms of reference. This was used to develop the draft concept design options. |
19 Nov to 16 Dec 2007 |
| Phase two – draft Concept Designs |
Draft concept designs were released for community and stakeholder consultation. Significant feedback from the community was received and the plans were revised. |
8 Sept to 17 Oct 2008 |
| Phase three – Revised draft Concept Designs |
The revised draft concept design and preview impact management plan was released for community and stakeholder consultation. Feedback was received from the community. |
29 June to 7 Aug 2009 |
| Announcement of final Concept Design and Impact Management Plan |
The final CDIMP and corridor alignment is now available. The corridor will be protected under the provisions of the Transport Planning and Coordination Act. |
Early 2011 (underway) |
| Staged construction |
Staged construction is expected to occur from 2014. |
From 2014 |
Latest news
Concept Design and Impact Management Plan
The Queensland Government has released the final CoastConnect Concept Design and Impact Management Plan (CDIMP). The CDIMP contains an analysis of the project’s anticipated benefits and impacts, including details on how potential impacts can be mitigated in future detailed design and construction phases.
The project team, in conjunction with key stakeholders and the community, has worked hard to develop the preferred alignment which has now been finalised. This process involved three rounds of community and stakeholder consultation between late 2007 and mid-2009. All feedback was considered prior to finalising the alignment. The identified corridor will now be protected under the provisions of the Transport Planning and Coordination Act.
The key benefits of the preferred corridor includes:
- most direct route between the existing and emerging activity nodes
- complements future CAMCOS rail network
- better connections to community services, facilities and local activity centres with subsequent economic benefits
- opportunity to minimise impacts upon residential areas
- less environmental impact by using existing transport corridors
- reducing bus travel times by up to 13 minutes between Maroochydore and Caloundra
- reducing traffic congestion, pollution and noise by enticing people out of their cars and onto public transport (for every full bus, there are 40 less cars on the road)
- offering a congestion free alternative to private vehicle travel.
The preferred strategy map (PDF, 248 KB) is available for download.
Planning for Brisbane Road and Walan Street
Planning for Brisbane Road and Walan Street will be consistent with the Sunshine Coast Regional Council's planning for this section (see CoastConnect preferred strategy map, above). For more information on the latest planning for Brisbane Road, please contact Council's customer service centre
Maroochydore Bus Station
The Maroochydore Bus Station was identified as a priority during concept planning, as was the need to improve the bus facility currently located within Sunshine Plaza. Design of the station is expected to be finalised by the end of 2010 and construction is expected to be finished by the end of 2011.
The new bus station will address safety and capacity constraints at the existing station and will be built to TransLink’s high safety and quality standards.
Next steps
Delivery of CoastConnect – Caloundra to Maroochydore will be staged over several years. This means we can improve the most congested sections first to reduce impacts on communities, businesses and road users. Construction will occur in a logical sequence to minimise disruptions.
Subject to Queensland Government approval, the work is planned to be undertaken between 2014 and 2019.
The staging strategy map (PDF, 250 KB) is available for download.
