Published Friday, 11 July, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Planning project considers options for Sunshine Motorway
The Sunshine Coast community has been invited to have its say on planning for the Sunshine Motorway/Emu Mountain Road between Pacific Paradise and Noosa Heads.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt today announced a proposed planning option to improve safety and increase capacity on a 23km section of the motorway between the Pacific Paradise interchange and Eumundi-Noosa Road.
The proposed planning option is available for public viewing at a number of locations in both Noosa and Coolum.
“Main Roads initiated the planning study in 2006 to investigate how the motorway could be upgraded in the future to best meet the needs of one of Queensland's fastest growing areas," Mr Pitt said.
"The proposed planning option, which provides for the duplication of the existing motorway from two to four lanes, is the result of extensive engineering, traffic, environmental, geotechnical, social and economic investigations.
“It includes planning for possible future interchanges at Yandina–Coolum Road, Murdering Creek Road and Peregian Springs Drive to provide safer and more efficient access to the growing residential and commercial centres around Coolum and Peregian.
"Provision has been made for further expansion of the motorway, as well as for possible future interchanges at West Coolum Road and at Coolum Ridges.”
Mr Pitt said the community had an important role to play as the planning study continued.
As well as public displays, about 15,000 newsletters outlining the proposed planning option will distributed next week to residents and businesses between Pacific Paradise and Weyba Downs.
"Community consultation is a core feature in all work undertaken by Main Roads and it is essential that the public contributes to this planning study," Mr Pitt said.
"All feedback received will be assessed as the study team works towards completing a planning study report. Continuing traffic, engineering and environmental investigations will also be taken into consideration.
"The outcome of this planning will considered when the department reviews its forward funding program."
The proposed option can be viewed at the following locations between July 21 and August 8.
Staffed displays:
• Noosa Civic Shopping Centre, 28 Eenie Creek Road, Noosaville (outside Woolworths) – Thursday July 24 (3pm to 7pm) and Saturday July 26 (10am to 2pm)
• Coolum Community Centre, Park Street, Coolum (meeting room) – Tuesday July 29 (12.30pm to 4.30pm) and Saturday August 2 (9am to 1pm)
Unstaffed displays:
• Coolum Beach Library, Park Street, Coolum – Monday July 21 to Friday August 8
• Sunshine Coast Regional Council (Tewantin office), 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin – Monday July 21 to Friday August 8.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt today announced a proposed planning option to improve safety and increase capacity on a 23km section of the motorway between the Pacific Paradise interchange and Eumundi-Noosa Road.
The proposed planning option is available for public viewing at a number of locations in both Noosa and Coolum.
“Main Roads initiated the planning study in 2006 to investigate how the motorway could be upgraded in the future to best meet the needs of one of Queensland's fastest growing areas," Mr Pitt said.
"The proposed planning option, which provides for the duplication of the existing motorway from two to four lanes, is the result of extensive engineering, traffic, environmental, geotechnical, social and economic investigations.
“It includes planning for possible future interchanges at Yandina–Coolum Road, Murdering Creek Road and Peregian Springs Drive to provide safer and more efficient access to the growing residential and commercial centres around Coolum and Peregian.
"Provision has been made for further expansion of the motorway, as well as for possible future interchanges at West Coolum Road and at Coolum Ridges.”
Mr Pitt said the community had an important role to play as the planning study continued.
As well as public displays, about 15,000 newsletters outlining the proposed planning option will distributed next week to residents and businesses between Pacific Paradise and Weyba Downs.
"Community consultation is a core feature in all work undertaken by Main Roads and it is essential that the public contributes to this planning study," Mr Pitt said.
"All feedback received will be assessed as the study team works towards completing a planning study report. Continuing traffic, engineering and environmental investigations will also be taken into consideration.
"The outcome of this planning will considered when the department reviews its forward funding program."
The proposed option can be viewed at the following locations between July 21 and August 8.
Staffed displays:
• Noosa Civic Shopping Centre, 28 Eenie Creek Road, Noosaville (outside Woolworths) – Thursday July 24 (3pm to 7pm) and Saturday July 26 (10am to 2pm)
• Coolum Community Centre, Park Street, Coolum (meeting room) – Tuesday July 29 (12.30pm to 4.30pm) and Saturday August 2 (9am to 1pm)
Unstaffed displays:
• Coolum Beach Library, Park Street, Coolum – Monday July 21 to Friday August 8
• Sunshine Coast Regional Council (Tewantin office), 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin – Monday July 21 to Friday August 8.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819