Coast residents angry over highway project
Wed 12 November 2008
Katie Lingard, Bachelor of Journalism
Coastal residents are outraged over Queensland Transport’s plans to turn Alexandra Pde into a six lane highway, including two transit lanes and the depletion of on-street parking.
The CoastConnect Caloundra to Maroochydore Quality Bus Corridor project is aimed at providing faster, more frequent and reliable public transport for locals and tourists, stating that it would “make it an attractive alternative to the car and help manage traffic congestion”.
Alexandra Pde runs along the picturesque headland between Mooloolaba and Maroochydore, with the easy access to beaches, shops and accommodation playing a role in the area’s appeal, which attracts thousands of people each year. 
Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson said that most people do not want the road expanded through this area at the expense of car parking or local parkland.
“They want good access to the beach with safer pedestrian access rather than a high-speed, six lane highway,” she said.
Although the project includes upgrades on many other sections of road such as Nicklin Way, business owners along Alexandra Pde feel it will lead to their bankruptcy.
Ms Simpson said this section of the project is believed to create more dilemmas than improvements.
“The section along Alexandra Pde and Aerodrome Rd, under CoastConnect, tries to fix something which isn’t the problem, and will cause bigger problems,” she said.
The widening of the road through that area may cause issues with available parking, loading zones and deterred customers to local businesses, in order to create parkland and transit lanes.
“The expansion of these particular roads at the expense of car parks and public space will create more of a negative impact with businesses being bankrupted than the benefit of dedicated bus lanes,” she said.
Ms Simpson also said that some sections of the plan were acceptable, and the improvements would result in positive impacts for coast transport. The main Maroochydore bus station at the Plaza is an urgent issue which will be improved with the upgrades. 
“The section from Caloundra to the Mooloolah River interchange will have benefits, so this must be distinguished from the negative impact of the section between Mooloolaba and Maroochydore,” she said.
Although the plan has not yet been approved, the remaining problem is the lack of alternatives and traffic growth on these proposed routes.
“The consultants were asked to supply these and advised they would not be available until the business case stage of the project, which is after public consultation,” Ms Simpson said.
Alexandra Headland IGA store manager Tony Spinks said a public meeting will be held sometime in early November in an attempt to provide details of the project to the broader public.
Mr Spinks also said there are hopes that residents will present alternative ideas to address the issue.
“It gives them a chance to have their say and put forward other ideas,” he said.
Both Ms Simpson and Mr Spinks believe there is an urgent need for alternative proposals to be put forward.
“There’s a lot of people out there with a lot of ideas.
“If they’re not heard, obviously the state government don’t know about them,” Mr Spinks said.
Mr Spinks, a Sunshine Coast resident for the past 37 years, bought the IGA store last December for its local and friendly community feel.
“Alexandra Pde should be a more people-friendly place,” he said.
If the project proceeds Mr Spinks said he felt he could become bankrupt as well as watch his much-loved local area get destroyed.
“The on-street parking … will affect me in regards to no public access to the beach, no public access to my store, no loading zones for deliveries,” he said.
It is apparent that some other local businesses along the Alexandra strip will be bulldozed for construction. A local Foodworks store and chemist are just two businesses which have been informed of their possible demise.
Thousands of residents, as well as tourists, have already signed petitions against the project and it continues to grow daily.
“No one’s going to catch a bus with their boards and gear and go to the beach. They’ll get in their car and go somewhere else where they can park,” Mr Spinks said.
Many people have moved to the area for the lifestyle and beach access, with many residents feeling Mainroads is trying to take that away.
“They’re taking away the public’s right to any access to the beach,” he said.
Mr Spinks also said one of the problems businesses are facing is the fact that council does not own Alexandra Pde, but Mainroads does, therefore it has control.
“I would like to see the council take ownership of the road so that residents who know the area have more say in the outcome,” he said.
Ms Simpson said local business owners do not have much choice as to what happens to their companies if the project goes ahead, and it is unlikely that any of them will be compensated.
“Construction will impact a number of businesses, but it is unlikely they will receive government compensation according to the consultants,” Ms Simpson said.
Mr Spinks also said that many of the consultants and construction workers do not even know the area in which they have been employed.
“We are calling for the Minister to visit and speak to the affected businesses and to see for himself the issues,” Ms Simpson said.
Image(s) designed by Katie Lingard
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Submitted Comments
A well written article that reflects the attitude of almost ALL local residents of Mooloolaba and Alexandra Headland.It is worthy of further publication in more S.E.Qld newspapers
Well done
Dave Jewry
a very good story well done katie, we will keep up the fight
tony spinks