Debate continues over Alex highway plans
Sun 16 November 2008
Taya Lacey, Journalism
Initial designs of the controversial CoastConnect bus corridor, which include plans for a six-lane highway along Alexandra Pde, continue to spark debate on the Sunshine Coast.
The Queensland Government has committed $297 million to TransLink’s CoastConnect plan, which intends to improve public transport and accommodate for an estimated double in tourist and resident populations by 2026, through construction of additional bus lanes and the widening of roads from Caloundra to Maroochydore.
Although most of the altered roads will only be widened to four lanes, initial designs include the widening of Alexandra Pde from Pacific Terrace north to Aerodrome Rd into six lanes which, according to Transport Minister John Mickel, could reduce travel time for commuters by up to 25 minutes. 
Sunshine Coast Regional Council integrated transport planning team leader Nigel Walker said traffic congestion on the Sunshine Coast was an issue that needed to be addressed, and that bus lanes would make it easier for people to use public transport, reducing private vehicle use and traffic in the affected areas.
“In order to achieve a … shift to public transport, frequency and reliability of services are essential to achieve travel behaviour change,” Mr Walker said.
Designs have indicated that the widening of Alexandra Pde would cause a loss of on-street parking and reduce shop front access to residential and commercial properties along the strip.
However, Mr Walker maintained the plans were “essential in maintaining productivity in a local economy”.
A Queensland Transport spokeswoman told the Sunshine Coast Daily that, “responses from the few businesses that have met with the project team so far have generally been accepting” of the plans.
However, Mooloolaba Business and Tourism president Gary Rice said he was aware of the abundance of reports in local media that indicated substantial local opposition to the Alexandra Pde section of the plan.
“We share those concerns … The part of the CoastConnect plan which involves Alexandra Pde would affect a range of small businesses in the area opposite to and north of the Surf Club because of the impact on parking,” Mr Rice said.
Mr Rice also said that, although public transport needed to be improved on the Coast, the current plans would be detrimental to local businesses.
“Rather than leaving already high traffic volumes to grow and existing speed problems to remain, we urge Main Roads to reconsider this section of the CoastConnect proposal,” Mr Rice said.
However, Mr Walker said that the perception that reduced on-street parking resulted in a decline in business had been disproved all over the world, and many alternatives could be investigated if the plans were approved.
“The days of being able to pull up directly in front of a business and parking wherever one likes are over. There are a range of other options that can be utilised such as centralised parking areas close by … or rear parking,” Mr Walker said.
Mr Walker also said businesses situated in the area would directly benefit from the increased amount of Sunshine Coast residents and tourists that would use the bus system.
He believed that business owners should be more open to the idea of promoting other methods apart from cars to access businesses.
“If roads become choked and parking becomes a nightmare, people will avoid driving to certain areas and will stop shopping,” Mr Walker said.
“It is unrealistic to believe that our current level of car usage and parking demands are sustainable.”
Mr Rice said, besides the direct effect on local businesses, the plans also had the potential to affect tourism and the appeal of the “highly popular beach destination”.
Like many businesses on the Sunshine Coast, shops in the area rely heavily on tourist expenditures for income.
“We believe that Alexandra Pde will be affected negatively because it is a beach area,” Mr Rice said.
Melbourne resident, Sunshine Coast tourist and investment property owner Megan Rose said she and her husband were concerned that the Sunshine Coast would soon look like a tired, smaller version of the Gold Coast if poor town planning ensued.
Mrs Rose believed the Coast’s natural environment and aesthetics were the appealing aspects for tourists and investors and said, if these were damaged, holiday-makers would take their business elsewhere on the Coast.
“The proposed Translink/ CoastConnect bus lanes would completely ruin the precinct. I could not imagine why any tourist would ever want to visit there again,” Mrs Rose said.
Mr Walker agreed that the appeal and appearance of the area was important, and said the environmentally friendly bus corridor would assist to maintain a sustainable environment on the Sunshine Coast by reducing automotive pollution.
Mr Rice explained that, although initial CoastConnect designs were somewhat unfavourable, if community opinions are encompassed and succeeding designs for these sensitive areas “are effectively planned and implemented … the overall plan should be beneficial not only to locals but also to tourists”.
Mr Walker agreed that there is still extensive consultation to be done and that, in the coming months, council will make clear its opinion on the matter based exclusively on the best interests of the community.
Image(s) designed by Taya Lacey