Public Consultation, the Survey and the Draft Options Analysis Report
Community consultation on Council's "mass transit" proposal closes soon - 5pm on Tuesday 22 June.
Please don't let this opportunity to participate slip by; silence implies consent and a lack of response is tacit approval of Council’s current proposal.
There are alternatives - different MODES of transport and different ROUTES instead of the multi-billion $ preferred options for the 13.6km route. There are several ways to have your say on Council's "mass transit" plan outlined in their Draft Options Analysis report.
1. Participate in Council’s survey either ONLINE, or on their PAPER-based survey form, click HERE;
2. Write a submission in your own words,click HERE for the form and more details.
What is in the Draft Options Analysis report?
See our May email for snapshot information from the 300+ page report. We have saved a copy onto our website HERE. Alternatively, the full report is on Council's website.
What is NOT in the Draft Options Analysis?
Alternative route and alternative modes of transport, YES!
- The heavy / rail option along the CAMCOS corridor was disregarded by Council because it does NOT provide the "land use" height and density increases for development opportunities along the coastal corridor.
Green, environmentally friendly buses - a network that provides route flexibility as the population increases also opportunities for future transition and adaptation to autonomous/on demand options. Again, this option was NOT considered as it doesn't provide the "land use" height and density increases for development opportunities along the coastal corridor.
There are NO references to important environmental concerns, such as negative impacts on biodiversity. Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) from the "land use" intensification of development is known to negatively impact turtle nesting habitat and the inshore waters. ALAN also negatively impacts migratory birds and shorebirds.
How can Council ignore the fact that Buddina is an important turtle nesting habitat?
Scientific research informs us that increases in sky glow can negatively impact “nesting beach selection” by adult endangered loggerhead turtles. Scientific research also informs us that sky glow up to 18km from the source can negatively impact the orientation of turtle hatchlings, increasing mortality of those hatchlings.
For endangered loggerhead turtles, Buddina is significant to the TurtleCare program. Loss of the nesting habitat at Buddina and also at Warana risks in excess of 1/3rd of Council’s own TurtleCare program, resulting in degradation of Council’s environmental reputation and biosphere worthiness.
Do we need 4-6 or 8 storey buildings along the whole coastal corridor?
There is sufficient capacity to accommodate projected Sunshine Coast population and dwellings increases beyond the Planning Scheme amendment opportunities in 2024 and 2034, which will be subject to community consultation.
The current 2014 Planning Scheme has excess capacity as does the CBD separate PDA Plan; it’s a question of whether or not the developers will take on developing that excess capacity in the nominated locations, rather than Council creating new, higher density development 'opportunities'.
Friends of Buddina do NOT support the increased dwelling density scenario in Council's survey (4-6 or 8 storey buildings) along the coastal corridor. Not all beaches need to replicate Mooloolaba and Maroochydore all the way along the coastal corridor.
Position Statement - what is Friends of Buddina stance this project?
Friends of Buddina believe that the Council's Draft Options Analysis report, in its current form, should NOT progress to the next stage of formalising the Business Case. The underlying assumptions of the recommendations and the preferred options in the report need to be revised.
Friends of Buddina believe that Council's preferred options are the WRONG MODES along the WRONG ROUTE with an unacceptable weighting bias on 'land use' (building height and density increases with multi-storey apartments). For Council's preferred options of Light Rail, Wireless Light Rail, Bus Rapid Transit, Trackless Trams and the Quality Bus Corridor along the 13.6km route, these options FAIL to provide:
a region-wide connectivity-driven transport system as a priority;
an economically sustainable, flexible transport modes that can alternate routes based on flexibility of demand-driven route alternatives;
alternative routes that resolve existing transport short-falls east-west and north-south;
alternative transport modes without pre-requisite intensification of land use (higher density development);
alternative options for land use (development) within existing capacity in both the SC Planning Scheme and the CBD Maroochydore PDA plan;
up-to-date cost and risk analysis information, based on current costs, not out-dated costs;
the ability to “maintain and enhance” the environmental impacts of development on the sensitive, fragile habitat of endangered species (in particular turtle nesting habitat);
the ability to “maintain and enhance” the amenity and liveability of residents who live in Priority Area 1, along the proposed route.
Overall, this mass transit proposal falls short of what the Sunshine Coast needs in a transport plan.
How to Navigate Council’s Survey?
Despite its frustrating complexity and perceived bias, please persist in completing the survey and have your say. See our May email for guidance; click HERE for a copy.
Need help or extra viewpoints?
The Mass Transit Action Group (Mtag) is a Sunshine Coast community group dedicated to ensuring that the Sunshine Coast Regional Council's "mass transit" Business Case reflects the needs and aspirations of the community. Subscribe for regular email updates from Mtag:
Register on their website: https://www.masstransitsc.com/register
Follow Mtag on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SCMassTransit
The Beach Matters (BM) community group are committed to preserving Alex, Maroochy, Mooloolaba and Kawana beaches and access to them. Make contact and join their private facebook group.
Follow BM on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebeachmatters
What can you do now?
Please don't remain silent and imply your consent to the multi-billion $ "mass transit" plan along the 13.6km coastal corridor; it is inseparable from rezoning for development opportunities - densification with multi-storey apartment buildings.
Encourage everyone you know to either complete Council's survey or write a submission to Council. All links are on the Mtag website: https://www.masstransitsc.com/consultation
Help spread the word. Share this email (or an extract) and ask your friends and contacts to register at the Mtag website for timely email updates, register HERE
If Council's "mass transit" proposal progresses, it will require both State and Federal government funding. We are encouraging everyone to also sign two State Government petitions and one Federal Government petition. It only takes 1 or 2 minutes to sign each one, thanks.
Click HERE to sign Mtag's State petition
Click HERE to sign Andrew Wallace's Federal Petition
