Thousands of residents have gathered along the foreshore to send a clear message to councillors who are set to vote on the Sunshine Coast’s controversial Mass Transit Project.
In an impressive display of people power, a rally was held on the paths linking Alexandra Headland and Maroochydore.
Promoted by The Beach Matters and Mass Transit Action Group, the peaceful protest’s main goal was to urge councillors not to advance the project to the State Government while it contained options that included light rail, overhead wires, poles or tram tracks.
A special meeting has been called for Wednesday, October 20, when council will vote on whether to push ahead with the next stage of the process.
On a perfect spring day, locals and visitors of all ages strolled the foreshore holding “No Light Rail’’, “Tell The Council Now” and “Don’t Make Us The Gold Coast” signs.
Maroochydore’s Renee Tamatea turned out with four children and her mother to be part of the statement.
The 40-year-old teacher, who has been living on the Coast since she was six, said she was passionate about the area and preserving its wonderful lifestyle.
“We are taking part in this protest because it’s our last chance to convince councillors that light rail and trams would be a horrible thing to do,’’ she said.
“A lot is changing, but we still need to do what we can to protect the beauty of the Coast.
“I want my children to grow up and enjoy it as I did.
“Light rail and trams would be ugly and a physical and visual obstruction to the beachfront. I don’t think they make any sense and should be removed from the options.
“And I don’t think they would solve anything.’’
Local journalists supporting local people. Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our free daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email. See SUBSCRIBE at the top of this article
The Beach Matters spokeswoman Rachael Bermingham said it was great to see so many people taking part in the rally and it showed how passionate the community was about the issue.
She said people came from far and wide, including Noosa, Maleny, Caloundra and even North Lakes and a count using drone footage put the attendance at 4400.
“The community has clearly said, as they did in the council engagement survey, that they do not want light rail, overhead wires, poles or tram tracks,’’ she said.
“We hope all councillors vote no in sending the options analysis with light rail and tram tracks to State Government.’’
Sunshine Coast Council is seeking to improve traffic flow and public transport as our population swells and recently released the much-anticipated results of its community engagement on the five public transport options under consideration.
These include bus rapid transit, high-quality bus corridor, trackless trams, light rail with wires, and wireless light rail.
If the proposal is advanced on Wednesday, the state would then prepare a detailed business case before pushing ahead with mass transit for the 13km stretch between the Sunshine Coast University Hospital and Maroochydore.
However, The Beach Matters Group said councillors should respect community feedback that stated light rail was the least favoured option.
Ms Bermingham said council officers had spent $500,000 of community money on an eight-week consultation process and then ignored the results.
Watch the meeting and get more info
- Read the Sunshine Coast Mass Transit Options Analysis (click October in the drop-down menu)
- Watch the Council Meeting live-stream on Wednesday 20 October at 1.30pm
