The developer behind a rapidly growing Sunshine Coast community is making moves to build another main access road.
AVID Property Group has submitted preliminary paperwork to Sunshine Coast Council for the Southern Road Link from Harmony to Caloundra Road.
The design and specifications documentation shows a 4km north-south route from the eastern side of Harmony at Palmview to the Caloundra Road and Racecourse Road interchange at Meridan Plains.
But some property acquisitions could be required, and there are some areas of environmental and cultural significance in the vicinity.
A spokesperson for AVID said the thoroughfare was crucial for Harmony.
“AVID is committed to delivering vital road infrastructure, like the Southern Road Link, to connect Harmony to the broader Sunshine Coast community,” they said.
“The future Southern Road Link, as proposed under the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme, has been planned in collaboration with Sunshine Coast Council, AVID, Palmview landowners, the state government and the broader community.
“The road will have at least one lane in either direction with passing lanes planned for part of the road.”
It’s not known when work could start on the road, or when it could be opened.
“AVID is working with relevant authorities to finalise the specific details and requirements of the road and to seek the appropriate approvals, all of which will determine the delivery timeline,” they said.
The development application (Southern Road Link, Design and Specification) from AVID, via Egis Consulting, included an alignment assessment that was prepared last year.
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It showed multiple route options relatively close to one another, and ultimately recommended one route (option 2).
The assessment stated that the proposed project could impact some properties.
“(The alignment could) require the acquisition of private property to facilitate the delivery of the road infrastructure,” it noted.
Sunshine Coast News asked AVID for more details on possible land purchases but did not receive a direct response.
The document showed that that each of the route options would likely affect only a limited number of land parcels.
The report also included an ecological constraints analysis that identified some ‘moderate’ and ‘high’ constraints with native vegetation areas in the greater area – including a nationally important wetland (Mooloolah River), endangered ecosystem (notophyll vine forest) and habitat areas for koalas – that could be subject to government referrals and/or assessments.
It also stated that the alignment is within a flood plain and that an assessment was being undertaken to assess impacts.
The likely structural elements of the project could include a bridge across the Mooloolah River and multiple culverts.
The assessment stated that option 2 proposed to cross the river at its narrowest point, requiring a bridge about 30-50m long, which could significantly reduce cost and environmental impacts.
The report stated that two fauna crossings and fauna fencing would be guided by ecological advice.
Meanwhile, a cultural heritage analysis was completed by Everick Heritage.
“There are known Aboriginal cultural heritage sites of significance in close proximity to the project area,” it stated.
“We recommend that AVID consult with the Kabi Kabi and negotiate an agreement to manage Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and meet their duty of care.
“There is the potential for all the (route) options to impact on culturally modified trees in areas of remnant vegetation. As such, it is recommended that an archaeological inspection of these areas occurs early in the planning process.”
The Everick analysis and Egis assessment stated that route option 2 was preferred because it avoided a culturally and environmentally significant creek area.
The Egis report also showed that speed limits could vary along the route and a traffic noise assessment would be undertaken.
The road would be the third key access to Harmony: a growing $3 billion master-planned community that is expected to have more than 4800 homes for about 13,000 residents.
“The future Southern Road Link is one of four roads to be delivered by AVID at Harmony,” the spokesperson said.
“AVID delivered the Peter Crosby Way connection in 2017 and Symphony Way (Bruce Highway connection) in 2023 and has plans underway for the future Southern Road Link and a Springhill Drive connection from Palmview to Sippy Downs.”
