The first phase of planning for a new motorway on the Sunshine Coast is almost finished, but the future of the project remains unclear.
The estimated 5km Kawana Motorway is expected to address congestion and improve access to key facilities in the region.
The new road would complement other proposed transport projects, including the uncertain Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade, the multibillion-dollar Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line and the Sunshine Coast Public Transport initiative, and be near two planned Olympic venues that are under review.
It would essentially run between Parrearra and Meridan Plains, adjacent to Kawana Way and the planned rail line. Scroll to the bottom of this article for concept designs.
A Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said initial preparations were almost done.
“Early planning is nearing completion for the new motorway,” they said.
“It forms part of a long-term integrated transport solution to improve travel times and safety, and reduce congestion on other major roads in the area including Kawana Way and Nicklin Way.
“This project will form part of a proposed new north-south motorway (Sunshine Motorway, through the future Mooloolah River Interchange, onto Kawana Motorway, Kawana Way Link Road and Bells Creek Arterial Road to the Bruce Highway), providing a high-speed alternative to the highway.”
The motorway is proposed to be a two-lane road initially, with space allowed for additional lanes as demand increases. Sections could evolve to four lanes or even six lanes in the future.
There would be interchanges along the motorway, with improved access to areas like the Sunshine Coast University Hospital and Health Precinct, and to the Birtinya Town Centre.
Pathways and cycling facilities would be included.
But just $3.6 million has been allocated to the project so far, with $2.6 million from the federal government and $1 million from the state government.
It’s not known how much it will cost, where the money would come from or when it could be done.
The exact route is yet to be established and there is some potential homes could make way.
A project newsletter, published in 2023, stated that a limited number of residences could make way.
“The new motorway is designed mostly within a preserved transport corridor, alongside the proposed Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line,” it said.
“As design standards and transport requirements have changed since the corridor was originally preserved, some additional properties may be impacted for this project.”
The spokesperson added: “Project costs and property impacts will be confirmed during later stages of the project.
“Detailed planning, design and construction of the project will be subject to future funding availability in consideration of competing statewide priorities.”
Community consultation was undertaken in 2021 and 2023 to help shape the project.
A consultation and engagement insights summary, compiled by TMR, in 2023 revealed locals’ thoughts on it.
“Get it done,” one person stated. “I think it would improve the accessibility of the Sunshine Coast and improve the traffic flow and congestion.”
“Looks like a good design, well done. This is a well thought-out design and plan,” another said.
“You need to add ramps to let traffic head south from the northern interchange and at the interchange in line with Lake Kawana Boulevard,” added another.
“I support the project but the environmental impact on Leacey’s Bushland Conservation Reserve needs to be considered and factored into the design,” one person said.
Thirty-one per cent of responders felt very strongly about public transport being a better alternative to the Kawana Motorway.
Some people were happy with the concept designs while others felt a motorway would make the Sunshine Coast look like “a concrete jungle”.
