A long-awaited plan to ease traffic gridlock on the southern Sunshine Coast is a step closer to reality, but cost estimates have not been announced, drawing stinging criticism from the Opposition.
The Caloundra Congestion Busting Plan has been formally included in Queensland’s Transport and Roads Investment Program, paving the way for major upgrades to key intersections and thoroughfares, including bustling Caloundra Road.
The initiative is expected to futureproof the local traffic network to accommodate rapid growth, by providing an alternative access route into the Caloundra CBD.
The plan includes completing the Nicklin Way to Third Avenue connection to take traffic off the Nicklin Way, Caloundra Road and Pelican Waters Boulevard roundabout; constructing a new Kawana Way Link Road/Bells Creek Arterial Road overpass over Caloundra Road; and a new link between Aura Boulevard to Pelican Waters Boulevard.
It also involves upgrading the Bellvista Boulevard-Caloundra Road intersection, including adding slip lanes to and from Caloundra Road; and upgrading the intersection of Nicklin Way, Caloundra Road and Pelican Waters Boulevard.
More than 32,000 vehicles travel along Caloundra Road corridor daily, making it one of the busiest arterial roads outside of Brisbane, with at least 30 per cent growth in traffic in the past two decades.
Premier David Crisafulli said the plan would ease the pressure on the choked road.
“We stood here before the election and promised to put an end to the Caloundra car park and we are delivering on that promise,” he said.
“Traffic has been clogged up here for too long, which is why we are removing the gridlock to get Caloundra Road flowing again.”
But the state government did not say how much the works could cost, despite the LNP making a $400 million pre-election pledge to address traffic woes at Caloundra.
It led to criticism from Shadow Transport Minister Bart Mellish, who said it could cost more.
“It sounds like a really good project but they haven’t funded this properly,” he said.
“The government put out about a 500-word media release and there are no costs mentioned anywhere.
“The government, when they were in opposition, put $400 million into this project … and now (that figure has) … been stripped from their media releases.
“This will cost much more than $400 million.
“This government really needs to step up and say will they be changing the scope of their Caloundra Roads congestion package.
“Will they be reducing some of these projects and will they all be done by the end of this term?
“It’s clear that this $400 million figure was just plucked out of thin air and now the government is hiding from what the true cost of these projects will be.”
But the Premier said the costs would become clearer.
“We are making sure that we go to market (and) that we drive down those prices, then we show what that amount is,” he said.
“We drive value for money and do it on time and on budget.
“(In the past) we’ve seen figures used as a baseline and then prices have escalated (and) time has blown out by many years. We’re taking a different approach.”
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the upgrades would deliver generational infrastructure.
“This is about more than just reducing congestion: it’s about creating a transport network that supports economic growth, enhances liveability and ensures Queensland is ready to shine on the global stage in 2032,” he said.
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Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the project would be of significant benefit.
“The Caloundra Congestion Busting Plan is a game-changer for the region,” he said.
“Work has already started and we are exploring innovative ways to deliver this project to ensure value for money for taxpayers and maximise the benefits for Queenslanders.”
He said that early site works on the Caloundra Road and Nicklin Way intersection had started, and works on the Nicklin Way to Third Avenue connection (also known as the Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade) should start this year.
He anticipated that detailed design for an overpass at the Kawana Way and Caloundra Road intersection would start this year.
Member for Caloundra Kendall Morton said the plan addressed locals’ concerns.
“Our community has told us loud and clear that congestion is impacting daily life: from school drop-offs to weekend beach trips,” she said.
“These upgrades will make it easier and safer for families, small businesses and visitors to move around Caloundra, particularly along Caloundra Road.”
Sunshine Coast mayor Rosanna Natoli welcomed the planned upgrades.
“Every single day, people sit in traffic across the Sunshine Coast: particularly here in Caloundra,” she said.
“So the announcement of these projects, and more than that, the announcement that designs are underway and that soon we will see those shovels in the ground, is incredibly exciting.”
