The first of several properties are being removed in the heart of the Sunshine Coast, to make way for a revamped thoroughfare.
Two homes are being demolished, and another 37 will follow during the next 12 months, along the western side of Maud Street, as part of the Maroochydore Sugar Road and Maud Street Transport Corridor Upgrade.
The properties, between Dalby Street and Dalton Drive, will ultimately make way for a four-lane configuration.
Sunshine Coast Council has been acquiring them since 2016.
A spokesperson said demolitions will be phased “to reduce impacts to our community”.
The first phase of removals is underway, with the demolition of two commercial properties (numbers 66 and 78).
“These properties are being removed first as part of the initial demolition phase because they are already vacant,” the spokesperson said.
“Early removal not only assists the project but also helps support community safety and amenity, including reducing the risk of vandalism, squatting and other anti‑social behaviour.
“The next stage of works includes upgrading Maud Street, between Dalby Street and Easton Street, and a new access road between the city centre and Maud Street.
“A Unitywater water main upgrade is also required along Maud Street, between Dalby Street and Dalton Drive.
“These works include funding support from the state government through round one of the Residential Activation Fund.”
The major works of the corridor upgrade will be delivered in stages.
The timing and construction of each stage is subject to future council budget deliberations.
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The upgrade should ultimately include more lanes, traffic lights, U-turns, crossings and pathways.
Works have so far included line marking changes, footpath and cycle ramp improvements and underground service and geotechnical investigations.
The upgrading of Sugar Road and Maud Street is set to complement Maroochydore’s status as a Priority Development Area.
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Plans have been in place for more than 20 years to update the corridor.
The upgrade, from Bungama Street to Wises Road, will be upgraded across multiple stages.
The project upgrade will include widening Sugar Road and Maud Street from two to four lanes to increase traffic capacity, improve traffic flow, reduce ‘short-cutting’ in nearby side streets and address safety concerns; new, separated pathways for walking and riding; new signalised and raised priority crossings at key intersections; making the area greener with new planted verges, trees, landscaped garden beds and shaded pathways.
Sunshine Coast News asked the council how many more properties have been acquired or could be acquired along the eastern side of Maud Street and along both sides of Sugar Road.
“In relation to Sugar Road, Council continues to undertake planning and investigations to inform future acquisitions. The project’s timeline is subject to future council budget deliberations,” a spokesperson responded.
The aerial imagery in this story is from Australian location intelligence company Nearmap. The company provides government organisations, architectural, construction and engineering firms, and other companies, with easy, instant access to high-resolution aerial imagery, city-scale 3D content, artificial intelligence data sets, and geospatial tools to assist with urban planning, monitoring and development projects in Australia, New Zealand and North America.
