A decision on a $1.6 million transport project may be made tomorrow, after councillors recommended it not proceed in its current form.
At its scheduled ordinary meeting, Noosa Council will consider whether the Peregian Beach Active Street – Stage 1 project should be halted, with a recommendation to redirect funding from the SEQ Liveability Fund and Active Transport Fund toward more practical infrastructure improvements.
The recommendation was made at a general committee meeting on June 9 following debate over a pilot project designed to improve safety and accessibility for cyclists and pedestrians along an 800-metre section of Lorikeet Drive at Peregian Beach.
It comes after Mayor Frank Wilkie declared a conflict of interest at a general committee meeting on March 16, following a $5000 electoral donation from his mother, who lives near the proposed project site.
The Peregian Active Street Pilot was designed to introduce cyclist-priority zones, where motorists would move into “over-run” edge space to accommodate riders.
It also included a reduced 30km/h speed limit, traffic calming measures, designated parking bays and upgraded pedestrian footpaths, with potential for future expansion.
At the general committee meeting, councillor Amelia Lorentson said she could not support the project in its current form, arguing community feedback had not been adequately reflected.
“This is not a divide in the community. This is an overwhelming signal that something has gone wrong in how this project has been developed and presented,” she said.
“When I read the report, it gave prominent weight to submissions from cycling advocacy organisations. Those organisations have a legitimate voice, but they do not live in the streets.”
Cr Lorentson said funding flexibility meant there was an alternative option available.
“We’ve been advised that more than half of the grant fund can be reallocated to other projects if this design does not proceed,” she said.
“That means we are not facing a binary choice between this proposal and nothing.
“Redirect the funds, do the streetscape work that residents actually want, and go back to the drawing board on the route question, with a process the community can trust.”
Councillor Nicola Wilson said she did not support proceeding with the project to satisfy funding expectations.
“The concept of opportunistic funding concerns me,” she said.
“Grant money from state and federal governments is not free money. It is taxpayer money and we do not have unlimited access to it.”
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Cr Wilson said a petition had been tabled raising concerns about parking loss, traffic congestion and safety, and calling for the project to be halted.
“The feedback from residents has been overwhelmingly negative,” she said.
“Those groups in favour don’t live in the affected streets.
“While I understand the concerns over losing grant money, I just don’t think that outweighs the concerns and risks raised by residents.”
The motion to proceed in amended form was defeated, with Cr Brian Stockwell and Cr Tom Wegener voting in favour, and Cr Karen Finzel, Cr Amelia Lorentson, Cr Jessica Phillips and Cr Nicola Wilson voting against.
The committee recommendation now directs council officers to explore funding reallocation options and report back on alternative infrastructure priorities.
