A contentious plan to reshape a coastal street could be replaced by a simpler pathway project without traffic calming, formalised parking or reduced speed limits.
Noosa Council staff have recommended councillors support the Coastal Pathway Stage 1 – Peregian Beach South project at the General Committee meeting on November 10.
It would replace the Peregian Beach Active Street project, which council resolved in June should not proceed in its previous form.
The revised project would instead focus on an off-road pathway between the Lorikeet Drive cul-de-sac and Jabiru Street.
The council report states it “focuses on delivering an improved off-road pathway network and associated infrastructure”.
Works would include a new concrete path, kerb changes where needed to avoid utilities or vegetation, upgrades to the existing path south of Lorikeet Park bridge, landscaping and wayfinding signs.
Traffic calming, raised intersection treatments, formalised car parking, textured road surfaces and reduced speed-limit measures proposed under the previous concept have been removed.
Council sought permission in July to redirect grant funding to the revised project.
The South-East Queensland Liveability Fund approved the change and an extension of time in September, but a decision from the Active Transport Fund remains outstanding.
The report states advice from the fund indicated “an outcome could be several months away”.
Related story: ‘I felt sick’: mayor apologises for conflict of interest
Staff have recommended council proceed with the pathway using the approved funding rather than wait.
If the second grant variation is approved, the project could be expanded to include renewal of the existing footbridge and possibly a raised pedestrian crossing at Pitta Street and Lorikeet Drive.
The report states Active Transport Fund officers support an option requiring the crossing to be reinstated.
“However, they have also indicated that there is an expectation that the scope variation may ultimately be declined,” it states.
The revised project has $880,000 in approved funding and a current forecast cost of $1,074,497.
If the second grant variation is unsuccessful, the report identifies a potential council contribution of $194,497.
Staff said extra consultation, redesign and rescoping had also reduced the amount of existing funding available to match the Active Transport Fund grant.
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
The report warns delaying the project could risk missing the Liveability Fund deadline, while abandoning it could leave council responsible for money already spent.
“Council may need to fund works to date at an approximate value of $247k,” it states.
Council said the revised design reflected extensive community feedback gathered through consultation on the original project.
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.
