We had a fabulous time at the Electric Vehicle Expo hosted by Zero Emissions Noosa on Saturday, 22 June 2019 where Bettina and I (wo)manned the waste separation station as well as a Cycle Noosa stand.
Apart from seeing a great range of electric vehicles on display, we enjoyed many discussions with Noosa locals and visitors about Noosa’s existing cycling infrastructure and where improvements can be made. There was a definite agreement that we have a great backbone to start from, and many low hanging fruit that could lead to a smoother, safer and more enjoyable riding experience for all.
Following the event, Cr Ingrid Jackson posted the following on the Cycle Noosa FB group:
SOME GOOD NEWS. On the basis of my and other councillors’ advocacy due to a number of requests by residents for improved bike pathway connectivity, on 28 June, as part of the 2019/20 budget, Noosa Council approved $250,000 for what staff have entitled “Shire Wide Walking & Cycling Strategy” which includes:
Updating of existing Shire Wide Walking & Cycling Strategy – $200,000
The purpose of the Strategy is to put into place a strategic direction for future planning and facilitation of cycling and pedestrian activity in Noosa from both a transport and recreational perspective. In addition, the provision of walking and cycling facilities enhances the tourist holiday experience and allows our visitors and residents to access the natural beauty of the area.
Walking and Cycling Recreational Strategy $50,000
The recommendation from the Noosa Sport and Active Recreation Plan 2018 was to develop a shire-wide bicycle/cycle plan which considers competitive, recreational (including mountain biking), active transport elements and trail/route connectivity across the Shire which includes a review of the Principle Cycle Network Plan SEQ and the Priority Routes identified for Noosa.
I asked some questions about the process Council will be taking in developing the Shire Wide Walking & Cycling Strategy which Cr Jackson took to Council’s Infrastructure Planning, Design & Delivery Manager to get some answers.
Questions to Council
Will Noosa Council (as happened too many times before) be paying out of town consultants to produce the strategy?
“Any engagement of consultancy services will be in accordance with Council procurement policy please refer to Council’s website “How Council Procures Goods & Services”. The the third contracting principle is “Development of competitive local business and industry”.
We would love to see our growing pool of local consultants, researchers, strategists and community engagement specialists (such as The Social Deck, De-cipher, Grassroots Marketing etc) tap into local cyclist knowledge.
Is there a way for local communities to get involved in the process?
“Council is in the very early planning stages of the project and a communication plan has not yet been developed. The development of strategy will include opportunities for consultation.”
Will there be a focus on safe routes to and from all schools in our shire?
“Safe access to schools is to be considered”
As cycling parents of school aged kids we are acutely aware how unsafe many routes to and from schools are and also how school runs are one of the main causes of traffic congestion.
Sandy Bolton chimed in to the debate, saying:
“We desperately need a masterplan though as so many areas across the shire have been advocating for linkages for pathways for many, many years that encompass access for pedestrians, especially our elderly, and it would be fabulous to address all needs in the designs.”
We all know how important accessibility is, especially with an ageing population. A well connected bikeway will provide access for mobility scooters, prams, skateboards and the like. So many people will benefit!
Here’s a bit of an overview of some of the missing links that have been identified so far:
Cooran to Pomona
Uli and Paula from Cooran Earth Rights (CER) told us about their efforts to connect Cooran with Pomona, so we followed up with Ann Gardiner to get more information.
“Back in August/September 2018 Mel Weaver and Fern McGee got together and proposed a bike path to connect Cooran and Pomona. They spoke with Councillor Frank Wilkie about how to do this, and he said if they could get 1000 signatures on a petition he would raise the issue with Council. That happened and Mel then came to a Cooran Earth Rights meeting in October 2018 and asked that we help her work on this project. Maps were checked for possible routes and there is an easement that runs alongside the railway line which looks ideal and just needs linking up through private property.
On 24th February 2019 CER had an event called Cooran Is Happening and Brian O’Connor came to that event and brought along 100 letters to Neil Scales, Director General of Dept of Transport and Main Roads, (TMR) noting that the Qld Walking Strategy /Principle Bicycle Network plan was being finalised and suggesting the proposed Cooran-Pomona joint pedestrian and bicycle path would make an excellent candidate as a case study for active transport movements between two country towns. ALL 100 letters were snapped up, signed and sent en masse to the department.
Neil Scales responded to these letters in early June and writes “‘the connection shown on the SE Qld Principal Cycle Network Plan runs parallel to a state-owned rail corridor. However, the route is on a combination of local government roads and land in private ownership. It is therefore the responsibility of Noosa Shire Council to lead planning and development of cycling facilities along the route.
Brian sent a letter to Brett de Chastel in response to Neil Scales’ reply, urging Council to explore all options, including the possibility of state funding for this link in light of Mr Scales’written advice. We believe the landowners have stated they are not happy to have a cycle path running past their properties so much PR work will be needed to get them on board.”
So this is where we are, with many people in both towns very keen to see them connected by a path; possible grants available to run a feasibility study and now we just need to get Noosa Council on board and get things moving.
Land ownership is obviously a crucial element in all planning – even public land can fall under many different jurisdictions including state and local government.
Peregian Beach to Springs
This a tough cookie to crack because it crosses the border between Noosa and Sunshine Coast Council, but anyone trying to get onto the Sunshine Motorway during school drop off and pick up times must realise that it’s a problem that needs to be solved. Lots of Noosa shire kids go to school in Peregian Springs, and getting those kids riding will significantly reduce congestion on the beach side.
Leigh McCreidy from Peregian Family and Friends Association (PFFA) has raised the issue with Cr Ingrid Jackson as well as Sunshine Coast Councillors and state MP Sandy Bolton, and they are all in agreement that a combined meeting with all relevant stakeholders at the table was needed to nut out what can and can’t be done to solve this problem.
PFFA had done survey work and found the Wallum Way to be unsafe for kids due to it’s isolation, surface/lack of kerbs and verge and length, which is more than double the length (nearly 8 km) from the village to the Coles, than the shortest way. They would like to see a timber boardwalk (3.5 km) instead, which would have observatory points along it (with signs about the wetland fauna and flora) through the park. Construction could be done sensitively, with minimal interaction with the ground, and would allow a little appreciated section of our National Park to be opened up to the public while at the same time providing a safe and efficient way for the kids to get to the edge of the motorway. A northern overpass over the motorway mirroring the one at Coolum could then see the kids safely to school.
“When Peregian Family & Friends ran a community survey (over 700 respondents) last year, the second most frequently suggested idea to improve our community for families (after getting the surf club back) was bike path connectivity, so there is definitely community support for the movement Cycle Noosa is working to achieve.” – Leigh McCreidy
Beckmans Road
With a continued push for many years to duplicate this dangerous road, it is quite baffling that nobody ever mentions safer access to Noosaville State School and St Theresa’s College as a solution to the traffic woes in this area. While roundabouts are great for cars in keeping traffic moving, they are terrible for cyclists and pedestrians who can never find a gap to cross busy roads. A number of people mentioned the need for an over or underpass near the Eenie Creek / Renee St intersection to provide safer access to this area. Should the duplication of Beckmans Road go ahead, a dedicated footpath should be a priority.
Sunrise Beach Schools
Safe access to all three local schools, the NAC and various sports facilities should be a priority. The Blue Care development may provide a good opportunity to rethink safe access to the high school with significant roadworks ahead where Grasstree Court will meet Ben Lexcen Drive. Noosa Council should use this construction period to improve access with consideration given to a new bikepath along the firebreak to the Girraween estate.
Sunshine to Peregian
To me this is one of the most beautiful paths in the shire. There are two small kinks that need a bit of work to make it safer, one near the bus stop near Mahogany Drive and then getting around the corner near Lowry Street where you access Peregian Esplanade.
Have your say!
What have we missed? Would you like to be involved? Contact us on editor@opennoosa.org or via the Cycle Noosa Facebook page.
