COMMUNITY NEWS - Mayor and Council push for public transport

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli has voiced her concern and dismay that urgently required and critical infrastructure has again been put on the backburner by the Federal Government.

Sunshine Coast Direct Rail future stages and the Mooloolah River Interchange both face uncertainty after they were removed from Infrastructure Australia’s federal funding priority list.

Mayor Natoli said their removal was extremely concerning as both projects were needed now to cope with the traffic congestion the Sunshine Coast had been experiencing for many years.

“Our region is experiencing extraordinary population growth which is placing significant pressure on our transport infrastructure,” Mayor Natoli said.

“The strain is becoming a serious issue for our community and visitors.”

Mayor Natoli said both the Queensland Government and Sunshine Coast Council had identified the Direct Sunshine Coast rail line as region-shaping infrastructure.

“It is urgently required to help Sunshine Coast maintain our liveability and reduce our current high levels of car dependence,” she said.

“This project will enable residents and visitors to choose public transport over private vehicle travel and will accelerate the delivery of more than 3,000 affordable and diverse homes around new rail stations over the coming decade.

“We have 370,000 people calling the Sunshine Coast home and in less than 20 years we’ll have another 200,000 people here.

“We need a safe, modern public transport system because our roads will be choked.

“Public transport infrastructure underpins our future and is vital to ensure the Sunshine Coast remains liveable.

“It is up to the Australian Government to make the funding decisions and I am calling on them to fund priority projects on the Sunshine Coast.”