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Qld government commits $20m to bus projects

The Queensland Government is investing almost $20 million in new bus infrastructure on the Sunshine Coast

By David Goeldner | June 22, 2010

The Queensland Government is investing almost $20 million in new bus infrastructure on the Sunshine Coast.

State Transport Minster Rachel Nolan says work on the new $10 million Noosa Junction bus station will start next week, with seven bus bays to be built at the corner of Cooyar Street and Sunshine Beach Road.

The new bus station will be open early in 2011.

“This station will have drop-off and pick-up facilities for tourist buses, public toilets, three layover bays, a go card ticketing machine, short-term car parks, loading bays for the adjoining shops, upgraded footpaths, public plazas and bicycle storage,” she says.

The Queensland Government, through TransLink, is injecting $5 million into the project, along with $3 million from the Federal Government’s $1 billion Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.

The Sunshine Coast Regional Council with invest $2 million.

Nolan says TransLink has listened to community concerns about the location, design and operation of the station, and will work with the community to minimise disruptions.

“TransLink has addressed many of those concerns by adding extra noise barriers and security,” she says, adding that a no-idling policy will also be enforced with drivers to shut down engines after two minutes.

A further $8.3 million will be spent on a new bus station at Maroochydore’s Sunshine Plaza, planned for construction from mid-2011.

TransLink is contributing $5.5 million and Sunshine Coast Regional Council $2.8 million.

Nolan says the Maroochydore project will become the “heart” of the region’s public transport system.

“Sunshine Plaza is the largest traffic generator on the Sunshine Coast, so improved public transport options will encourage people going shopping to leave the car at home and take the bus, reducing traffic congestion around the Plaza,” she says.

Still in the design phase, and expected to be completed by late 2011, the new Maroochydore station will replace an existing bus area and include six bus bays with nearby layovers for several buses.

Driver amenities are planned for the site including toilets and a secure lunch room.

Other features being added to the design include security cameras and lighting, and a dedicated bus lane with bus priority traffic signals for easy access to the upgraded site.

Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC) Executive Director David Tape says local operators welcome the announcement.

“The size of the proposed facility was reduced after community consultation, but QBIC members on the Sunshine Coast are happy to see the project finally go ahead,” he says.

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