Funding has now been secured for the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) to open consultation on a Northern Sunshine Coast Transport Strategy following advocacy from several key groups and our office.
Sandy’s ongoing efforts for better connectivity for residents have included seeking a trial train shuttle from Gympie North to Nambour in order to connect with the timetable there, and bus services that address gaps to access work and medical services.
In a recent media release regarding, Sandy said:
“This consultation covers all public transport within our communities, and it is vitally important that Noosa State Electorate residents’ complete submissions to ensure all needs are identified.”
“Please do not limit your feedback to the area covered in the interactive map on the consultation website as the Northern Strategy is complementary to the Southern Sunshine Coast Strategy, which focuses on areas to the south of us that are instrumental to our commutes to Brisbane and beyond.”
Long time Noosa hinterland resident and advocate for better public transport servicing Noosa, Brian O’Connor also provided the following statement:
“More convenient bus and rail services is a constant response high on the list in any survey of Noosa residents. Nambour-Gympie North shuttle trains running six or seven times a day through our Noosa railway towns connected to a bus/rail interchange at Cooroy and serving Noosa Civic direct is a no-brainer really and should form part of any Northern Sunshine Coast Public Transport Strategy.”
In addition, there is a consultation on the planned Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line, which TMR have stated could connect to the existing North Coast Line, north of Beerwah Station. This would result in trains continuing to the Brisbane CBD and beyond, without passengers needing to transfer.
Sandy reiterates that it is vital to have your say on each of these strategies to remedy current deficits and make provision for the projected population increases throughout South- East Queensland.
Interlinking in all this is the upcoming Brisbane 2032 Olympics which has brought opportunities for improvements, however as Sandy has raised, we must make provision in multiple realms to ensure that the experience and legacies are a positive for all, including transport infrastructure and housing.
To have your say, please head to www.yoursay-projects.tmr.qld.gov.au/sunshine-coast-rail-public-transport, where all three consultations are available.
Further information
After having your say via the link above, further direct advocacy regarding this can be directed to the Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads via transportandmainroads@ministerial.qld.gov.au. Please cc’ our office in via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward any response you receive to us.
For our latest Noosa 360 update regarding Sandy’s advocacy for a positive legacy for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, please visit www.sandybolton.com/brisbane-2032-olympics-paralympic-games-legacy-cross-bench-unity-statement-update-september-2023
For our previous Noosa 360 updates on better transport services, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=rail