Transport Corridor Upgrade

 
I have received a request from the Caloundra Residents Association to co-sign a request to The Sunshine Coast Regional Department of Transport and Main Roads, Local Government Councillors, State Government representatives regarding the subject of the Transport Corridor Upgrade
Bernie
 
At the end I've added screenshots of Council mapping and a blow up of the map in the Master Plan for your viewing pleasure
 
Good afternoon to you all.
 
I have received a request from the Caloundra Residents Association to co-sign a request to The Sunshine Coast Regional Department of Transport and Main Roads, Local Government Councillors, State Government representatives regarding the subject of the Transport Corridor Upgrade.
 
I am asking the Board to consider signing this as it impacts on a number of areas in Caloundra specifically BEN BENNET PARK of which the Rotary Club of Caloundra has a historic association and THE RSL GARDENS many of us have attended special memorial days remembering our fallen.
 
Thank you for taking the time to read the letter and I hope you will agree to the club being involved.
 
Kind Regards
 
Bernie
 
Bernadette Strong PHF     
Past President 
Rotary Club of Caloundra
District 9600
Mob. 0417760972
 
14 August 2020
 
Sunshine Coast regional Director DTMR
 
Qld HQ LNP
 
Qld HQ Labour
Mr Mark Bailey MP
Mr Mark McArdle MP
Mr Jason Hunt
Mr Stuart Coward
CC: Mayor Mark Jamieson, Sunshine Coast Council
CC: Cr Terry Landsberg, Division 2 - Sunshine Coast Council
 
RE: Third and Oval Avenue Transport Corridor Upgrade Project
 
References:    
A.    Caloundra Centre Master Plan: version up dated March 2019
B.    Caloundra Centre Master Plan, MOU: FOI dated 11 Oct 2019  
 
Dear Addressees,
 
The Caloundra Residents Association together with below co-signed community groups have discussed the Third and Oval Avenue Transport Corridor Upgrade Project in detail.
 
There are many positive plans covered in the Caloundra Centre Master Plan (reference A) and the transport infrastructure projects memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Sunshine Coast Regional Council and the Queensland state government contained within Reference B. Of particular note are those that will improve multimodal transport infrastructure, preparing and better positioning Caloundra and the region to adapt to projected future population figures. 
 
Many of the co-signed community groups of this letter have members directly affected by private land resumptions, resumption of community group land or the proposed part-resumption of the nationally registered Caloundra RSL war memorial gardens. Community feedback has been that to date, open discussions and disclosure surrounding this project has fallen below community expectations. Members of the public have resorted to FOI applications (reference B) from Sunshine Coast Council and Caloundra Residents Association advocated that Sunshine Coast Regional Council hold a public community briefing on the Council-owned section of this project (held October 2019).
 
Attendees of this community briefing were informed that council and the state government are currently undergoing detailed planning of the Third and Oval Avenue Transport Corridor Upgrade Project.  The community would like to see improved communication to relevant stakeholders on this project, with the best possible community outcomes achieved.  The Caloundra Residents Association and co-signees of this letter would like to seek clarification from the Queensland State Government stakeholders to update the community on current planning of the State-owned section of this project through Ben Bennet Park. Ben Bennet Park is an area of significant environmental value in the Caloundra region and also provides diverse social opportunities for many within our community.  Our organisations would also like to respectfully make requests that are considered to be imperative to achieve quality infrastructure planning, social and environmental outcomes in the State-owned section of this project.
 
The co-signed organisations of this letter would appreciate an update on the following questions:
 
  • Could you please update the community on the planning process of this project?
    • Clarification of detailed planning stage, consultation and availability of these plans
    • Projected start and delivery dates of this project
    • Current funding allocated to complete the State-owned section of this project
  • With respect to completing this project in and adjacent to valuable environmental assets, what are the State Governments’ current plans to ensure no unnecessary damage occurs to Ben Bennet Park?
  • Could you please provide insight into how the energy assets in this easement will be integrated into the transport corridor upgrade?
  • The proposed transport projects MOU (reference B) details several projects that will increase vehicular traffic in and around the surrounding natural bushland areas.What plans does the State Government have to mitigate risks to or improve the movement between green corridors for resident fauna?
 
The co-signed organisations of this letter would appreciate that the following requests be noted and duly considered:
 
  1. That the State Government and its contractors give significant planning considerations to the storage of materials and machinery used during construction of the proposed link road, so that no unnecessary areas of Ben Bennet Park are damaged.
  2. That the state seeks out and consider potential private land holders who will offer their land to stage and store machinery and materials adjacent to the project site.
  3. There is significant habitat in surrounding bushlands that could be adversely impacted by the projects proposed for this section of Nicklin Way. Could the State please provide the experts’ advice regarding ways to mitigate risks to fauna in the surrounding area, for example the benefits of using rope bridges, fauna fences etcetera.
  4. Nationally registered war memorials such as the Caloundra RSL war memorial gardens are important places of recognition and contemplation for many in our wider community.It is requested that the State works with Sunshine Coast Regional Council in attempt to identify an alignment solution that results in no resumption of the Caloundra RSL war memorial gardens.
  5. That the Caloundra Residents Association and the Friends of Ben Bennet Park be engaged as community stakeholders for this project.
 
With current and projected growth of the Caloundra and Sunshine Coast region, our groups congratulate the State Government for much-needed ongoing investment in planning and delivery of multimodal transport infrastructure to help shape and support the future Caloundra region. In planning and delivery of the Third and Oval Avenue Transport Corridor Upgrade Project we request that the State Government stakeholders acknowledge the significant environmental values and great social capital that Ben Bennet Park provides the residents of Caloundra and ensure that the relevant planning and decision making processes occur to ensure that unnecessary damage does not occurs to this valuable community asset.
 
We look forward to ongoing, open and positive communication between local council, state government and community stakeholders on this project.
 
Yours Sincerely
 
Caloundra Residents Association
Secretary: Graeme Smith
email: caloundraresidentsassociation.gmail.com
Ph: 0419723865
 
Queensland Wildlife Preservation Society Sunshine Coast and Hinterland
Secretary:
Email:                                                Ph:
                                                                      
Friends of Ben Bennett Park
Secretary:
Email:                                                Ph:
 
Golden Beach and Pelican Waters Community Association?
Secretary:
Email:                                                Ph:
                                                                                                                                                     
Returned Servicemen League (Caloundra) Subbranch
Secretary:
Email:                                                Ph:
 
Returned Servicemen League (Caloundra)
Secretary:
Email:                                                Ph:
 
Caloundra Freemasons?
Secretary:
Email:                                                Ph:
 
Caloundra Rotary?
Secretary:
Email:                                                Ph:
 
Golden Beach Neighbourhood Watch?
Secretary:
Email:                                                Ph:
 
I've added screenshots of Council mapping and a blow up of the map in the Master Plan to help figure out what is proposed
The hatched section in the SW cnr of Ben Bennett Park is electricity easement