2017-06-06 - S&O Agenda Attachment 1 to Item 1 - Noosa Transport Strategy 2017-2027

Transport Strategy Development
In an effort to ensure Noosa’s residents, employees and visitors can get where they want to
go, when they want to go, Noosa Council has developed a draft 10 year Transport Strategy
with a vision for Noosa Shire to enjoy an efficient, free-flowing transport system that
enhances resident and visitor experiences.

Informed by the work of Parsons Brinckerhoff, in November 2016 Council adopted a
Transport Policy to guide all Council activities and operations in relation to transport and
related infrastructure.

The Transport Strategy will take a multi-modal approach with an emphasis on several
transport modes (including walking, cycling, scooters, bus, train, community transport) to
ensure that residents, employees and visitors can choose their preferred means of transport.


Previous Work
Much work has previously been done in the area of transport planning for Noosa Shire. This
includes planning done between 2008 and 2013 by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council
while Noosa was included in that local government area. Previous work includes:

        Transport and Road Network in Noosa Shire Planning Study (1996)
        Coastal Area Traffic and Transport to 2016 (2002)
        Noosa Community Transport Strategy (2007)
        Noosa Integrated Local Transport Plan 2016 (2006)
        Sunshine Coast Sustainable Transport Strategy 2011-2031 (2011)
        Sunshine Coast Active Transport Plan 2011-2031 (2011)

Over the last couple of decades there have been a number of transport achievements:
    The road network has been improved by the construction of Eenie Creek Road and
       Walter Hay Drive.
    A new transit centre at Noosa Junction was opened in 2011 which significantly
       improved the amenity of bus passengers.
    For a number of years, a travel demand management program was operated by
       Council based on the TravelSmart program which included travel behaviour change
       programs in local schools, workplaces, key destinations and the general community.
       The program was successful, particularly in schools. In its first year Tewantin State
       School achieved a 38% reduction in vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT).
    Several kilometres of new pathways
    Roll out of Noosa style Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant bus shelters.
    Delivery of successful Free Holiday Buses Program at peak holiday periods.


Regional Plans & Strategies
The South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009 is due to be replaced with a new version,
recently released as a draft. The new version ShapingSEQ places greater emphasis on
public and active transport to move people around the region. It includes the following
elements and strategies for the next 25 years.

Element 1: An efficient movement      Strategies
system:                               1.   Maximise the use of existing transport infrastructure to support the desired
People and freight move efficiently        regional settlement pattern and economic network.
around the region, maximising         2.   Prioritise improving the capacity of, and delivering high-frequency services for,
                                           the region’s public transport system and extending active transport networks