2015-09-15 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                             15 SEPTEMBER 2015


    Future background traffic growth is likely to be low (less than 1.0 percent per annum) based
      on current population and other growth forecasts, including slow development of the [NBC]
      For the purposes of my analyses, with a 2026 planning horizon, I have assumed that new
      development in the NBC to 2026 would be limited to the already-approved Masters
      development and an additional 8,000 sq.m. of commercial office space;
    Traffic volumes likely on the coastal major road network, particularly in the area of the NBC,
      can function satisfactorily until well beyond 2026, as a roundabout based system with only
      minor upgradings; and
    The upgradings considered necessary in the immediate vicinity of the NBC could be limited
      to upgrading the roundabout at the intersection of Eumundi and Beckmans Road as part of
      the duplication of Beckmans Road, an additional short left turn lane on the northern approach
      to the roundabout at the intersection of Eumundi and Eenie Creek Road, an additional short
      lane on the northern approach to the roundabout at the intersection of Walter Hay Drive and
      Eenie Creek Road, and lane allocation changes (lane-marking) at this intersection.
Mr Beard’s assessment finds the shopping centre expansion introduces significant traffic impacts,
he advises:
Additional traffic loads imposed by the proposed retail expansion at the NBC would have a
substantial adverse impact on traffic operations and traffic safety on the road network around the
NBC, particularly the critical Eumundi Road intersections with Beckmans Road, Rene Street and
Eenie Creek Road.
These additional traffic loads could not be accommodated on the upgraded roundabout-based
system. Only the major roadworks associated with the signalisation of the Rene Street and Eenie
Creek road intersections could accommodate these additional loads, at very substantial unplanned
cost. It is likely that more detailed traffic analyses would conclude that, to achieve satisfactory
queue management on this local road network, additional signalisations would also be necessary,
contrary to Council’s long standing policy of seeking to avoid major signalised intersections in this
network.
Discussions with Mr Beard suggest road upgrades required to accommodate the development
could potentially be as substantial as the full signalisation and widening of Eumundi Noosa Road
between Beckmans Road and Goodchap Street. Further detailed analysis would be required to
quantify the extent of required works, however, Mr Beard is firmly of the opinion the extent of
intersection upgrade works identified by the applicant are severely insufficient. His assessment
concludes:
The development as proposed would have unacceptable impacts on traffic safety and traffic
operations on the road network around the Noosa Business Centre. In particular, it would
necessitate the expensive and disruptive introduction of traffic signals at two or more critical
intersections within the network which, without the subject development, can operate satisfactorily
until well beyond 2026 with only minor upgrades to the existing roundabout-based system, the
retention of which is understood to remain one of Council’s clearly-defined road network planning
objectives.
Noosa’s low-key road network based on roundabouts and the avoidance of traffic lights, and the
like, has been a specifically adopted, long-held approach seen as a key part of protecting the area’s
character. The development’s potential traffic implications raise fundamental conflicts with the
Noosa’s road network planning.
Parking
The Driveways and Carparking Code indicates an indicative retail parking rate of 1 space per 15m2,
though this also applies to smaller retail centres. Larger shopping centres are known to generate
lesser general parking demand, as they generate multiple purpose customer trips reflective of their
scale and mix of uses. The applicant proposes additional parking at a rate of 1 space per 22.9m2,
representing a significant relaxation of The Noosa Plan’s suggested rate.


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