2014-03-25 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda Pages 81-167

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                  25 MARCH 2014


Pedestrian/Cycle Networks

The applicant has proposed pathways throughout the development and conditions could be
applied to ensure pathway and on-road cyclist networks are provided within and between each
precinct and connect to external networks. However, the fragmented and dispersed nature of the
development, with long and extended pathway linkages, does not support a sound walkable
environment. The usability of the network is questioned in terms of convenience, safety and
security. Although extensive, the proposed pedestrian networks will generally only service
‘localised’ recreational walking trips and will not support walking and cycling as a convenient
mode of transport to neighbouring attractors such as Noosa Business Centre, major public
transport nodes, employment, services, schools and public facilities. This is contrary to the
principles of Sunshine Coast Council’s Active Transport Plan and Sustainable Transport
Strategy.

The major road crossing proposed at the new Walter Hay Drive roundabout will pose a barrier to
walking and cyclist movements between the precincts and connections to the neighbouring
residential and the business centre. Even if a roundabout is installed at this location as proposed,
traffic speeds on Walter Hay Drive will still be significant and therefore make safe crossing of
Walter Hay Drive by pedestrians and cyclists (including children, older pedestrians, and
recreational users) difficult. It is highly likely a grade separated crossing of Walter Hay Drive
would be required, by way of either an overpass or underpass.

Public Transport

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has provided a condition as part of its
concurrence agency response requiring the link road for Precincts 1 and 2 from the proposed
Walter Hay Drive roundabout through the Open Space Conservation Zone to Tidswell Road to
provide for a bus route. The department also makes the caveat in its response that “This
condition does not imply that a bus service will be provided to the development. Any new
services have to be assessed against other priorities across the network, available funding and
funding constraints, and the ability of the road network through the new urban area to allow for
the efficient routing of a service, amongst other relevant considerations.”

If a service is provided, the bus route indicated by the Department will not provide convenient
public transport access to Precincts 1 and 4 or the western part of Precinct 3, as these areas are
beyond the generally accepted maximum 400 metre walking distance to a bus stop. New
residential areas should be located on a public transport corridor that provides high frequency
services (at least every 20-30 minutes). Current Translink service levels would only provide a
service every hour (Route 622) and it is unlikely the frequency would change in the short term to
make public transport viable.

The overall layout of the development in separate development pockets does not provide direct
and convenient accessibility to the primary bus route and does not lend itself to being efficiently
serviced by public transport.

Road Traffic Noise

A preliminary Road Traffic Noise assessment was submitted in support of the proposed
development. Whilst the preliminary report does not provide final detail of road traffic noise
mitigation, it indicates there will be a combination of acoustic barriers (ranging from 2.0m to 2.4m
in height) and building façade upgrades that will ensure the development achieves the relevant
noise criteria for noise sensitive uses. The preliminary assessment also indicates acoustic
barriers are to be set well back from Walter Hay Drive and that visual amenity can be mitigated
through buffer plantings.


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