MCU14/0106 & OPW15/0001 Appendix D - Traffic and Transport Response

                                                                                             Noosa Civic Expansion
                                                                                     Response to Information Request



From 2007 to 2009, the majority of the annual linear traffic growth rates range from 1-3% negative growth to
1-4% positive growth. There were however, two streets which specifically presented results inconsistent with
the rest of the network: Walter Hay Drive and Eenie Creek Road. Potential reasons for the change in traffic
were investigated, and it was discovered that completion of several developments occurred during the period
between October 2007 and November 2009, as follows:
         > The property on the eastern corner of the Eumundi Road/Walter Hay Drive intersection was not
           completed in 2007, however, this development was completed by November 2009, resulting in
           greater traffic volumes through these roads.
         > The property on the north-western corner of the Walter Hay Drive/Eenie Creek Road intersection
           was not completed in 2007, but had opened in 2008, therefore this traffic impact was represented
           in the 2009 count data.
         > The residential development on the north-east corner of the Walter Hay Drive/Eenie Creek Road
           intersection did not exist in 2007, however by 2009, this development was home to new residents,
           creating increases in traffic volumes.
         > Eenie Creek Road (between Langura Street and Ben Lexcen Drive) was under construction during
           2007. It became connected to David Low Way by 2009. This provided a direct route for drivers
           travelling from the coast into Noosa.
The results from 2009 to 2014 gave annual linear growth rate ranges from 1-2% negative growth to 1-6%
positive growth. When these results are averaged across all relevant roads, the growth rates are 1.2% per
annum (weekday PM) and 1.4% (Saturday). These results then support the adoption of an overall growth
rate of 1.5% per annum.
In consideration of the large spike in traffic volumes between 2007 and 2009, and from previous experience
on similar projects, Cardno believes that an overall growth rate of 1.5 % per annum is an appropriate
representation of individual roads, and so extending this value across the entire network is appropriate.

2.7            Issue 43 - Traffic
Council has observed many two-lane roundabouts within the coastal road network at which actual queue
lengths do not match modelled queue lengths (from programs such as SIDRA). This is considered to be
primarily due to upstream departure issues.
Information Required - Amended SIDRA analyses of existing and projected traffic volumes calibrated against
observed queue lengths, particularly at the more critical intersections. The queue length measurements should
be based on individual approach lanes and traffic counts should be lane-specific because it is likely that lane
utilisation is not optimal because of upstream and downstream intersection issues.
The SIDRA computer analysis package is a recognised and industry accepted analysis tool that does not
require calibration against local conditions.
In addition, the SIDRA traffic analysis uses the same adopted parameters for both the “base case” and “with
development” scenarios, hence it represents the appropriate basis for comparison of the development traffic
impacts.
Therefore, the amended analysis that has been requested is not necessary. The traffic analysis provided is
sufficient to identify the traffic impacts at the relevant intersections without and with the development traffic,
such that Council has sufficient information to make the necessary consideration of the development traffic
impacts.

2.8            Issue 44 - Traffic
Traffic volumes on the Noosa coastal road network significantly increase during holiday periods, roughly
corresponding with school holiday periods. Consequently, traffic assessments over a long period of time have
been based on desirable maximum roundabout degrees of saturation during non-holiday periods being 0.70
(rather than 0.85) to allow tolerable traffic congestion during peak holiday periods.
Information Required - The analyses submitted should include assessments of intersection performance during
peak holiday periods.
Traffic capacity analysis during holiday periods is not considered to be a necessary or reasonable impact
assessment for conventional developments similar to that proposed.

J13041                                               Cardno                                            28 April 2015
Prepared for QIC Noosa Civic Pty Ltd                                                                        Page 7