Tony Wright
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QUESTION 1
Can Council explain in detail why it has chosen to implement a challenging path through four interconnecting residential streets with hills, intersections, bends and blindspots, rather than the simpler, viable, safer and less disruptive alternative route along the road reserve west of David Low Way (DLW)?
RESPONSE PROVIDED BY SHAUN WALSH, DIRECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES
Thank you for the question. Council did look closely at the David Low Way corridor during the Cycling and Walking Strategy. This study sought to plan safer, more connected walking and cycling routes between Tewantin and Peregian Beach and was supported by a Project Reference Group (PRG) made up of representatives from local residents’ associations, community and sporting groups, bike shops, and tourism providers. While it may appear simpler on a map, the David Low Way was not evaluated as a safe or feasible location for a walking and cycling route. The corridor carries high-speed traffic, has complex intersections, and includes narrow, uneven and environmentally sensitive areas in the western road reserve. Building a continuous, accessible pathway there would require major earthworks, vegetation removal and significant structural works, with a poorer safety outcome for users. In contrast, the Lorikeet Drive route scored the highest across all assessment criteria. Residential streets offer a quieter, low-stress environment that is safer and more comfortable for people of all ages, especially children, seniors and less-confident riders. Active Street treatments are specifically designed to manage bends, hills and intersections by slowing traffic, improving visibility and creating a calmer neighbourhood feel. Importantly, this route also delivers the best long-term connectivity - linking homes, parks, schools, the coastal pathway network and the village. It also enables Council to address existing issues along Lorikeet Drive such as drainage, kerb upgrades and local safety improvements.
Thank you for the question. Council did look closely at the David Low Way corridor during the Cycling and Walking Strategy. This study sought to plan safer, more connected walking and cycling routes between Tewantin and Peregian Beach and was supported by a Project Reference Group (PRG) made up of representatives from local residents’ associations, community and sporting groups, bike shops, and tourism providers. While it may appear simpler on a map, the David Low Way was not evaluated as a safe or feasible location for a walking and cycling route. The corridor carries high-speed traffic, has complex intersections, and includes narrow, uneven and environmentally sensitive areas in the western road reserve. Building a continuous, accessible pathway there would require major earthworks, vegetation removal and significant structural works, with a poorer safety outcome for users. In contrast, the Lorikeet Drive route scored the highest across all assessment criteria. Residential streets offer a quieter, low-stress environment that is safer and more comfortable for people of all ages, especially children, seniors and less-confident riders. Active Street treatments are specifically designed to manage bends, hills and intersections by slowing traffic, improving visibility and creating a calmer neighbourhood feel. Importantly, this route also delivers the best long-term connectivity - linking homes, parks, schools, the coastal pathway network and the village. It also enables Council to address existing issues along Lorikeet Drive such as drainage, kerb upgrades and local safety improvements.
QUESTION 2
Can Council please explain how the implementation of a recreational cycle pathway through residential streets, focusing specifically on Active Street features such as a priority cycle zone, will provide any benefit to occupants of those streets?
RESPONSE PROVIDED BY SHAUN WALSH, DIRECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES
Thank you for the question. Firstly the existing street is already used by recreational cyclists. The Active Street is designed first and foremost to improve safety and liveability for the people who use these streets every day. While it will support recreational walking and cycling for the broader community, the locals also benefit. A 30km/h environment with traffic calming will create a quieter, calmer and more predictable street, making it safer to exit driveways, walk to the beach or visit the park. The project also delivers significant upgrades - new kerbing, improved drainage, footpaths resurfacing and the replacement of the Lorikeet Park bridge - all funded entirely by State and Federal grants. Features such as a priority cycling zone help organise how cars and bikes interact, reducing unpredictable movements and improving safety for both riders and drivers. Formalised parking and clearer sightlines also make day-to-day access easier and safer for residents. Beyond safety, the Active Street brings broader amenity benefits: more greenery, better pedestrian access and fewer short car trips, which means lower noise, cleaner air and a more pleasant neighbourhood feel. In short, while the route will be enjoyed by many, the people living along these streets will experience the greatest improvements in safety, infrastructure and overall street amenity.
The meeting adjourned at 5.50pm.
The meeting resumed at 6.08pm.
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Named discussion on NoosaWatch TV
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Tony Wright44:56
Have a project prioritisation table indicating the inclusion of a new three-metre wide off-roaded share bath from the southern bridge in the beach roundabout to Jabiru Street. I'm leaving out a few extravagant words here. Both of these off-road paths are located within the road reserve of the rest of the site of WLA and together would provide approximately 65% of an off-road cycle path for thank you very much. The project represents a clear opportunity for extension could facilitate the creation of an off-road recreational pathway connecting the village path along the new Emu Mountain Road. And such a pathway would offer safe connectivity for bridge and breeze residents and especially kids. To Peregian Beach and its facilities. Furthermore, utilising this route as part of the coastal pathway would help avoid negative impacts on the character, amenity and safety largely tranquil residential cities. Former tranquil. Council's fragmented approach to urban planning has resulted in uncertainty regarding the feasibility of implementing a consistent and safe active street design across all targeted streets. The challenges stem from physical characteristics of the streets, including narrow widths, undulating sections. Underlining sections, intersections. Bends, blind spots, existing utilities, infrastructure, and residences on both sides. Many properties also feature steeply sloping verges, extremely steep driveways, and multi-unit dwellings that share a single exit or entry point. These factors collectively complicate the implementation of a uniform and safe active street solution. So the question is can Council explain in detail why it has chosen to implement a challenging path through four interconnecting residential streets with hills, intersections, bends and blind spots? How rather than simpler, viable, safer and less disruptive alternative route along the road reserved west of David Low Way.
Tony Wright50:12
The background material here, there's a significant number of Crichton beach residents have was strong in opposition to the introduction of a coastal recreation pathway, in through my that order. The core concern centres on the anticipated increase in cycle traffic within residential streets, which many believe will negatively impact the local member of the society. It's further highlighted by ongoing development and population growth south of cooroochin beach, along targeted area efforts at both state and coastal Council levels to boost tourism in the way up to the 32 numbers residents fear these factors will intensify existing traffic issues and place additional pressure on local infrastructure. Job to you. The promotion of a recreational pathway through residential streets will only exacerbate the distant traffic, visitation cycle and e-bike safety issues that have been raised by residents the Council. Residents have expressed concern about the manner in which Council has promoted certain infrastructure works, such as construction of a new footpath, road, to be up road curves using and up improve road curves and improved range. As saying that these are specific benefits of the active street project. Thank you. Actually these types of upgrades are regarded as retaining infrastructure, maintenance and improvement activities that Council should be undertaking to extend the practice. Furthermore questions have been raised regarding the prioritisation of road surface in full automatic drive, in light of the poor condition of other roads throughout Noosa, including down the road just here. This has led to further doubts about the allocation of resources and the decision-making process behind the selection of Laura wood drive for resurfacing. The question here is, can Council please explain how the implementation of a recreational cycle pathway through residential streets, focusing specifically on active street features such as priority cycle zone. Disciples and how will that provide any benefit to the occupants of the streets?
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