Sunshine Coast Mass Transit Strategic Business Case August 2019 © Sunshine Coast Council 2009–present. Sunshine Coast Council™ is a registered trademark of Sunshine Coast Regional Council. www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au [email protected] T 07 5475 7272 F 07 5475 7277 Locked Bag 72 Sunshine Coast Mail Centre QLD 4560 Acknowledgements Council wishes to thank all contributors and stakeholders involved in the development of this document. Disclaimer Information contained in this document is based on available information at the time of writing. All figures and diagrams are indicative only and should be referred to as such. While the Sunshine Coast Council has exercised reasonable care in preparing this document it does not warrant or represent that it is accurate or complete. Council or its officers accept no responsibility for any loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting in reliance upon any material contained in this document. Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................ 6 Background ................................................................................................................................. 7 Key challenges ............................................................................................................................ 8 Project Investment Logic Map ................................................................................................... 12 Initiatives assessment ............................................................................................................... 14 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................... 19 Recommendations..................................................................................................................... 19 Next steps ................................................................................................................................. 21 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 22 1.1 Purpose and Overview of this Chapter .......................................................................... 22 1.2 Background on service needs – mass transit on the Sunshine Coast .......................... 22 1.2.1 A fast growing region .................................................................................................. 22 1.2.2 An iconic tourist destination ........................................................................................ 24 1.2.3 An emerging city with low public transport use ........................................................... 24 1.3 Genesis of Sunshine Coast mass transit service need ................................................. 25 1.3.1 Line in the sand report 2012 ....................................................................................... 25 1.3.2 Corridor planning and consultation 2013 – 2014 ........................................................ 25 1.4 Strategic Business Case Methodology .......................................................................... 26 1.4.1 Overall approach ........................................................................................................ 26 1.4.2 Analysis to support the Strategic Business Case ....................................................... 26 1.4.3 Guidance for development of this Strategic Business Case ....................................... 27 1.4.4 Governance arrangements for the Strategic Business Case ...................................... 27 1.5 Establishing Strategic priorities for managing regional growth ...................................... 28 1.5.1 Alignment with Sunshine Coast Council vision and priorities ..................................... 29 1.5.2 Alignment with Australian Government plans and policies ......................................... 32 1.5.3 Alignment with Queensland Government policies and plans ...................................... 33 1.5.4 Maroochydore City Centre Priority Development Area ............................................... 36 1.5.5 Other initiatives and activities related to the Mass Transit on the Sunshine Coast .... 36 1.6 Issues and impacts requiring government intervention ................................................. 37 1.6.1 High levels of car dependence with lack of realistic alternatives ................................ 37 1.6.2 Growing congestion .................................................................................................... 38 1.6.3 Land use and urban form that supports alternatives to car transport ......................... 40 1.7 The importance of taking action .................................................................................... 43 1.7.1 Reducing car dependence .......................................................................................... 43 1.7.2 Reversing the trend towards urban expansion ........................................................... 44 1.7.3 Supporting a broad base of local employment ........................................................... 44 1.8 Guiding the initiatives - Optimised Concept Mass Transit Plan ..................................... 45 3 2. SERVICE NEED ............................................................................................................ 48 2.1 Purpose and Overview of this Chapter .......................................................................... 48 2.2 Problem and Service Need Definition ............................................................................ 48 2.3 Project Investment Logic Map ....................................................................................... 49 2.4 Problem Analysis ........................................................................................................... 54 2.4.1 High levels of road congestion within the Sunshine Coast region .............................. 54 2.4.2 A trend towards accelerating urban expansion ........................................................... 62 2.4.3 High dependency on private motor vehicle transport within the Sunshine Coast region 67 2.4.4 Future local industry base not broad enough to support continued high levels of employment self-containment ..................................................................................... 71 2.5 Achieving integrated economic, land use and transport outcomes for the Sunshine Coast region .................................................................................................................. 79 2.6 Urgency ......................................................................................................................... 80 2.7 Problem and Service Need Summary ........................................................................... 81 3 PRELIMINARY STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS .............................................................. 85 3.1 Purpose and Overview of this Chapter .......................................................................... 85 3.2 Previous Community Consultation Completed .............................................................. 85 3.2.1 2014 Sunshine Coast Light Rail Project ..................................................................... 85 3.2.2 2018 Draft Sunshine Coast Integrated Transport Strategy Community Consultation 87 3.3 Sunshine Coast Mass Transit Project Stakeholder Identification and Analysis ............. 88 3.4 Proposed Future Stakeholder Engagement .................................................................. 94 4 BENEFITS SOUGHT .................................................................................................... 95 4.1 Purpose and Overview of this Chapter .......................................................................... 95 4.2 Relationship between Economic, Land Use and Transport Aspirations ........................ 95 4.3 Proposed Benefits Sought ............................................................................................. 96 4.3.1 Linking priority economic development, knowledge based industry areas and tourist destinations ................................................................................................................ 97 4.3.2 Enhanced liveability and greater accessibility to employment, schools, shopping, services and recreational facilities .............................................................................. 98 4.3.3 Improved land use outcomes in established urban centres ........................................ 98 4.3.4 Increased transport options to drive reductions in motor traffic, car parking requirements and environmental impacts ................................................................... 99 4.4 Sunshine Coast Mass Transit Project Objectives ........................................................ 100 5 STRATEGIC RESPONSES ........................................................................................ 102 5.1 Purpose and Overview of this Chapter ........................................................................ 102 5.2 Proposed Strategic Responses ................................................................................... 102 5.2.1 Managing/influencing development priorities and settlement patterns ..................... 103 5.2.2 Implementation of road network demand management strategies ........................... 103 5.2.3