David Phipps

35:29 Mayor Wilkie: The next application of two questions is from Mr David Phipps. David, the lectern and microphone is yours.

35:41 Speaker 8: Thanks to you Mr Mayor and the Council for this opportunity. My first question, the associated background material is as follows. Council has advanced plans to convert targeted streets into active streets in the Peregian Beach area without undertaking proper consultation with residents to evaluate suitability and acceptance of these proposals. Despite mounting widespread opposition, the Council has proceeded with implementing the application. The proposal is to reduce the number of residential streets to the number of active streets designed on an isolated 800m stretch of lorikeet drive, disregarding calls for more inclusive engagement and transparency. The petition submitted to Council underscores the substantial opposition from local residents to the proposed conversion of quiet residential streets into active streets as part of Council's coastal pathway vision. The majority of the local community is against these changes, citing several specific concerns that would directly affect the daily life and neighbourhood amenity. Of particular concern is the implementation of on-road cycle priority zones that will severely impact residential amenity by restricting parking to one side of the street, which, when coupled with formalised parking arrangements, may reduce parking by as much as 60 per cent.

37:08 And will necessitate lowering speed limits to 30 km an hour, a limit which many believe would be unenforceable. Further apprehension stems from the provision of preferential access for unlicensed cyclists and e-bike users on residential streets. Residents contend that this could undermine both the rights and safety of those living in the area, while failing to provide clear or substantial benefits to the local community. The active street concept, as currently applied, will not address increasing traffic, visitation, parking and associated safety issues raised by residents with Council. Instead, it risks adding further demand and conflict rather than reducing it, especially given the significant development of population growth just south of Noosaville's border. WAI have proven low-cost safety measures such as yellow line markings, clear safety measures, and more. You successfully know the parts of Noosa not being applied here. My question is, given the significant opposition, will Council stop the ill-conceived, unwarranted, unwanted and illogical plan to convert an 800 metre section of lorikeet drive into an active street?

38:28 Mayor Wilkie: Thank you, Mr Timms. Director of Infrastructure, Shaun Walsh, to answer your question.

38:33 Director Walsh: Can you hear that? Is that working?

38:35 Councillor Phillips: There we go. Excellent. Thank you.

38:38 Director Walsh: Thank you for the question. Council understands that some residents have concerns. Council has also received positive support and feedback on the project. While staff have not been directed to pause or stop work on the project, the project team is discussing next steps and exploring opportunities for additional community consultation with the councillors later this month. It's important to note that the active street proposal for lorikeet drive is the result of several years of technical work and strong support for safer, more connected walking and cycling options in the area. It directly responds to long-standing issues raised by locals, including speeding, pedestrian safety and driveway access challenges. An active street was chosen because it offers the safest and most suitable treatment for this corridor. It slows traffic, creates a calmer neighbourhood feel. It makes it easier for people of all ages to walk, ride and move around. Communities across Australia are embracing this approach due to its proven benefits for safety, health and safety. Local and energy and street green. Importantly, the project is fully funded by the state and federal programs, not by reduced ratepayers. And also enables council to upgrade curbs, improve stormwater and drainage, replace the ageing lorikeet park bridge and enhance landscaping along the street.

39:57 Our goal is to deliver a safer, greener and more accessible street that benefits the entire neighbourhood.

40:03 Mayor Wilkie: Mr Phipps, your second question please.

40:07 Speaker 8: The associated background material. Council has not produced a comprehensive and detailed walking and cycling master plan for the Peregian and Marcus Beach precincts. This omission stands in direct contradiction to established principles of good town and urban planning, as well as council's own stated planning values. These principles emphasise the importance of considering a broader context of any project, rather than reviewing proposals in isolation. They also highlight the necessity of evaluating the potential ripple effects of all design decisions, respecting the unique character of existing towns and villages, and ensuring that new designs are not forced or contrived to fit environments where they do not belong. Additionally, council's guidelines call for the creation of transport networks that the community needs, and integrate seamlessly into the surrounding environment rather than dominating it. There has been a failure to engage the community on the design and implementation of Active Streets, specifically regarding the key features that define the council's vision for these projects. The overall communication and consultation surrounding the pilot initiative and future Active Streets projects has been viewed as inadequate.

41:28 Furthermore, there is a lack of clarity regarding how council intends to implement a uniform and active street design across all streets leading to the village, especially those with more complex topographical challenges. Challenges that include narrow roadways, intersections and bends with crests and blind spots, sloped verges and steep driveways, all of which complicate the feasibility of a consistent design. Uncertainty remains over council's ability to secure sufficient funding to realise its vision for a coastal pathway through Peregian Beach and the wider Noosa region. The same financial concerns apply to the proposed conversion of 60 additional streets identified for transformation into new shared streets or active streets. My question, will council cease all Active Street design and implementation work until a detailed design and costings for walking and cycling throughout the entire Peregian and Marcus Beach precinct is complete to prove that these projects are both physically and financially viable? We also ask that the design and development encompasses genuine and meaningful consultation with impacted residents and that such residents have an active role in co-designing the plans.

42:50 Thank you, Mr Keiris. Dr Walsh.

42:53 Director Walsh: Thank you for the question. Council appreciates that some residents would like to see a pre-supplied planning walking and cycling design completed before any further work progresses. It's important to note that this broader planning is already being undertaken through Council's Cycling and Walking Strategy and Implementation Plan, adopted by Council in July 2021. These strategic documents assess routes across the entire Peregian and Marcus Beach area and identify the most suitable corridors and priorities for investment. An active street on Lorra Key Drive is one of the top ranked projects in this work and has already secured full stage and freeway funding. Pausing the project now to redo increasing wide design and costings could be perceived as wasteful and would significantly delay the degree of risk in using that funding. Council agrees that community involvement must be genuine and ongoing. That is why for this project engagement has not been limited to a single stage. We have involved residents and community groups through the project reference group, during route and treatment selection, held multiple information sessions during the preliminary design phase, undertaken door knocks and offered one-on-one meetings, continued adjusting the elements of the design based on visitor feedback, particularly around parking, traffic management, connectivity and environmental values.

44:08 This approach will continue as the project moves into the developed design and Council will be continuing with community information sessions. Council's focus remains on creating a safer, greener and better connected local network for all residents. This is a process of working and writing in a way that reflects community needs and enhances the character of the area.

44:26 Mayor Wilkie: Thank you Mr Phipps.