Noosa Drive Pathway

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This consultation has concluded and feedback is being considered.

Boardwalk concept image

Background

The Noosa Drive Pathway project involves the planning and design of a pedestrian and bike link between Noosa Lions Park and Sunshine Beach Road. The design phase of the project is 50:50 funded with the Department of Transport and Main Roads through the Cycle Network Local Government Grants Program. The construction of the pathway is not funded at this stage.

Noosa Drive is a key link between Noosa Heads and Noosa Junction. This section of road was identified by both Council’s Transport Strategy and the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) as a high-priority active transport corridor for the Noosa region. The High Priority Route (HPR) report has identified the Noosa Drive project as the highest priority walking and bike riding infrastructure project in the coastal section between Noosa Heads and Peregian Beach.

Noosa Drive pathway vision:

“An active transport link that enhances user connectivity to the environment through village-scale infrastructure and natural materials”

The key objectives of the Noosa Drive pathway are to:

  • Improve bike and pedestrian connectivity between Noosa Heads and Noosa Junction.
  • Improve safety for all road users by reducing pedestrian and vehicle conflict points.
  • Create an experience for users with viewpoints and rest spots along an elevated pathway.
  • Deliver infrastructure and landscaping improvements that provide a natural and shaded pathway.

Community consultation

Previous community consultation, as well as a comprehensive report into the development, design and costing of high priority cycling and walking routes in Noosa, have identified Noosa Drive Pathway as a top priority for the community. The Noosa Cycling and Walking Strategy and Implementation Plan (NCWSIP) 2020-2040 identified and prioritised 453 projects across the Shire against a set of criteria, including proximity to business centres, public transport, schools and recreation destinations. The Implementation Plan identified Noosa Drive as one of the highest-ranking pathways to be delivered within the next ten years. The pathway upgrade will help achieve Council’s goal of “getting more people riding a bike and walking for health, transport, tourism and the environment”. Council conducted consultation for the NCWSIP from 19 March 2021 to 16 April 2021.

In early 2022 Noosa Shire residents participated in the Noosa Liveability Study. The following community sentiment, identified in the study, will be considered when designing the Noosa Drive pathway:

  • Our community values elements of the natural environment (natural features, views, vegetation, topography, water, wildlife etc.).
  • The community identified that the best way to improve liveability across Noosa is to invest in active and public transport options.
  • Improving movement through the management of open spaces and increased safety are among the top community ideas for change.

As part of the next phase of developing the design of the Noosa Drive Pathway, Council invited the community to provide feedback on concept designs that illustrated the broad design elements that may be included in the construction of this pathway. Feedback was gathered through Council’s community engagement platform, Your Say Noosa. The survey was open to the community from 7 to 21 September 2022. This community survey feedback document provides an overview of the feedback received.

Over eighty residents also attended a community pop-up session held in January to have their questions answered and provide feedback.

Council would like to thank those who responded to the consultations.

This project is for the design and planning of the Noosa Drive pathway only. Construction is not funded at this stage.

Background

The Noosa Drive Pathway project involves the planning and design of a pedestrian and bike link between Noosa Lions Park and Sunshine Beach Road. The design phase of the project is 50:50 funded with the Department of Transport and Main Roads through the Cycle Network Local Government Grants Program. The construction of the pathway is not funded at this stage.

Noosa Drive is a key link between Noosa Heads and Noosa Junction. This section of road was identified by both Council’s Transport Strategy and the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) as a high-priority active transport corridor for the Noosa region. The High Priority Route (HPR) report has identified the Noosa Drive project as the highest priority walking and bike riding infrastructure project in the coastal section between Noosa Heads and Peregian Beach.

Noosa Drive pathway vision:

“An active transport link that enhances user connectivity to the environment through village-scale infrastructure and natural materials”

The key objectives of the Noosa Drive pathway are to:

  • Improve bike and pedestrian connectivity between Noosa Heads and Noosa Junction.
  • Improve safety for all road users by reducing pedestrian and vehicle conflict points.
  • Create an experience for users with viewpoints and rest spots along an elevated pathway.
  • Deliver infrastructure and landscaping improvements that provide a natural and shaded pathway.

Community consultation

Previous community consultation, as well as a comprehensive report into the development, design and costing of high priority cycling and walking routes in Noosa, have identified Noosa Drive Pathway as a top priority for the community. The Noosa Cycling and Walking Strategy and Implementation Plan (NCWSIP) 2020-2040 identified and prioritised 453 projects across the Shire against a set of criteria, including proximity to business centres, public transport, schools and recreation destinations. The Implementation Plan identified Noosa Drive as one of the highest-ranking pathways to be delivered within the next ten years. The pathway upgrade will help achieve Council’s goal of “getting more people riding a bike and walking for health, transport, tourism and the environment”. Council conducted consultation for the NCWSIP from 19 March 2021 to 16 April 2021.

In early 2022 Noosa Shire residents participated in the Noosa Liveability Study. The following community sentiment, identified in the study, will be considered when designing the Noosa Drive pathway:

  • Our community values elements of the natural environment (natural features, views, vegetation, topography, water, wildlife etc.).
  • The community identified that the best way to improve liveability across Noosa is to invest in active and public transport options.
  • Improving movement through the management of open spaces and increased safety are among the top community ideas for change.

As part of the next phase of developing the design of the Noosa Drive Pathway, Council invited the community to provide feedback on concept designs that illustrated the broad design elements that may be included in the construction of this pathway. Feedback was gathered through Council’s community engagement platform, Your Say Noosa. The survey was open to the community from 7 to 21 September 2022. This community survey feedback document provides an overview of the feedback received.

Over eighty residents also attended a community pop-up session held in January to have their questions answered and provide feedback.

Council would like to thank those who responded to the consultations.

This project is for the design and planning of the Noosa Drive pathway only. Construction is not funded at this stage.