“Get It Right” Keep Alex Safe for Walkers & Cyclists

6 May 2020

Passionate beach lovers who lined the beach between Alexandra Headland and Maroochydore to speak out against the current design of the proposed M2M cycleway recently spoke up because they want to keep this area safe and accessible.

I support this cause and have been raising this in the media, in Parliament and through my social media pages and have sponsored a petition lodged in Queensland Parliament.

Let me be clear, I support safe areas for cyclists too but not at the expense of safe pedestrian access and that’s why this plan isn’t right as it downgrades pedestrian safety and cuts people off from safer access to the beach with the loss of beach-side carparks. I have also engaged with disability stakeholders to make sure their voice about safe design is also taken on board as they had not been consulted previously.

While the “Beach Matters” protest was happening peacefully on the beach, I was in Parliament speaking up on everyone’s behalf, raising the need for this plan to be fixed with a better design that makes the area safer for all users, pedestrians and recreational cyclists. To do that, we need to see carparks remain on the beach-side of Alex Parade and people’s views about safety and access for all included in the plan.

The Transport Department only released the draft plan showing the potential impacts for the first time on May 6 which has shocked hundreds of beachgoers as the Transport Department’s consultation before then failed to engage all these user groups.

Let’s have a safer design which doesn’t ruin the amenity and does deliver safety improvements. We have to stay united in fighting for the State Government to listen to the people and respect their wishes. We won an extension to the consultation period but until the plan is changed to take onboard all these issues, the fight goes on.

Have your say

That’s why it’s important you know what is proposed and have your say before consultation closes on July 31 via the Department’s link (https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/M/Mooloolaba-to-Maroochydore-Cycleway).

I’m keen also to hear your views so we can fight for commonsense and to improve, rather downgrade, this beautiful area. Just email me or call the office.

The petition

An electronic petition against the current design with nearly 2000 signatures was tabled in Parliament on June 16. Further paper petition with another 2,000 signatures was tabled in Parliament on 11 August.

Deputation to Minister

I have requested a meeting with the Transport Minister with community members to hear these concerns as we strive to get some commonsense and a better outcome. This occurred 5 August.

My view in summary:

Start design again
Keep beach-side car parks
No metal fence up the middle of Alexandra Parade central road reserve
Listen to feedback of all user groups – cyclists, walkers and motorists
Improve safety, access and amenity with good design – don’t degrade this precious area

Outcome:

After I tabled the latest M2M Alex Cycleway petition in Parliament on the morning of 11 August,the Transport Department announced the design will go back to the drawing board and restart to “get it right”. This is exactly what the petition and the majority of the community called for.

This is a win for the people and the thousands who campaigned for this design to be reworked due to concerns about visual barriers to the beach, loss of beach-side carparks, and the proposed metal fence up the middle of Alexandra Parade. We all want safer pathways for cyclists and walkers through Alexandra Headland. Overwhelmingly the thousands of petitioners asked for the design to be redone with their input.

There is definitely a need to improve the pathways and that’s what we were focusing on achieving.

A week ago, my colleague the Shadow Minister for Transport, Steve Minnikin, committed an LNP Government would redo the design the with proper community consultation and ensure the money set aside for the project would remain committed for that purpose.

I’m delighted the State Government has agreed to do that as well which is a good outcome. Well done to all the community members, particularly Beach Matters, and the Alexandra Headland Community Association who also work hard to beautify this area.

Let’s keep Alex great and make it even better with improved pathways for cyclists and walkers but without loss of amenity or loss of safety.

Please don’t hesitate to stay in contact as we all seek to be good custodians of this precious area we love so much.