Demolition works in preparation for the Maroochydore Bus Station have re-commenced but the completion date for this project has now pushed out to 2013, Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson said today.
Member for Maroochydore criticised the previous State Government who previously announced that it would be built by the end of 2011 but then had to go back to the drawing board on the design work, allegedly to relocate utility services.
Since then, demolition of the buildings has taken longer than anticipated due to the presence of asbestos and essential decisions over land purchases and traffic modelling were delayed until after the State Government elections.
Ms Simpson said the project was now moving ahead and was expected to go out to tender soon, with construction expected to commence by the end of this year.
“My priority is to ensure that we get a safe bus station in the Maroochydore CBD sooner rather than later which addresses the safety concerns and that it is done in a cost effective way,” Ms Simpson said.
The existing bus station is dangerous as it involves buses having to partially reverse out and requires the additional cost of an employee to ensure no pedestrians are run over. In addition to this, it has long been acknowledged as a bottleneck for services through Maroochydore.
“The new bus station is essential for providing better public transport services for the Sunshine Coast,” Ms Simpson said.
