Master idea for master plan

The draft of the Coolum Village master plan is now available for viewing and comment.

People taking precedence over cars is the central theme of the Coolum Village master plan released this week for public comment.

One of the more controversial aspects of the master plan is the recommendation to reduce the number of car parks in Tickle Park to allow for a larger events space.

“Do we want to provide space for cars or for families?” asks councillor Vivien Griffin, who has overseen 12 months of community consultation on the plan.

“I think this is a key issue for Coolum, as right now there is only a pocket handkerchief of green space in Tickle Park, the premier beachfront open space area,” she said.

“We have sought to provide alternative car parking in Jack Morgan Park to respond to the deficit and of course this would be delivered before any car parking was taken away from Tickle Park. 

“I am looking forward to hearing from Coolum folk about this issue.”

Under the master plan, the popular skate facility would move west to a better lit area of the park near David Low Way, allowing for a playground and stage north of the Boardriders Club premises.

The western caravan park boundary would be moved five metres east to allow for a bike path adjacent to David Low Way.

A boardwalk on the eastern side of the caravan park would link Lions Park with Tickle Park.

The plan would also see roundabouts on David Low Way at Hewitt, Birtwill and Elizabeth streets.

“A key focus has been to develop an integrated approach to the beachfront parks and esplanade, so we have looked at the connections between Jack Morgan Park, the David Low Way, Tickle Park and Lions Park,” Cr Griffin said.

“The strong message from the Coolum community was to develop a design which delivered a greener, traffic-calmed feel where pedestrians and cyclists predominate over the car. 

“I really think we have achieved that, but now it’s up to the community to have its say.”

Cr Griffin admitted there were “some difficult decisions to confront in terms of where the money comes from”.

“Right now there is only $3.3 million in the capital works program for this project over the next five years, and even just the David Low Way upgrade is costed at over $10 million.”

MASTER PLAN DISPLAYS

Displays and opportunities for comment are at the following locations:

- Coolum Library

- Coolum Surf Club

- Coolum Beach Bowls Club

- Coolum Information Centre

 To view or download PDFs of the plans, visit www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.