PEREGIAN BEACH ACTIVE STREET - STAGE 1 PROGRESS UPDATE AND NEXT STEPS
Executive summary
This report provides a project status update and recommendation for the Peregian Beach Active Street – Stage 1 project, including background to the project, an outline of findings from recent community engagement and current project parameters. The project is funded through the South East Queensland Liveability Fund and the Active Transport Fund. The report recommends continuing to proceed with the project with a series of design modifications in response to recent community feedback. The report includes extensive attachments in the form of community feedback on the proposal, this feedback contained in Attachments 1 to 7 has been provided as confidential attachments due to the inclusion of personal information that has at best efforts been redacted however may still contain information that could identify a person or address. Therefore, if required, in accordance with Section 254J (3) of the Local Government Regulation 2012, the meeting will be permitted to be closed to the public for discussion on this business relating to the following:
- matters that may directly affect the health and safety of an individual or a group of individuals. As a result of the extensive consultation and ensuing feedback a number of changes have been proposed to the initial designs. The following notes the suggested refinements to the design and ongoing investigations: 1. Improved Local Area Traffic Management (LATM) measures on surrounding streets to improve vehicle speed and safety; 2. Investigation into increasing formalised parking yield across the Peregian Beach South area including within Victory Park and along Lorikeet Drive. Ongoing investigations include, but are not limited to: one way circulation through Victory Park; angled parking within Victory Park, parallel parking on Lorikeet Drive adjacent high density residential zone and formalised parking at the eastern end of Pitta St; 3. Investigation into a softer colour palette and/or a reduction in perceived over development to lesser impact, village scale raised intersections, priority crossings, chicanes, speed bumps and overrun areas where possible within statutory traffic requirements; 4. Widening of the existing boardwalk through Lorikeet Park along the current alignment as well as inclusion of speed management device to control bike speeds on approach to shared path and boardwalk through Lorikeet Park; 5. Improvements to Victory Park to least impactful carparking layout but including no-parking zone in front of the two beach entrances, provision of limited long vehicle parking bays and end-of-trip facilities such as improved water points and bike racks. 6. Inclusion of additional street tree planting; 7. Investigate additional signage for user behaviour at key locations and nodes; 8. Investigation into Lorikeet Dr and Pitta St intersection design to accommodate vehicle turn around movements. 9. Investigation into land tenure south of Lorikeet Park bridge to facilitate the continued use and upgrade of the pathway on the existing alignment. The report also seeks in-principle support for continuing to invest in Stage 2, subject to future budget allocation, to achieve connectivity to the Peregian Beach Village, and an investment in a broader education and awareness program on the benefits of active transport to support delivery of the shire wide Coastal Pathway Corridor, a key component of Council's Cycling and Walking Strategy.
Report
Background and Strategic Foundations
Highest Priority Cycle Route Corridor Study (HPCR) In 2021, Noosa Council completed the Coastal Pathway Corridor Study or Highest Priority Cycle Route Corridor Study (HPCR) to plan safer, more connected walking and cycling routes between Peregian Beach and Tewantin, including a link to the Sunshine Coast Coastal Pathway. The study reviewed existing paths, identified safety gaps, and assessed possible routes. To ensure community alignment, Council formed a Project Reference Group (PRG) with community members, local associations, and walking and cycling groups. The PRG members were nominated and endorsed by Noosa Council. Three segments were identified on Corridor 1, Tewantin to Noosa Heads, and 6 segments on Corridor 2, Noosa Head to Peregian for options analysis and further design work. Engagement activities were undertaken with the PRG at key milestones and decision points throughout the project. Specifically, this included engagement at the route selection, design treatment selection and concept design review stages For Peregian Beach South (Segment 6 of Corridor 2), four route options, as indicated in figure 1 below, were assessed against the following criteria: • Safety • Comfort • Directness and Coherence • Connectivity • Strategic alignment; and • Feasibility. Figure 1 – Route Options Analysis Route B (Lorikeet Drive) scored the highest or equal to the highest across all criteria and ranked the highest in both total unweighted and weighted scoring. Key differentiators in scoring between Route A (David Low Way) and Route B (Lorikeet, Shearwater, Piper, Plover) were Connectivity, Strategic Alignment and Feasibility. Route A considered pathways on alternate sides of David Low Way, whereas Route C and partially Route D considered pathway locations in the coastal foreshore reserve. Route B was considered to connect with more attractors, align closer to the coast, be easiest to implement and the lowest cost. Several design treatments were also explored, including a Cycle St (Active Street), Advisory Bicycle Lanes and a Shared Path. The treatment types were scored against the following criteria: • Safety • Connectivity • Feasibility; and • Impact. The Active Street concept - supported by TMR - performed best for safety and feasibility. The Peregian Beach south project was given a high priority (on a scale of low to very high) and tentatively scheduled for 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years in a draft implementation plan within the final report. The priority ranking was based on: • High existing and potential walking and cycling demand. • Its ability to close gaps in the local network and connect key destinations. • Logical sequencing with other current and planned projects to build a safer, continuous corridor. • Proximity to key attractors such as local schools, beaches, shops, and community facilities. Further community consultation was proposed to be undertaken on a project-by-project basis, noting that some of the projects identified within the Corridor Study may never proceed. The results of the corridor study were incorporated into the Noosa Cycling and Walking Strategy, which was being undertaken concurrently, and consequently endorsed by Council. These key background documents to the Noosa Cycling and Walking Strategy, being the 'Noosa High Priority Cycle Route Corridor Study and Concept Design’ (Corridor 2) were made public on Council's website in early 2026 due to an expression of interest from the South Peregian Beach community during the Peregian Beach Active Street Stage 1 Consultation phase.
The Noosa Cycling and Walking Strategy and Implementation Plan (NCWSIP) Council adopted the Noosa Cycling and Walking Strategy and Implementation Plan 2020 – 2040 on
July 2021. The Strategy and Plan re-established Council’s vision for bike riding and walking across Noosa Shire for the next 20 years with the vision to get ‘more people riding a bike and walking for health, transport, tourism and the environment’. Council’s goal is to make riding a bike and walking so convenient and safe that it is the preferred mode of transport for the Shire's residents and visitors. The Plan has been guiding Council’s planning, development and promotion of bike riding and walking networks. Engagement activities were undertaken during the development of a draft plan with the same Project Reference Group as nominated and endorsed by Council for the HPCR project. During the ”Your Say” consultation period for the NCWSIP (19 March to 16 April 2021), 260 submissions were received from the community on the draft Strategy. The information gathered from this process provided local insights and helped to identify additional missing links and route refinements, which have been adopted in the Plan. Feedback also defined barriers to bike riding and walking, reiterating those already identified in the Strategy. The proposed use of existing streets throughout the Shire for improved safe shared vehicle, cyclist and pedestrian movements, such as an Active Street, is a consistent approach in the Noosa Cycling and Walking Strategy due to unavailability of other routes due to environmental constraints and construction costs. The Peregian Beach Active St project (Project ID 361) was scored in the 201-300 priority band
- within the Walking and Cycling Strategy. It was initially not scheduled in the 10- year implementation plan, however opportunistic grant funding to align with regional liveability and active transport provided impetus for grant submission. Further analysis of the project scoring indicates that if the project is combined with Project IDs 359 and 360 (continuation through to the village) that the project would score a ranking of 28.
Customer Requests South Peregian residents have long raised concerns about speeding, pedestrian safety and difficult driveway and waste service access compounded by unmarked parking bays and lane congestion arising from parking on both sides of the narrow roadway. A key design consideration for the proposed Active Street is to address these issues through a dedicated pedestrian pathway, improved kerb and channel, reduced-speed signage, formalised parking, landscaping and road resurfacing. Together, these upgrades will deliver a safer, greener and more attractive active transport experience for users.
Grant Funding Opportunity The project's high priority in the State funded corridor study, along with the community concerns raised regarding speeding and pedestrian safety along and around Lorikeet Drive, made it an excellent candidate for external funding. The project is 100% Grant funded through the South East Queensland Liveability Fund and the Active Transport Fund. The SEQ Liveability fund is Supporting Local Government projects that create liveable, creative, sustainable and healthy communities. Projects funded will be of a regional or sub-regional scale that leave a legacy in the community. The funding through the SEQ Liveability grant covers design and construction works. The Active Transport Fund (ATF), provides funding for the design and construction of new or existing bicycle and walking pathways to encourage the use of active transport. The focus areas for the program are: • road safety • reducing transport emissions • active and liveable communities The ATF grant funding for this project is specific to construction only.
Program The project program is governed by Council's Annual Capital Works Programs and two separate external funding agreements as outlined below.
SEQ Liveability The last possible dates for milestones as listed in the executed SEQ Liveability funding agreement, are:
Milestone
Last Possible Date (as per
Status
Program Guidelines) Completion of
Jun 2027 At risk Construction Final Reporting Dec 2027 Achievable
Active Transport Fund The last possible dates for milestones as listed in the executed ATF funding agreement, is:
Milestone
Last Possible Date (as per
Status
Program Guidelines) Commencement of Construction 25 Mar 2026 At risk Completion of
Mar 2028 Achievable Construction Acceptance of
Jun 2028 Achievable Post-Completion Report
Current Project Program The current program, not accounting for any further delays as a result of this report, narrowly meets the critical project construction end date of 30 June 2027. With no remaining float/program contingency, this is a significant risk for the project. Table 1 below indicates current forecast milestone dates as per the project program.
Milestones
Deadline Council S&O Decision
March 2026 IFC Design
March 2026 Award Tender
May 2026 Practical Completion
April 2027 Handover – final report & funding claim20 May 2027 Table 1: Program Milestones
Program risk mitigation - extension of time Anecdotal advice received from ATF and SEQ Liveability Funding authorities have indicated that both would be amenable to an extension of time request provided clear rationale is included in the submission. The project team is working through extension of time requests with the grant funding bodies. The full program, including additional project consultation activities contributing to the extension of time required is provided at attachment 8.
Community Engagement Findings From March 2025 to February 2026, the Peregian Beach Active Street Project team undertook targeted community engagement throughout the concept and detailed design stages, focusing on residents of South Peregian as well as key community and stakeholder groups. Wider community consultation on previous planning studies is provided in the ‘Background and Strategic Foundations’ section of the report. Project specific engagement activities are summarised below:
Activity Type Description Councillor Multiple workshops and briefings (14 March, 7 April, 18 August ‘25) Briefings Dedicated page created 8 April ‘25 with project updates, FAQs, Project Project News, and a document repository including case studies, Webpage educational videos and traffic and corridor studies. Direct Letterbox drops, direct mail, and digital notifications to residents and Notification stakeholders Public town hall meetings Peregian Beach Community Road Safety Forum (13 May 2025) Boreen Point Ordinary Meeting (20 Nov 2025) Public Pop- Concept design stage (17 & 30 April ’25) Ups Developed design stage (21 & 29 Jan ’26) Walkshop Site-based review of detailed design (18 Feb ’26)
Activity Type Description One-on-one meetings with representative groups including ZEN, Briefings BUG, PBCA and several impacted residents (appendix G) Between 10 June ‘25 and 20 February ‘26, Council recorded,
CRM
monitored and responded to 37 CRM enquiries relating directly to the Management project.
Key Findings from Community Engagement Feedback on the Peregian Beach Active Street Project was mixed. While many residents and stakeholders supported the project’s core objectives - slower traffic, safer pedestrian movements, and improved walking and cycling connections - concerns were also raised. This was evident at pop- up sessions where the majority of questions and points raised by residents in group discussion were harshly negative towards the project whilst the underlying objectives of the project were still supported. Submissions from active transport groups (Sunshine Coast Bicycle User Group (SCBUG) and Zero Emissions Noosa (ZEN) highlighted alignment with Council’s strategic transport framework and the broader Coastal Pathway vision. The report includes extensive attachments in the form of community feedback on the proposal, this feedback has been provided as confidential attachments due to the inclusion of personal information. Whilst they have been redacted to protect personal information, the documents have continued to be marked as confidential as an extra precaution to ensure privacy is maintained. Engagement activities at the developed design stages - including pop-up sessions at Victory Park and the Walkshop - revealed several consistent themes:
Parking Impacts • Loss and redistribution of on-street parking, particularly on Lorikeet Drive • Flow-on effects for nearby residents, including higher-density areas • Concerns from dog owners and volunteer marine wildlife responders regarding access and proximity parking • Requests for resident permit parking or other measures to maintain accessibility
Traffic Access, Property Access & Displacement • Concerns about vehicles diverting to neighbouring streets, including Oriole Avenue • Desire for mitigation measures to reduce rat-running and maintain local access • Difficulty accessing properties with boats and trailers (including 7m trailers) • Concerns about reversing movements near traffic calming devices and U-turn maneuvers • Requests to widen driveways or adjust kerb clearances where required
Safety, Speed & E-Bikes • Broad support for slower traffic and a 30 km/h speed environment, particularly where paired with traffic calming • Concerns about interactions between fast-moving e-bikes, pedestrians and vehicles • Vehicles driving in bike lanes and through roundabouts • Preference for clearly marked pedestrian crossings (e.g. zebra crossings) or higher-contrast shared zones • Requests for education and enforcement to support compliance
Vegetation, Drainage & Neighbourhood Character • Strong preference to retain mature trees, including pandanus • Desire to minimise visual and environmental impacts • Concerns about stormwater runoff and drainage near driveways • Noise concerns associated with overrun areas (described as rumble strips) and raised treatments and increased cyclist use
Design Alternatives & Route Considerations • Some residents suggested relocating cycling infrastructure to David Low Way or adjusting pathway alignment (including the western side). • Requests for wider pathways (suitable for two cyclists side-by-side) • Desire to extend pathway connections fully to the village • CPTED issues associated with the boardwalk and path diversion at Lorikeet Park
Other Key Feedback • Support for stormwater upgrades and road repairs • Requests for consistent pathway connections rather than partial sections • Mixed views on speed reductions, with stronger support where clearly linked to improved safety outcomes • A small number of submissions expressing full objection to the project in addition to the petitions listed below
Pop Up Display Boards (Attachment 1) The collated post it notes from the pop-up display boards and the typed summary notes is included as Attachment 1 to the Report.
Customer Requests (Attachment 2) During the engagement period, Council received 37 formal customer enquiries relating to the project. These enquiries primarily concerned parking impacts, traffic displacement, proposed speed limit changes, and requests to reconsider corridor alignment and are included at Attachment 2 to the Report.
Petition (Attachment 3) A petition – 'Residents Against Active Street' was formally tabled with Council which raised concerns about parking loss, traffic congestion, and safety, and requested that the project be halted entirely, requests for additional consultation and route options review. The petition is included at Attachment
to the report. The petition was a catalyst for additional community consultation activities in recent weeks including additional pop-up events, one on one meetings, preparation and distribution of additional project materials and this report.
Community-led Proposed Adjustments (Attachment 4) Received by the project team recently (19/02/2026), the submission includes a proposal for one-way traffic (Oriole southbound, Lorikeet northbound), retention of most on-street parking, adjustments to cyclist access, and potential residential parking permits. The submission is included at Attachment 4. The proposal for one way traffic would require traffic modelling and design of traffic controls throughout the whole southern Peregian Beach area to ensure that one waying of the network would not have adverse effects on vehicle speeding, pedestrian safety and convenience of movement, as well as broad community consultation to understand if there is further support for the proposals outside of the group who made the submission. The significance of these changes are outside the scope of the current project. Other aspects of the submission can be investigated further and incorporated into the project where possible, including increasing parking yield and managing bike speeds on footpath areas. These have been accommodated in the recommended design changes.
Community-led Facebook Poll Submission (Attachment 5) A community led Facebook poll is included at Attachment 5. The poll reflected a divided community response, highlighting concerns over tree removal, parking, and increased bike traffic, alongside support for traffic calming and maintaining neighbourhood character.
SCBUG, ZEN & Other Letters of Support (Attachment 6) The Sunshine Coast Bicycle User Group (SCBUG) and Zero Emissions Noosa (ZEN) made submissions supporting the project, citing alignment with strategic transport objectives and the promotion of active travel safety and have been included at Attachment 6. In addition, 4 other individual resident submissions supporting the project were received.
One on One Meetings (Attachment 7) In addition, one on one meetings were undertaken with various residents and stakeholders, including Peregian Beach Residents Against Active Streets. Meeting notes are included at Attachment 7.
Summary of Community Engagement Community feedback on the Peregian Beach Active Street Project was mixed. Many residents supported the project’s goals of improving safety, calming traffic and strengthening walking and cycling connections. However, others expressed concerns about parking impacts, potential traffic displacement, increased bike activity and associated safety issues, as well as changes to neighbourhood character. Some residents also questioned how the new road design concept would function in practice and what it would mean for day-to-day property access and vehicle manoeuvrability. Overall, engagement confirms that while there is on balance strategic and safety-based support for the project’s intent, particularly in regard to improved vehicle safety and the need for a shared path, careful design refinement and targeted responses to property access, parking, localised safety concerns as well as ongoing education and enforcement remain critical to achieving community confidence. This feedback has informed targeted refinements to the design, where possible, helping to address key issues while preserving the project’s overarching aim of creating a safer, more accessible active transport corridor for Peregian Beach.
Design changes arising from Community Engagement The following design changes are proposed arising from community engagement
Proposed Design Change
Rationale Traffic engineering advice recommended that consideration be given to the installation of local Improved Local Area Traffic Management area traffic management measures, such as
- measures on surrounding streets to traffic calming devices at appropriate locations improve vehicle speed and safety on Oriole Avenue. The project team committed to monitoring traffic in Oriole Avenue following the implementation of the Active St however, the significant community concern raised during the consultation period suggests a more immediate implementation of traffic control devices is supported. Whilst the project would result in a net loss of Investigation into increasing formalised parking parking in the study area, the traffic advice yield across the Peregian Beach South area received indicated that the available parking including within Victory Park and along Lorikeet provision is expected to accommodate the Drive. Ongoing investigations include, but are expected maximum parking demand not limited to: one way circulation through experienced in the study area of 191 vehicles. Victory Park; angled parking within Victory Park, Notwithstanding the traffic advice, 'parking parallel parking on Lorikeet Drive adjacent high impacts' was identified as one of the key themes density residential zone and formalised parking through the consultation period. Further at the eastern end of Pitta St investigations seek to reduce this impact as much as possible. Investigation into a softer colour palette and/or a reduction in perceived over development to Community feedback indicated a strong desire to lesser impact, village scale raised intersections, preserve village character and avoid over priority crossings, chicanes, speed bumps and development. overrun areas where possible within statutory traffic requirements. Widening of the existing boardwalk through Lorikeet Park and maintenance of the current The local bush care group originally constructed alignment as well as inclusion of speed the existing timber structure including management devices to control bike speeds on surrounding landscaping. They have expressed approach to shared path and boardwalk through a preference for its retention. Lorikeet Park. Improvements to Victory Park to least impactful Community feedback has highlighted concerns carparking layout but including no-parking zone with the proposed formalisation at Victory Park, in front of the two beach entrances, provision of including limited capacity for longer vehicles, the limited long vehicle parking bays and of end-of- need to maintain clear access to beach entry trip facilities such as improved water points and points, and the importance of providing suitable bike racks facilities for active transport users. Community feedback has been received Inclusion of additional street tree planting recommending additional street tree planting to provide shade along the proposed pathway. Resident concerns regarding potential misuse of Investigation of additional signage for user the pathway including unsafe e-bike speeds behaviour at key entry locations and nodes have informed the inclusion of additional user behaviour signage in the design The inclusion of a pedestrian crossing at Pitta Retain vehicle turning at the southern end of Street may compromise existing vehicle Lorikeet Drive, currently provided at the movements and the design requires further intersection of Pitta Street and Lorikeet Drive refinement Investigation into land tenure south of Lorikeet Resident concerns over CPTED Issues with Park bridge to facilitate the continued use and proposed new alignment. Community bushcare upgrade of the pathway on the existing group advocating for existing alignment that they alignment. maintain and planted. A key theme raised throughout the consultation period was the request for continuation of the Active Street Stage 1 through to the Peregian Beach Village. A recommendation of the report is to support the CEO to submit available grant funding applications for Stage 2 of the Active Street/Coastal Pathway extension to commence design and construction as soon as practicably possible.
Ongoing Community Engagement The ultimate success of the Noosa Cycling and Walking Strategy, and the Noosa Transport Strategy relies on improved active transport to reduce reliance on private motor vehicles, as well as achieve a mode of movement aligned to the Noosa lifestyle. There is an ongoing need for community engagement to ensure long term success of the program. The report recommends the development of an “Active Street” and “Coastal Pathway” awareness and education campaign across the shire to raise awareness of the safety and active transport benefits associated with Active Streets and the ultimate delivery of the Noosa Cycling and Walking Strategy and Noosa Transport Strategy. Some initial considerations for such a program include: Phase 1 – Broader shire wide awareness campaign to communicate Coastal Pathway corridor strategy (HPCR), Active Street features and functionality and general walking and cycling safety through: • Multi-channel approach: social media, short videos, school talks, case studies, etc. • Collaboration with QPS & TMR Stakeholders Key messages: Coastal Pathway Vision ▪ Missing section identification and proposed projects ▪ What is an Active St and how do I use it ▪ “Share the path,” “Shoulder check,” “Leave 1.5m” ▪ Phase 2 – Targeted audience for the Peregian Beach Stage 1 Active St to ensure the community and visitors understand how to safely use the new Active Street: • Short “how to use” video • School education sessions – street etiquette/understand the signs • Local ambassadors and community walkthroughs • Targeted social media and local media content • Liaison with enforcement agencies including blitz campaigns
Report details
Deferred from: Deferred from the General Committee Meeting dated 16 March 2026
Index: ECM / TRANSPORT / PATHWAYS AND BICYCLE TRANSPORT