Council report · General Committee Meeting, 7 July 2026 · item 7.1
MOVEMENT AND CONNECTION ACTION PLAN 2025–2027
Summary
The Noosa Transport Strategy 2017–2027 is approaching the end of its strategic horizon. The Strategy established Council's long-term transport vision of an efficient, free-flowing and innovative transport system that enhances resident and visitor experiences and supports sustainable environmental outcomes.
Since adoption of the Strategy, Council has delivered, progressed and embedded a range of transport initiatives across public transport, active transport, parking management, accessibility, data collection, traffic safety and visitor demand management. Many of these initiatives are now businessas-usual services or incorporated into ongoing delivery programs.
The Movement and Connection Action Plan 2025–2027 provides a focused two-year program for the remaining period of the current Transport Strategy. It is intended to maintain delivery momentum, respond to current community priorities and progress selected initiatives to investigation, options assessment, concept design, engagement or continued delivery.
The Plan should be viewed in conjunction with the broader transport work currently underway across Council, including Go Noosa, Walking and Cycling Strategy implementation, public transport advocacy, road safety investigations, parking management, transport data collection and operational transport services.
Endorsement of the Plan does not constitute approval of capital construction works. Any future capital delivery would be subject to separate Council consideration through future budget processes.
The officer’s recommendation
That Council
- Note the report by the Sustainable Transport Coordinator to the General Committee Meeting dated 7 July 2026 regarding the Movement and Connection Action Plan 2025 -2027;
- Note the progress made under the Noosa Transport Strategy 2017–2027, including completed, ongoing and embedded transport initiatives across public transport, active transport, parking management, accessibility, data collection, safety and visitor demand management.
- Approve the Movement and Connection Delivery Action Plan 2025–2027 (as detailed in the report) as a focused two-year program to progress priority initiatives to investigation, options assessment, concept design, engagement or continued delivery, subject to annual budget approval and available resources.
- Note that approval of the Movement and Connection Delivery Action Plan 2025–2027 does not constitute approval of capital construction works, which would require separate Council consideration through future budget processes.
✓ CARRIED
Where this sits in the corporate plan
How it’s funded
The Movement and Connection Delivery Action Plan,
assessment,
Funding pathways vary across the program and include the Sustainable Transport Levy
Rates,
Previously before Council
The full report
Background
The Noosa Transport Strategy 2017–2027 established Council's long-term direction for transport, with a focus on managing demand, improving transport choice, supporting walking, cycling and public transport, and reducing reliance on private vehicle travel in congested areas.
The Strategy is now approaching the end of its current horizon. A major review will be required to establish Noosa's next long-term transport direction beyond 2027.
Before commencing the next major review, it is important to document progress under the current Strategy, recognise the broader transport work now being undertaken by Council, and identify a focused program of priority initiatives for the remaining period of the Strategy.
The Movement and Connection Action Plan 2025–2027 provides this focused two-year program. It does not replace the Transport Strategy and does not approve capital construction works. Instead, it identifies initiatives to progress to investigation, options assessment, concept development, engagement or early program delivery, subject to annual budget approval and available resources.
Progress Against the Noosa Transport Strategy 2017–2027
The Noosa Transport Strategy identified a range of initiatives across public transport, active transport, parking management, travel behaviour change, technology and visitor demand management.
Since adoption of the Strategy, a number of these initiatives have been delivered, embedded into business-as-usual operations or progressed through related programs. Other initiatives have not progressed as originally anticipated due to changes in feasibility, funding, technology, community expectations, policy direction or the need to complete further investigation first.
The following table provides a status summary of relevant initiatives identified in the Noosa Transport Strategy 2017–2027.
| No. | Strategy Initiative | Status | Funding Source | Description / Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christmas and Easter Free Holiday Buses | Ongoing / embedded | Sustainable Transport Levy | This initiative has been delivered and is now embedded as part of Council's peak-period transport response through Go Noosa. The program continues to support visitor and resident movement during high- |
| No. | Strategy Initiative | Status | Funding Source | Description / Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| demand holiday periods and helps reduce pressure on parking and congestion in key coastal areas. | ||||
| 2 | Council Cabs for people with a disability and people over 60 years old | Ongoing / embedded | Sustainable Transport Levy | Council Cabs continues to operate as a community transport service supporting eligible residents, including older people and people with disability, to access local services, shopping and community facilities. |
| 3 | Boreen Point–Tewantin Flexilink | Ongoing / embedded | Sustainable Transport Levy | Flexilink continues to operate as a demand-responsive community transport service, supporting access for communities with limited public transport options. |
| 4 | Disability Discrimination Act compliant bus stops and bus shelters | Ongoing / rolling program | TMR funding / Capital Works, subject to funding | Bus stop accessibility upgrades continue to be progressed through Council's rolling program, in partnership with relevant State funding opportunities where available. To date, 141 bus stops have been upgraded. Future delivery will continue to be subject to site priorities, available funding and coordination with broader public transport infrastructure needs. |
| 5 | Collaboration and partnerships with TransLink for public transport service improvements, including electric bus trial | Ongoing | Internal resources / advocacy / TMR-led planning | Council continues to advocate and collaborate with TransLink and TMR on public transport service improvements. Current work includes involvement in the Northern Sunshine Coast Public Transport Strategy, which will help inform future public transport priorities and regional connectivity opportunities. |
| 6 | Collaboration with Tourism Noosa to focus on high value tourism | Ongoing / opportunity for further development | Internal resources / partnership opportunities | Council continues to work with Tourism Noosa where transport initiatives intersect with visitor experience and destination management. This remains an area where further collaboration could be strengthened, particularly around visitor transport information, Go Noosa messaging and reducing car dependency during peak periods. |
| 7 | Council's Emission Reduction Policy and collaboration with Zero Emissions Noosa | Ongoing / embedded through related programs | Internal resources / partnership opportunities / subject to funding | This initiative continues to be supported through Council's broader sustainability, emissions reduction and sustainable transport work. Opportunities for collaboration with Zero Emissions Noosa continue to be |
| No. | Strategy Initiative | Status | Funding Source | Description / Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| considered through projects such as car-free initiatives, active transport promotion, e-mobility, and reduced reliance on private vehicle travel. | ||||
| 8 | The new Noosa Plan and implications for transport, traffic and car parking | Completed / embedded | Internal resources / planning framework | The Noosa Plan 2020 has been adopted and now provides the statutory planning framework for land use, transport, access and parking considerations. Transport and Traffic continue to provide input into development, parking and movement matters through the planning framework where required. |
| 10 | Wayfinding signage | Ongoing / embedded | General Rates / operational or capital programs, subject to funding | Wayfinding signage has been progressed and continues to be considered through relevant transport, active transport, visitor and place- based projects. Further improvements may be delivered as part of future pathway, parking, precinct or visitor information initiatives. |
| 12 | Off-road pathways, including Ben Lexcen Drive | Ongoing / rolling program | Capital Works Program / grants, subject to funding | Off-road pathway delivery continues through Council's Walking and Cycling Strategy, capital works program and grant-funded opportunities. Since adoption of the strategy, Council has invested approximately $7.325 million from 2020/21 to 2025/26 in active transport infrastructure through the pathways and boardwalks program, noting the 2025/26 figure is up to May only and does not include pathways delivered as part of larger projects or programs. Council has also completed 17 missing link projects, helping to improve local walking and cycling connectivity across both coastal and hinterland areas. Remaining missing links and priority routes will continue to be assessed and delivered progressively, subject to funding, project prioritisation and delivery opportunities. |
| 16 | Implement Walk and Ride to School programs with supportive schools | Ongoing / evolving | Sustainable Transport Levy / grants / General Rates, subject to funding | The original Walk and Ride to School initiative has evolved into broader Active School Travel work. This includes identifying infrastructure barriers around schools, supporting safer walking and cycling access, and developing behaviour change |
| No. | Strategy Initiative | Status | Funding Source | Description / Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| initiatives to reduce car trips during school peak periods. | ||||
| 19 | Review and prioritise all missing links of walking and cycling pathways | Ongoing / rolling program | Capital Works Program / TMR grants, subject to funding | Missing links in the walking and cycling network continue to be reviewed and prioritised through the Walking and Cycling Strategy, Walking Network Plans, capital works planning and external funding opportunities. Delivery is staged and subject to available funding. |
| 20 | Collaborate with community/private sector to establish electric charging stations at key locations | Underway | Strategy and Environment / Transport and Traffic / partnership opportunities, subject to funding | Work is underway across Council to better understand the role of electric charging infrastructure, including potential partnerships and strategic locations. Transport and Traffic will continue to support this work where it relates to transport access, parking, kerbside allocation and future e- mobility needs. |
| 21 | Develop a Noosa visitor transport information pack for a "car free and carefree" holiday | Ongoing / opportunity for improvement | Sustainable Transport Levy / Tourism Noosa partnership opportunities | Visitor transport information is currently provided through Go Noosa and related communication channels. There is an opportunity to further develop this into a more coordinated visitor transport information package, potentially in partnership with Tourism Noosa, to promote walking, cycling, public transport, ferry options, park- and-ride and parking information. |
| 22 | Investigate use of existing pathways as a network for motorised scooters as well as walkers and cyclists | Not completed / to be considered through e- mobility work | Sustainable Transport Levy / General Rates, subject to funding | This has not been progressed as a standalone project. Given the growth in e-bikes, e-scooters and other devices, this issue is now more appropriately considered through the proposed e-mobility investigation and policy development work, including safety, shared path use, user behaviour and network suitability. |
| 23 | Consider ways to increase the uptake of commuter cycling | Ongoing | Sustainable Transport Levy / Capital Works / grants, subject to funding | Council continues to support commuter cycling through walking and cycling network improvements, missing link prioritisation, end-of-trip facility planning and behaviour change opportunities. Further targeted promotion could be considered as part of future active transport and Go Noosa initiatives. |
| 24 | Consider options for car- free or shared zones which | Ongoing / subject to | Sustainable Transport Levy / General | Opportunities for car-free, low-speed or shared zones will continue to be considered through parking |
| No. | Strategy Initiative | Status | Funding Source | Description / Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| restrict vehicle access for pedestrians and cyclists | further investigation | Rates / Capital Works, subject to funding | management, destination management, active transport planning and place-based investigations. Council has successfully delivered a number of temporary access- management initiatives, including the Main Beach drop-off zone, Hastings Street arrangements for Noosa Concours, and the Electric Vehicle Expo on Sunshine Beach Road. These examples provide proof of concept that temporary car-free or reduced-access zones can improve amenity and support safer, more people-focused public spaces. Any future trial or implementation would require further feasibility assessment, stakeholder engagement, traffic and access considerations, and funding confirmation. | |
| 25 | Consider expanding the Flexilink service to other locations, for example Kin Kin | Not completed / subject to service review | Sustainable Transport Levy, subject to funding | Expansion has not been progressed at this stage. A review of existing Flexilink and Council Cabs services is recommended first to better understand current demand, service performance, community need and potential opportunities before considering expansion to additional locations. |
| 27 | Conduct an audit of community buses to identify opportunities for synergies with shire-wide transport needs | Not completed / future opportunity | Sustainable Transport Levy / partnership opportunities, subject to funding | This has not yet been progressed. The initiative remains a potential future opportunity, particularly as part of a broader review of community transport services, Flexilink, Council Cabs and partnerships with community organisations, aged care providers, schools and private operators. |
| 28 | Encourage development of a suite of apps for cycling, park-and-ride locations, pathways and related transport information | Not progressing as a standalone app | Existing digital channels / internal resources | A new standalone Go Noosa or transport app is not proposed at this stage. Since the strategy was drafted, existing transport and navigation apps, including Translink and Google Maps, have continued to improve and now provide embedded journey planning and navigation functions that are well suited to Noosa residents, visitors and public transport passengers. Workshop feedback also identified the |
| No. | Strategy Initiative | Status | Funding Source | Description / Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| need to clarify the purpose, user demand, ongoing costs and maintenance requirements of any new app. The current focus is on improving access to transport information through existing Council digital channels and established third-party platforms in a more cost-effective way. | ||||
| 29 | Investigate establishment of community/private sector bike hire scheme at specific locations, including electric and non-electric bikes | Not progressing at this stage / to be reconsidered through e- mobility work | Private sector / partnership opportunities, subject to infrastructure readiness | This has not progressed as a standalone community or private sector bike hire initiative at this stage. Councillor feedback indicated that supporting infrastructure and network readiness should be addressed first before considering broader bike hire or shared e-mobility schemes. Council has, however, supported smaller-scale initiatives that encourage access to e-bikes, including funding for the ZEN E Bike Library. This provides a local example of how community-based e-bike access can support behaviour change and help residents trial e-bike use. Future consideration of bike hire or shared e-mobility schemes should occur through the proposed e-mobility investigation and policy work, including consideration of infrastructure readiness, safety, operational management, partnerships and funding. |
| 30 | Investigate using public transport ferries on the Noosa River | Not completed / longer-term opportunity | General Rates / partnership / TransLink / subject to funding | This has not yet progressed as a standalone ferry service initiative. Future consideration should be informed by the Noosa Woods Jetty investigation, which considered opportunities for future river passenger transport, as well as the Northern Sunshine Coast Public Transport Strategy and any anticipated public transport inclusion arising from that work. Any future ferry service would require detailed feasibility assessment, including service model, infrastructure, accessibility, cost, environmental considerations, patronage demand, integration with existing jetties and destinations, and |
| No. | Strategy Initiative | Status | Funding Source | Description / Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| connection with the broader public transport network. | ||||
| 31 | Investigate provision of end-of-trip facilities, including showers, lockers and bicycle parking, in high employment areas such as Noosa Junction | Ongoing / proposed priority | Capital Works Program / General Rates / grants, subject to funding | End-of-trip facilities continue to be considered through active transport planning and future project development. A more structured review is proposed through the Movement and Connection Action Plan to identify priority locations and practical improvements that support walking and cycling for everyday trips. |
| 32 | Investigate alternative access options to Noosa Woods | Not progressing at this stage | Not applicable | This has not progressed as a standalone access initiative at this stage. However, a shuttle bus investigation is currently underway and may inform future alternative access options for Noosa Woods, including visitor movement, access management and connections to key destinations. Future consideration should also be informed by the Noosa Woods Jetty investigation, which considered opportunities for future river passenger transport, as well as broader parking management, destination management and public transport planning. Any future option would require further feasibility assessment, including demand, access constraints, traffic impacts, infrastructure requirements, operational costs, environmental considerations and stakeholder engagement. |
| 33 | Investigate alternative access options to Little Cove | Not progressing at this stage | Not applicable | This has not progressed as a standalone access initiative at this stage. However, a shuttle bus investigation is currently underway and may inform future alternative access options to Little Cove, including visitor movement, access management and connections to key destinations. Future consideration should also be informed by broader parking management, destination management and public transport planning for the Noosa Heads area. Any future option would need to consider local access limitations, road network constraints, parking impacts, |
| No. | Strategy Initiative | Status | Funding Source | Description / Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| pedestrian safety, demand, operational costs, community impacts and stakeholder engagement. | ||||
| 34 | Research and investigate smart technology transport solutions and their application to Noosa, including autonomous or driverless buses | Not progressing at this stage / horizon scanning | Internal resources / future strategy review | This has not progressed to implementation due to technology maturity, regulatory settings, cost and limited immediate applicability to Noosa. Council should continue to monitor emerging technology and consider future opportunities through the next Transport Strategy review. |
Current Transport and Traffic Program
In addition to the initiatives originally identified in the Transport Strategy, Council's Transport and Traffic work program has expanded in response to current community needs, operational demand, emerging safety issues and the need for more evidence-based decision-making.
This includes operational activities and strategic investigations across transport data collection, road safety audits, Black Spot nominations, speed management, radar speed advisory signage, customer requests, parking investigations, event traffic management, heavy vehicle permit assessments, grant applications, walking network planning, traffic modelling, accessible parking and active school travel.
Since adoption of the Transport Strategy, Council's transport program has expanded significantly. In addition to Strategy actions, Council is currently delivering a range of operational, planning and grant-funded initiatives. These initiatives provide the foundation for future transport investment and support delivery of Council's broader transport objectives.
This work provides the evidence base, operational response and project pipeline required to support future transport planning, external funding opportunities and investment decisions.
| Initiative | Status | Funding Source | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport data collection | Ongoing / strengthened | Transport Operations budget / General Rates | A number of supporting investigations and data collection activities are currently underway to help inform future transport, safety and movement planning. This includes current speed review locations such as Walter Hay Drive, Attunga Heights, Lake Macdonald Drive, Werin Street, Poinciana Avenue, Doonella Street, the Noosa Parade area, Black Mountain Range Road and Wahpunga Lane. Pedestrian and cyclist count data is also being collected at key locations, including Hastings Street, Noosa Drive, Noosa Parade, Gympie Terrace, Ely Park, Lions Park, The Parade Boardwalk, Station Street and Reserve Street. These investigations will help provide an evidence base for future prioritisation, design responses and funding decisions. |
| Road safety audits and crash investigations | Ongoing / reinstated | Transport Operations budget / General Rates | Council is undertaking annual road safety audits and crash reviews at intersections and locations with high crash history. These assessments inform |
| future safety improvements and support Black Spot funding nominations. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic network assessment and modelling | Ongoing | Transport Operations budget / General Rates | Council continues to assess the transport network using the EMME model developed through the Noosa Traffic Study. This supports evidence-based review of network performance, future growth impacts, intersection needs, project prioritisation and transport planning decisions. |
| Black Spot nominations | Ongoing / reinstated | Internal resources / external grant funding pathway | Council actively identifies, prepares and submits Black Spot funding nominations for priority road safety projects. This process has been reinstated by the Transport and Traffic team and is informed by crash data, road safety audits, Safe System assessments and network investigations. |
| Walking and Cycling grant applications | Ongoing | TMR / State grant funding with Council contribution where required | Council actively identifies, prepares and submits grant applications to support planning, design and delivery of priority walking and cycling projects. This helps progress missing links, network improvements and projects identified through the Walking and Cycling Strategy and related planning work. |
| STIP grant applications | Ongoing | TMR School Transport Infrastructure Program grant funding with Council contribution where required | Council actively identifies, prepares and submits STIP grant applications to support safer school transport infrastructure. This helps fund improvements around schools, including walking, cycling, crossing and school access upgrades. |
| Walking Network Plans | Ongoing / strengthened | TMR grant funding with Council contribution where required | Council actively identifies, prepares and delivers Walking Network Plans in partnership with TMR. Cooroy and Goodchap have been completed, and Pomona is now being progressed. These plans help identify priority walking improvements, missing links and safer pedestrian access within key centres. |
| Speed management program | Ongoing / strengthened | Transport Operations budget / General Rates | Council has progressed a more structured approach to speed management through the Safe Speed Streets program, including speed reviews undertaken in accordance with TMR guidelines, assessment of community speed concerns, and the procurement of radar speed advisory signage to support driver awareness, data collection and future speed management actions. |
| Radar speed advisory signs | In progress | Transport Operations budget / General Rates | Council is procuring radar speed advisory signs with driver feedback displays to support speed awareness, respond to community concerns and collect data for future speed management investigations. |
| Traffic Advisory Committee | Reinstated / ongoing | Internal resources | The Traffic Advisory Committee has been reinstated to support coordination and consideration of traffic, road safety and network management matters. |
| Speed Management Committee | Reinstated / ongoing | Internal resources | The Speed Management Committee has been reinstated to support a coordinated and evidence- based approach to speed reviews, speed-related community concerns and speed management priorities. Queensland Police Service, Department of Transport and Main Roads, and Noosa Council officers participate jointly in the committee to review speed-related matters, share information and support coordinated responses. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer requests and CRM investigations | Ongoing | Transport Operations budget / General Rates | Council receives more than 400 Transport and Traffic-related customer requests each year. The team actively assesses requests relating to traffic, parking, signs, line marking, pedestrian safety, speed, access and road safety matters. |
| Parking investigations | Ongoing | Transport Operations budget / General Rates | Council continues to assess parking issues across the Shire, including yellow lines, parking restrictions, accessibility, turnover, safety concerns and localised parking pressures. |
| Signs and line marking assessments | Ongoing | Transport Operations budget / General Rates | The team reviews requests and operational issues relating to signs, line marking, parking controls and regulatory changes. |
| Bike rack nominations and active transport support | Ongoing | Transport Operations budget / General Rates / Capital Works where required | Council assesses bike rack nominations and opportunities to improve bicycle parking, particularly in activity centres, visitor areas and locations with increasing active transport demand. |
| Event traffic and transport management | Ongoing | Transport Operations budget / event- related processes | Council actively reviews traffic and transport management arrangements for events, including temporary road impacts, parking, pedestrian safety, access, approvals and coordination with event organisers. This includes major events that can result in district-wide traffic impacts and attract large numbers of participants and spectators, such as the Noosa Triathlon, ASICS Runaway Noosa and Swim Noosa, Noosa Ultra Trail, Ultraman Australia, Noosa Enduro, Noosa Summer Swim Festival, Concours d'Elegance and major community events such as ANZAC Day services and Christmas events. These reviews help manage event-related impacts on the transport network while supporting safe access, visitor movement and coordination across Council and relevant stakeholders. |
| Heavy vehicle permit assessments | Ongoing | Transport Operations budget / General Rates | The team assesses heavy vehicle access requests and permits, including NHVR-related matters, to ensure network safety, access suitability and asset protection. |
| Safe System assessments | Ongoing | Transport Operations | Safe System principles are being applied to relevant transport investigations, road safety assessments |
| budget / General Rates | and project development to improve safety outcomes for all road users. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Development and internal referrals | Ongoing | Internal resources / General Rates | Transport and Traffic provides technical advice on development, access, parking, traffic impacts, internal Council projects and capital works planning where required. |
| Noosa Traffic Study update | In progress / nearing completion | General Rates / Transport Planning budget | Council has progressed the Noosa Traffic Study update, including development of the transport model, identification of future intersection upgrade requirements and Councillor workshops as part of the LGIP process. Further work is underway on staging, prioritisation and cost estimates. |
| Parking Management Plan | In progress / nearing completion | General Rates / Transport Planning budget | The Parking Management Plan has been developed to provide a consistent strategic framework for managing parking across the Shire. The plan is supported by Local Area Parking Plans and is awaiting future community consultation. |
| Local Area Parking Plans | In progress / nearing completion | General Rates / Transport Planning budget | Three Local Area Parking Plans have been prepared to support place-based parking management responses in key areas such Noosa Heads, Noosaville, and Noosa Junction. |
| Transit hubs – Cooroy and Noosa Business Centre | Completed | TMR / Council coordination | Transit hub planning for Cooroy and Noosa Business Centre has been completed through TMR grant funding. The work provides an evidence base to inform future planning, public transport integration and potential delivery opportunities. |
| Priority bus lane investigation | In progress | Sustainable Transport Levy | Council is progressing an investigation into priority bus lane opportunities to improve reliability and efficiency of the Go Noosa bus loop during peak periods.Council is progressing an investigation into priority bus lane opportunities to improve the reliability and efficiency of the Go Noosa bus loop during peak periods. The outcomes of the investigation will be presented to Council in the near future to inform any future decision-making, funding and implementation considerations. |
| Shuttle bus investigation | In progress | Sustainable Transport Levy | Council is investigating potential shuttle bus options, including opportunities to expand or improve the 065 Go Noosa free bus loop. |
| Beckmans Road project coordination | Ongoing | TMR / internal resources | Council is working with TMR on the Beckmans Road project to ensure local transport, traffic and network considerations are incorporated. |
| Peregian Active Street | Ongoing | Grant funding | Current project scope halted as per Council resolution. Practical infrastructure options are being considered with assistance from grant providers to improve walking, cycling and place outcomes. |
| Principal Cycle Network prioritisation | In progress / collaboration with TMR | TMR / internal resources | Council has worked with TMR to review prioritisation of the Principal Cycle Network, supporting future active transport planning and funding opportunities. |
| Accessible parking provision and benchmarking investigation | In progress | Transport Operations budget / General Rates | Council is undertaking an investigation into accessible parking provision across the Shire, including benchmarking against other councils and consideration of future improvements. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Priority Seniors Parking Trial | Proposed as part of current accessible parking work | Transport and Traffic operational budget, subject to available budget | As part of the accessible parking review, Council is exploring a small-scale Priority Seniors Parking Trial at selected Council facilities. |
| Event traffic and transport management guideline | In progress | Transport Operations budget / General Rates | Council is developing guidance to improve consistency in event traffic and transport management, including expectations for traffic management plans, access, parking and pedestrian safety. |
| Capital works prioritisation inputs | Ongoing | Internal resources / Capital Works Program | Transport and Traffic provides input into the capital works program, including project identification, prioritisation, safety justification and supporting data. |
| Walking and Cycling Strategy implementation | Ongoing | Capital Works Program / grants, subject to funding | Council continues to progress staged delivery of the Walking and Cycling Strategy, including missing links, priority projects and opportunities to accelerate delivery. |
| Safe and Active Transport to Schools – Community Engagement, Planning and Design | In progress | Sustainable Transport Levy / grants, subject to funding | Council is progressing an Active School Travel Study to identify infrastructure barriers and opportunities to improve walking and cycling access to schools. |
| School Travel behaviour change program | In progress / developing | Sustainable Transport Levy / grants, subject to funding | Council is developing behaviour change initiatives to encourage safer and more sustainable travel to school, supporting reduced congestion and improved safety around schools. |
| Noosa Woods Jetty investigation | In progress / nearing completion | General rates / Capital Works Program | Council has advanced river transport planning through the Noosa Woods Jetty investigations to inform future access, movement and transport opportunities. |
| End-of-trip facilities | End-of-trip facilities | General rates / Capital Works Program | Council has advanced end-of-trip facility planning as part of the Noosa Heads Arrival Precinct brief to support walking, cycling and sustainable transport outcomes. |
| General | rates | / | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital | Works | |||
| Program |
| General | rates | / | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital | Works | |||
| Program |
4.
Movement Action Plan 2025–2027
The Movement and Connection Action Plan 2025–2027 builds on the progress made under the current Transport Strategy and the broader Transport and Traffic program.
The Plan is deliberately focused on a small number of priority initiatives that can realistically be progressed over the next two financial years. These initiatives respond to current safety, access, active transport, school travel, e-mobility and strategic planning priorities.
The Plan focuses on investigation, options assessment, concept development, engagement and early program delivery. This approach allows Council to develop a stronger evidence base, understand costs and constraints, and position projects for future funding opportunities before committing to capital delivery.
| Initiative | Status | Funding Source | Proposed Scope / Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safe and Active Transport to Schools – Community Engagement, Planning and Design | Proposed priority | Sustainable Transport Levy / STIP grants / General Rates, subject to funding | Progress a coordinated program that includes school engagement, infrastructure review and behaviour change initiatives to support safer walking and cycling access to schools and reduce car dependency during school peak periods. |
| Eumundi– Noosa Road corridor investigation | Proposed priority | General Rates / subject to funding | The Eumundi–Noosa Road corridor investigation is identified as a proposed priority to assess safety, access, pedestrian crossing opportunities and network performance along this key corridor. This work will also be informed by the Noosa Traffic Study 2046, which is well advanced and includes traffic forecasting to identify future intersection upgrade requirements and broader network improvements. The study will help provide an evidence base for future corridor planning, including opportunities to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, manage traffic performance and support more integrated transport outcomes along Eumundi–Noosa Road. |
| Noosa Transport Strategy 2027–2037 preparation | Proposed priority | General Rates, subject to funding | Commence preparation for the next long-term transport strategy, including evidence gathering, review of current initiatives and planning for future community and stakeholder engagement. |
| School Travel Behaviour Change Program | Proposed priority | Sustainable Transport Levy / General Rates, subject to funding | Review and develop targeted behaviour change initiatives to encourage safer and more sustainable transport choices. This includes exploring programs such as the Scoot Program and a Wednesday Challenge to support active school travel, commuter cycling, reduced car dependency and peak-period travel demand management. Behaviour change initiatives may also support the use of shared streets and active streets to accommodate all users, helping to create safer, more inclusive and people-focused street environments. |
| Poinciana Avenue corridor investigation | Proposed priority | General Rates / grants, subject to funding | Undertake corridor investigation and options assessment for Poinciana Avenue, with a focus on balancing traffic movement, parking, pedestrian access, cycling and local access needs. |
| End-of-trip facilities review | Proposed priority | General Rates / grants, | Review existing end-of-trip facilities and identify priority locations for bike parking, lockers, showers and other facilities that support walking and cycling for everyday trips. |
| subject to funding | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-mobility investigation and policy development | Proposed priority | Sustainable Transport Levy / General Rates, subject to funding | Investigate e-bike, e-scooter and emerging mobility trends and develop a local policy position to guide future infrastructure, safety management, education, enforcement and partnership opportunities. | ||
| Walking and Cycling Strategy accelerated planning | Council is identifying opportunities to accelerate the delivery of priority walking and cycling projects, including the rollout of new pathways and cycleways on the ground where funding and delivery opportunities are available. Increased funding allocations are being sought from 2026 to 2028 to significantly expand Council's investment in active transport infrastructure, with the aim of tripling investment over this period. This would be supplemented by external grant funding where available to support faster delivery of priority pathway, cycleway and active transport network improvements. | ||||
| Capital | Works | ||||
| Program | |||||
| Proposed | |||||
| grants, | |||||
| priority | |||||
| subject | to | ||||
| funding |
| Walking | and |
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| Cycling | |
| Strategy | |
| accelerated | |
| planning |
Figure 1. illustrates the indicative sequencing of initiatives within the Movement and Connection Action Plan 2025–2027. The timeline demonstrates how investigations, engagement activities, policy development and strategic planning activities are proposed to be staged over the two-year period.
Timeframes are indicative only and remain subject to funding, resourcing, external dependencies and Council priorities.
The Movement and Connection Action Plan 2025–2027 provides a focused and practical program for the final period of the current Noosa Transport Strategy 2017–2027.
The program reflects the same strategic direction as the current Strategy, while responding to current transport priorities, operational pressures and emerging issues across the Shire. It brings together priority work relating to active school travel, corridor investigations, behaviour change, end-of-trip facilities, e-mobility and preparation for the next long-term transport strategy.
Endorsement of the Plan will allow these initiatives to progress to investigation, options assessment, concept development, engagement or early program delivery. It does not approve capital construction works.
This approach maintains delivery momentum, improves transparency on Council's transport priorities, and positions future projects for more informed funding and delivery decisions.
Report details
Index: ECM / TRANSPORT / TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT PLANNING
ECM ID 24881673
Attachments
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