Diamond/Elm Streets Intersections
President’s Report – 2015
After the horrific accident at the intersection of Swift Road and Lake Macdonald Drive, CARA decided to host a public meeting on road and traffic issues such as speed limits, parking issues, pedestrian crossings, the Elm Street Bridge congestion, cycle lanes, signage, traffic calming, noise issues, and accident procedures.
CARA asked the Noosa Council and State member Peter Wellington for assistance with the Elm Street bridge congestion. Peter replied that the state has a policy of fixing problems that cause the most fatalities. However, Council has employed traffic consultants who conducted research on the Elm Street Bridge and Elm Street – Cooroy-Tewantin Road intersections, which showed that these are both dangerous. Council is hoping that this research will help when presenting a case to the state government for funding new intersection arrangements.
Elm Street Intersection Update – 2016
Our local member, Peter Wellington, has made representations on our behalf to the District Director of Department of Transport and Main Roads about the Elm Street, Myall Street intersection.
Here is their reply:
“Thank you for your further query regarding congestion at Cooroy intersections, particularly east of the railway line at Myall and Elm streets.
TMR acknowledges that congestion is experienced during peak periods in the Cooroy town centre and motorists experience some delays at Myall and Elm streets and Diamond and Elm streets intersections. TMR receives many requests for improvement works at intersections and allocates funding for these improvements on a priority basis.
Priorities are determined by considering site-specific parameters that primarily include crash history, but may also include other factors such as traffic volumes, geometry and visibility. A review of TMR’s crash database shows these intersections both have low crash histories and are not considered a high priority for funding as there are other intersections across the state and within North Coast District demonstrating a greater need.
As you are aware, TMR is working closely with Noosa Council to consider future east-west connections between coastal areas and towns such as Cooroy in the Northern part of the Sunshine Coast. While these investigations take a regional approach, localised issues are also being considered as part of the future transport requirements for the area. The investigations are in a preliminary phase and the link between, and including these two intersections, has been highlighted as a priority area for consideration.
I can advise that Noosa Council is developing options for possible improvements to the intersections for TMR to review. TMR will continue to work alongside council to progress these options.
Once the strategy is finalised, further investigation will be required to determine the best solutions for the area, taking into account forecast transport requirements. TMR will then consider funding for any improvements during future reviews of the program.
TMR will continue to monitor performance of these intersections and continue routine maintenance in the area.”
Newsletter – February 2017
Town Intersections
Cr Ingrid Jackson recently carried out investigations for CARA on the two busy intersections in town, and has reported on her meeting with Council’s Transport and Travel Technical Officer, Scott Morgan.
Cr Jackson Reports
I learned that negotiations continue with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) in relation to the Elm Street/Myall Street and Elm Street/Diamond Street intersections and the related bridges for cars and pedestrians.
• Noosa Council has carried out traffic studies (using electronic counters) and provided these to TMR.
• Noosa Council has done indicative intersection drawings and given those to TMR.
• TMR has prepared two concept designs for the Elm Street/Diamond Street intersection – one with a roundabout and one with traffic lights.
• The cost of a roundabout is much higher than traffic lights.
• Noosa Council is encouraging TMR to focus on both intersections at the same time, as well as the bridges, as the issues are interrelated.
• At this stage TMR looks to intend to budget for one intersection design in 2017/18, but so far there is no indication of when construction is to be budgeted for.
The pros and cons of roundabouts
Noosa style
Free flowing traffic at all times
Does not cater well for pedestrians and cyclists
The pros and cons of traffic lights
Not Noosa style
Stop/start traffic may cause backing up
Caters better for pedestrians and bicyclists
CARA intends to write to the Director General of the Department of Roads and Transport and the relevant ministers to encourage the addressing of these issues in a timely fashion.
Newsletter – April 2018
Traffic Lights for Cooroy?
Noosa Council has been informed by the State Government that the installation of traffic lights at the two congested town intersections is the preferred option for a quick solution to traffic problems at these locations.
Both roads are state roads and therefore the state is responsible for traffic management. While Noosa Council can request solutions (ie roundabouts), it is the state that funds and builds the infrastructure for their roads.
Cast your vote
With only two sets of lights in the Shire, Council obviously prefers roundabouts over lights. However, it’s obvious that something needs to be done soon. Both Mayor Wellington and Nicklin MP Marty Hunt would like feedback on the matter so a poll is being conducted.
President’s Report – 2018
Traffic congestion and traffic issues remain unsolved and peak-hour congestion is something residents have to contend with. Just recently, TMR has come up with a plan for traffic lights at the Diamond/Elm Streets and Myall/Elm Streets intersections.
Since the deadline for submissions has been moved from 17 December to 18 February 2019, CARA and the Cooroy Chamber of Commerce have decided to hold a town meeting to gauge public opinion on the various options.
Following the state election, we met with the newly elected state member for Nicklin, Marty Hunt MP. Marty has a long record of distinguished service in the police force, and an excellent grasp of grassroots issues. He came well informed about the intersection issues and was keen to listen to our concerns.
Newsletter – May 2019
Diamond/Elm Streets Intersection
In his media release on April 18, Marty Hunt (Member for Nicklin) reported that TMR has advised that “the majority of people who participated in the consultation process are against traffic lights as the solution to the safety issues at these intersections” and that he will be meeting with TMR in early May, to discuss the future for the intersections. He will meet with CARA following his talks with TMR.
Meanwhile, Noosa Council has asked CARA to present a concept plan for the Diamond/Elm St intersection. With the expected growth of the town CBD to the east of the rail line, the plan is to present the east side as an alternative retail zone with a Cooroy character. Traffic lights at this intersection would create a suburban Brisbane look that would not be appropriate for a vibrant rural retail precinct.
CARA’s plan will include an iconic roundabout that presents a distinctive eastern entrance to Cooroy, with pedestrian crossings to both new development proposals, associated traffic calming measures, and a new Transit Centre near the railway station.
Intersection Meeting Report – 2019
Over 200 residents turned out at Cooroy Memorial Hall to hear local MPs Marty Hunt and Sandy Bolton listen to concerns and answer questions on the state-controlled town intersections following a comprehensive introduction by Mayor Wellington.
Heartfelt and informed questions from the floor were well fielded by the speakers. It appears lights, the cheaper option, are more pedestrian and cyclist friendly, while roundabout users experience less severe accidents and a smoother traffic flow.
An exit poll of 115 people showed 46 people wanting lights at the Myall/Elm intersection and 60 preferring a roundabout There were 10 votes for no change.
At the Diamond/Elm intersection, 45 wanted lights while 60 voted for a roundabout. There were 11 votes for no change.
As I interpret this small poll, it shows the gap between the two options is closing from our earlier Facebook polls which showed roundabouts more than twice as popular as lights. Likely because the town wants a solution sooner, rather than later. And likely, also, because that’s the only option TMR has on the table.
It’s now up to our local members to supply TMR with details of responses from their constituents, and for TMR to collate the responses they have received via their website, before reporting back to the community.
We also need to find out more about the economic impact on roadside businesses with either lights or a roundabout on the Diamond St traders. Similar streets in Brisbane that had lights installed found many shops without decent parking options closed within a year.
It’s worth noting that TMR have indicated it can take up to four years for a budgeted proposal to be acted on by the state government, so there’s no early relief in sight. As to a new crossing of the railway, the town has been told to forget this expensive solution in the medium term.
CARA will await feedback from all submitters, before deciding to support one case or the other. Meanwhile, motorists should continue to take care negotiating these intersections.
Cooroy Traffic Intersections: Have Your Say
Location: Cooroy Memorial Hall, Maple Street
Date: Tuesday, 5 February 2019
Time: 6:00pm
Newsletter – July 2019
Diamond Street Intersection
CARA presented a concept plan for the Diamond/Elm St intersection roundabout to Noosa Council. We have long held that traffic lights at this intersection would create a suburban Brisbane look that would not be appropriate for our vibrant rural town. And we’d also like the east side of town to have the traffic calmed and pedestrian crossings and bike lanes included.
Newsletter – October 2019
As reported in the last newsletter, CARA presented a concept plan for the Diamond/Elm Street intersection roundabout to Noosa Council. We have long held that traffic lights at this intersection would create a suburban Brisbane look that would not be appropriate for our vibrant rural town.
And we’d also like the east side of town to have the traffic calmed and pedestrian crossings and bike lanes included.
Frustrated by the lack of feedback from TMR to our February meeting, Marty Hunt MP has agreed to ask questions in the current parliamentary sitting.
Our question was: “Is the Minister aware that TMR has advised that the majority of people who participated in the consultation process held in Cooroy in February this year are against traffic lights as the solution to the safety issues at the two major intersections?”
President’s Report – December 2019
CARA and the Cooroy Chamber of Commerce held a joint town meeting in February to gauge public opinion on the various options for the two congested intersections. Over 200 residents turned out to hear an introduction by Mayor Wellington, followed by talks by local MP’s, Marty Hunt and Sandy Bolton. An exit poll of 115 people showed 46 people preferring lights at the Myall/Elm intersection and 60 a roundabout. There were 10 votes for no change. At the Diamond/Elm intersection, 45 wanted lights while 60 voted for a roundabout. There were 11 votes for no change. We are still awaiting TMR’s report on the survey they conducted. Recently, Marty Hunt has asked a question of the appropriate minister in State Parliament.
Newsletter – April 2021
Cooroy Intersections Improvements
Finally, TMR has released the result of its survey taken almost two years ago. Here is a copy of its letter to Rob Skelton MP.
“TMR has undertaken early planning for the upgrade of two intersections in the town of Cooroy at Elm Street and Diamond Street, and Elm Street and Myall Street. Both traffic signals and roundabouts were investigated as potential options, with traffic signals currently identified as the preferred option for both intersection upgrades. Traffic signals will provide a cost-effective solution that improves safety for all road users, particularly for pedestrians and bike riders, with minimal property impacts.
Key stakeholders and the local community provided feedback on traffic signals as a possible future upgrade option for both intersections. TMR undertook a thorough process in evaluating the community input. We understand the local community sentiment favours a roundabout option at both intersections.
At this time, there is no funding allocated to progress the upgrades to detailed design or construction due to higher priorities across the state-controlled road network. TMR has no plans to undertake further community consultation at this time. Subject to future funding outcomes, TMR will re-engage with key stakeholders and the community.” END
As reported in the last newsletter, CARA presented a concept plan for the Diamond/Elm Street intersection roundabout to Noosa Council. We have long held that traffic lights at this intersection would create a suburban Brisbane look that would not be appropriate for our vibrant rural town. And we’d also like the east side of town to have the traffic calmed and pedestrian crossings and bike lanes included.
Newsletter – March 2022
Report on the intersections by Rob Skelton MP member for Nicklin
I recently spoke to members of the Cooroy community regarding traffic. I do not support traffic lights nor are roundabouts a long-term solution. I will be supporting a bypass and advocating that to the Minister. Just so my position is clear. I do not know what the time frame on that will be but it is the long-term solution that satisfies all public interests.
I don’t consider individual interests in this matter. That may not be satisfactory to some but that is the way forward that I will advocate. Time frame will depend on funding. I hope that clarifies some misleading posts about me made beforehand.