A road extension is being delivered between Third Avenue from Arthur Street to Nicklin Way and will create a new entry into the Caloundra CBD and reduce delays at the Caloundra Road/Nicklin Way roundabout.

This connection is part of a staged network solution for the intersection of Caloundra Road, Nicklin Way and Pelican Waters Boulevard, and forms part of the Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade (CTCU) which is being delivered in conjunction with the Sunshine Coast Council (SCC).

During the concept design you told us your concerns regarding the project's impact on the community and environment, in particular Ben Bennett Bushland Park. Now that planning for the Nicklin Way and Third Avenue extension project is complete, and detailed design is underway, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and SCC have established a Stakeholder Interest Group (SIG).

TMR and SCC called for community members to join the SIG between 15 August and 5 September 2022.

The map below shows the Nicklin Way/Third Avenue section of the CTCU. Refer to the SCC project webpage for further details about both sections of the CTCU.

The role of the SIG is to enable community input into the Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade (CTCU), including the Nicklin Way and Third Avenue extension. Understanding a shared vision for the future of the area will ensure the best possible outcome to improve the connectivity of Caloundra's CBD. The SIG will provide an opportunity for community issues to be addressed by the project team.

• To facilitate further community involvement in the project.
• To incorporate community feedback and suggestions to assist with decision-making.
• To increase community understanding about the project, its opportunities and constraints.
• To facilitate more effective responses from the project team to resolve issues and concerns.

• To share local knowledge between community stakeholders, TMR and SCC.
• To test ideas and approaches and act as a ‘sounding board’ for the project team.
• To encourage the development of a collegiate and cooperative relationship between TMR, SCC and stakeholders to understand issues that affect the community.
• To provide comment on project design and construction planning.
• To act as conduit to the broader community to share information and generate understanding about the project within the terms of the SIG.

A panel consisting of senior representatives from TMR, SCC and the project's community engagement team, considered all applications.

The panel selected:

• members from a range of ages and demographics within the project area
• members from a balance of interests including residents, community/interest groups, businesses, community facilities, transport, environmental and tourism interests
• a diverse representation across demographics, cultures and interests to promote a diversity of voices.

Applicants needed to demonstrate how they would articulate their involvement in the community, who they would provide SIG updates to and how these updates would be communicated.

There are 8 members of the SIG. These members are:

• Jackie Steele
• Jude Crighton
• Katie Wilke
• Clodagh Barwise-Smith
• Linus Vickers
• Angus Booker
• Elisa Weiser
• Peter McCarthy

The SIG operates in line with the Terms of Reference (found in the document library on the right-hand side of this page).