Maleny celebrity agent Ian “Dicko” Dickson is calling for better transport safety for Sunshine Coast musicians and punters.

Dicko says he continues to see teenagers in lines at 2am waiting for Ubers. And if a better transport system isn’t implemented sooner, people might be hurt.

He says the lack of a safe public transport system has been stunted the ability for the Coast’s music community to thrive.

“There’s room for growth (in our Coast’s entertainment industry) but not without the support from the powers that be,” Dicko says.

“People talk about Nambour being a big music precinct, but how do we link that to the beachside suburbs?

“It’s hard for (concert goers) to get home on a Saturday night. How do u get to Maleny? Nambour? Maroochydore?

“There’s not enough Ubers, and I’m seeing massive long lines of kids trying to get home. That’s a safety issue for parents.”

He says in order to have a sustainable entertainment industry on the Coast, a “community of musicians who can stay here” is necessary.

“We have to create an environment where people want to work here, instead of running off to the big smoke. 

“Destinations like the Sunshine Coast are becoming a lot more creative and we need to utilise that, and create that community so people can (benefit from it).”

The Coast’s heavily rail line expected to carry 700 passengers

Last month the State Government revealed more details on its planned 37km direct heavy rail line from Beerwah to Maroochydore. The line will accomodate trains with speeds of up to 160km/hr, with each train carrying some 720 passengers.

The Government’s proposal also includes a major interchange upgrade with a four-lane motorway at Kawana. Environmental surveys are currently being conducted in the area.

Sunshine Coast Mass Transit Action Group president Tracey Goodwin-McDonald said the Coast desperately needed a better public transport to support music events all throughout the region, but not an “expensive 13km light rail that connects to nothing”.

“A connection from Brisbane to Maroochydore is a must. We then need a flexible system that runs north-south, and east-west to connect all of the people on the Coast.

“The business case the Council has done rates light rail as the best option for the coast. It is not. They want it because it enables them to rezone for high rises along our beach areas, not because it is a good solution for the whole region.

“If you have a music event in Nambour you need transport to Nambour. A $3 billion light rail from Maroochydore to Birtinya won’t help!”

Residents divided over heavy rail on Sunshine Coast

A Kawana resident, who wishes to unnamed, says the plan includes two lanes in the middle of Nicklin Way.

“Beach-goers won’t use it. You can’t retro-fill suburban sprawl with infrastructure – it needs to be pre-planned.

“Trying to densify along the light rail route to justify light rail is proven to not work. We are a community of car drivers and it is just a smoke screen for pro-development. Electric buses connecting the coast with the heavy rail is a better option.”

A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesperson says the current proposed line will complement the planned Sunshine Coast Public Transport Project.

The train will meet the future needs of the southern Sunshine Coast “while protecting its natural environment and lifestyle”.

“The Coast is South East Queensland’s third largest urban area, with most of its population located in the southern Coast area between Beerwah and Maroochydore,” the spokesperson says.

ShapingSEQ estimates that by 2041, an additional 190,000 people will need homes on the Coast. This requires 87,000 more dwellings, generating more than 800,000 daily trips, according to the department.

“Most of this growth is expected to occur in the southern Coast area.”

After several attempts to contact State Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton, he was not available for comment.

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