Sunshine Coast Council, QLD
Sunshine Coast Mobility Map—Connecting Community Infrastructure
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The Project
Footpath infrastructure creates social connectivity, supporting almost every aspect of daily life. For local economies, footpaths bring residents and visitors to every business' front door. For travellers, every public transport journey starts and ends on a footpath. Footpaths deliver greater return on investment in transport systems, reducing our reliance on cars, and opening more sustainable routes for low-emission journeys by residents and visitors alike.
Studies have shown that lack of perceived safety and lack of awareness of viable routes are key inhibitors to footpath usage. By enabling awareness of existing footpath routes, communities can reinvigorate precincts that have high social, economic and recreational value but are constrained by busy road traffic or poor perception of transport and connectivity options. By focusing on existing routes, these gains can be achieved without spending on capital works.
With this in mind, the Sunshine Coast Council partnered with Briometrix to undertake a revolutionary pilot project focused on inclusivity and mobility, aiming to change the way our community travels across popular areas of the Sunshine Coast.
The mobility map identifies footpaths and trails accessible by people of all abilities, from mums and dads with toddlers in tow to the elderly with walkers, people using mobility aids, and anyone on wheels. So, by publishing routes that work for wheelchair users, the whole community benefits. Paths are graded by Effort required to travel the pathway by an average wheelchair pilot.
This interactive map also includes details of almost 100 local amenities, council facilities and recreation venues, along with connecting public transport and accessible accommodation between Maroochydore and Mooloolaba.
The Award Category
The award recognises local government projects which:
- utilise technological innovations or regulatory changes
- consider sustainability, liveability and productivity in investment strategies and planning
- address long-term infrastructure priorities and offer clear economic productivity benefits.
Australia's infrastructure and transport systems make a positive impact by:
- connecting cities and regions in a way which supports population growth
- providing safe and efficient transport links and service delivery and
- strengthening and diversifying regional economic bases by better connecting industries to markets and customers.