A community group fighting to have its say on a controversial coastal bike path fears upcoming consultation on a mass transit solution will pay nothing more than lip service. Concerns were raised after Sunshine Coast Council awarded a $330,000 tender for the public consultation to Brisbane-based firm Articulous. Articulous has been tasked with delivering a community engagement strategy for the mass transit business case, which has light rail as the preferred option to run along the coastal fringe. The Beach Matters, a group of Alexandra Headland residents formed in a bid to secure better designs of the M2M Cycleway project the Department of Transport and Main Roads was currently engaged in, feared they would not be heard during the upcoming consultation.
Concept designs of transport options for the Sunshine Coast Mass Transit Plan. Its website says it is the go-to firm for tough projects, working with both the private and public sectors to change the way people think and act . Articulous has worked on high profile projects, including Australia s largest community engagement initiative for a future Brisbane blueprint which received input from 100,000 people. A council spokesman said Articulous was one of several engagement specialists to submit ideas on how consultation should be run. Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson was one of three councillors to vote against the new community consultation.
WITHOUT customer support over Christmas, hospitality and nighttime venues may not be here next year, a Salisbury partnership has warned. Hospitality operators across the city reopened last week after the second national lockdown, but must follow Tier 2 measures across the festive season. This includes a closing time of 11pm, accepting guests from the same bubble only, and only serving alcohol with a substantial meal. As a result venue owners fear they may not be here next year and are urging for residents support. Amanda Newbery, of Chapel Nightclub, Vestry Bar, Duke of York pub and the Purple Flag steering group, said: My heart goes out to all the licensees and their staff this Christmas.