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Avoid Traffic Congestion at University
18 February 2006
Both before, and in the midst of, Orientation activities for
commencing students this week, there have been continuing
discussions between various stakeholders about the future of Sippy
Downs.
In addition, next week we embark on a five-year review of the
University Master Plan. We are deeply conscious of the growing
urban fabric around us and we need to gauge the impact of that on
the University campus and in other forums on Sippy Downs
generally.
This week we have seen several instances of dogs on the campus
worrying the kangaroos. If this happens on an increasing scale then
the eventual result is obvious. We need everyone's cooperation,
including visitors and Chancellor Park residents, to ensure no
domestic animals are ever brought on to campus if we want to
protect this place as an environmental sanctuary. The kangaroos are
wild, so we should stay away, respect them, and stick to the
paths.
One of the most significant issues remains the hospital location
but that will not be resolved for a few months.
Pivotal for all of Sippy Downs is the eventual road network. As
everyone knows at certain times of day there is considerable
congestion on Stringybark Road and Sippy Downs Drive.
The discussions of new designs for roads continues, led by the
Department of Main Roads and Maroochy Shire Council. We are hopeful
that by mid-2007 we will have resolved, or be near resolving the
current problems.
But that means we have about eighteen months to cope with those
parts of days where there will be almost standstill.
Next Monday, for example, thousands of students will be coming
to the University, most for about 8 or 9 o'clock.
I'd like to urge people to use public transport whenever
possible, and whether they travel by private or public transport,
to be as patient as possible.
The eventual solution, I am confident, will be a good one with
entry and exit points at Sippy Downs for travel to and from all
points on the compass, but this is going to take some time.
The current roads and roundabouts are strained to capacity, and
beyond, at peak hours and it behoves everyone who can, to avoid
those peaks, starting next Monday.
At this time last year we regularly had tailbacks onto the
Motorway system and that, of course, is potentially very dangerous,
especially when unexpected deceleration has to occur for
fast-moving traffic bound, for example, for Brisbane.
If you can get to Sippy Downs by bus, early or late, then I'd
urge you to do so, both to avoid choked roads with schools,
university, commuter and business traffic, but also to minimise
parking problems on a campus where cars should not intrude on areas
we have designated as wildlife protection areas where kangaroos
should have sanctuary.
Professor Paul Thomas is Vice-Chancellor of University of
the Sunshine Coast