Frustrated Aura residents are navigating daily gridlocked traffic jams on their way to work and school, facing peak hour chaos on Bells Creek Arterial and Bellvista Boulevard.
Nirrimba mother Toni said it often took her more than 45mins to commute to her son’s daycare in Currimundi.
“Some days I am not even on Caloundra Road by that point – it has literally taken me one hour to get to Currimundi before,” she said.
“But there were no daycare places for my son inside Aura so what choice do I have?
“It adds so much unnecessary stress to our day every morning because they didn’t plan for us to actually live here and need to leave here to get to work.”
Caloundra West resident John Johnson said he managed to get out of the area for a 7:15am appointment in Maroochydore, but coming back home was a different story.
“When I came back an hour later, it was a complete shit fight for those heading up Bellvista Blvd towards Caloundra Rd – that intersection needs traffic lights,” Mr Johnson said.
“If I go grocery shopping at around 8am it will take me over 20 minutes just to get to Caloundra Road.
“Up past Dumbarton Drive when you get to the next roundabout at Belcarra Place, people block that intersection and people coming out of Belcarra can’t turn right.
“Politicians don’t care – they only care about building housing estates here and not caring about roads and other infrastructure.”
A Transport and Main Roads spokesperson told The Aura Post they were “addressing growing transport needs on the southern Sunshine Coast with several key projects”.
Departmental figures revealed state-controlled Caloundra Road carried an annual average of about 34,000 vehicles per day around the Bellvista Boulevard and Caloundra Road section.
“A business case is being finalised to replace the Caloundra Road, Bells Creek Arterial, and Kawana Way Link roundabout with a signalised intersection, reducing congestion and improving safety,” the spokesperson said.
“Planning is also underway for the Kawana Motorway, connecting Parrearra to Meridan Plains.”
“Other projects include a new road from Aura to Pelican Waters, a connection from Aura to the Bruce Highway, and the Nicklin Way, Third Avenue extension to ease congestion.
“Stage 1 of the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line will provide new rail connections between Beerwah and Caloundra, reducing traffic.
“The project will also enhance bus services and active transport options.”
