Maroochydore City Centre is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to design a connected, sustainable, and thriving city from the ground up, starting with how people move and get around.

We recently sat down with Sally Stannard, the Director-General at the Department of Transport and Main Roads to talk about why public transport matters, what makes the Sunshine Coast unique, and how good transport planning can transform lives.

Sally’s career began in civil engineering and transport research. But she quickly found herself asking why we weren’t seeing the progress we needed. That question eventually led her into Government, where she now helps shape some of the Queensland’s biggest public transport projects.

For Sally, transport is about access and opportunity.

“Transport changes people’s lives,” she says. “When you see someone get a job because they can get to the interview – or take their kids to the beach for the first time because they finally have a way to get there – that’s when you understand its power.”

Transit-oriented development in action

Maroochydore City Centre is one of the few places in Australia being developed with a clear focus on transport from day one. This approach, known as transit-oriented development (TOD), ensures people are at the centre of planning decisions.

Rather than retrofitting transport into an already built environment, TOD integrates land use and transport planning upfront. It means designing places that are walkable, with access to high-quality public and active transport, and a mix of homes, jobs, services and green space.

According to Sally, it’s all about balance.

“When we get the land use mix right, and build public transport into that mix early, we create places where people want to live, work and connect,” she says.

She sees the planning happening here in Maroochydore City Centre as a standout example.

“Seeing the bold decision to create a city heart for the Sunshine Coast, and back it with transport investment, is incredibly exciting. It is ambitious, but it’s exactly what’s needed,” Sally says.

The Wave and the path ahead

The Sunshine Coast is growing rapidly but remains heavily car dependent. It has one of the highest per-capita vehicle ownership rates in the country. For many, car travel is still the only viable option.

That is beginning to shift, and plans are in place to help accelerate that change.

The Queensland Government’s proposed transport vision for the region, known as The Wave, includes a new direct rail line and high-frequency metro-style bus network to connect the region’s key centres, including Maroochydore, Caloundra, Beerwah and the Sunshine Coast Airport.

The Wave aims to give people a real choice by offering a service that’s fast, frequent, accessible and easy to use.

Sally believes the potential of this network lies in its simplicity.

“We want systems designed by experts, but that anyone can use. Services that run every 15 minutes. Networks that are legible. Ticketing that’s seamless,” she says. “These are the things that make a real difference.”

Why this matters for the Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast is a long, linear region, shaped by its natural beauty. With growth forecast to continue, now is the time to think differently about how we move.

Sally believes the community is ready.

“There’s already a strong environmental awareness here. From high rates of electric vehicle ownership to a passion for the natural environment, people care about sustainability,” she says. “But to shift more people onto public transport, the system has to meet them halfway. It has to be reliable. Comfortable. Worth choosing,” Sally says.

She points to The Wave’s proposed high-frequency services and the region’s commitment to integrated land use and transport as key steps forward.

“This isn’t about the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” she says. “It’s about building the transport system the region needs anyway, and doing it in a way that delivers long-term value for the community.”

Working together to get it right

Sally is under no illusion that this will be easy. But she is optimistic.

“There are a lot of players involved. And that can be overwhelming,” she says. “But it’s also a strength. Different perspectives, different skill sets – That’s how we get to great outcomes.”

She believes the secret lies in collaboration and iteration.

“We won’t get it perfect the first time. But if we keep working together – government, community, business – we can create something uniquely Sunshine Coast.”

Maroochydore City Centre is already showing what’s possible when transport and land use planning work hand in hand. By planning early and investing wisely, the Sunshine Coast can deliver a transport system that supports how people live, work and connect. Getting this right means better access to jobs and education, less congestion, and a healthier, more inclusive region for generations to come.