Advocate calls for bus shelter at Palmwoods interchange

Palmwoods residents are calling for a bus shelter to be installed at The Junction bus stop in Palmwoods, opposite Palm Grove Park on Main Street/Paskins Road.

Independent advocate for Division 5 and former Div 5 Candidate Tracy Burton has urged Sunshine Coast Council to prioritise the project, citing concerns about passenger accessibility and safety at what has become a key public transport interchange for the community. 

Since becoming Palmwoods’ primary bus interchange Ms Burton said The Junction had become a vital connection point for local residents, particularly the many high school students who travel to schools across the Sunshine Coast each day. 

“Despite its importance and daily use, the stop has never been equipped with a shelter, providing little more than a rubbish bin,” she said. “Every school day morning and afternoon, students are left exposed to rain, storms and extreme heat while waiting for their buses.”

 Local residents have described the situation as unacceptable. One resident said: “The kids absolutely need a covered space to wait.” Another said: “the kids get soaked, which isn’t great considering most carry laptops these days.”

The concern is widely shared throughout Palmwoods. Residents regularly witness students standing in all weather conditions. One local said: “I always feel sorry seeing the children there in rain and on hot days.” Another described a shelter as “common sense” and expressed hope that Council would act on the issue.

Another added, “The kids absolutely need a covered space to wait,” reflecting the overwhelming sentiment expressed by local families.

Parents have also highlighted the practical challenges created by the lack of shelter. One resident shared that during wet weather they would wait with their child in the car until the bus arrived because there was nowhere dry to stand, adding that many students are not as fortunate and are left waiting in the rain. The same resident stressed that Council should consider a substantial structure, noting that it “needs to be a long cover” capable of accommodating the large numbers of students who use the interchange each day.

The community has also offered practical suggestions for the design of the shelter. 

One Palmwoods resident recommended that it be constructed using durable materials, suggesting a structure with “steel and metal mesh side windows, and steel and aluminium seating” to better withstand vandalism and reduce ongoing maintenance costs.

Given the importance of this location, alongside the railway line, Burton welcomes Council’s response to the following questions:

• Is there a plan to design and build a bus shelter at The Junction interchange?

• Does the stop’s proximity to the railway line affect who is responsible for funding and delivering a potential shelter?

• Will Palmwoods begin to see a greater allocation of infrastructure funding in response to the high population growth?

Ms Burton, said a bus shelter at The Junction was a basic piece of public infrastructure that should be expected at a major transport interchange serving school students and the broader community.

“As Palmwoods continues to grow, it is important that our public transport infrastructure keeps pace with community needs,” Ms Burton said.

“We are calling on Council to prioritise funding for this long-overdue improvement and provide local students, commuters and residents with the safe, practical waiting area they deserve.”