The Blackall Range could soon see transformative walking and cycling pathways linking Mapleton to Maleny and even Nambour, but only if coordinated community lobbying can unlock vital state and federal funding.
Max Standage, vice president of the Mapleton and District Community Association (MADCA), has issued a stark update on Sunshine Coast Council’s draft Active Transport Plan, released following last year’s public consultation. The plan maps an ambitious network of off-road shared paths across the region, including a potential game-changer for Range residents: a continuous pathway from Mapleton through Flaxton and Montville to Maleny, plus a cycle route south to Nambour.
Yet, as Max notes, these are aspirational lines on a map. Off-road shared pathways cost between $1.5 million and $3 million per kilometre to build, a figure that dwarfs available grants. Queensland’s Active Transport Grants Program totals just $15 million statewide, covering up to 50 per cent of eligible projects, while the federal National Transport Fund allocates $100 million nationally for micro-mobility infrastructure. For context, the state’s Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) recently committed $6.1 million for a shared pathway between Beerwah and Landsborough.
“The plan shows what’s possible, but funding this infrastructure will primarily depend on state and federal government support,” Max writes. “The next step will be to secure funding for this project, which will require coordinated lobbying of all levels of government.”
Community Advocacy Delivers Results, Now the Hard Part Begins
Years of sustained pressure from grassroots groups has already borne fruit. The Blackall Range Lions, Montville Village Association (MVA), and MADCA have lobbied Council and TMR for safer short-trip options to cut car reliance, boost health, and draw active tourists.
Their efforts are credited with securing the Mapleton–Maleny corridor’s place in the draft plan. Division 5 Councillor Winston Johnston has backed construction of a pathway along Western Avenue in Montville, where works are now underway. Meanwhile, Division 10 Councillor David Law has championed an extension from Mapleton towards Flaxton and Kondalilla Falls Road, with an engineering design study completed, but funding still pending.
Max calls for a unified push across local, state, and federal tiers to turn plans into paths. “Lobbying by local organisations and individuals has achieved results,” he states, urging residents to build on this momentum.
Olympics as a Potential Circuit-Breaker?
Max flags a wildcard: the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. He suggests a road race is likely to traverse a Blackall Range section from Maleny to Montville, offering global exposure and a possible funding lever. The planned pathway, he argues, would provide safe viewing vantage points for spectators.
While Olympic organisers continue to refine competition venues and routes in consultation with delivery partners, including Sunshine Coast Council, no final decisions have been confirmed. Early candidature documents highlighted Alexandra Headland as a proposed road cycling hub, but hinterland details remain fluid.
For tourism operators, accommodation providers, and ratepayers, the prospect carries high stakes: international TV coverage and visitor surges, balanced against road closures and event costs.
Visible Progress, Lingering Gaps
Concrete wins offer hope amid the uncertainty. Western Avenue’s pathway, stage two now funded at $100,000 in Council’s capital works, demonstrates what targeted advocacy can deliver. Yet the Mapleton–Flaxton extension highlights divisional inequities, with its engineering study complete but dollars elusive.
Max’s analysis underscores why plans often stall: the Coastal Pathway alone spans 73 kilometres, far outstripping current grant pools. Cheaper interim measures, painted lanes, signage, or road-sharing tweaks, may bridge gaps, though Council documents are silent on Range-specific applications.
Call to Action for Range Residents
This draft plan represents the strongest foundation yet for a connected Blackall Range. Walkers, cyclists, families, the elderly, and tourism businesses stand to gain from safe, short-trip options that reduce traffic and promote wellbeing.
Max Standage’s message is clear: the community’s voice got us here, now it must secure the shovels. With Olympics planning advancing and grant cycles opening, coordinated letters, deputations, and submissions to Councillors Johnston and Law, TMR, and federal ministers could tip the scales.
Residents keen to contribute can contact MADCA via madca.com.au, join the Blackall Range Lions, or follow MVA updates. The pathway to progress runs through collective action.
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