A $15 million investment in Noosa’s public transport network is set to bolster bus services across the northern Sunshine Coast, with operator Kinetic officially opening a new depot in Noosaville.
The purpose-built facility on Production Street has capacity for 32 buses and more than 80 staff, strengthening the region’s transport infrastructure as passenger numbers surge. Patronage across Kinetic’s Sunshine Coast services has risen 20 per cent in the past 12 months, reflecting record demand for buses in Noosa and beyond.
Kinetic Group CEO Michael Sewards said the new Noosaville depot was a direct response to that growth.
“We’re seeing more people choosing buses on the Sunshine Coast than ever before, and that trend is only going to accelerate,” Mr Sewards said.
“Affordable fares, better infrastructure and growing communities are all driving passenger demand, and this depot ensures we can deliver reliable services now and scale up as the network expands.”
The investment comes as the Sunshine Coast enters a significant growth phase, with the population forecast to exceed 640,000 by 2046. Major infrastructure projects, new housing developments and upgrades ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games are expected to further increase transport needs across Noosa and the wider region.
Mr Sewards said buses would play a crucial role in the region’s multi-modal future, particularly with the planned introduction of The Wave passenger rail project, which will connect communities along the Coast.
“As The Wave comes online, the bus network will be critical to linking communities to rail and increasing service frequency,” he said.
Kinetic Managing Director (Australia) Matthew Campbell said the Noosaville depot would deliver immediate benefits for local passengers.
“The Noosaville Depot allows us to respond more quickly to network requirements in the Noosa area, where high traffic volumes often cause delays, improving service reliability for passengers across the northern Sunshine Coast,” he said.
The facility is expected to cut more than 400,000 kilometres of non-service travel each year, reducing CO2 emissions by an estimated 502 tonnes and saving more than 176,000 litres of diesel annually.
Importantly for Noosa’s transport future, the depot has been built electric-ready, with charging infrastructure and transformers installed to support zero-emission buses as they are introduced.
Among those who attended today’s official opening were Brent Mickelberg MP, Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Sandy Bolton MP for Noosa, Michael Sewards, Kinetic Group CEO, Matt Campbell, Kinetic Managing Director (Australia) and Keely Abbot, Kinetic Manager (Sunshine Coast Region).
