Currie Street, Nambour’s Main Street, which should be the jewel in the crown of an otherwise bustling CBD, seems to struggle to fill empty shops and attract customers. Last week the Gazette posed questions to readers ... What’s up with Currie Street? Why the empty shops? How do we fix it?  We received many replies which we’ll cover in coming weeks. But we especially  appreciated a reply from proud Nambour resident and business owner for over 25 years, Ian Black, who captured the history of the issue and some possible solutions ...   

Nothing is wrong with Currie Street. That is if you accept its function of today is solely to connect the north side of Nambour and the south side and guide traffic  to the Bruce Highway. And nothing is wrong with Currie Street if you think it’s purpose is to give the false impression that Nambour is  dying, by those who quickly glance at the ‘For Lease’ signs and drive on through town. 

Time has not treated Currie Street all that well. In the 1970s and early 80s Currie Street was a shopping strip. Woolworths burning down in the early 80s was the catalyst for change. By the 1980s shopping malls were at the forefront of retail shopping and strip shopping took a back seat. The establishment of Nambour Plaza and Nambour Central Mall redirected retail shopping from Currie Street to Lowe and Ann Streets.  Then Currie Street’s mainstay, Coles supermarket, relocated to Mill Lane.  

To fix the problem Currie Street should be made less convenient for motorists to use it as a highway. Reduce it to one lane each way to create intentional congestion and drivers will re-educate themselves to a more time saving route. Replace the second lane with parking to service destination style retail like Jaycar and Autobarn. For those in the know, Currie Street, up until 1989, was the Bruce Highway and no attention has been paid to changing it as a major thoroughfare since the Bruce was diverted around Nambour in 1989. A lack of attention by planners — local and state, concentrating only on coastal growth, while paying little attention to existing infrastructure — is to blame.

Traffic calming needed

Until traffic calming happens in Currie Street, Nambour will not overcome “the what has happened to Nambour” syndrome. Currie Street is still just a highway, a commuter route, little more.

What happened to the proposals of more than a decade ago from a think tank study, commissioned by Council with community involvement, aimed at reviewing the role and make-up of Nambour CBD? One of the outcomes from the study put forward the re-routing of traffic from Currie Street?

Why the abandonment of diverting hinterland traffic down Windsor Road to connect through western Burnside, then connect with McKenzie Road and then to Nambour Connection Road.  The opportunity is now lost with the land passed on to Nambour Christian College, as erstwhile an institution as it is.

Nambour has it all

Putting Currie Street to one side for a moment, Nambour has it all. The town has the best range of Educational opportunities. We have Nambour station delivering heavy rail north and south with a renewed focus on fast rail to Brisbane; a major  hospital and medical facilities; and all manner of services and shopping a community needs on a daily basis. All of this so easily accessible. Park once under Nambour Plaza and get your weekly shopping done. Go to all the banks, all  the majors as well as Heritage and Bendigo. Access two of Nambour’s largest medical practices; 3 dental clinics; a choice of 3 pharmacies; a major radiology centre; two pathology clinics; 4 optometrists; 2 hearing clinics; insurance  and finance brokers; solicitors – all this and you only have to park once. 

Where else on the Sunshine Coast is there such outstanding convenience? 

Those who only use Currie Street as a means to get to another destination have no idea what  Nambour truly is about and what the town delivers for residents the Hinterland Region.

Yes, Nambour does it differently but does it well! It is the largest town in the Sunshine Coast region that can still be geographically defined. It has a heart and soul and residents who love their community. Nambour offers  residents of the region so much by way of infrastructure and services developed over a century or more all of which remain so relevant today. Nambour was the hub that gave the region it’s beginning, it’s residents still taking  great pride in seeing what the early years gave birth to, Maroochydore and Mooloolaba. Both now linked to Caloundra and Noosa creating one of Australia’s most recognised regions and sought after places to live and visit. 

Nambour and Surrounds and Coastal suburbia are recognised in quite different ways today. The old towns and villages of the Coast  offer exceptional diversity to our lovely beaches to provide an outstanding uniqueness for a Geographic Region so small in such a big country.

Projects are underway to add to the liveability of our town, Reimagine Nambour just one that is well progressed and most recently ushered in its ‘I am Nambour’ branding campaign.  The recently opened Tram Depot has already provided a focal point for community. Enquiries to book the venue for weddings have already come in.  

Nambour is truly “The Hub of the Hinterland”. Where would we be without all it does for its community and Hinterland surrounds? How congested would our Coastal Centres be if not for Nambour. Nambour has to be regarded as an important partner for Maroochydore Central and attention and funds allocated accordingly.

Nambour, change for the future has begun and will gather pace. We must be noticed. As Nambourians all, our voice needs to get louder.

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