ALL

The weather has again dished it out to Queensland this summer with cyclones, storms and flooding rains.

While our thoughts and focus are rightly on Far North Queensland and the Gold Coast with power and road crews rushing to restore services and access, Member for Glass House Andrew Powell has taken the opportunity to remind the new Minister for Main Roads there is work still needed to repair roads damaged from similar events nearly two years ago.

 

In early 2022, a drain on Kilcoy-Beerwah Road at Cedarton failed and half the road slipped away.  Rightly, one lane was closed and traffic lights installed to allow regulated usage of the road. However, this was only ever intended to be a band-aid fix until design and construction work could properly – and safely – mend the road.

 

“It’s been 686 days of locals, tourists and business operators having to sit at the lone traffic light on Kilcoy-Beerwah Road and there doesn’t seem to be a start, let alone an end, in sight for the roadworks,” reflected Mr Powell.

 

“I understand that there are more immediate priorities following the recent cyclone and storms, but how much longer are Hinterland locals going to be asked to wait?”

 

When asked on several occasions last year, the Department of Transport and Main Roads stated that rectification works will require multiple design elements due to the steep embankment failure and the high risk rating the site received during the post-flood inspection.

 

They’ve also mentioned that significant work has already been undertaken to complete detailed damage assessments and site investigations, but they cannot confirm the timing for when a contract for construction will be announced and works commenced.

 

“I have written to the new Minister for Main Roads to remind him of the long overdue repairs. Because from where I stand the community have just been abandoned,” concluded Mr Powell.