A Dangerous Highway Death Trap

MP Calls Out Transport Minister For Lack Of Community Consultation

Image: Amanda Camm MP, Member for Whitsunday, discusses the Bruce Highway upgrades with residents, from left, Frank Cortis, Andrew Sherry, Bill and Madalyn Kingsbury

The Member for Whitsunday, Amanda Camm MP, is calling on Mark Bailey, Minister for Transport and Mains Road and his department, Transport and Main Roads (TMR) to listen to the locals.

This comes after Ms Camm attended a meeting with locals from Farleigh who have been impacted by roadworks on the Knobels Road, Nebia Coningsby Rd intersection on the Bruce Highway.

Ms Camm said that there has been little to no communication with the residents who regularly use this stretch of road, some of whom have allegedly been advised by TMR to access their property in what locals describe as a dangerous and unacceptable way.

“TMR has forgotten what community consultation actually means. It doesn’t mean informing residents of their plans with no intention of listening to feedback or altering design plans”, Ms Camm said.

Camm Calls For Considered Consultation On Roadworks

Image: MP Amanda Camm met with residents, farmers, contractors and a home business who have been impacted by the Knobels Rd and Nebia-Conningsby Rd Intersection upgrades from Farleigh to Conningsby. Photo supplied: Amanda Camm

Along the section of the Bruce Highway from Farleigh to Conningsby, Ms Camm said there are residents who have lived along this section of the Bruce Highway for more than 50 years.

“But TMR won’t consider their local knowledge and input,” Ms Camm continued.

“The current design might be fixing the Knobels Road, Nebia Coningsby intersection but it is making this section of the Bruce Highway more dangerous, not only for these residents, but everyone who travels this stretch of highway.”

Ms Camm added that it has been pointed out to TMR that their design will put lives at risk and will restrict certain residents from being able to operate their business, but they won’t consider these issues because they don’t want to change their design.

“The arrogance of TMR is astounding!  To actually inform residents to make illegal traffic moves to enter their own driveway, to compensate for their flawed design is frightening,” she said.

“It is just another case of a Queesland Government Minister, refusing to take accountability for their departments.”

Ms Camm said that there has been limited access for months to sidings for cane haulage, adding additional stress to farmers who are already caught in a wetter-than-usual crushing season, adding that she has written to Minister Bailey on the matter.

“I invited him or his representative to the meeting I had this week with concerned locals, but as usual my office has had no response.  

“This government has given up listening to the people. You cannot sit back and watch your departments keep making decisions that negatively impact the lives of Queenslanders.

“We’ve seen the Health Minister, and the Local Member, the Assistant Health Minister, Julieanne Gilbert, take no responsibility for the current health crisis at Mackay Base Hospital. We’ve seen the Environment Minister and the Premier take no action for the anguish they have forced onto the residents of Eungella and the Pioneer Valley over their thought bubble Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro Announcement. We’ve seen Minister Bailey take no responsibility for TMR’s lack of consultation on the Mackay Port’s draft master plan or local road projects such as this.  When will it end?” Ms Camm asked.

“I am calling on Minister Bailey and TMR to communicate with the locals so everyone understands the design of this upgrade and how it will impact them.  And I am calling on the Minister and TMR to listen to local feedback and change the design, so it doesn’t impact local residents and put motorists’ lives in danger, as it currently stands.”

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