“Somebody Please Do Something” Resident Pleads For Action Over Goorganga Plains Safety Concerns

‍

Long-awaited flood-immunity works proposed for Goorganga Plains near Proserpine are continuing to progress following years of flooding and highway closures along the notoriously flood-prone stretch of the Bruce Highway, however some residents say concerns remain about road safety through the area in its current condition.

The proposed Goorganga Plains Floodplain Upgrade forms part of broader Bruce Highway resilience planning aimed at improving flood immunity, reducing closures and strengthening one of Queensland’s most important freight and transport corridors.

‍

The area has long been regarded as one of the Whitsundays region’s most flood-affected sections of highway, regularly becoming impassable during major weather events and cutting access between Mackay and the Whitsundays.

‍

However, local resident Denise Hadley said she believes the current road conditions are extremely dangerous and claims repeated attempts to raise concerns with authorities continue to go unanswered.

“I’m gobsmacked. It’s infuriating, it’s disappointing, and I feel like it’s going to take somebody getting incredibly hurt for someone to listen,” she said.

‍

Ms Hadley explained she had contacted the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) almost daily regarding concerns surrounding the road conditions but claimed she had received little acknowledgement in response.

‍

“It’s really not good enough. You’re [TMR] supposed to make that road safe for everybody,” she said.

‍

Ms Hadley has also contacted the Queensland Transport Minister’s office multiple times and had attempted to escalate the matter further through other government offices.

‍

“I don’t know what has to happen for someone to take this seriously,” she said.

‍

Ms Hadley claimed the road surface was rough and said reduced speed limits and temporary line markings through the area had heightened her concerns.

“It’s disheartening,” she said.

‍

Despite her frustrations, Ms Hadley said she intended to continue pushing for action.

“I will continue to call, and I will continue to be the squeaky wheel,” she said.

‍

“I just want all of those departments to be very aware — and I’ve written this in emails — that if somebody gets hurt out there, it’s on you. You have been made fully aware that there’s something wrong with this road.”

‍

Since first raising her concerns publicly on social media in May 2025, Ms Hadley continues to plead with authorities to investigate the stretch of highway, and has continuously echoed, she will keep campaigning until action is taken.  

‍

According to publicly available project information, the proposed floodplain upgrade is intended to improve safety, flood resilience and freight reliability along the Bruce Highway corridor.

‍

Life Publishing Group has contacted the Department of Transport and Main Roads for comment regarding the concerns raised by residents surrounding the Goorganga Plains section of the Bruce Highway, with further coverage to follow next week pending a response from the department.

‍