Despite ongoing protest by the Residents Traffic Action Group (RTA) it is looking likely that Transport and Main Roads (TMR) will be moving forward with installing traffic signals at intersections along Shute Harbour Road upon the completion of the $31.6 million duplication project.
The location in question is on Shute Harbour Road in Cannonvale where, between the intersection at Paluma Road and Tropic Road there will soon be four lanes, allowing for increased traffic flow.
At this time, TMR have plans to install traffic lights at William Murray Drive and MacArthur Drive intersections.
Since 2006, the RTA have been campaigning for roundabouts instead of traffic lights on the roads entering Airlie Beach, with view that roundabouts are more in-keeping with our ‘village’ feel.
“This approach to the Whitsundays is what our visitors see first,” said Faye Chapman, President of the RTA.
“It is part of the Whitsundays that we have fought so hard to keep and there has been absolutely no community consultation from TMR – the first we heard of their plans was just by chance.”
In response to this, TMR state that that they have “consulted with impacted stakeholders Whitsunday Regional Council and TransLink in assessing the intersection options during the design phase of the project” and that the decision was made with safety in mind.
“Traffic signals at intersections allow for safe pedestrian crossings while promoting traffic flow,” said a TMR spokesperson.
“Safety is our number one priority when carrying out works on all of our roads.”
Ms Chapman asserts that roundabouts were in the plan from 2019 and TMR concur, saying that during the design phase they were considered but ultimately traffic lights were deemed the best option.
A traffic modelling study was undertaken by TMR identified that coordinated, signalised intersections would reduce overall travel time for road users on this section of road, particularly at William Murray Drive and Paluma Drive.
Most disappointed with the lack of community consultation and querying the modelling used to ascertain traffic counts, Ms Chapman took the issue to an independent company, Pekol Traffic and Transport, who saw 14 separate issues with the current plan.
Following this review, Ms Chapman has taken the matter to the state government and received a message last Friday confirming that the Queensland Ombudsman has decided to investigate the complaint about lack of community consultation.
There is now a small window where community consultation may provide a clearer representation of what local residents need.
2006 Residents Traffic Action peaceful protest at Shute Harbour and Paluma Road intersection which is now signalised
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