By Sonia Isaacs
A MOOLOOLAH resident is calling for urgent safety upgrades on Diamond Valley Road following the death of 43-year-old Nathan Grosse, who was struck and killed on January 24.
Nathan, a long-term resident of Diamond Valley Lodge, died after being hit by a vehicle along the stretch of road between Bray Road and Taylor Court, directly behind the home of Alex Rixon, who has since launched a petition seeking change.
“I knew Nathan from the local café, he was a lovely bloke,” Mr Rixon said. “It was a big shock when it happened.”
The section of Diamond Valley Road has no continuous footpath and limited street lighting.
For much of the 60km/h stretch, lighting is almost non-existent, forcing pedestrians and cyclists onto narrow shoulders.
Mr Rixon said he fears others remain at risk, including children riding into town and lodge residents with limited mobility.
“The biggest concern is that there are other people at risk,” he said. “If we delay, it creates a black spot where it could happen again.”
In the weeks since Nathan’s memorial, Mr Rixon has contacted all three levels of government: Sunshine Coast Council, state MP, Andrew Powell, and federal MP, Andrew Wallace, and launched a petition calling for a formal safety assessment.
The petition seeks extended street lighting and completion of the footpath to the lodge. About 90 residents have signed so far, both online and on paper.
Diamond Valley Lodge director and social worker Jasmine DeCarlo described Nathan as “one of the kindest, most beautiful souls” and said the tragedy highlighted the vulnerability of residents who value independence.
“Nathan was a very independent person … he didn’t like to identify as having a disability, and he liked to go about his activities on his own,” she said. “There definitely needs to be street lighting, and the path extended.”
Member for Glass House Andrew Powell said he had been made aware of the petition and, while noting Diamond Valley Road was a council-maintained road, had referred the request directly to Division 5 Councillor Winston Johnston.
Cr Johnston acknowledged community concerns and said while council faces nearly $20 million in footpath requests across the division, the recent fatality may allow an application under the Federal Government’s Black Spot Program.
“As the local councillor, I want to acknowledge the sincere and heartfelt concerns raised by residents about safety on Diamond Valley Road, particularly in light of the tragic loss of life there recently,” Cr Johnston said, commending Mr Rixon and the wider community for highlighting the risks.
A spokesperson for Mr Wallace confirmed he had been contacted and said the federal MP “welcomed any suggestions from Sunshine Coast Council regarding nominations he can champion at a federal level” for road safety funding.