FEARS of serious or even fatal accidents at rapidly deteriorating sections of Maleny-Kenilworth Rd have prompted concerned residents to lobby State Parliament to address the issue.
The poorly maintained road between Maleny and Witta is a bad accident waiting to happen according to local residents Dennis Hensby and Tony Hartley who have organised a petition to demand action.
The petition states that population increase along with industry and tourism demands have placed current road infrastructure beyond its intended limits.
The residents say the road surface is narrow with blind spots and sight line obstructions on corners, aggravated by the lack of frequent roadside vegetation management especially in the spring and summer growing season.
“Heavy vehicle numbers … have increased due to population increases and related building activity,” the petition states.
“This has advanced the deterioration of the road structure.”
“In places (e.g. Fleiter Hill) the narrow road has very deep, steep and dangerous drains adjacent to the seal, with barely enough width for large trucks passing in the opposite direction. Some intersections (e.g. Maleny-Kenilworth Road I Witta Rd, Maleny-Kenilworth Rd/Curramore Rd) have insufficient sight distances to be able to exit safely.”
The petition asks for a program of road widening and sight line improvements as well as significantly increased vegetation management.
Dennis said while there had been some work done, it has only been in patches.
“There’s been big increases in traffic numbers in recent years, but my main concern is the constant potholes, rough surfaces and the fact it’s quite narrow in places for a major road,” he said.
Glasshouse MP Andrew Powell has urged those concerned about the state of the road, particularly between Maleny and Curramore Rd to sign the petition.
The petition, which has gained over 600 signatures to date will be closed in late November, with anyone concerned urged to take action.
