By Sonia Isaacs
GLASS House MP, Andrew Powell, has promised to seek clarification from Transport and Main Roads over projected Beerwah station closure and construction timeframes following a meeting with the Heart of Beerwah Community Action Group.
Mr Powell, the state Environment and Tourism Minister, met the group on Friday, February 20, to hear first-hand concerns about the Wave Rail project and the proposal to demolish the 90-year-old Beerwah Co-op and replace it with a multi-story 400-space car park.
Group members said they largely support the Wave project but argued the current proposal involving extended station closures and the closure of the Beerwah Co-Op Service Station was unnecessary.
Mr Powell agreed to seek clarification from TMR on the projected station closure and construction timeframe, and to request a meeting with the Transport Minister or their representatives.
He also encouraged the group to seek a meeting with the Transport Minister Brent Mickleberg at the upcoming March 8 Community Cabinet in Caloundra.
During the meeting, the group raised a petition opposing the current TMR plan. Mr Powell said he would undertake to review the petition wording and related correspondence, and seek advice from parliamentary staff on options to progress a more formal petition in Parliament.
The meeting follows Shadow Transport Minister Bart Mellish’s criticism of the government in Parliament on February 12.
Addressing Parliament, Mr Mellish said the residents and community groups “deserve to be heard and I will not stop advocating on their behalf.”
He criticised the lack of consultation on transport planning across Beerwah and the wider Sunshine Coast, adding: “The people of Beerwah were being taken for a ride by the Crisafulli Government.”
The criticism was challenged by local MP Kendall Morton.
“The Shadow Transport Minister is using this as a political pawn,” she said.
Ms Morton reiterated that meaningful community consultation would occur once final tenders are received and said she remained committed to ensuring Beerwah residents have their say.
Peter Boyle, Chair of the Heart of Beerwah Community Action Group, welcomed cross-party attention, noting positive discussions with both Mr Powell and the Member for Caloundra, Kendall Morton.
