Residents maintain new stage 4 route alignment remains unacceptable
By Sonia Isaacs
Residents of Elimbah and surrounding areas remain staunchly opposed to Stage 4 of the Bruce Highway Western Alternative (BHWA), despite recently announced revisions by Transport and Main Roads (TMR) reducing the project’s impact to approximately 33 properties. While some acknowledge the modifications as an improvement, many argue that the revised 12.6km route, which passes through the northwest corner of the Elimbah SEQ development area, remains unacceptable.
In response, a new working group is being established, incorporating newly affected residents with direct stakes in the project, alongside members of the previous BHWA opposition to Stage 4 working group. The community is calling for an extension of the consultation period, seeking an additional four weeks to the end of May 2025 to review and respond to the updated alignment. “The community requested an extension on April 2 both to Andrew Powell MP and the TMR project team,” working group representative, Kim Litchfield said. “We understand this request has now been directed to the Minister for Transport.”Since the March 19 announcement, residents have expressed ongoing concerns at two town hall meetings, with over 70 people attending the initial session. Although the number of homes facing potential resumption has decreased, uncertainty lingers regarding the route’s impact on farms and local industries. Some residents, who had previously been assured their properties were no longer at risk, were shocked to receive new impact notices. Elimbah resident, Nadine Hogg, who has now received a letter from TMR for the second time, said she felt shocked and misled.“After Premier David Crisafulli promised both proposed routes would be scrapped, and after all the campaigning, petitions and lobbying, the current McDougall Road section remains the same as the original Option 1,” she said. “That part of the route hasn’t changed—it’s now the only proposed option. ‘Devastated’ is an understatement.”Member for Glass House, Andrew Powell (pictured), acknowledged a small number of properties previously impacted, had again received notifications from TMR. “This is not in line with our government’s commitment, and I am working to address that as a priority,” Mr Powell said.A TMR spokesperson said property owners affected by the proposed alignment were being prioritised for engagement. “TMR generally does not resume land needed for a project until construction is imminent, and no resumptions are required at this time,” the spokesperson said.