Hinterland residents can expect damaged road to be fixed after a two year wait
By Kirra Livingstone
IT’S been over 690 days but long-suffering users of the damaged Kilcoy-Beerwah Road, will finally get a reprieve.
The only issue is, that reprieve might take another year, with Transport and Main Roads confirming that although construction is expected to commence this year, it would not provide a specific start date.
The road at Cedarton has been waiting to be repaired since early 2022 when a drain failed and caused half of the road to slip away.
Since then the 200-metre long westbound damaged lane has been closed, with traffic lights installed to allow regulated use of the road.
Member for Glasshouse, Andrew Powell, reiterated his frustration at TMR’s slow response to the repairs, while acknowledging other towns in Queensland are struggling from recent natural disaster damage.
“It’s been 686 days of locals, tourists and business operators having to sit at the lone traffic light on Kilcoy-Beerwah Road and there doesn’t seem to be a start, let alone an end, in sight for the roadworks,” Mr Powell said last week.
“I understand that there are more immediate priorities following the recent cyclone and storms, but how much longer are Hinterland locals going to be asked to wait?”
Following questions by GC&M News to TMR a spokesperson said the damage had been assessed, geotechnical investigations were conducted, and repair works were scoped and designed.
“The Kilcoy-Beerwah landslip repairs will be undertaken as part of a broader program of recovery work that includes more than 100 batter slope/embankment repairs across the region,” a Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said.
“TMR has finalised detailed design and is currently undertaking procurement for construction.
“Construction across the program is expected to be carried out during 2024, weather permitting.”
Although TMR could not provide a specific start date, a spokesperson said road users would be notified when a date is confirmed.
“Traffic updates will be provided to road users once construction timeframes for the Kilcoy–Beerwah Road site are confirmed,” a Transport and Mains Roads spokesperson said.
“In the interim, TMR will continue to monitor this section of Kilcoy-Beerwah Road to maintain safety until full reconstruction can be completed.”
Mr Powell added that he has been contacting TMR and the relevant ministers to get action, including writing the new Minister for Main Road.
kirra@gcnews.com.au
