By Margaret Maccoll
A roundtable meeting held last week to discuss the impact of increased Kin Kin Quarry activity on the Kin Kin Range Road has brought stakeholders together to voice concerns and prompted action, though a residents group fears it will be slow in coming.
Kin Kin Community Group president Jan Bonsall said the Noosa Council-facilitated meeting was attended by community members, state and local government representatives including police and quarry representatives.
“They got the message people were just not impressed,” she said.
“The road was just not built for this sort of traffic.”
Ms Bonsall said truck counters on Shepperson’s Lane, speed cameras on Pomona Kin Kin Road and State Government road repairs were among the initiatives proposed.
Kin Kin Quarry representative Martin Cordwell felt the meeting was a positive move that enabled the parties to engage and community members to voice their concerns.
It is definitely a step in the right direction to meeting the concerns of the community, he said.
“It’s certainly a better atmosphere for everyone now we have the ability to have a discussion,” he said.
“The Council are onboard with their involvement and so are the police department. They are investigating a lot of ways they can improve the situation.”
Mayor Clare Stewart agreed the talks had been positive resulting in a number of issues being addressed.“This has been a long running issue, but I was surprised that last week’s gathering was the first opportunity that the Kin Kin community had to talk directly with the Quarry owners,” she said.
Council’s Development Assessment manager Kerri Coyle said the quarry was approved in July 1987 subject to 12 conditions and was required to operate in accordance with a Quarry Management Plan.
“We are monitoring traffic management under the plan and have agreed to conduct more surveillance of traffic movements as well as increase the presence of local laws staff at the entrance of the quarry,” she said.
Noosa MP Sandy Bolton said she was determined to ensure safety on the Kin Kin Range Road through greater funding and urgent works.
Ms Bolton said that, while the quarry has truck movement restrictions in place through an agreement with Noosa Council, the quarry management plan only refers to trucks leaving the quarry, where a minimum five-minute gap between trucks loading and leaving is mandated – and not before 6am.
“But the agreement does not cover trucks arriving at the quarry before that time to load up,” she said.
“Suddenly the volume of truck traffic has gone up. The road in parts is disintegrating rapidly.”
Ms Bolton said she had arranged for an inspector to visit the sites impacted, with remedial works undertaken immediately.
“But that’s not enough. I had already applied for new sheeting for sections – but the area (affected) has now expanded. We must make the road safe and serviceable,” she said.
“There are lots of new homes in that area, as well as walkers, cyclists and horse riders. This is also part of the Noosa Country Drive, a vital link to developing the local economy.
“With the loss of international and interstate travellers, as well jobs in many areas, it is imperative that we have the offerings that is part of what makes Noosa unique to attract regional visitors as part of getting through and beyond the impacts of Covid-19. Dangerous roads are not part of that “
Ms Bolton, in speaking to Main Roads about the road condition, has been very clear that it is no longer a case of patch-jobs; a larger solution is required.
“The safety of our families and visitors, as well the emotional and economic wellbeing of these communities, depend on this,” she said.
And driver behaviour is an issue, requiring greater police presence.
“I have lived in the Noosa electorate for 30 years and I know this road very well,” Ms Bolton said.
“It was once an open country road which was an enjoyable experience for motorists – but more traffic and greater truck activity means it’s now more dangerous than before.
“We have to make sure the road surface can stand the traffic burden, and that drivers are doing the right thing.
“We have had no fatalities – and as I said to residents at a community meeting, I will not have one on my watch.”
