By Abbey Cannan
Noosa Hinterland residents being impacted by a significant landslide have been hit with an added ‘distressing’ cost thanks to the road closure.
The landslide at 359 Black Mountain Road first occurred on Friday 25 February and covers an area almost 150m wide.
Director of Infrastructure Services Larry Sengstock said the site is located at what is known as a ‘geological contact point’ where older metamorphic Kin Kin beds are overlain by a younger, volcanic, basalt cap.
“Such settings can be prone to strong groundwater inflows making them susceptible to landslides,” he said.
At this stage, Noosa Council anticipates this road could be closed for six months.
Noosa Country Cat Hotel owner Amy Langley said Black Mountain residents to the west of the landslip are now being asked to pay about $70 a month for a PO Box.
“It comes at a cost to us. As a small business already enduring such loss in revenue, I’m disappointed,” Ms Langley said.
“It’s a 50km return trip to Cooroy to the post office and when factoring in fuel costs at present, time and logistics around work and family life with young children and a business to run, the stress and cost is immense.
“We are being asked to either pay for a PO Box or our mail will be sent back to sender.
“It feels like blackmail sadly, and for those of us who are on a shoestring budget as a result of the landslide, it’s quite distressing.”
The Cooroy Post Office team stated in a letter that they would be offering residents reduced rates at $73.08 for March and $69.00 for April.
“Unfortunately, we are unable to maintain this interim system as the extra work is impacting our normal operations and we will revert to regular procedures from 1 April 2022,” the letter stated.
Geotechnical engineers have started initial investigation works to assess the cause of the landslide and advice regarding remedial works.
“Primary works to repair the landslip will take considerable planning before work can commence,” Mr Sengstock said.
“Residents have been advised they can return to their properties with houses considered to be outside the main slip zone.
“The slip zone has been barricaded off and pedestrians and vehicle are advised not to enter this area.”
