By Margaret Maccoll
A section of the Pomona-Kin Kin Road between Williams and Turnbull roads, identified as a priority section will be widened through a $6 million project aimed at improving safety.
Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien said the Australian Government would contribute $4.8 million and the Queensland Government $1.2 million to make the road safer.
“These are state roads, which means the Queensland Government is responsible for their improvement, repair and maintenance, but this funding from the Australian Government encourages them to prioritise and fast track these projects and get on with the job of making these roads safer for all road users,” he said.
The funding comes after both Noosa MP Sandy Bolton and Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart have made repeated requests to the Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Minister to act on Kin Kin residents’ safety concerns about the more than 200 a day Kin Kin Quarry trucks using the road.
Ms Bolton thanked TMR Minister Mark Bailey and the department for prioritising 800m of the northern identified section and submitting it to the Road Safety Program for Federal Government funding of $4.8 million and funding the balance of $1.2 million from TMR’s budget.
“As I have said in Parliament, the danger this road presents combined with inappropriate volume of heavy haulage, to our community and visitors, cannot be understated. This is one step in helping to create greater safety, and I am deeply appreciative of all who have worked in these efforts” she said.
TMR have advised that depending on outcomes from ecological investigations and any influence they may have on the final scope of works, construction could commence early next year and take approximately seven months, she said.
“Yes there will be disruption, as there is also a scheduled replacement of Six Mile Bridge #7 next year. However, the wellbeing of residents and road users is paramount and these works, once completed, will provide the greater safety that has been sought for many years, and I ask for patience in the upcoming months,” she said.
This week Ms Bolton passed on the funding announcement to members of the Kin Kin Roundtable, a group initiated by Noosa Council to bring together stakeholders including state and local government representatives and residents.
“In May we conducted a survey as to whether works identified at the ‘bookends’ of the range, totalling three kilometres, were supported by those impacted daily by the deteriorating conditions. Over 83 per cent were in support, with the balance rejecting as understandably concerned that any works may increase the size and volume of these trucks,” she said. “I have been assured this is not the case as the Quarry Management Plan determines volume, and the road classification determines the size. These works do not change the current road classification, neither does it change the commitment from Council and myself to do all possible to lessen the impacts to these communities through a reduction in heavy haulage numbers.”
“TMR have commenced consultation with Council and any neighbouring property owners who could be impacted, and we look forward to seeing the final designs” Ms Bolton said they would continue to advocate for funding for the remainder of the ‘book ends’, approximately two kilometres, for which TMR continues to progress detailed designs.
More information on the project will be uploaded to Noosa 360 at sandybolton.com, with enquiries to North Coast TMR at (07) 5451 7055.
