Community Has Their Say
MEMBER for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP has thanked the Northern Beaches community for their recent engagement and contributions towards the consultation for Mackay Bucasia Road upgrades.
Intersections nominated as most concerning along Mackay Bucasia Road
Transport and Main Roads (TMR) sought feedback about potential future upgrades to Mackay Bucasia Road and Ms Camm has made a submission based on the feedback she received.
“It is important that the Queensland Government listens to the locals and that is why I conducted my own community engagement to give as many residents as possible the opportunity to be heard”, Ms Camm stated.
In the last month Ms Camm held five mobile offices in the Northern Beaches and ran an online survey to gain community feedback.
“I want to personally thank the people of the Northern Beaches for taking the time to attend a mobile office or complete the survey. In total 555 submissions were made which was a fantastic effort by the community”.
Ms Camm stated that the overwhelming feedback was one of frustration and concern.
“It is quite clear that the community is frustrated, frustrated at the condition of the road, frustrated that there is only one way in and one way out and frustrated that it has taken this government so long to act”.
Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm MP and Local Resident, Charlie Symons at Mobile Office at Golf Links Road
The majority of the submissions indicated that the flow of traffic was the major concern, especially during peak times. Bottlenecks were identified at specific intersections, and the three major roundabouts of Holts Road, Eimeo Road and Golf Links Road were singled out as causing the most issues. Suggestions for slip lanes, traffic lights and overpasses were offered as a solution with the majority agreeing that roundabouts were not the solution.
“What was very clear was that the community do not believe simply duplicating Mackay Bucasia Road in part or in full will solve the congestion issues. Of the responses an alternate access was the suggested solution 700% more times than what a duplication was”.
Of the alternate routes suggested, a route out of Blacks Beach across to either Slade Point, Andergrove, Beaconsfield or the Mackay City was the most favoured suggestion, with 42%.
Alternate routes from Bucasia to either Richmond Hills or through to the Bruce Highway or the proposed Ring Road were also suggested. As were alternate routes from Rural View to either Richmond, Kerrisdale or Habana.
Ms Camm will be writing to Minister Bailey to request that State Government work with the Mackay Regional Council to review the submissions to identify any short-term measures that can be immediately implemented to alleviate the congestion problems.
“The community has provided some commonsense solutions that could be implemented relatively quickly and easily which could have an immediate impact. The planning business case is scheduled to be completed sometime next year. We know governments don’t move quickly but we need all levels to come together to look for short term solutions as well, especially with new developments scheduled to open soon. The community can’t afford to have any more delays”.