Council takes community’s bridge concerns to transport minister

Noosa Council will seek a meeting with Queensland’s transport minister to raise the local community’s concerns about the state of the Cooroy railway bridge. 

Cooroy road network issues will be on the focus of a requested meeting with the state transport minister.

Mayor Clare Stewart said councillors regularly received phone calls and emails from residents worried about the condition of the state-controlled thoroughfare.

“We know it’s an issue for our community and while we were hopeful the recent repairs – carried out by the state with overnight lane closures - would improve the road, unfortunately the potholes are already opening back up,” the Mayor said.

Cr Stewart said the situation had become more urgent with the state’s plan to upgrade the Lake Macdonald Dam.

“Such a major infrastructure project will place significant construction traffic impacts on the Cooroy road network, further compounding the current traffic issues along this key corridor, which the state is responsible for, so we need improvements to this road urgently.”

The Mayor has written to Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Bart Mellish, seeking improvements to the bridge and a meeting to discuss residents’ concerns in detail.

“We believe it is crucial that the state thoroughly review the overall condition of the bridge, including its road surface and the anticipated timeline for a new bridge to be built,” she said.

The road network is a declared main road under management of the Queensland Government.

Cr Stewart said Council also held safety and functionality concerns for the Myall Street / Elm Street intersection and the Diamond Street / Elm Street intersection.

“The condition of the bridge and both of these intersections is of great concern to our community, and I speak for all of my fellow councillors when I call for this urgent meeting with the minister.”

Cr Stewart said the letter has also been sent to Member for Nicklin, Robert Skelton.

“I look forward to a reply and hopefully an opportunity for our staff to discuss with the Minister viable solutions to the issues our community continues to raise,” Mayor Stewart said.