Consultation extended for new highway route

Public consultation for the Bruce Highway Western Alternative (BHWA) stage two, from Moorina to Narangba, had such a response it was extended by a week.

A Transport and Main Roads (TMR) spokesperson said “due to significant community interest” consultation ran from late July to September 9, instead of September 2 as originally planned.

Over the six weeks more than 18,600 people visited an online consultation page and more than 1000 pieces of feedback were received - online, by phone, mail and in person.

Almost 500 people also attended the community sessions held in Upper Caboolture, Burpengary and Narangba.

“We undertook a significant awareness campaign to encourage feedback and promote opportunities to be involved in the consultation process,” the TMR spokesperson said.

“Themes included land, property and lifestyle impacts, environmental considerations and the future corridor location including connections to the existing local road network.

“Further targeted engagement with impacted property owners will be undertaken later this year once a preferred corridor alignment has been identified.

“More engagement with the wider community will follow.”

The proposed BHWA will take traffic off the Bruce Highway at Beerburrum and down through Moodlu, the new Caboolture West development, Moorina and Narangba finishing at Kallangur.

The route for stage one has now been gazetted. Two options were proposed for both the northern and southern sections of stage two ahead of the community consultation period.

A newsletter was distributed to more than 7200 properties across the project area said the TMR spokesperson and email notifications sent to more than 1200 registered stakeholders.

Following the community consultation, a report will be prepared and published on the project webpage.

Though early planning is under way, timeframes for more detailed planning, design, and construction of the BHWA are not yet known.

“They will depend on government priorities and future funding commitments,” a TMR spokesperson said.