Residents' fears at new highway plan

Fears for wildlife and the environment dominated responses from community consultation on possible routes for Stage Two of the Bruce Highway Western Alternative (BHWA).

Two options were proposed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) for the new four-lane section between Moorina to Narangba (see map below).

The TMR website shows 555 ‘contributions’ were made during the seven-week consultation which was extended by a week due to the high response level.

“We are continuing to review valuable community feedback and finalise technical investigations," a TMR spokesperson said. "The project timeline remains on schedule and we anticipate providing an update to the community soon.”

The feedback comments included this from Beefarm of Moorina: “All these Land for Wildlife properties will be transformed into Land for Highway as TMR has decided to build a highway adjacent to the conservation park. The community has put so much effort into protecting the habitat of platypuses, koalas, gliders, echidnas. Please don't destroy this.”

Joey79rt, also from Moorina, said: “This development of a highway through this area is completely insane! Koala corridor, conservation areas, properties that are defined rural, why are you doing this TMR? Expand the existing highway. This makes no sense whatsoever.”

'Don't wreck it'

Duff19, from Narangba, added: “I built here 18 months ago because of the beautiful area and the wildlife. Please don’t wreck it with a noisy highway that won’t even help with fixing the congestion problem on the Bruce Highway. Fix the Bruce first.”

Thecastle2 from Moorina, described the highway plan as “a ridiculous waste of money and damage to the environment”, claiming “they didn’t plan for the growth, so all connecting roads are a shambles”.

Jaydeblees, of Moorina, went a step further claiming: “Just an example of the vulnerable and endangered species whose habitat you will destroy: grey-headed flying-fox, central greater glider, koala, regent honeyeater, powerful owl, swift parrot, glossy black-cockatoo, lesser sand plover, red goshawk, white-throated needletail, wallum froglet, giant barred frog, tusked frog, Australian lungfish ...”

Jason Clery, from Narangba, said: “Our land has rural title and is located in the koala protection corridor. We cannot and would not subdivide our land due to the abundance of native and rescue animals we care for on our property. Move the development further west and create a Caboolture to Dayboro link that doesn't currently exist.”

However, thereasonableperson, at Narangba, wrote: “The proposed stage two is on top of a very established quiet residential area. Alternate connection locations more west would limit displacement and negative impacts on current residents and local community and still achieve integration with local road and rail network.”

'Makes sense'

And there was some support for the BHWA. Skydansa of Kurwongbah, wrote: “Put the road here, or Dayboro, or follow the power easement. Less impact on existing houses and families. We know it should be somewhere and this is where it should be.”

And Jason McIntyre of Kurwongbah, said: “Makes sense to bring the road out west somewhere here and perhaps link to Dayboro Rd?”

In the first six weeks of public consultation on Stage 2, 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 three consultation sessions.

The entire 57-kilometre BHWA will run from Beerburrum to Kallangur. Land for stage 1, Moodlu to Moorina, has already been identified and 'protected’. Stage 3 (Narangba to Kallangur) and Stage 4 (Beerburrum to Moodlu) will follow Stage 2 (Moorina to Narangba).

The new route is being designed to take traffic off the Bruce Highway and service the new growth areas such as Caboolture West, Morayfield South and Pine Valley.