Residents' "nightmare" finally over

Elimbah residents have today won their battle to stop the new Moreton Motorway going through their homes.

The State Government has confirmed original corridor options for the Bruce Highway Western Alternative Stage 4 from Beerburrum to Moodlu are “now ruled out”.

“New investigations into an alternative route are nearing completion and are expected to be complete in early 2025, when a more detailed project update can be provided,” Transport Minister Brett Mickelberg said.

Anxious residents, who earlier this week were pushing for updates which had been promised before Christmas, immediately celebrated.

On the Objection to Current Bruce Highway Stage 4 Facebook page Kat Smith said: “Thank you for hearing our community and delivering us from this nightmare.”

The news comes a year after Transport and Main Roads (TMR) shocked residents with two proposed highway routes through the middle of Elimbah.

A campaign Homes Before Highway Stop Stage 4 was launched immediately with hundreds attending a public meeting on December 13, 2023.

Petitions were started, more than 850 feedback submissions made, elected representatives lobbied and many meetings held as residents fought hard for 12 months.

The huge community backlash led TMR to announce in May it had “commenced initial investigations” into "corridor routes further west”.

The new LNP State Government has now confirmed a “new alignment for the future Bruce Highway Western Alternative is to be considered”.

Today's Ministerial statement said: “The Crisafulli Government has listened to feedback and ruled out the original options with investigations into a new alignment continuing into early 2025.

“While feedback covered several themes, the majority of submissions received (70 per cent) included comments on the project design and corridor location, ideas for alternative routes, and suggestions to utilise existing roads.

“Key concerns brought to light by the feedback included potential property impacts, preservation of the natural environment, lifestyle changes, cultural heritage considerations and public and active transport improvements.

“A range of alternative alignments for the future motorway were put forward by the community, ranging from modifications to the original corridor options to entirely new routes.

“Ongoing investigations for the future Moreton Motorway focus on supporting long-term growth across the region, improving connections between established and emerging communities, and easing congestion on road networks.”

The statement added: “Corridor planning must balance the needs of both established communities and Elimbah’s expanded urban footprint, which is expected to accommodate significant future residential and employment growth outlined in the 25-year South East Queensland Regional Plan."