Community concerns about the state of a local railway bridge are set to be aired with Queensland’s Transport Minister.
Noosa Council will seek a meeting with Bart Mellish, the newly appointed Minister for Transport and Main Roads, to discuss the Cooroy railway overpass.
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,” she 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,” she said.
The mayor has written to Mr 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.
Cr Stewart said council also held safety and functionality concerns for the Myall Street and Elm Street intersection and the Diamond Street and 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,” she said.
Cr Stewart said the letter had 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,” she said.
Mr Skelton sent a statement to Sunshine Coast News on Thursday, backing calls to bolster the bridge and he said he had invited Mr Mellish to inspect the bridge himself.
“The Cooroy Rail Bridge is an essential piece of infrastructure which provides safe access over the railway line for our community,” he said.
“The Department of Transport and Main Roads have recently completed maintenance works on the bridge however it does not meet the communities’ expectations.
“I support calls from residents who are asking for this bridge to be upgraded.
“I have spoken to the Minister for Transport, Main Roads and Digital Services and asked him to visit the Cooroy community to inspect the condition of the bridge.
“I will update the community once the inspection has taken place.
“This is in addition to the petition I’ve run since November calling on TMR to restart community consultations over the intersections in Cooroy.
“Thank you to everyone who has signed so far.”
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