Locals have appealed for a pedestrian crossing to be installed across a bustling road, amid concerns that people are risking their lives there.
Hundreds have signed a petition and a delegation has appeared at a Noosa Council meeting to push for a crossing at Eumundi-Noosa Road, between Beckmans Road and Rene Street.
The petition, led by local Linda Martin, called for action.
“For many of us, simply trying to cross the road every day has become a terrifying ordeal,” she said.
“Every day, children and adults alike risk their lives.”
She said many parents were “too afraid” to let their children walk or ride to school.
“There is an evident and urgent need to include a safe pedestrian crossing, specifically an underpass … if not an underpass, then traffic lights,” she said.
“This is more than a plea for convenience, this is an urgent demand for safety. Let us not wait until a life is tragically lost to realise the value of pedestrian safety.”
The section of road is set to connect with the proposed multimillion-dollar Tewantin Bypass, which is expected to improve safety and increase traffic flow and capacity along Beckmans Road. It could include lane duplication.
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Ms Martin stated that some money for the bypass could be put towards a crossing at Eumundi-Noosa Road.
“What is the point of a bypass that includes a bicycle/walkway, when pedestrians cannot safely access it?” she said.
Ms Martin was part of a delegation, including Andie Grant, Bernie Haenga and Sharon Chorengel, pushing the case at a council meeting in November.
Council’s acting director infrastructure services Shaun Walsh acknowledged something should be done, without detailing exactly where or when.
“Council’s Walking and Cycling Strategy has identified the need for safer, more convenient pedestrian crossings on Eumundi-Noosa Road,” he said.
Mr Walsh stated that council acknowledged the “challenges of crossing busy sections of road” in the area.
He said that council was undertaking an update to the Noosa Traffic Study using contemporary traffic data, and it was expected to be completed by June.
“This study is a critical technical document that will guide infrastructure planning,” he said.
“Council will analyse the data to determine the need for various traffic improvement projects, including safer pedestrian crossings.”
Accident data, collected by council, the Department of Transport and Main Roads and the Queensland Police Service, showed that there were 22 crashes reported on Eumundi-Noosa Road between Beckmans Road and Headland Drive during the past six years.
There were 15 crashes reported on Beckmans Road from Eumundi-Noosa Road to Cooroy-Noosa Road.
Ms Chorengel said her sister-in-law was left with permanent injuries due to an accident on Beckmans Road and that there was regular abusive behaviour from frustrated drivers near her property.
Mr Walsh said the matter of speed and accidents was likely to be discussed this month at a Traffic Advisory Meeting including representatives from council, TMR and police who “can consider various and immediate safety initiatives, which may include speed reduction and better signage”.
Ms Martin asked how there would be safe access to the new footpath being constructed as part of the state-managed Tewantin Bypass project.
Mr Walsh said council would communicate with TMR.
“The intersection of Beckmans Road and Eumundi-Noosa Road is part of council-managed road infrastructure but the proposed upgrades, including the Beckmans Road duplication, also known as the Tewantin Bypass, are subject to Department of Transport and Main Roads funding,” he said.
“The department has currently committed $8.5 million for planning future stages of the bypass.
“Only preliminary concepts have been prepared, and design is yet to commence.
“Council has identified the need for safer, more convenient pedestrian crossings in this locality and will be advocating for this outcome as part of negotiations with the Department of Transport and Main Roads.”
The LNP made a pre-election promise that it would begin work on the next stage of the bypass within its first term, if elected, and pledged $30 million towards duplicating Beckmans Road.
Mr Walsh said council was pushing the state government to advance the bypass project “as soon as possible”.
“It is a critical part of Noosa’s traffic network, and current arrangements are unsatisfactory due to congestion and safety incidents,” he said.
Stage 1 of the bypass, which included upgrades at the intersection of Beckmans Road and Cooroy-Noosa Road, were completed in 2022.
A spokesperson for TMR stated that it was not yet known whether pedestrian crossings would be included in the bypass.
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