A Sunshine Coast road originally built from logs a century ago is not much better now, according to a community group.
Yandina-Coolum Road, which runs through wetlands north of the Maroochy River, carries almost 6600 vehicles a day and has been the scene of multiple crashes, with 116 people injured over the past six years.
The Coolum Residents Association (CRA) said the 17km road – which follows its original 1920s alignment – was “dangerous and inadequate”.
A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said that while no upgrades were planned the road was monitored and addressed where necessary.
“TMR regularly carries out inspections on state-controlled roads as part of routine maintenance operations and any identified safety issues are repaired as quickly as possible to provide a safe environment for motorists and other road users.”
TMR carried out significant works in 2021, when a 5km stretch from east of the highway to Valdora Road was resealed.
But the CRA stated that the road was generally in poor shape.
“Some users today say they could almost be back 100 years ago travelling the ‘corduroy highway’, which was cobbled together,” the group stated to Sunshine Coast News.
“In those days, the trip was likened to travelling on a roller-coaster.
“Now, 100 years later, the unevenness of the road surface in places, its narrowness and the precipitous verges into muddy ditches in places are attracting unfavourable comparisons with that past.
“Sections of the road can be quite dangerous, particularly in the wet. The road seems to be under almost perpetual patching and maintenance. Its foundations are inadequate for today’s heavy traffic and need proper reconstruction, particularly in the wetlands.”
The CRA said it was lobbying “strenuously” for major upgrades, not just to the road itself but to Coolum’s broader transport connections.
Yandina and District Community Association president Marie Reeve said Yandina-Coolum Road, also known as State Route 11, “should be considered a priority road”.
“It connects Bruce Highway traffic with the coastal areas north of the Maroochy River and links the towns of Yandina and Coolum, both of which have large industrial estates slated for expansion,” she said.
“It services the rural-residential areas of Ninderry and Valdora, the Coolum Beach Christian College and is the most direct route to the beach for Yandina and district residents.
“Yandina-Coolum Road also connects visitors based in Coolum with wedding venues and tourist destinations in the hinterland.”
Ms Reeve said the road had “very narrow or non-existent verges”.
“There are very limited passing opportunities,” she said.
“The section across the flats goes under water in big rain events and potholes form. The large number of heavy vehicles using the route puts pressure on the road surface.
“There are several risky locations along the route: one is between Valdora Road and River Road, where visibility is poor, and another is the Collins Road intersection just outside Yandina.”
Both community groups raised concerns about a lack of safe active transport options.
“Yandina-Coolum Road is not a safe route for cyclists,” Ms Reeve said.
“It is too narrow to accommodate cyclists and the volume of two-way traffic at peak times makes it difficult to pass safely.”
“The section between the Coolum Beach Christian College and the Coolum Industrial Estate has steep drop-offs into the swamp on both sides.”
Ms Reeve also said TMR should do a thorough analysis of the route through the wetlands.
“The section of Yandina-Coolum Road that traverses the flood-prone river flats should be assessed for its long-term viability.”
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A TMR spokesperson said improvements to the road were not planned but could be considered.
“TMR receives many requests for road upgrades, which are prioritised across the state to ensure funding is directed to the area of greatest need,” they said.
“While there are no upgrades planned at Yandina-Coolum Road at this time, project priorities and funding needs are reviewed and re-evaluated regularly to ensure that as many positive road outcomes as possible are obtained within a finite budget.”
The state government was also planning to make considerable upgrades to the connecting Sunshine Motorway and Yandina-Coolum Road interchange.
The proposal includes duplicating the long stretch of motorway from Pacific Paradise to Coolum Beach and developing a grade-separated interchange that would separate motorway traffic from east–west movements. There would also be south-facing motorway ramps and an active transport pathway.
Ms Reeve said a revamped interchange could significantly help traffic woes in the area, including along Yandina-Coolum Road.
“The planned motorway flyover would have to be a priority to ease congestion at the Coolum end: that should be done as soon as possible,” she said.
Locals on social media echoed the concerns of the community groups.
Jayne Crow said Yandina-Coolum Road was “barely coping”.
“The section that has no shoulder is dangerous and every time it rains the road deteriorates further. It’s a patchwork of filled potholes and bad repairs,” she said.
Rhys Cooper described the road as “an accident waiting to happen”, while Sue Bird said it was used by a “number of heavy vehicles” and “needs attention”.
Matty Whittaker was highly critical.
“Don’t even get me started on Yandina-Coolum Road,” he said.
“For a main road, it’s got to be one of the worst roads/roller-coaster rides ever. The amount of times I crack my head on my cab roof…”
