Screeching, skid marks, crashes and near misses are reasons Doonan community members are lobbying for safety upgrades to a “notoriously dangerous” road.
Long-time Eumundi Noosa Road resident Bill O’Rourke said he’d seen cars roll, drivers rear-ended and was nearly struck by a truck in his car while waiting to turn into his driveway.
He said the dangers were increasing as local traffic was heavier due to new businesses like The Doonan, developments and population growth in the area.
“Because the road is bendy and on an incline, cars come down at a terrific rate of speed, and much faster than the 80km/h limit,” he said.
“If someone pulled out of their driveway, they wouldn’t have a chance.
“All along those side roads, either east or west, have the potential of a motor vehicle accident. It’s only a matter of time before someone else is killed.”
He said the most dangerous stretch of road – known as the Doonan trading precinct – began after turning in from Eumundi and finished just past the Fruits of Noosa shop.
SCN received a report of at least three Eumundi Noosa Rd residents recently being rear-ended in their cars while waiting to turn into their driveways.
Mr O’Rourke said he, his family and many other residents were fearful of leaving and returning home for that reason.
“Since our friend was rear-ended, it’s such a constant concern every day now, with the traffic coming down from Redwood Road,” he said.
“Her car was shunted forward anywhere from 15 to 20 feet and the driver of the van was lucky he wasn’t crushed.”
Recently finding fresh skid marks on the road caused Mr O’Rourke to investigate.
“Apparently one happened at 10 o’clock that morning while a neighbour’s daughter was trying to turn right,” he said.
“She kept her eye on the rear-vision mirror and saw a truck coming up … she knew it wasn’t going stop but he obviously managed to swerve out of the way.
“You can see by the skid marks that it was definitely a dual-rear-wheel truck – it was very traumatising for the young girl.”
On Friday more than 40 Doonan locals met with Member for Ninderry Dan Purdie to lobby the Department of Transport and Main Roads for safety upgrades to the road.
At the meeting, community members called for the speed limit to be reduced from 80km/h to 60km/h and for TMR to reassess the road to find solutions for the many safety issues.
Mr O’Rourke said the main priority should be slowing down the traffic and suggested installing speed cameras or adding roundabouts.
Other community members suggested widening the road and adding undertaking lanes.
“People have a right to come out of their driveways and return home at the end of the day,” Mr O’Rourke said.
“They (TMR) need to just do it and don’t talk about it – and when it comes to funding, you can’t put any figures on the price of life.”
In 2020, an online petition with 700 signatures went to State Parliament requesting safety upgrades to the Eumundi Noosa and Grays roads intersection as well as extending the 60km/h zone to Beddington or Duke roads.
A TMR spokesperson said a planning study was completed on Eumundi Noosa Road to investigate capacity, safety and efficiency of the road and to determine potential future staged upgrades.
As a result, a right-hand turning lane will be installed at Tallgum Avenue at the intersection with Eumundi Noosa Road to improve safety.
“Works are expected to be completed in June, weather and scheduling permitting,” the spokesperson said.
“We have also completed field and traffic surveys at intersections along this road to inform future planning activities and priorities. Funding for future potential upgrades will be considered against other competing statewide priorities.”
A current assessment of the speed limit on Eumundi Noosa Road has recommended maintaining the existing 80km/h speed limit.
Mr Purdie said there was an overwhelming turnout to the public meeting.
“I am committed to acting on the community’s concerns and taking them to the minister, and advocate for upgrades that will address the safety and congestion concerns,” he said.
“This week in parliament I asked the Transport Minister if funding will be made available in the upcoming State Budget to start implementing the safety provisions that were identified in the 2020 review.”
He said that after 20 years of policing and seeing road trauma first-hand, he was passionate about road safety.
“The same safety issues raised in 2020 are even more acute now, and I am keen to work with the community to make sure the government listens, and acts,” he said.
More information on the 2019 planning study for Eumundi Noosa Road is available here.
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