The State Government’s plan to widen and seal sections of a well-used tourist road has sparked a renewed call to urgently fix other stretches of the same thoroughfare that are “riddled with potholes”.
Member for Glass House Andrew Powell said he was committing to fight for further upgrades to Maleny-Kenilworth Road – this time on the Witta section between Curramore and Maleny.
“On the back of the recent success we’ve had with commitments to improve Maleny-Kenilworth Road at Cambroon, I’m setting my sights on getting the Witta section fixed, too,” Mr Powell said.
Long-term residents Tony Hartley and Dennis Hensby, who use the road daily, have supported the push to address the quality of the road.
Last year, Mr Hartley and Mr Powell launched a petition calling on the government to urgently repair the road seal and verges of Maleny-Kenilworth Road between Maleny and Curramore Road. It received almost 1000 signatures.
A Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said the department regularly inspected all state-controlled roads and prioritised maintenance needs.
“Any safety issues are repaired as quickly as possible to provide a safe environment for all road users,” they said.
“We undertake mowing along state-controlled roads four to six times a year. The next mow for Maleny-Kenilworth Road is planned for later this month, weather permitting.
“Tree trimming and other maintenance is assessed, prioritised and undertaken as required based on safety.
“When determining priorities for more substantial resurfacing and rehabilitation works, we consider available funding, competing needs on the state-controlled network, road condition, age and traffic volume.”
But Mr Powell said if TMR contractors regularly inspected the road and repaired safety issues as soon as possible, “then explain to me how there are constantly potholes in the road?”.
“The repair jobs that actually do get done are addressing the problems and barely last more than a week before the potholes open back up again,” he said.
Related story: Stretches of key hinterland road set for upgrade
The TMR spokesperson confirmed the Maleny-Kenilworth Road between Maleny and Witta would be considered as part of the North Coast Region’s future works program.
“The response to last year’s petition about Maleny-Kenilworth Road provided information about the priority sections of road at Cambroon and Conondale where widening and resealing projects will be carried out this year, as well as work undertaken in late 2022 at Cambroon,” they said.
Mr Powell said in his response to the petition that “the Minister for Main Roads couldn’t even address the correct section of the road”.
When the department was approached about the Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey referring to the incorrect section of road, it did not provide a response.
The latest available data (2020) shows about 4000 vehicles use the stretch of road daily.
“I’m thrilled that the Cambroon section of the road is getting sealed and widened, but the fight can’t and won’t stop there. There are other sections of Maleny-Kenilworth Road that are just as dangerous, and the Witta section now has my full attention,” Mr Powell said.
Mr Hartley agreed it was a safety issue.
“The road is riddled with potholes, infrequent mowing of the verges results in lack of good line of sight, and there are patches where grass is growing through and cracking open the bitumen,” Mr Hartley said.
Mr Hensby added: “I’ve seen many a car cross over the double white lines to avoid potholes. It’s dangerous.”
SUBSCRIBE here now for our FREE news feed, direct to your inbox daily.
