Council
9 April, 2024
Get out of the road
LNP state leader David Crisafulli MP has pledged to scrap a contentious motorway proposal set to directly impact residents in Elimbah, Moodlu and parts of Caboolture, if his party wins the October state election.
The election promise, read out by Glasshouse MP Andrew Powell, said the LNP had listened to community concerns and would not proceed with the route if Labor did not confirm an appropriate preferred route by the election.
“If the process isn’t finalised by the election, the LNP will listen to your request and scrap the current routes and find an alternative that doesn’t divide community and ruin primary production,” Mr Crisafulli wrote.
About 200 residents attended the April 6 community meeting at the Elimbah Soldiers Memorial Hall.
The Bruce Highway Alternative route, revealed in November last year, potentially threatens hundreds of residential properties.
Residents said the fear they could be displaced, as well as what they say is Transport and Main Roads’ disregard to these concerns has left their lives in limbo and made them “prisoners” of their own homes.
The hot button issue attracted a range of politicians including Pumicestone MP, Ali King, Federal MP for Longman, Terry Young, Moreton Bay Division 12 Councillor Tony Latter, as well as LNP candidate for Pumicestone, Ariana Doolan, and One Nation candidate David Beaton.
Ms King promised to continue to work with the community and provide clearer timeframes for residents.
Spokesperson for residents opposed to the route, Jason Smith, said the weekend meeting was needed after what he said could best be described as a “dismissive and disappointing” response by the Transport Minister, Bart Mellish to a parliamentary petition that received over 11,000 signatories.
“The response from the Transport Minister and TMR is beyond disappointing,” he said.
“Their refusal to take the community voice of 11,000 constituents into consideration and take this currently proposed route off the table shows a complete disregards, lack of respect and frankly indicates clear incompetence.”
In his written response, dated March 12, the Transport Minister said “the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) acknowledged the concerns, including potential property, agricultural, environmental and cultural heritage impacts” .
“In response to community feedback received across a range of channels, TMR has committed to consider all viable corridor alignment options.”
The response left community representatives fuming, saying it disregards overwhelming community opposition and demands to consider more appropriate routes.
Mr Smith said the community was ready to “double down” and hold TMR to account.
