I know that many locals are keen to see the completion of this crossing, particularly with summer approaching again. The latest update received from Main Roads informs us that “the team [contractor Allroads] is still working to complete the overall project by the end of 2022, weather and construction conditions permitting.”

Further, the contractor aims to reduce the length of the road under traffic control in coming weeks, to minimise delays. I understand that these types of upgrades can cause delays, but the road should be in better condition and much more able to withstand rain events when it is all complete. I acknowledge the patience of all residents while this has been ongoing, and also the funding contribution (80% - $8 million) obtained from the Federal Government through the past advocacy of the Member for Wright Scott Buchholz MP.

LACK OF PLANNING FOR OUR REGION
Last week I again raised in Parliament the huge impacts that residential growth in parts of Logan City and other parts of Scenic Rim can have on roads in and around Canungra. There’s been an influx of new residents at Yarrabilba, Flagstone, Jimboomba and places around there in the last decade, and without a doubt this growth is seeing more traffic flowing through Beaudesert Nerang Road to/from the Gold Coast each day, not to mention when the M1 is closed and traffic is diverted. The State controlled and signed off on much of this new growth (in fact, all of Yarrabilba and Flagstone is state-controlled development), but the State has clearly failed to anticipate and plan for new road infrastructure in this area to deal with it. Cr Virginia West and I have argued with Main Roads for years in order to get them moving with work for new road infrastructure around Canungra to improve this. Main Roads simply refuses.

They appear to be in denial about the scope of this problem, which will only grow as (a) parts of Scenic Rim grow (b) the Jimboomba area grows significantly – another 60,000 odd residents by 2041 according to the State and (c) there is further new housing in around Canungra. I have again called on the Minister and Main Roads to pull their heads out of the sand and get on with work to rectify this problem, starting with admitting there is a problem.

There is a planning problem here too though, and both Scenic Rim Council and the State should recognise this when it comes to any future changes to the Scenic Rim’s planning scheme and put the brakes on new development zones until road infrastructure is up to scratch.

GETTING THE MESSAGE TO MAIN ROADS
A reader asked recently about who is responsible for communicating road issues to Main Roads. We all can play a part, and by emailing southcoast@tmr.qld.gov.au any concerned person can make their voice known to the department. As your State MP, barely a day passes without me sending correspondence to this department about issues that need fixing. I also meet with Main Roads on a regular basis to push particular issues and make it clear to them the needs of this Electorate. Some issues (normally easier and minor matters) are dealt with immediately, others not. Unfortunately, the list of issues that need fixing is getting longer. While bad weather is often blamed for this, the fact is that this Government has allowed a near $6 billion backlog on road repairs and maintenance to open up. That’s a gigantic blackhole. It didn’t just happen overnight either, but over a considerable time of neglect and underfunding. The Government – now, and any future government – must make it a priority to cut this backlog because not only are roads in a state of disarray bad for locals and their vehicles and bad for such a tourism-focussed area, but they are also dangerous. In this column, I often devote space to outlining road issues and that is because it is a vital issue – for the economy, for individual residents and for road safety overall. I will keep on beating this drum well into the future.