COMMUNITY advocate David Kenny has taken the issue of the Mt Lindesay Highway before parliament by launching a Queensland Parliamentary e-petition.
“I want whichever government wins the next state election to know that the people want action not words when it comes to upgrading the Mt Lindesay Highway,” he said.
“I am urging everyone to get online and sign it.”
The petition calls on the state government to fast track the upgrade of the Mt Lindesay Highway to four lanes to Jimboomba township in order to cater for the increase in traffic from the rapidly developing suburbs and plan for four lanes from Beaudesert to assist with the expected growth due to heavy vehicle traffic.
It highlights the increasing congestion on the state road which has resulted from the rapid development along the highway's corridors.
Greater Flagstone is tipped to accommodate 120,000 residents over the next 30 years, Yarrabilba is currently the fastest growing community in Australia, with an average of 125 new residents moving in every week, while Undullah’s population is pitched to grow by 18 000 in just over 30 years.
There are also numerous other developments going ahead in the area, including the controversial “Four Wynnes” development which is currently before the Planning and Environment Court, Jimboomba Woods, Scenic Rise, Villa World, Avondale Waters and Oaklands, among others.
The highway, which services the electorates of Algester, Logan, Lockyer and Beaudesert has been named one of the state’s most dangerous and unroadworthy roads by the RACQ, yet motorists are yet to see a comprehensive, costed plan for its full upgrade.
High levels of congestion, inadequate passing lanes, inadequate turning lanes and frustration for commuters and lost productivity to the south-east Queensland economy, and the increased fuel consumption for heavy vehicle operators who have to constantly drop down in their gears, are all raised in the e-petition.
“The continued increase in heavy vehicle traffic through Beaudesert from poultry farms, quarries, processing plants, livestock carriers plus the projected additional 80 heavy vehicles per day from the current development at Bromelton Industrial Estate will put additional strain on the highway,” it reads.
The petition ends on November 1.
State member for Logan Linus Power and state member for Beaudesert Jon Krause are encouraging everyone to sign the petition.
A sign on the door of Mr Krause’s electorate office reads “Stop whining, start signing.”
The online petition can be found at http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/petitions/e-petition?PetNum=2622
