Leaders plead for 10,000 signatures on dangerous Rainbow Beach and Tin Can Bay road petition

“The accident statistics on our road are shocking, with another three crashes in the last 10 days and thankfully no deaths,” petition organiser Tony Stewart says.

Tony Stewart wants 10,000 signatures on his petition to make Tin Can Bay Road and Rainbow Beach Road safer for all drivers.

Rainbow Beach businessman Tony Stewart and Member for Gympie Tony Perrett have renewed calls for as many residents as possible to sign a petition pushing for safety upgrades on the Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach Rds before it closes next month.

Mr Stewart put the petition before Mr Perrett and it was submitted to the Queensland Parliament at the end of March, and the e-petition has so far attracted 805 signatures on the Parliament website. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION FOR SAFETY UPGRADES ON TIN CAN BAY AND RAINBOW BEACH ROADS

But Mr Stewart said he had collected “about 7000” total signatures on his long campaign to make the passage between Gympie and the Cooloola Coast safer for road users, and wants to get up to 10,000 before Mr Perrett puts the document before parliament in October.

Dangerous drivers on Tin Can Bay, Rainbow Beach roads

“The accident statistics on our road are shocking, with another three crashes in the last 10 days and thankfully no deaths,” Mr Stewart said.

“Our petition has approx. 7000 signatures so let’s give 10,000 a crack before our Gympie Member Tony Perrett tables the documents in Parliament in early October.

“In the meantime please everyone drive carefully and be courteous to those that tow vans, boats (and) have nowhere to pull over to let you past.

“Another minute or two on our road won't kill you but speed will, so take it easy till we get improvements.”

Mr Stewart previously said he had gotten numerous “absolutely disgusting” reports of drivers taking serious risks on both roads since starting his safety campaign.

Two patients, including a woman with a possible head injury, were taken to Gympie Hospital on Thursday morning after their car rolled on Rainbow Beach Rd.

Member for Gympie Tony Perrett.

Mr Perrett echoed the call for more support.

“The more people that can sign that petition, the better it is in respect of reinforcing the issue to (Transport Minister Mark Bailey) about the importance of upgrading those roads,” Mr Perrett said.

“I’ve raised it directly with the Minister numerous times, I’ve spoken with residents concerned about the road, and obviously Tony has been advocating strongly in the Rainbow Beach community.

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“There’s plenty of evidence of the issues with the roads, and the accidents. I think there was one reported on Rainbow Beach Rd this week.

“The importance is overtaking lanes or pull off areas on that road, so slow traffic can get off the road and be safely passed.”

You can read more or sign the online petition here.