Planned $11m road extensions in Rural View, Richmond could solve Mackay-Bucasia traffic woes

Mackay council has an $11m plan to ease congestion on Mackay-Bucasia Rd, involving two new road connections. Will the state government step up to fund it?

Council is asking for state and federal funding to fix crucial traffic problems on Mackay-Bucasia Rd, and build up infrastructure for the Northern Beaches.

Mackay council has made government support for a new road to the Northern Beaches its top priority ahead of the October state election.

Councillor George Christensen introduced a motion in June requesting leaders of all state political parties commit funding to Northern Beaches infrastructure.

Speaking after the August meeting of council, Mayor Greg Williamson said the greatest roadblock to state funding had been the low traffic count during non-peak hours.

“There’s not enough traffic on that road to warrant state intervention,” Mr Williamson said.

Mr Williamson clarified council wants an extension to Reed St near the Northern Beaches State High School to connect with Norwood Parade, creating a second parallel road linking Rural View to Beaconsfield.

Two parallel roads are being pitched to state government to ease congestion on the Mackay-Bucasia Rd. Photo: Mackay regional council

“It’ll take a lot of that traffic off the main road,” Mr Williamson said.

Mackay councillors Namarca Corowa, Ash-Lee Johnson, Nathenea MacRae, Peter Sheedy and Alison Jones joined mayor Greg Williamson to outline their advocacy priorities ahead of the state election.

“If we can get a commitment to actually help us fund that out of this state election, that will be a tremendous outcome for us.”

The extension will cost $11m and will connect the Kerrisdale Estate housing development directly to Rural View, according to council.

The Reed St - Norwood Rd Pde extension will provide residents near Kerrisdale with improved access to essential services.

The new road will allow residents of the area better access to essential services during flood and cyclone emergencies.

It is believed the extension to Reed St will be less flood prone than the McCreadys Creek crossing on Mackay-Bucasia Rd.

Council’s second priority for funds is linking both ends of Dawson Blvd — Rural View and its counterpart in Richmond near the Mackay-Habana Rd.

They are not currently connected.

Council has prepared an advocacy pack including stage two of the Finch Hatton Mountain Bike Project, future stages of the Northern Beaches Community, upgrades to the Holts/Glenella-Richmond roads intersection and upgrades to the BB Print Stadium.

CEO Scott Owen said the projects are “shovel ready” and will improve the lives of residents.

Mr Williamson said the developments were in line with council’s expectation most of the city’s growth over the next 20 years will be in the Northern Beaches.

“It’s critical for us to work with the state and actually deliver a program that solves this problem of the Mackay-Bucasia Rd,” Mr Williamson said.