Home face resumption as Bruce Highway Western Alternative Stage Two announced
The preferred route for the Bruce Highway alternative has been confirmed, with another 100 more homes at risk of resumption. SEE THE LOCATIONS
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Plans to further expand the choked Bruce Highway could mean the loss of another 100 Moreton Bay homes.
It comes less than a month after residents in a North Lakes housing estate were told their homes - some still under construction - would potentially be resumed.
Residents in Burpengary, Moorina, Morayfield and Narangba say they are heartbroken after Transport and Main Roads this week sent letters to property owners that will be affected.
Community consultation on the proposed route was open for 42 days earlier this year, during which time over 1000 residents indicated their preferred route for a 16-kilometre corridor that will ultimately form part of a western alternative to the Bruce Highway.
Marina Lawsen posted in the Narangba & Surrounding Landowners Support Group that the highway would go straight through her home.
“Well we all received the letters yesterday. This was so underhanded no community consultation at all. We received a brochure in the mail stating that it was coming here but they had not decided where. Now they have decided,” she said.
“Absolutely disgusting great Australian dream crushed.”
Local resident, Paul Gentle, said the proposed route was only 100m from his property, but he was yet to receive a letter about any potential impact.
“The road currently misses my property fence by 50-100m, but how can I be sure it won’t move again,” he said.
“As this new road will drastically change our area and degrade the peaceful rural lifestyle that we have all moved here for, will potentially significantly affect property valuations as the quite rural appeal will now no longer be a selling point.”
Narangba resident, Lisa Fisher, delayed renovations after the community consultation in August, with the announcement this week now providing relief for her family.
“The most recent communication has reassured us that we won’t be resumed or directly impacted. Change is stressful, as is uncertainty, but it is best to plan out future transport corridors earlier rather than later,” she said.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey has said the Bruce Highway Western Alternative was vital due to the growing population in the region.
“We expect more than 656,000 people to move to the Moreton Bay region by 2041,” he said.
“This western alternative to the Bruce Highway will be essential in supporting growth and to prevent gridlock between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.”
A spokesperson from Transport and Main Roads has said Stage Two of the Bruce Highway Western Alternative is in the very early planning stages, with consultation on the preferred alignment underway.
“Letters were distributed from 22 November 2022 to about 85 property owners of a potential future requirement, covering around 95 property lots,” he said.
“These planning letters are early indications to property owners to inform them at the earliest stage that their property may be fully or partially impacted.
“Resumptions will not be required for many years and future project stages are subject to further funding.”
Belinda Levitt said she was concerned about the impact it would have on accessing the local shopping centre.
“The highway will be two roads away from us so we will hear the traffic,” she said.
“Local roads will get busier. To get to Narangba, our local shops, we will have to use an underpass or overpass.
“We don’t know if this will affect the value of our house.
“We have lived here for 43 years. The whole area has changed a lot over the years with all the developments.”
Rod Toyson said he was worried about the affect the new highway would have on local wildlife, sharing his concerns in Narangba & Surrounding Landowners Support Group.
“This is so stupid, funnelling all this traffic onto Narangba Road,” he said.
“Imagine the traffic jam daily at Anzac Ave Dohles Rocks intersection in Kallangur.
“Plus the mess on Narangba Road. So much for all that hell Lakeside Park has had to put up with the noise issues, this will pale that into insignificance.
“Then bashing through more koala and native fauna and flora.”
Moreton Bay Koala Rescue Vice President, Mike Fowler, has said this would lead to the death of more koalas.
“We anticipate major koala losses during the construction phase of Stage 2. Many will perish from the amount of increased traffic during construction whilst more will inevitably be lost during land clearance particularly whilst koala fodder trees are being removed,” he said.
“We are not doomsday naysayers but more we are realists who attend to the dead, sick, and broken koalas in this region.
“Native animals have next to no chance when struck at this high speeds. At 100km/h as it is on Highways they have zero chance.”
Kurwongbah MP Shane King said it was a difficult time for residents and has said he would continue to advocate the views of all constituents that contacted him.
“I encourage anyone who has received a letter to book an appointment with TMR as soon as possible to find out about this process, their options, and to also seek appropriate legal advice as necessary,” he said.
“It is important to remember that this is only a planning process at this stage, jointly funded by the State and Federal Governments.
“There has been no money committed to build a road. While transport and population growth modelling tells us a Bruce Highway Western Alternative will be needed in the future, we don’t yet know exactly when, and we have a number of years of planning ahead of us before any design and construction considerations could be made.
“But it’s important we give the local community some certainty about our plans now so that they can make informed decisions over coming years – such as whether to renovate, sell or buy into the area.”
Residents can attend information sessions held over the next few weeks to give feedback and learn more about the project.
Project Information Sessions
• Morayfield Community Hall, Tuesday 29 November
• Upper Caboolture Farmers Assembly Hall, Monday 5 December
• Narangba Community Centre (Main Hall), Tuesday 13 December
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