‘Incredible’: Mayor Andy Ireland blasts major Yeppoon-Rockhampton Road upgrade

“Frankly, if that’s the best we can come up with, I am really, really concerned,” - Andy Ireland.

Livingstone Mayor Andy Ireland.

Livingstone Mayor Andy Ireland has pulled no punches with his criticism of a $80m road upgrade project happening between Rockhampton and Yeppoon.

At Tuesday’s monthly council meeting, the mayor said he was concerned in particular with the design of the intersection at Artillery Road and Dairy Inn Road.

That intersection connects with the main thoroughfare between Rocky and the coast which is used by more than 10,000 vehicles every day, including 1000 heavy vehicles.

“I just find the design - where, if you’re coming out of Artillery Rd and want to go to Rockhampton, you have to turn left towards Yeppoon for 800m, do a U-turn, cross a lane, do a U-turn, and then come back towards Rockhampton that way - to be incredible” Cr Ireland said.

“Same arrangement happens with Dairy Inn Rd.

“If you want to go to Yeppoon, and you’re coming out of Dairy Inn Rd, you have to turn left towards Rockhampton, travel 800m in your vehicle, cross a lane to turn right, U-turn, and then come back towards Yeppoon.”

The major upgrade project, jointly funded by the Queensland and Federal governments, has been divided into three sections of work:

Section 1: Artillery Road/Dairy Inn Road intersection with Yeppoon Road.

Section 2: Iron Pot Road east to Artillery Road/Dairy Inn Road intersection.

Section 3: Artillery/Dairy Inn Road towards Hedlow Creek.

Cr Ireland said he and other council representatives had met with the Department of Transport and Main Roads and expressed concern at the design of “Section 1”.

“We were told that in their (TMR’s) view, it is the safest option,” Cr Ireland said.

“And their concern, they say, is with road safety and I don’t doubt that it is.

“But certainly in terms of entertaining other options, like roundabouts or overpasses, that wasn’t considered on financial grounds.

“We were told, for example, if a roundabout was constructed at the Dairy Inn Rd/Artillery Rd intersection, that would potentially cost another $10 million and the project would stop at that point - it wouldn’t be able to continue on down towards Yeppoon because all of the funds would be expended.

“Well, I just find the (TMR) responses, councillors, inadequate.”

A roadworks sign.

Cr Ireland said TMR had spoken with some of the property owners who were going to be impacted by this project through land resumptions, and there was “a degree of concern amongst those residents” in relation to the design elements.

The mayor asked for the support of councillors at Tuesday’s meeting for himself, deputy mayor Adam Belot and Cr Glenda Mather, who heads Livingstone’s Transport portfolio, to go to Brisbane to meet with Transport Minister Mark Bailey to discuss the issues.

“Frankly, if that’s the best we can come up with, I am really, really concerned,” Cr Ireland said about the project.

Cr Andrea Friend raised concerns about vehicles doing U-turns on the 100kmh stretch in peak-hour traffic and Cr Ireland was even more worried about B-double trucks performing the manoeuvre.

“You’ve got heavy articulated vehicles doing a U-turn on a major highway, and then trying to converge back into traffic - I think there’s a real problem there,” Cr Ireland said.

Cr Ireland also said he was not aware of any public consultation being conducted on the project design.

The TMR website says community consultation was completed in August 2020.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey. Photo Steve Pohlner.

Cr Mather said the Transport Minister had to be made aware of all the issues with the project.

“If it’s not the best use of the money and (doesn’t) provide the best safety for all vehicle users, then he needs to know,” Cr Mather said.

Cr Nigel Hutton suggested the Brisbane visit include the Shadow Transport Minister if possible.

Cr Ireland’s motion to send the Livingstone delegation to Brisbane was supported unanimously by councillors.

Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga.

On Wednesday afternoon, Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga said she was “shocked” that the mayor and councillors were trying to “stall” the Yeppoon-Rockhampton Road upgrade.

“Over 11,000 vehicles use this road every single day,” Ms Lauga said.

“Yeppoon-Rockhampton Road is one of the most important roads in Central Queensland, providing a vital arterial link between Yeppoon and Rockhampton.

“I have fought for years for this funding to upgrade Yeppoon-Rockhampton Road, so I’m disappointed with this last-minute approach from the Mayor which could put the project back at least one year.”

Ms Lauga said Livingstone Shire Council had been consulted numerous times, but at the last minute decided to move a motion stalling the upgrade.

“No-one wants to be doing 60km on Yeppoon-Rockhampton Road,” she said.

“The council’s proposal would significantly increase travel times between Yeppoon and Rockhampton.

“Let’s leave the design to the experts, not the politicians.”

Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dan Peled.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the government was “powering on” to deliver the Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road upgrade which would be warmly welcomed by Central Queensland residents.

“The local community has been engaged at every step of the planning and design process to identify the best outcome,” Mr Bailey said.

“We are also working closely with impacted landowners and businesses and continue to do so as we progress through the detailed design phase.”

In relation to Cr Ireland’s concerns, Mr Bailey said a roundabout at this location would not improve traffic flow or safety given the speeds along this key commuter route.

“I’m committed to working with all levels of the government to get this work done so it’s disappointing the council has criticised without raising it directly with me or the state MP Brittany Lauga,” Mr Bailey said.

“Mayor Ireland and his councillors have had a number of meetings with my department and have always showed support for the upgrade to date.

“I look forward to seeing the mayor write to me outlining his concerns so I’m aware of what they are before any meeting is agreed to.”