Residents’ fears mount over Blackbutt Range safety

Growing cracks in the barrier of a crucial Burnett arterial have motorists on edge and fears building that it will be shut down, or worse, someone will die. Watch the video:

The Blackbutt range connects the South Burnett to Brisbane and the coast, but the recent development of major cracks in a concrete wall that protects traffic from falling rocks and landslides is making many motorists nervous.

Nanango LNP MP Deb Frecklington said any loss of the major access route would be devastating to the community.

“I have real concerns about the cracks in the concrete stabilising wall, and that if we experience further heavy rain, there could be a landslip which closes the Blackbutt Range,” Mrs Frecklington said.

“Since the cracks started appearing in March last year I have written to the Department of Transport and Main Roads on four separate occasions to highlight these legitimate safety concerns.”

Residents have shared their concerns about the damaged barrier and fear the road may eventually close if something is not done to fix it.

Blackbutt resident Jan Gardner said if heavy rain should hit the region the trees could fall down “like an avalanche”.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey - his department has provided assurances they are monitoring the condition of the concrete wall on the Blackbutt Range. Photo: Mark Bailey MP.

Truck driver Ian Johnsson said he regularly drove along the range and had watched it worsen over the past few years.

“I’m scared one day I’ll drive down to find the road closed with soil and concrete blasted all over the road,” he said.

Another Blackbutt resident said he thought no repairs would happen until a life was lost from a landslide.

“The state of this road is a disgrace,” he said.

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Mrs Frecklington said TMR had assured her it was monitoring the condition of the concrete wall.

A Transport and Main Roads spokesman said safety was their priority.

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“We can assure the community there is no immediate risk to road users,” a spokesman said.

“The most recent monitoring of the site was undertaken on 13 June 2023.

“Geotechnical investigations have been completed to monitor ground movement and provide data for a remediation design,” he said.

The department will continue to monitor the condition of the concrete wall and prioritise any intervention works until longer-term remediation work can be scheduled.