Concerns raised over Woombye intersection before fatal crash

Residents raised concerns about an intersection with MP Rob Skelton and the Department of Transport and Main Roads months before the death of a teen motorbike rider.

Hayden Webb died in a crash in Woombye on March 21.

Residents raised concerns about an intersection in a meeting with Nicklin MP Rob Skelton and the Department of Transport and Main Roads months before the death of a teen motorbike rider in Woombye.

Hayden Webb, 19, died on Tuesday, March 21 after the motorbike he was riding was involved in a crash with a car at the intersection of Diddillibah and Nambour Connection roads.

Diddillibah Rd resident Ann Maher said a group of local residents and a representative of the Woombye Community and Business Association called for the meeting on October 19, 2022 with Mr Skelton and the Department to voice their concerns after seeing a “growing number of near misses at the intersection”.

“The concerns included speed, U-turns by cars travelling north, the small waiting lane in the centre and the length of formal merging/turning lanes on both sides,” she said.

“Several short-term options were proposed, subject to available funding.

“More strategic ideas were also tabled, including traffic lights and/or a roundabout.”

Hayden’s heartbroken brother this week paid tribute to “the kindest, most caring person” following the tragedy.

Flowers laid at the intersection where motorcyclist Hayden Webb died.

But Ms Maher claims the Department said there was no funding available to change anything.

“We hoped to start a dialogue to raise the profile of an issue that concerns us,” she said.

“We obviously would have loved to get immediate action, but we realise this is difficult.”

Ms Maher said the Department had looked at the intersection in more detail following the meeting but nothing had been changed.

“We hope they will do so again now, as a matter of urgency,” she said.

“We will continue to take positive action to get investment for this intersection as traffic volumes increase.”

The scene of the fatal crash on Nambour Connection Rd in Woombye.

Woombye Community and Business Association vice president Grant Palethorpe said a set of synchronised lights at the intersection would solve the safety issues.

“That seems like a logical and safe outcome that would solve the problem,” he said.

“There’s absolutely a concern about safety because the roads haven’t really improved since they were first built and they can’t cope.”

Nicklin MP Robert Skelton. Picture, Patrick Woods.

A Department spokeswoman said they were saddened to hear of the tragic crash but did not respond to questions about what had been done following the meeting or if anything would be done now.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the motorcycle rider who lost his life,” she said.

“We will work with the Queensland Police Service to investigate the circumstances of the crash.”

The spokeswoman said a review of the last five years of crash data did not show any other injury-related crashes at this intersection.

Mr Skelton said he had met with community members alongside the Department late last year to discuss safety along this section of road but did not respond to questions about what he did in response.

“I will continue to advocate for improved road safety across our community,” he said.