Sunshine councillor vows to help Coolum Beach residents over road drama

The Sunshine Coast Council has changed its tune over residents’ fears about a Coolum Beach road and escalating driveway drama that recently escalated with verbal and written abuse.

Sunshine Coast councillor Jason O’Pray has vowed to do something about a blind bend in a road that a group of Coolum Beach residents fear.

Resident Raina O’Brien last week said she had to wind her window down to listen for traffic on Toolga St before pulling out of her driveway, often with her children in her vehicle, because she could not see around the bend.

She said her family was regularly subjected to verbal abuse, “flipping the bird” and had recently received a handwritten note calling her a “rude c--t” for reversing out of her driveway.

She said backing out or driving out made no difference because no one could see around the bend in the road.

The Sunshine Coast Council at first stated residents should park on the street if it was “hazardous” reversing from their driveways.

Neighbours Aaron Lello, Lauren Kertland, Raina O’Brien and Rich Schroder are all afraid of departing their driveways on Toolga St in Coolum Beach.

A council spokeswoman said the 60km/h speed limit on the road was appropriate.

However, Mr O’Pray said he had spent about 30 minutes at the Toolga St site on November 30 and experienced firsthand the blind corner when he was parking.

Sunshine Coast councillor Jason O'Pray has vowed to do something about a blind bend on Toolga St in Coolum Beach.

He had to pull out into oncoming traffic on the blind corner.

“I inadvertently did the test myself, the street is really tight, it’s not nice,” Mr O’Pray said.

He said younger drivers like his daughter would not have the experience to pull out near the blind bend.

He spoke with Ms O’Brien about lowering the speed limit, possible traffic calming devices or using yellow lines on parts of the road along with visibility assistance.

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The division eight councillor said the council would first have to collect data before proceeding with any fix and he had asked traffic engineers to visit the site next week.

Ms O’Brien said she appreciated his visit.

“That’s the first time we’ve ever had anyone from the council come out and talk to us properly about this issue,” she said.

“He seems like he’s on board with getting a solution not just for us but for everyone along that stretch.”