Bushland Beach locals are calling for better access, as Council announces an extension application

Northern Beaches residents say the council needs to address congestion issues before linking new roads to the Bruce. DETAILS.

Svensson Rd will be connected to the Bruce Highway.

Traffic congestion in North Shore coming out of Bushland Beach needs urgent attention before the council should consider opening up more suburbs, disgruntled community members have said.

On Wednesday, Townsville City Council voted to support an application to connect Svensson Road to North Shore Boulevard and the Bruce Highway.

The decision was met with mixed feedback from locals, with many agreeing that an expansion shouldn’t be the council’s priority.

The section of road is extremely congested daily and adds significant time to the commute into the city from the beaches.

Tim Doyle has been living in Bushland Beach for 15 years, and said the suburb holds “a lot of people in a small area, with only one real way out.”

Councillor Brodie Phillips. Townsville City Council general meeting. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Mount Low Parkway is currently the only road in and out of Bushland Beach.

“The extension for the second exit point for Bushland Beach has been a political football for the last decade now,” he said.

“Every time there’s a local or state election, it’s used as one of their political promises, but nothing ever happens.

“To see council voting to apply for funding for the extension before they’ve delivered on their promise for Bushland Beach, it’s quite disappointing.”

In a Townsville Bulletin poll, 82 per cent of voters agreed Svensson Road should be connected to Northshore Boulevard and the Bruce Highway.

Mr Doyle agrees, however believes it shouldn’t be first on the list of upgrades.

“Clean up the area that’s already an issue and then move onto the next one, rather than start to create something else, which is going to create another issue down the line,” he said.

Locals took to Facebook to express their opinions on the matter, following Wednesday’s announcement.

Tim Doyle is calling on Townsville City Council to help push along the development of Lionel Turner Rd. Picture: Caitlan Charles

“That’s great, ease a little traffic, but what about Bushland Beach one way in one way out, all you’re looking at is a new road for a new subdivision, what about the existing subdivision,” one commenter said.

“How about we focus on the Garland Road intersection at the highway and reduce congestion at the intersection,” said another.

Councillor Brodie Phillips said further road extensions were in the works, hoping to ease traffic around Bushland Beach.

“The Lionel Turner Dr extension detail design works are currently underway within this year’s budget,” he said on Facebook.

Mr Phillips said the planning, funding and construction of the road expansions is the responsibility of the state government, rather than Council.

“Our state member Nick Dametto MP has been pushing for these upgrades for years,” he said.

Originally published as Bushland Beach locals are calling for better access, as Council announces an extension application