Fears Waterworks road intersection will seize up

A developer plans to build 700 houses nearby, but Council doesn’t think it needs to do anything to upgrade a busy westside road.

Save The Gap’s Nick Winwood says Council must upgrade the Waterworks/Settlement roads intersection to cope with traffic from a development at the Keperra quarry. Picture: Bradley Cooper

A busy Waterworks Rd intersection at The Gap could become clogged with traffic once a huge new housing estate is finished, some locals fear.

The owner of the old Keperra quarry site on Settlement Rd, will launch a masterplanned 700-home community at the site in 2021.

But Council is still insisting the nearby intersection at Waterworks and Settlement roads will not need to be upgraded.

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Frasers Property Australia bought the 48.7ha site for $31 million after former owner, Brookfield Residential Properties, put it on the market last year.

A $234 million masterplanned community with up to 700 detached, low density and terrace homes, 7000sq m neighbourhood retail and childcare centres and about 60 per cent green space is approved for the site.

“Our focus now is to refine the masterplan design for the new community, working towards an expected launch in 2021,” a Frasers spokesman said.

An artists' impression of Brookfield's plan for the old Keperra Quarry site.

Labor candidate for The Gap ward, Daniel Bevis, was concerned about Council’s handling of the project.

“This is a congestion nightmare waiting to happen,” Mr Bevis said.

“I don’t know where Council is getting their information from, there is no way you can add 700 new homes without seriously impacting traffic.

“On the one hand, Council approves these enormous developments, but on the other they refuse to make the necessary infrastructure upgrades to ensure the community isn’t worse off.’’

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A Council spokeswoman confirmed it had no current plans to upgrade the intersection.

“We will continue to monitor this intersection and consider future upgrades in line with citywide priorities,’’ she said.

Save The Gap spokesman Nick Winwood said traffic at the intersection had increased noticeably this year because people realised it was quicker to get into the city along Waterworks Rd than along Samford Rd.

“If you’re going to allow development like this you need to upgrade infrastructure,’’ he said.

“Council is always running the line that the intersection is OK.

“On top of that, we’re still sceptical the emergency access route on to Mt Nebo Rd from (the Cedar Woods estate) will be turned into an exit for their residents.’’

Mr Winwood said Council did not appear to have a plan for fixing Waterworks Rd, which he feared would become the major issue facing The Gap in coming years.