Communities of Lower Beechmont and Beechmont cut-off by landslides told fix could take two years

Gold Coast residents are facing an extra hour on their daily commute due to a road closure – and it could stay that way for up to two years.

Hinterland residents are facing an extra hour on their daily commute due to a road closure – and it could stay that way for up to two years.

A 20-minute drive to the Coast for some Lower Beechmont residents is now taking 80 minutes following the closure of Beechmont Rd in March due a landslide.

The extra travel time is putting even more strain on cost of living pressures, particularly petrol, and concerns around emergency crews.

Until the road is fixed, residents are forced to use Beaudesert-Nerang Rd via Canungra, which adds an extra hour to the commute to central Gold Coast.

Some residents have been told it could take up to two years to fix. The Department of Transport and Mains Roads (TMR) is unable to provide a timeframe for reopening.

Beechmont Road. Picture: Transport and Main Roads

Lower Beechmont resident Catherine Jackson said the road closure was causing people to spend more money on petrol and putting strain on other roads.

She was also worried about response times for emergency services.

“I did hear of one small boy having an accident and the parents had to drive him to hospital themselves,” Ms Jackson said.

“There’s a lot of frustration. It is really affecting a lot of people financially who are already so stretched – so those extra dollars going into petrol are really starting to add up.”

Signs on Lower Beechmont Rd at the bottom of the mountain. Picture: Glenn Hampson

She said the community was also frustrated with the lack of communication from TMR.

“I feel they have given tokenistic correspondence. I don’t even think they know what they’re doing.

“There’s a lot of gossip and word-of-mouth communication. I think I have received one letter (from TMR).”

Rosewood Estate owner Simon Skerrett said the road closure had affected his wedding venue business.

“It makes the venue less desirable because it’s that much further from the Gold Coast, so it does impact business,” he said.

“It wouldn’t be desirable if the road stayed closed long-term.”

Simon Skerrett of Rosewood Estate laments the extra time it will take him each day to reach his business on top of the mountain. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Dan McKenzie, from Providence Farm, said motorists were “driving faster” to make up the extra travel time.

“Hopefully, they can get it fixed as soon as possible,” he said.

A Transport and Main Roads spokeswoman said reconstruction of Beechmont Rd would be “incredibly challenging” given the steep hinterland and extent of the damage.

TMR is investigating the possibility of building a temporary side track to allow single-lane traffic to pass under traffic control while reconstruction takes place.

“Our teams are working hard to provide access as soon as they possibly can, but it is too early to confirm when roads can safely reopen,” the spokeswoman said.

“As soon as we know more on when roads may reopen, we will let residents and motorists know.

“We will continue to keep the community updated as this disaster recovery work progresses.”

Residents of nearby Springbrook are facing similar problems and have been cut off due to the closure of Gold Coast Springbrook Rd.

Gold Coast-Springbrook Road. Picture: Transport and Main Roads

Division 9 Councillor Glenn Tozer said the road closures affecting Beechmont and Springbrook were the state government’s responsibility.

“I have attended community meetings in Springbrook this past week and arranged for assistance to the Lower Beechmont community during these inconvenient times while the state government do their job,” Mr Tozer said.

“Frankly, the sooner the roads can be made safe and re-opened the better. Until that time, my office will do our best to refer residents to state or council services available to them that might be able to offer temporary assistance.”

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