Gympie Bypass blasting works will ‘remove’ 40,000m3 of rock

The State Government sent out notices to residents explaining the works would form part of Contract 1 of the Cooroy to Curra project to “remove rock along the new highway alignment between Noosa and Penny roads, Mothar Mountain, using controlled blasting methods”.

Aerial view of clearing works near Gympie for the final section of the Cooroy to Curra Bruce Highway Bypass.

Blasting works at the site of the Gympie Bypass will see about 40,000 cubic metres of rock removed between two country roads starting next week.

Nearby residents of the project were this week told to expect traffic disruptions, noise, vibrations and dust as controlled blasting begins later this month.

The State Government sent out notices to residents explaining the works would form part of Contract 1 of the Cooroy to Curra project to “remove rock along the new highway alignment between Noosa and Penny roads, Mothar Mountain, using controlled blasting methods”.

Gympie Bypass looking along Penny Road ridge, taken Australia Day 2021.

A spokesperson for the Department of Transport and Main Roads shed more light on just how much rock would need to be moved during this stage of the project.

“Work will start from Monday (June 14) to remove rock within the new highway alignment using controlled blasting methods,” the spokesperson said.

“This type of excavation is only used when the contractor encounters hard rock which cannot be removed by large construction equipment.

“Blasting will be conducted along the C2CD project between Woondum and Sandy Creek Road, Veteran.

“It is estimated about 40,000m3 of hard rock may need to be removed. This will vary depending on the geology.”

The spokesperson said the first of the controlled blasts would take place at Mothar Mountain, with a blast radius exclusion zone and road closures established for safety reasons.

“The first controlled blast will occur between Noosa and Penny roads, Mothar Mountain,” the TMR spokesperson said.

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“A 200m radius blast exclusion zone will be established.

“We are planning to close a small section of Noosa Road on Monday (14 June) between 2pm and 2.30pm for an initial trial blast.

“Should more rock be uncovered along the alignment, further information will be provided to nearby residents and the public.

“We would like to thank the community for their patience during this time.”

Gympie councillor and East Deep Creek resident Dan Stewart shared the notice on his Dan 4 Gympie Facebook page, saying he didn’t expect too much interruption from the works.

Originally published as Gympie Bypass blasting works will ‘remove’ 40,000m3 of rock