Qld govt reveals possible new spot for overtaking lane at Tin Can Bay Rd

A much-demanded safety fix on one of the region’s most dangerous roads is one step closer to reality, with the state government revealing details following more than three years of campaigning by the community.

The state government revealed it undertook ‘preliminary investigations’ into a proposed overtaking lane along the road which connects Gympie with the Cooloola Coast.Labor Transport Minister Bart Mellish (inset) said these found the best spot for such a lane may be further away from the city.

A push for a new overtaking lane on Tin Can Bay Rd appears likely to be headed toward a victory, although questions remain as to where the new safety fix would be placed on the notorious stretch.

The state government revealed, in response to a question on notice from Gympie LNP MP Tony Perrett, it undertook “preliminary investigations” into a proposed overtaking lane along the road that connects Gympie with the Cooloola Coast.

Labor Transport Minister Bart Mellish said these found the best spot for such a lane may be further away from the city.

Mr Mellish said the initial focus at the start was on “opportunities for a new outbound overtaking lane between Gympie and east of Kin Kin Rd”.

What soon emerged was the possibility of “more cost effective options further east”.

The state government revealed it undertook “preliminary investigations” into a proposed overtaking lane along the road which connects Gympie with the Cooloola Coast. Labor Transport Minister Bart Mellish (inset) said these found the best spot for such a lane may be further away from the city.

Calls have been growing for safety fixes on the road, which in 2020 was identified through traffic crash data as the most dangerous stretch in the region outside the Bruce Hwy, for several years.

A petition launched by Rainbow Beach businessman Tony Stewart in 2021 calling for safety fixes including an overtaking lane

drew more than 11,500 signatures in support.

Mr Mellish said the community’s feedback was the next step towards finding the best solution.

Rainbow Beach businessman Tony Stewart launched a petition calling for safety fixes on Cooloola Coast roads, including Tin Can Bay Rd, in 2021. The petition drew more than 11,500 signatures.

“TMR plans to undertake broader consultation in the second half of the year to help understand how widespread this issue is and if the community has any further feedback on the location of an overtaking lane,” he said.

Mr Mellish said “broader consultation” would happen later in 2024 “to help understand how widespread this issue is and if the community has any further feedback on the location of an overtaking lane”.

On Tuesday Mr Perrett questioned why the public was still waiting for this new lane “six years later”.

“The government clearly has no real commitment to fix this road,” Mr Perrett said in response to the answer.

“It makes promises which are not delivered, and then drops the speed limit which causes even more frustration for drivers.

“This has been going on for years.”

He stressed the urgency of the fix given the population growth forecast for the region in the coming years.

“This is a rapidly growing region with a growing number of tourists and visitors using the road... The government should have fixed the road and delivered the overtaking lanes.”

Originally published as Qld govt reveals possible new spot for overtaking lane at Tin Can Bay Rd