Sunshine Coast’s Harmony estate developers under fire for Bruce Hwy access

Fed up residents of one of the Sunshine Coast’s fastest growing communities are calling on the developer to finally start work on a promised second access road.

Residents of a $3bn Sunshine Coast community say they have been “sold a lie” as the developer refuses to confirm when they will build a major second access road.

There is one road in and out of AVID Property Group’s Harmony estate and construction is yet to start on the long-awaited Bruce Hwy connection which was expected to be completed by June.

Sunshine Coast councillor Christian Dickson wants the State Government to intervene and demand the developer get started, or the council to stop approving new lots in the area.

He said having one access into the growing master planned community created stress and anxiety for residents during last December’s bushfire and recent floods.

Palmview resident and Sunshine Coast councillor Christian Dickson is calling on AVID Property Group to start work on the Bruce Hwy connection road.

Water lapped at the access road, Peter Crosby Way, as the Sunshine Coast copped a six-day drenching.

Mr Dickson said it was a relief the road was not cut however that did little to ease concerns about future natural disasters.

A company spokesman said it was “committed” to building the second access but could not confirm when construction would start or be completed.

They said an agreement to “finalise this matter” and allow construction to start would be formally considered by council.

However a Sunshine Coast Council spokesman said all necessary council approvals were already granted.

Resident Jo Bonner said it was “laughable” construction was yet to start on the promised road connection.

The Royal Australia Air Force reservist said she was concerned residents did not know emergency routes should their access be cut.

“For me I used to work in the SES and my dad used to be a firefighter … so I know things can go bad so quickly,” Ms Bonner said.

“It does worry me.

“With the fire last year I’m a planner and a prepper but I was getting nervous … that fire was too close for comfort.”

Ms Bonner said she was told by sales staff in 2019 the road would be built within “the next year or two”.

“The thing that irks me is that there are now thousands of families in Harmony and if you asked all of them when that road would be delivered everyone would tell you a different thing,” she said.

Palmview resident Jo Bonner is disappointed with the lack of progress on the second access road into the community.

“I loved the planning they had for this place – I loved what they were saying that ‘it’s one of the best planned spaces on the Sunshine Coast’.

“But at the end of the day you have to deliver what you’re promising.

“We were sold a lie.”

Mr Dickson said after last year’s fires some residents were discussing the potential for a class action.

“They’re fearful that someone will die out here before something is done,” Mr Dickson said.

Harmony resident Karen Riddell said that when she bought four years ago she was told the second access road would be completed by 2021.

“With the way the real estate market is they keep opening up new blocks and they are not updating the infrastructure,” she said.

A Transport and Main Roads spokesman said they understood the developer was committed to delivering the second access “as a priority”.

He said the department would work with AVID and council to provide the best outcome.

Mr Dickson said if work didn’t start soon the council should stop approving fast-tracked subdivisions in the area.

“We wanted to get people in those homes but it’s been to the detriment of this community,” he said.

Mr Dickson said it was understood AVID was $80m behind in infrastructure spending.

According to AVID an evacuation plan has been supplied to the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.

“As has always been the case, the QFES will contact residents with necessary instructions on how to access all emergency evacuation points and routes if and when required,” an AVID spokesman said.

“AVID has kept its residents informed on this matter and has provided updates as we have been able to do so.”

Originally published as Sunshine Coast’s Harmony estate developers under fire for Bruce Hwy access