The Bruce Highway Western Alternative Stage 2 project has been confirmed and property owners in affected areas are concerned over the potential resumption of at least 85 homes. Information sessions have been scheduled to cover the Morayfield, Upper Caboolture, and Narangba communities.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads announced that the Bruce Highway Western Alternative Stage 2 includes 16 kilometres between Moorina and Narangba, connecting the communities of Pine Valley, Morayfield South, Burpengary, and Narangba. In its entirety, however, the transport corridor will span 60 kilometres from the North Brisbane Area to Beerburrum.
“We expect more than 656,000 people to move to the Moreton Bay region by 2041,” Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said.
“This western alternative to the Bruce Highway will be essential in supporting growth and to prevent gridlock between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
Photo Credit: TMR
“Planning ahead allows us to give certainty to local residents, and ensure we are delivering something that meets the needs of the community in the long term.
The gazettal of Stage 2 is set to start in 2023 and locals are encouraged to give their feedback on the preferred alignment online until the 12th of February 2023. Stage 1, spanning eight kilometres from Moodlu to Moorina, was already confirmed in late 2021.
Information sessions will also take place at three venues:
- Morayfield Community Hall, Tuesday 29 November
- Upper Caboolture Farmers Assembly Hall, Monday 5 December
- Narangba Community Centre (Main Hall), Tuesday 13 December
However, reports cited that about 85 residents recently received letters from Mr Bailey’s office to let them know that their property might be resumed once the road work on Stage 2 starts.
One local Narangba said that whilst she did not get any letter compared to her neighbours, her house will still be close to the construction site of a future busy highway. The resident does not believe she could easily sell her property because of this.
“This was so underhanded no community consultation at all,” Narangba resident Marina Larsen shared at the Narangba & Surrounding Landowners Support Group, adding that the expanded road works will go straight to her house. “We received a brochure in the mail stating that it was coming here but they had not decided where. Now they have decided! Absolutely disgusting great Australian dream crushed.”
“I think it is incredibly unfair now for the affected landholders to have far less options to debate the route as it has progressed to a preferred single route,” another resident, Paul Gentle, wrote.
“As this new road will drastically change our area and degrade the peaceful rural lifestyle that we have all moved here for, will potentially significantly affect property valuations as the quite rural appeal will now no longer be a selling point.
“I would like to raise the point that the zoning should be changed so people who are not directly affected and compensated by the change to the area may be able to subdivide so they are able to raise sufficient funds to be able to relocate to rebuild what they will be loosing in another location.”
TMR, however, said that resumption has not formally started and the process could take years.
“I acknowledge this is a difficult time for those directly impacted,” Mr Bailey said.
“Moreton Bay is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia and we need to plan for that population growth.
“We all want to spend less time in traffic and this road project is an important part of ensuring that residents have good access to community infrastructure and jobs.
“We are already accepting early submissions and feedback on the next stages, and I recommend locals register for email updates on the project and take every opportunity to have their say.”
