Nearly nine out of ten surveyed Elimbah residents oppose the latest proposed route for Stage 4 of the Moreton Motorway, as the community contests state government plans impacting homes and businesses along the corridor north of Brisbane.
New Route Proposal Draws Concern
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has identified a new proposed path for Stage 4 of the future Moreton Motorway, a 12.6-kilometre section planned between Beerburrum and Moodlu.
This latest proposal marks the third attempt to define a route for this northern section after TMR dropped two previous options, which ran through the middle of Elimbah, following strong community opposition over 12 months.
TMR is inviting public feedback on the current proposed alignment, with the submission deadline extended to 5:00 p.m. on 14 May, 2025. Local campaigners welcomed the extension, stating the initial timeframe was too short for preparing effective submissions.
Residents Seek Route Shift
Community dissatisfaction remains high despite the new route being positioned further west of the Elimbah township than previous options. An online survey indicated 88 per cent of respondents were “not happy at all” with the proposal. Campaigners, including spokesperson Kim Litchfield, have indicated that while the need for infrastructure to support regional growth is understood, the community wants the best outcome for the area.
This includes pushing for the motorway’s path to be moved further west, outside the current urban footprint, to reduce the impact on existing homes, farms, and businesses. Some residents commenting via a community Facebook page echoed this, suggesting the route should go further to avoid properties entirely or that the existing M1 highway should be widened instead.
The campaigners do not see the current proposal as the final route, even though TMR information has suggested that options further west were previously ruled out. Submission support workshops are being held for affected community members.
Project Background and Purpose
The focus on Stage 4 is part of the early planning for the larger Moreton Motorway, a key long-term initiative previously known as the Bruce Highway Western Alternative. This future motorway is planned to span approximately 50 kilometres from Beerburrum down to Bald Hills.
TMR is undertaking this project to support forecast population growth in the region. The department states the motorway aims to provide a vital new transport link connecting communities to homes, jobs, and services, improve the resilience of the transport network, ease congestion, and help maintain the Bruce Highway’s function as the primary route for freight and long-distance travel.
The land corridors for the first two stages of the motorway, covering 22 kilometres between Moodlu and Narangba, have already been identified and protected. Stage 3 planning between Narangba and Bald Hills will proceed after Stage 4 is finalised.
Planning Considerations and Timeline
In developing the current Stage 4 proposal, TMR stated that significant consideration was given to waterways, native vegetation, and cultural heritage sites. The department also noted the route avoids Mount Elimbah (The Saddleback) and Mount Miketeebumulgrai. The current plans include bridges at Whittington, Child, Brucknell, Old Gympie, Twin View, and McDougall Roads, along with overpasses at Beerburrum Road and across the railway line.
While planning and corridor protection are underway, TMR anticipates that construction of the Moreton Motorway is still more than a decade away. Protecting the necessary land now is intended to provide certainty for the community and industry, ensuring the land is available when needed for future construction.
Published Date 30-April-2025
Photo Credit: TMR
