ADVOCATES for reopening Duck Creek Road at Kerry have launched an online petition to bolster their efforts.
Duck Creek Road has been closed since 2017, when ex-tropical Cyclone Debbie caused severe damage through flooding and landslips.
The road, which connects Beaudesert and O’Reilly’s via Kerry Road, is considered an essential route for local employment and safety, particularly during bushfire season.
Locals who have been pushing for years to have it reopened are now ramping up their campaign, particularly ahead of the March 16 Scenic Rim Regional Council election.
The petition is an effort to have the voices of the community heard, after frustratingly slow progress and setbacks in response to their significant efforts to source support.
“There are many of us, but we are from a small community which they can easily ignore – the more signatures in support of reopening the road, the stronger we become,” the petition reads.
“Some of us have a historic connection and were part of the original building and maintenance of the road since 1988… others have lost employment opportunities on the mountain (what was a 30-minute trip is now two and a half hours).”
Advocate Sally Undery urged locals to get on board.
“Please help us convince Council and the State Government that this unique tourism, employment and natural wonder is something the whole community deserves to have access to once again,” she said.
“I would like to ask that not only do you personally sign and share the petition, but you consider doing it on behalf of your business as well. The economic benefits for local business and employment with Duck Creek Road open are huge.
“Not only will local tourism and food business directly benefit from the increased ability to do a ‘scenic’ Scenic Rim drive from east to west but the other town businesses will also benefit from the economics of a thriving tourism industry.
“Reopening Duck Creek Road will have a direct and indirect economic benefit to businesses in Scenic Rim. And then there are the employment benefits, too.”
To view the petition, visit https://www.petitions.net/stats.php?id=431108
To follow the progress of the campaign, follow ‘Friends of Duck Creek Road’ on Facebook.
