Duck Creek Road advocates continue to apply gentle pressure to see the road reopened.
The community-built road connecting Beaudesert and O’Reilly’s, considered an essential route for local employment and safety particularly in bushfire season, has been closed since Cyclone Debbie in 2017.
Sally Undery and Jodie O’Reilly were among local advocates who met with Council on 9 August in a bid to work more closely with Local Government on the road’s reopening.
They sought the meeting to explore the possibility of getting Duck Creek Road on Council’s 10-year plan and to see how they could enrich further funding applications, after Council’s two most recent funding applications were unsuccessful.
“It was great to meet with Council to discuss Duck Creek Road and how as a community we can help with getting the road re-opened,” said Mrs Undery.
“It was suggested by Council officers that community fundraising could help when applying for grants. We were encouraged also by Council’s willingness to look at detailed concept plans for rebuilding Duck Creek as well as a feasibility study.
“We are hoping to have some input to the criteria that Council might use for a feasibility study. We are looking forward to getting a progress report on the road concept plan, feasibility study and possible grant applications for the Duck Creek Road rebuild from Council at our next meeting in November.”
In response to an enquiry from the Bulletin, Council detailed progress toward a feasibility study.
“A cost estimate is currently being sought to undertake a business case analysis and detailed design. This project is currently unfunded and therefore no timeframe has been set,” a spokesperson said.
“The first step would be to analyse data and recommendations derived from a business case, including scope and cost of the any proposed works, ongoing operations and maintenance, which would inform the overall value of investment required when compared to Council’s investment in, and prioritisation of, other projects within the region. Where required, information relevant to assessment of the road link may be sought (from the community).”
In response to a question about why Duck Creek Road isn’t on Council’s 10-Year Capital Program, Council provided the following statement:
“Council undertakes a prioritisation process when assessing projects that appear on the 10-Year Capital Program. There are many competing road projects within the Scenic Rim region. This project currently falls outside of current 10-Year investment timeframe,” they said.
The spokesperson said Council continued to seek external funding for Duck Creek Road but to date had not been successful, and would meet again with community before the end of the calendar year.
