Duck Creek Road advocates were heartened by Council’s response when they called a meeting to progress having the road reopened.
Locals Sally Undery and Jodie O’Reilly told the Beaudesert Bulletin they had a ‘productive meeting’ with Council on 29 November as part of an ongoing community campaign.
Related story: Bring back Duck Creek Road
Duck Creek Road, officially opened in 1988, was built by volunteers as a shorter route up the mountain and to attract more tourists.
Since Cyclone Debbie damage forced the road’s closure in 2017, years of frustration and funding rejections have bolstered locals’ determination to get the road reopened for regional connectivity, safety, local employment and economic opportunity.
Sally and Jodie were positive about their most recent meeting with Council.
“Council introduced the concept plan they had been working on using satellite images and explained that mapping the waterflow was of high importance for this road,” Sally said.
“We discussed the concept of returning Duck Creek Road to an iconic asset for the Scenic Rim in the form of a heritage/ nature trail with interpretive signage and beautiful places to enjoy the view – a destination within itself. In short, returning the road to its original condition and purpose. Council was open to us discussing this concept with their economic development department to explore further.
“It was felt that this concept would be good to include in a business feasibility study which Council was considering for Duck Creek Road. It was also suggested that as well as helping with local knowledge and past road usage statistics, it could be helpful if the community contributed financially in some way to the business feasibility study and detailed design.”
A Council spokesperson confirmed the meeting.
“The meeting addressed re-opening Duck Creek Road and shifting the focus of the road from being a four-wheel drive track to an iconic destination or trail for tourism/visitor, and access purposes,” they said.
“Council is continuing to explore specifics around the steps required if Duck Creek Road were to be reopened. The cost to reopen the road to a suitable standard for traffic is substantial and presents a funding challenge.
“After Council met with community members, a meeting was held between Council’s Asset and Environmental Sustainability and Regional Prosperity teams where it was outlined that funding is not available in Council’s current operational budget, so assistance to re-open and possibly reimagine the use for Duck Creek Road would require the support of the Australian and Queensland governments.”
