Residents who are keen to see Duck Creek Road reopened are encouraging fellow locals to send letters of support to Council to bolster efforts to secure funding.
The Beaudesert Bulletin understands the Scenic Rim Regional Council plans to apply for funding under the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants for the road’s design and reconstruction.
Duck Creek 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.
It has been closed since 2017, when ex-tropical Cyclone Debbie caused severe damage through flooding and landslips.
At the time, it did not qualify for Disaster Recovery funded reconstruction, and a well-supported application by Council for a grant under the South East Queensland Community Stimulus Program to reconstruct Duck Creek Road was unsuccessful.
Now, locals who want to see the road reopened are urging others to send their letters of support to Council by 29 September.
Those locals are calling for a full upgrade, including looking at a staged approach to sealing the entire road and a well-planned maintenance schedule to deter 4WD enthusiasts damaging the road and hassling those who live on the road.
Sally Undery from the Kerry Valley, who has long been a Duck Creek Road advocate, said there was power in numbers.
“Our aim is to get as many community letters sent in support of the Council’s application as possible. There are people from all walks of life who have a connection to Duck Creek Road or would find it useful for the road to be open,” she said.
“One of the types of letters we are interested in is from people who used to use Duck Creek Road to commute to work, this would help give an indication of the employment opportunities.”
Division Three Councillor Virginia West said, after engaging a suitably qualified engineering design firm to undertake a concept design, Council estimated it would cost about $3 million to reopen Duck Creek Road for basic and safe access by motorists.
“Council understands that Duck Creek Road has historically been used by visitors and residents travelling to and from Lamington National Park and could be an alternative route during bush fire and storm event,” she said.
“Council will continue to pursue opportunities to seek external funding for this project, and welcome letters of support from businesses and community organisations impacted by the closure of Duck Creek Road.”
To provide a letter of support, email mail@scenicrim.com.au with the subject line Duck Creek Road letter of support.
