Eumundi Voice - Issue 75, 17 August 2023

Eumundi Voice is celebrating its three-year anniversary since its first issue and this is our 75th edition! Issue one featured an article that the 'green light' for funding had been given to address safety risks posed by the lack of pedestrian and bike access on the bridge across the North Maroochy River near the turn off to Seib Rd.

Member for Ninderry Dan Purdie announced in August 2020 that a shared funding commitment had been made by the Dept of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and Sunshine Coast Council. Three years later it appears the project has come to a standstill.

Last month at the Eumundi Chamber of Commerce meeting Cr David Law stated that council remains committed to the project, revised designs have been submitted to TMR and council funding is set aside. However no update on the design approval or date to begin works has been provided to council by TMR. Cr Law expressed his frustration at the delay particularly as construction costs continue to increase.

When questioned about the progress of the application since council’s latest update, Dan Purdie said TMR referred him to the formal advice provided on 24 February 2023 which confirms TMR and the Minister remain committed to helping council with this long overdue project.

“I share the community’s frustrations over the ongoing design and engineering issues. It’s something they’ve been demanding for over 20 years and has been one of my top priorities since I was elected five years ago,” said Dan.

“I am proud that I was able to secure funding for this project in 2020 and we’ve all been extremely patient since then as it’s gone back and forth between council and TMR. I have been repeatedly assured by the Minister that the project is fully funded and TMR is committed to supporting council as it will become an important part of the pedestrian network.”

Hejira Convery is the Eumundi resident featured on our first front cover in 2020 and explains that for their family the Eumundi-Noosa Road bridge is an ongoing issue. “We’ve had many scary times walking in anxious single file across the bridge to get to and from playgroup, school and restaurants in Eumundi township.

“There is a sliver of uneven bike track which is particularly scary when large vehicles like trucks, 4WDs and motorhomes whizz by in both lanes. On two occasions I’ve seen a family member trip on the uneven edge and fall onto the road which was miraculously free of traffic at the time.

“We have also ridden the emotional rollercoaster of seeing the pedestrian bridge supported, funded and then stalled. Three years ago a significant number of people signed a petition calling for safe pedestrian access across the bridge and we were elated when full funding was announced. This relief has been followed by the disappointment of seeing nothing built and the project needing to be redesigned.

“Though we’ve held out hope the bridge will be made safe in the near future, this hope has faded as the years have gone by. When I first raised the issue my daughter Ajuna was in a pram and she is now about to finish Yr 6.

“I know other community members were agitating for safe access years before I began doing so and although I’m very grateful for the efforts of Dan Purdie and Cr David Law, the fact remains we still have no safe pedestrian access to town and no sense the project is imminent or will ever happen.”

If anyone wishes to contact TMR phone: 07 5451 7055 or email: northcoast@tmr.qld.gov. au. Alternatively contact the Minister for TMR Mark Bailey MP phone: 07 3719 7300 or email: transportandmainroads@ministerial.qld.gov.au.