A meeting held at Westbrook on Monday night provided some clarity on the Department of Transport and Main Road’s (TMR) proposed Toowoomba North South Transport Corridor, however some details still remain a mystery.
The meeting was organised by concerned community members in conjunction with Member for Condamine Pat Weir.
Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads Steve Minnikin was in attendance, as were three representatives from TMR.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey was invited but did not attend.
The proposed corridor runs along the western side of Toowoomba from Cambooya to Geham.
Its construction, which will not take place for many years, will require the acquisition of hundreds of properties, both partially and entirely, and the demolishing of homes.
The meeting was also attended by many Toowoomba Region Councillors, including Mayor Geoff McDonald.
Bill Lansbury, Regional Director Southern Queensland of TMR, gave a presentation about the transport corridor, covering its purpose and intended effect.
Mr Lansbury said projections show Toowoomba and surrounds to grow by 60,000 people over the next 20 years or so, with two-thirds of growth to occur in Highfields and the west of Toowoomba.
He said the route was important to connect people living in those areas to the growing commercial areas of Wellcamp and Charlton, where many of them will likely work.
Mr Lansbury said the road will not function as a bypass, except for a small portion around Charlton.
During the Q&A portion of the meeting, many residents spoke about the impact the transport corridor would have on their livelihood, destroying the homes and properties they had planned to live in for decades to come.
Many took issue with the excessive 150 metre width of the corridor, which will require the acquisition of many more hectares of land.
If this land is even needed will not be known for at least ten to twenty years, after a business case has been conducted.
Resident Dieter Hitchins spoke about the four week period TMR had originally set aside for public consultation, and asked how the emotional damage inflicted upon impacted residents is assessed.
He said he was “absolutely disgusted” with that time frame and suggested a 12-month consultation period.
A TMR representative said the department tries to make the consultation period as short as possible as it is an extremely distressing time for landowners and it would extend the period of uncertainty.
Another public meeting has already been held in Highfields and Mr Weir said plans are underway for a third meeting to be held in Gowrie Junction.
Following public backlash, the public consultation period was extended by more than a month to 8 September.
Mr Weir urged residents concerned with the transport corridor, who have not already done so, to submit feedback via TMR’s public consultation.
Members of the public can provide feedback to TMR by phoning 1800 335 625, emailing tnstc@tmr.qld.gov.au or visiting TMR’s website tmr.qld.gov.au and searching for ‘TNSTC’.
A petition submitted to the Queensland Parliament to stop the proposed transport corridor has already garnered over 3,500 signatures.
If it receives 10,000 signatures before the closing date of 18 August, it must be debated in Parliament.
It can be viewed and signed at https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/Petition-Details?id=3924
Do you support the proposed transport corridor, or are you against it? You can voice your opinion by sending a Letter to the On Our Selection News Editor by emailing editorial@cliftoncourier.com.au
Related stories: First look at planned bypass route, Plans for new western bypass
This article appeared in On Our Selection News, 3 August 2023.
