Push on to fix pothole-riddled road: ‘The fight isn’t over yet’

Andrew Powell with Tony Hartley and Dennis Hensby at Maleny-Kenilworth Road in Witta.

Member for Glass House Andrew Powell is committing to fight for further upgrades to Maleny-Kenilworth Road, this time on the Witta section between Curramore and Maleny.

“On the back of the recent success we’ve had with commitments to improve Maleny-Kenilworth Road at Cambroon, I’m setting my sights on getting the Witta section fixed too,” said Mr Powell.

Long term residents Tony Hartley and Dennis Hensby who use the road daily have strongly supported the push to address the quality of the road.

Last year, Tony and Andrew launched a petition calling on the Government to repair the road seal and verges of Maleny-Kenilworth Road between the main Maleny township and Curramore Road.

In his response to the petition, which received almost 1000 signatures, the Minister for Main Roads said Transport and Main Roads (TMR) contractors regularly inspected the road and repaired safety issues as soon as possible.

“The Minister should then explain to me how there are constantly potholes in the road?” said Mr Powell.

“The repair jobs that actually do get done are addressing the problems and barely last more than a week before the potholes open back up again.”

“It’s a safety issue. The road is riddled with potholes, infrequent mowing of the verges results in lack of good line of sight, and there are patches where grass is growing through and cracking open the bitumen,” said Mr Hartley.

“I’ve seen many a car cross over the double white lines to avoid potholes. It’s dangerous,” said Mr Hensby.

“I’m thrilled that the Cambroon section of the road is getting sealed and widened, but the fight can’t and won’t stop there. There are other sections of Maleny-Kenilworth Road that are just as dangerous and the Witta section now has my full attention,” said Mr Powell.