Woombye group repeats calls to thwart threat of potential overpass

A Landsborough to Nambour Rail Corridor Study Fact Sheet from September 2008 shows a map of Woombye with a proposed overpass from Back Woombye Road to Blackall Street. It has Woombye nervous and the WCBA are concerned the proposal may still be on the drawing board.

Woombye Community and Business Association (WCBA) has maintained its concern about the potential for a road overpass to be constructed over the railway line into Woombye thereby splitting the town in two and attracting heavy traffic through the village. 

Concerns were sparked by historic plans such as a Landsborough to Nambour Rail Corridor Study Fact Sheet from September 2008 that shows a map of Woombye with a proposed overpass from Back Woombye Road to Blackall Street to replace the current underpass, see picture. 

It is an issue the WCBA’s Ken Hudson is passionate about having seen the demise of many regional town shopping centres when heavy traffic destroys the small-town feel.

“We are very concerned that this will direct even larger volumes of future traffic from the hinterland and all areas west of Woombye, and Palmwoods directly into the streets of Woombye,” says a draft  letter sent to State MP Rob Skelton and Councillor for Div 5 Winston Johnston.

“Traffic is already increasing at an alarming rate. We are particularly concerned that the scout hall will be wiped out, and the Woombye Memorial Park, CWA Park and 2nd Light Horse Regiment - Woombye Troop will be irreversibly impacted. This is not acceptable to the residents, traders, community groups and sporting clubs of Woombye.”

The WCBA says community responses to Council’s Blackall Street community engagement, late 2020, were characterised by comments such as ‘pedestrian friendly’, ‘slowing traffic’, ‘improving safety’, ‘retaining existing character’. 

“The streetscape design will deliver on these community aspirations, any overpass increasing traffic volume through the centre of town is totally against the community’s expectations,” said WCBA Vice President Grant Palethorpe. “It would undermine the efforts being made by Council to retain the town’s historic character and enhance walkability and safety for the town’s residents and visitors.”

The WCBA said it was critical for government planners to nominate an alternate traffic corridor bypass and incorporate it in the new town plan “before even more development spreads into locations suitable for the future bypass”. 

“Our Woombye Community & Business Association believes the long-term preservation of our lovely village and adjacent residences is a very high priority. 

“Hence, we passionately desire this important issue be addressed now, and included in the current rewrite of the town plan.”

In reply, Transport and Main Roads (TMR) said it did not have any current plans for an overpass through Woombye village, and there was no funding allocated to investigate any such proposal.

They said the proposal outlined by Mr Hudson would have significant impacts in a highly constrained environment. “Any major changes to access requires careful planning and detailed investigations.

“We consider many factors when determining future upgrades, including impacts to the surrounding community and input from affected residents.

“We understand the village atmosphere of Woombye is an important part of the community and existing buildings and infrastructure are important community assets.

“TMR would like to reassure the community that we remain committed to keeping the community updated on any major projects in the planning, design or construction phases.”

Div 5 Cr Winston Johnston said he fully appreciated the concerns expressed regarding any planned rail overpass at Woombye. “(But) unfortunately any future project by the Queensland Government and TMR is controlled by the State in every aspect. 

“Even if Council were able to amend the future town plan, State Government has absolute control and will override any TP provisions, just like they do with Schools, Emergency Services and any other State facility. The relevant person to direct concerns is therefore the State Member for Nicklin.”