Springbrook residents will receive welcome news ahead of the Christmas break when the Gold Coast-Springbrook Road re-opens at 6am this Monday.
Assistant Minister for Home Affairs Senator Linda Reynolds, who has responsibility for Commonwealth disaster assistance, said the closure in April last year following Tropical Cyclone Debbie had a devastating impact on the Springbrook community.
‘‘This milestone is welcome news for residents whose lives have been impacted by this road’s closure,’’ Assistant Minister Reynolds said.
‘‘The re-opening provides locals and tourists with a gateway to arguably some of Queensland’s most beautiful corners.
"Cyclone Debbie was a disaster beyond the scale Queensland has seen for some time.
"The level of funding that has been provided towards the recovery effort demonstrates the Commonwealth and Queensland’s continued commitment to support communities as they recover and rebuild."
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said major reconstruction works were carried out at 53 landslip sites along the 7.5 kilometre closed section of Gold Coast-Springbrook Road following substantial rainfall after Cyclone Debbie.
"I’d like to thank the local community for their patience and resilience as we know the landslips were devastating for the area and have caused significant disruption to people’s daily lives," Mr Bailey said.
‘‘It’s also important to note the program of reconstruction works is much broader than Gold Coast-Springbrook Road and Pine Creek Road."
‘‘The entire package includes five major projects across the South Coast region including sites at Lamington National Park, Beechmont, Tomewin Mountain and Nerang-Murwillumbah Roads.
‘‘Projects extended from the Gold Coast Hinterland to Cunningham’s Gap, while works are also being carried out at 19 sites outside the closure on Gold Coast-Springbrook Road.
‘‘A further 24 projects were carried out and completed across the South Coast region with minor works continuing at Lamington National Park Road, Beechmont Road, Nerang-Murwillumbah Road and Cunninghams Gap."
‘‘All remaining works are expected to be completed in early 2019.’’
Mr Bailey said once the road re-opened on Monday 17 December minor works would continue.
‘‘Work will also continue along Pine Creek Road under stop/go traffic control,’’ he said.
"We ask motorists to obey all signs and drive to conditions to ensure road workers and motorists stay safe."
‘‘Delays of up to 15 minutes are still likely to occur along the route, which will remain a construction site until the project is completed in December, weather permitting."
In addition to the Pine Creek Road works, some road closures may be required at night along Gold Coast-Springbrook Road.
Residents will be notified of closures via stakeholder notifications and qldtraffic.qld.gov.au
The road has been closed since April 2017 while TMR safely carried out major reconstruction works.
Reconstruction works have been jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
The existing weight limit of six tonnes at Lamington National Park has been reinstated
Additional non-NDRRA works are being carried out to increase the load limit restriction to 20 tonnes, effective from 21 December 2018, weather permitting.
