Owners of a popular Scenic Rim tourist route claim that pending roadworks will increase the losses already suffered due to Covid-19.
The Scenic Rim Region Council issued a statement stating that residents and visitors who travel between the Scenic Rim Region and the Southern Downs via Head Road, Carneys Creek, will need to make alternate travel arrangements, a report said.
Council will replace approximately 200m of guardrail on Head Road. This section is popular with tourists from all over southeast Queensland, and interstate. It also provides access to Queen Mary Falls.
Council states that the work, originally scheduled to start on August 23rd, is now necessary because the older timber posts supporting guard rails along a section on Head Road were destroyed by bushfires.
Council has since pushed back the works, but they still plan to go ahead, even without a date.
Queen Mary Falls Caravan Park & Cafe, accessible primarily via Head Rod. The popular tourist spot has been run by Mark and Louise Reed for over 10 years.
Reed stated that the past two years have been difficult.
Reed stated that this was not the first occasion when the council has closed a road for an extended time.
He said that the road was closed approximately six to seven years ago and that the business was greatly affected.
“It was very difficult to bounce back from that.”
Greg Christensen, Scenic Rim Mayor, stated that the road had to be closed in order to allow these critical repairs to be made safely.
Cr Christensen stated that while we understand that road users will be inconvenienced by the closure, it is important to complete this work to create a safer road network for communities and visitors.
“This route is used frequently by visitors who access Queen Mary Falls via Boonah, Mount Alford, and Rathdowney. Council will continue to keep in touch with our Visitor Info Centres to ensure they have the most up-to-date information for travelers.”
Christensen stated that the council was unable to predict the lifting of border restrictions. Therefore, the council decided to delay the project by prioritizing residents and businesses who are already dealing with the difficulties of COVID-19 restrictions.
Cr Christensen stated that Head Road will be open to residents and businesses who travel between the two areas of local government.