[The deadline to comment has been extended to 6 July. Please write! Here is the post again:] The final draft of the Environmental Approvals Report (EAR) for the Kenmore Bypass Planning Study has been released for community information. You can view the EAR on the Department of Transport and Main Roads website: http://www.mainroads.qld.gov.au/Projects/A-Z-Search/K-M/Kenmore-Bypass-Planning-Study.aspx . [Note that this web address mysteriously changed during this comment period...] In short, they don’t see any reason not to do the Bypass, though the impacts are significant, especially to those who enjoy this green space.
The community is invited to provide their comments to the project team until 6 July 2009. Please do! Write to mainroads@ministerial.qld.gov.au to be heard. An analysis follows.
Our argument is still that there are quicker, better and cheaper alternatives traffic relief suggestions for our area. Fixing the Kenmore Roundabout and pedestrian overpasses deliver an expansion in capacity of around 40% for a cost of less than $10 Million.
Any major expansion to the road network could only be rationalised by either massive small lot development or linkage through to the Warrego Highway.
The NIB of the Environmental Aassessment Report process is it does not considered the impacts of either of utilisation of the entire corridor or the environmental impact of massive small lot development so it is flawed and limited.
On specifics, the EAR shows:
On fauna - there are numerous threatened and protected species in the area - Main Roads acknowledge this (protected at a Federal, State and local level).
They have made significant changes to the project to try to reduce impact - and they think “she’ll be right mate”.
Main Roads have form for being wrong - such as with spotted quolls on the Mt Lindesay Highway.
On koalas - after spending another week looking for koalas or koala poo between Gem Road and Kenmore Road, they didn’t find any. This of concern because there is a report from koala expert and former local Ranger, Ric Nattrass, which says should the Bypass be built, it will lead to local extinction of koalas. The Premier described Ric Nattrass on ABC radio last year as being “a respected and credible expert”. At best, there are conflicting opinions. Given the area examined, recent local sightings and noises heard, I know who my money is on.
On noise - they won’t be able to fully mitigate noise imapacts, should they proceed. They won’t be able to meet their own noise criterion (which ignores sleeping hours of midnight to 6 am) for between 22 and 44 locations.
On changes to design - they are redesigning to try to not sever Gem Road, to more properly flood proof Moggill Creek, which is adding significantly to cost and difficulty of design. BCC was singled out for criticism for insisting on duplicate access to the area for flood mitigation, and social connectivity reasons.
In general - project is running late, will have spent about $10 Million (about the same cost as signalising and reconfiguring Kenmore roundabout and pedestrian over/under passes at the schools.)
Main Roads were at pains to point out no decision has been made to proceed, and no funding has been allocated.
This is not a environmental impact assessment that allows construction to occur, just forms a basis for it. There will be numerous approvals required, should a decision be made to proceed and Main Roads highlights the significant species in the area (and there are a number they have potentially missed).
Write to the Minister for Main Roads - and let him know the $10 Million spent on talking would have fixed local traffic problems. In these difficult and troubled times, the time for expensive wheel spinning is gone - leadership means simple, cost effective solutions. Tell him about the imapct on 3800 local residents, on the range of species identified in the EIS. Tell him about the alternatives: mainroads@ministerial.qld.gov.au
