A petition has been launched to help to save a fourth-generation family home standing in the way of a contentious new road through Caloundra.
Local community members are taking their objection to the Caloundra Transport Corridor Upgrade (CTCU) up a notch, by petitioning the State Government to try to save one of the last homes in its way.
The $37.8 million CTCU will provide a new connection from Nicklin Way, north of the Caloundra Road roundabout, to the city centre. It involves widening Oval Avenue and Third Avenue from two to four traffic lanes and connecting Oval Avenue with Omrah Avenue.
Council has been gradually resuming the 20 homes and businesses along the route of the proposed CTCU.
Helen Crooke recently launched the petition, which currently has more than 600 signatures and closes on August 20.
It asks to save 15 Oval Avenue, Caloundra, from the council’s application to compulsorily acquire the property for the CTCU project.
The petition states: “The CTCU project does not reflect the Caloundra Centre Masterplan or the needs of the Caloundra community. A four-six lane road in this area, will increase risk to children, create additional traffic and will cause irreparable destruction to nature and parks in this central area of Caloundra.
“The community has actively fought the progression of a four-lane road in this area but is supportive of a smaller corridor that could reduce traffic pressure whilst maintaining a safe and connected community.
“Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to do all in its power to cause the refusal of the application for compulsory acquisition for 15 Oval Avenue, Caloundra.”
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A council spokesperson said the organisation was aware of the petition.
“The CTCU is aligned with and directly contributes to helping achieve the outcomes sought in the Caloundra Centre Master Plan, an integrated plan for the Caloundra centre, to encourage future development in keeping with the vision for the area,” the spokesperson said.
“It is vital that access to Caloundra is improved, through projects such as the CTCU, before this anticipated future development occurs.”
The 1960s beach house is the family home of teenagers Nic and Luke Carey, who recently expressed their concern over the project requiring the home to be demolished.
The teens echoed many local and community groups calling for the road design to be two lanes and not four.
But the council spokesperson said six lanes along the CTCU corridor had never been a consideration.
“The concept design released to our community in 2021 shows a four-lane road corridor (two lanes in each direction),” the spokesperson said.
“It is best practice to design a fit-for-purpose transport corridor to meet the forecast traffic demand over the next 10-15 years and to deliver improved walking and cycling infrastructure.”
While council initially began the acquisition process through voluntary resumptions, the application for the land to be taken has now gone to Resources Minister Scott Stewart to sign off on.
A council spokesperson confirmed the vacant possession date was extended until June 30 for the last five properties yet to be resumed.
But homeowner Drew Carey revealed the date had been extended again and hoped it meant Mr Stewart was reconsidering approving the application.
“We requested council that the resumption process be delayed until the detailed design is completed, and a construction timeline could be established,” he said.
He said the family had been lobbying Mr Stewart to delay the approval of the application, at least until the detailed design of the project was completed. But there had been no formal response to several submissions.
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“Getting the extension is good because it gives us breathing room to make arrangements once we finally know what’s happening,” he said.
“It’s also saddening for all the other affected people that were convinced or swayed, or I would even say bullied, into selling their properties early.
“If they waited until we have they would still have their properties and potentially continue to have them, depending on what the outcome is.”
Mr Carey said he and his extended family welcomed the community petition.
“We are very happy that this is possibly helping the cause,” he said.
“If it does have some success in swaying or influencing the minister’s decision, it won’t only help us but will hopefully benefit all the other people that are concerned about the road, the environmental and active transport impacts.
“If they can’t resume the remaining properties, the road can’t take its current concept and it can’t be as wide as they are proposing – and that will be a win for everybody.”
Related story: High hopes: renewed push for two-lane road corridor, not four
A Department of Resources spokesperson said the Acquisition of Land Act 1967 sets clear guidelines for the acquisition and compensation of land.
“Any directly impacted parties can lodge objections to a proposed acquisition,” the spokesperson said.
“The minister will consider any properly made application from council, including assessment of any objections made and council’s response, and the minister has the power to seek further information from council if necessary.
“The Queensland Government is committed to negotiating fair and reasonable compensation for land acquisitions in an open, compassionate and conciliatory manner.”
Ms Crooke said she aimed to get “as many signatures as possible” before tabling the petition before the Queensland Parliament.
“I launched the petition because of concerns from many other members of the community, so it feels good to get this happening,” she said.
“We’ve had a lot of community support locally, but it’s good to see it up there where the authorities can see it. It could just be the tiny little weapon that could help the whole CTCU project.”
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The council spokesperson said the project was an investment in the future of Caloundra’s lifestyle, economy and development needs.
“Tens of thousands of motorists per day travel through the Caloundra Road/Nicklin Way roundabout. Daily trips and delays within and to and from Caloundra will increase significantly in the coming years,” the spokesperson said.
“Planning and delivering alternative routes now are critical to help reduce traffic congestion and provide new walking and cycling pathways connecting our Caloundra community.”
A Value Caloundra spokesperson said the community group was highly supportive of the petition.
“It also sends a really strong message to the State Government that the local community is not behind this project and doesn’t see it as a solution or as an appropriate response to the traffic issues in Caloundra,” they said.
To sign the petition click here.
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