How was the decision made to close CREIGHTONS ROAD? It was not a requirement of the Department of Transport and Main Roads nor of the Sunshine Coast Council but it was supported by both levels of government.
It was proposed as part of a development application for a large residential subdivision bounded by Creightons Road, Wappa Falls Road and Bracken Fern Road.
The closure of Creightons Road is shown on a drawing (reference 1416-DA-SO-6E, sheet 6 of 57) dated October 2019, produced by Subdivisions (Qld) Pty Ltd. The drawing label states, ‘proposed road closure area following completion of Stage 3 works’.
It was later recommended in the Hayes Traffic Engineering Report of April 2020:
- page 6 – Existing Conditions – The intersection of Wappa Falls Road and Creightons Road has inadequate separation distance (45m) to the intersection with Nambour Connection Road. The proposed development site offers the opportunity to realign the Creightons Road and provide a safe access to Wappa Falls Road.
- page 11 – Access Arrangements – A new link to Creightons Road will be developed and the existing intersection with Wappa Falls Road removed.
0n 24 August 2020 a SARA Advice Notice states: “The Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) supports the proposed closure of Creightons Road (intersection of Wappa Falls Road) as the new four way intersection into the site provides an increased separation distance to the Nambour Connection Road which is considered an improved outcome.
The Sunshine Coast Council accepted the closure of the intersection of Creightons Road with Wappa Falls Road and assessed the development application for SW Yandina (RAL02/0072) on that basis. While Council staff tried to ensure that the alternative (Road A) could accommodate large trucks, it is designed for an urban environment with 4 roundabouts with 8 raised speed bumps. The outcome for both the affected rural residents beyond the estate and the future suburban dwellers is far from ideal.
