Record rainfall has closed many Queensland south coast roads
Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads says the Gold Coast hinterland’s roads will remain closed until conditions are safe.
The hinterland’s Gold Coast – Springbook and Beechmont roads have been hit hard by record rainfall, meaning they’ll stay closed to freight operators and vehicle drivers until it’s safe to reopen.
Dangerous landslips and embankment failures mean emergency works are being undertaken to clear the enormous amount of debris and stabilise the impacted areas.
The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads says it’s too early to confirm when the hinterland’s roads will reopen, as safety remains paramount.
“The initial clean-up is our first priority before we can assess what reconstruction works will be needed,” Transport and Main Roads South Coast regional director Paul Noonan says.
“Reconstruction will be incredibly challenging and technically difficult given the steep hinterland terrain and sheer extent of the damage.”
According to the department, Queensland’s heavy rainfall in late March exacerbated February’s damage suffered at Beechmont Road, where the road slipped further down the hill and severely undermined the emergency sidetrack that was in place.
Another massive landslip on Gold Coast-Springbook Road left the road cut off, with crews needing to clear it and ensure its stability before opening it to traffic.
Noonan says motorists and freight operators should prepare for lengthy closures and detours.
“With Beechmont Road closed between Bottletree Lane and North Road, detours are in place so residents can access their properties – those below Brushbox Road enter via Nerang-Murwillumbah Road and above Brushbox Road enter via Beaudesert-Nerang Road,” he says.
“While Gold Coast-Springbrook Road is closed between Neranwood Park and Pine Creek Road, the alternate route is west of Springbook via Pine Creek Road.”
RELATED ARTICLE: QTA issues Queensland freight traffic update
Noonan says the record rainfall events resulted in landslips, embankment failures, road and bridge damage and hazards across Queensland’s south coast region, including on:
- Lamington National Park Road, Springbrook
- Mount Lindesay Highway at Jimboomba Creek bridge and Palen Creek
- Tomewin Mountain Road, Currumbin Valley
- Tamborine Mountain Road
- Beaudesert-Boonah Road, Wyaralong
- Maroon Dam Road
- Nerang-Murwillumbah Road
- Beaudesert-Nerang Road
- Beaudesert-Beenleigh Road
Queensland’s department says hazards are being cleared and potholes have been repaired to make the roads safe again for freight operators and transport workers.
“Further restoration works will be needed right across the region once damage assessments and detailed planning is complete,” Noonan says.
“Unfortunately we are seeing some reckless motorists trying to access areas that are simply unsafe and we appeal to them not to put their lives at risk.”