Happy new year to all Kawana Forest residents. I wish you all a healthy and happy 2017.
As I reported in my previous newsletter update, our recent community campaign for improved road infrastructure secured $22 million of funding and roadworks have commenced. However, it is clear that a broader solution to our traffic congestion on Kawana Way Link Road and Kawana Way is needed, including the construction of the $440M Mooloolah River Interchange.
Recently, I distributed a survey to Kawana Forest residents with respect to a proposal to allow increased access through the Meridan Fields Sporting Complex.
This suggestion had been raised with me by community members as a possible means to reduce traffic congestion for local residents and link Kawana Forest to Meridan Way via Red Cedar Drive. I thank those residents that returned my survey or provided feedback via other means in relation to this matter.
After receiving all feedback from the Kawana Forest community, it is clear that there is not one solution that would be supported by the majority of residents. Several factors were identified by community members as reasons for this decision including safety, impacts to nearby residents, hooning, and increased traffic volumes through Kawana Forest.
As this proposal has not met with significant community support, I too am unable to support any change at this stage.
From your feedback, I can report that some residents also identified limitations with the current phasing of traffic signals at the Woodlands Boulevard intersection. As a result, I have written to the District Director of Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) requesting an investigation into how these signals and the phasing can be improved.
I look forward to continuing to work with the Kawana Forest Residents’ Association and community members to identify other possible solutions to tackle traffic congestion around the local community. As always, please feel free to contact me at my office on (07) 5406 3100 to discuss any matter.
Jarrod Bleijie MP
Member for Kawana
