David's driving to stop Quaid's Road closure
Quaid's Road Petition
There is a drive to stop the permanent closure of Quaid’s Road, and Member for Cook David Kempton has taken the steering wheel.
“There is renewed interest within my electorate and beyond in reopening Quaid’s Road to the public and I give that proposal my full support,” Mr Kempton said.
“Unless action is taken, part of the road that traverses the National Parks may be permanently closed in March next year when the current permission expires. I do not want to see that happen.
“It is a stunning drive with unique vistas and landscapes that would attract tourists but more importantly it could serve as an emergency access route before and after natural disasters.”
During Cyclone Jasper, all major road access to Cairns was cut for three days due to flooding and landslips affecting the Kuranda Range, as well as routes near Port Douglas and Innisfail. Quaid Road sustained only minor damage, allowing it to be repaired quickly and used as a vital emergency access route for residents and businesses.
Quaid Road formally known as the Southedge–Wangetti Road crosses the Great Dividing Range between Lake Mitchell and Wangetti and is approximately 32 kilometres long and passes through a range of ecosystems, landscapes and land tenures.
In November 1983, George Quaid sought approval to build a road corridor linking his proposed Southedge development to the coast. At the time the Queensland Government granted approval that year and construction began soon after.
In 1988 the Federal Government made regulations under the World Heritage Properties Conservation Act 1983 to prevent the road from opening.
Construction was completed in early 1989, including through rainforest areas that were later declared part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Despite being completed, the road has never been lawfully opened to the public, but Mr Kempton believes the time is now to consider opening the road.
Quaid’s Road could be converted to a world class tourist drive, speed and load limited that offers a fantastic tourist experience and economic opportunity including for indigenous peoples.
There is a petition circulating which Mr Kempton encourages people to sign.