A roundabout has been chosen as the preferred option for the Landsborough-Maleny Road and Maleny-Montville Road intersection, almost a decade after residents first petitioned the Queensland Parliament for safety improvements at the junction.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads has confirmed to Range Community News that planning is complete and detailed design of the roundabout is now underway.
“The Queensland Government is progressing the design for a new roundabout at the Landsborough-Maleny Road and Maleny-Montville Road intersection near Maleny,” a TMR spokesperson said. “The roundabout design will address key concerns raised by the community, including improving visibility to the intersection and reducing peak-hour congestion.”
TMR said construction would follow detailed design and confirmed the project was fully funded by the Queensland Government as part of an election commitment to upgrade the intersection. The decision represents a significant development in a long-running campaign for improvements at the junction.
In 2017, Maleny resident Rachel Fentiman was principal petitioner on paper and electronic petitions calling on the State Government to commission planning, funding and construction of safety upgrades at the intersection. The petitions specifically asked the government to consider options including a roundabout, improved lane delineation and slip lanes. Together, the petitions attracted 238 signatures and were sponsored by Glass House MP Andrew Powell.
In its response at the time, the then State Government said TMR had investigated safety at the intersection and undertaken improvements, including repairs to kerbing around the centre traffic islands and concreting the islands.
The intersection returned to Parliament in 2021 following a fatal crash. Mr Powell asked then Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey whether the department would consider a roundabout at the intersection following the crash. Five years later, a roundabout is now TMR’s preferred design.
The department’s current project information says the roundabout was selected to improve safety, efficiency and capacity at the intersection, with reduced peak-hour congestion among the expected benefits.
There are two funding figures associated with the project. TMR’s current project page lists $2.08 million in Queensland Government funding to complete planning and progress the project towards construction under the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program 2026-27 to 2029-30.
Separately, TMR has told Range Community News that the project is fully funded by the Queensland Government as part of an election commitment to upgrade the intersection. The government has previously described that election commitment as $7 million. TMR has not announced a construction start date or completion date. Its current project page lists the project as being in detailed design.
For residents who petitioned for action in 2017, however, the choice of a roundabout brings the intersection considerably closer to the type of major upgrade they were seeking almost 10 years ago.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy and timeliness, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the article or the information contained within for any purpose.