Residents concerned over roads

Council plans new waste facility

THE Toowoomba Regional Council’s plan to build a regionally-based waste transfer facility south of the city has caused concern among several immediate residents.

The Wyreema waste transfer facility, which has been proposed by the TRC as part of its new waste management strategy, looks set to be established on the intersection of Toowoomba-Karara Rd and Franks Rd in Wyreema.

But residents and landholders have issues with the current proposal, particularly the quality of the dirt roads that would be used by motorists to get to the site.

Neighbour to the proposed land, Kurt Haensch, said while he was not opposed to the development’s concept, the council needed to upgrade and seal Franks Rd at least.

All three roads could be used by motorists accessing the facility from the south or the east of the site via the New England Highway or Drayton Connection Rd.

At this stage, the council has only confirmed the upgrade of the Toowoomba-Karara Rd and Franks Rd intersection.

Mr Haensch said he had serious concerns about safety, especially since the council was predicting an average of 700 cars using the facility each weekend once constructed.

“I’ve got five grandkids and when they come to see us, I worry when they turn onto Franks Rd,” he said.

Water and waste chair Cr Nancy Sommerfield said the plan was not set in stone, and road safety would be considered once the development application was submitted to the planning department.

The council allocated $500,000 to the project in the latest budget.

Deputy Mayor Carol Taylor, whose portfolio handles road infrastructure, said she acknowledged the concerns but said the majority of users would be directed down bitumen routes like Cambooya Connection Rd and Lucks Rd.