Residents blast plan

FURIOUS Isle of Capri residents have accused the council of a lack of consultation on plans to build a new $34 million bridge linking Surfers Paradise and want a public meeting to air grievances.

However, area councillor Gary Baildon said the project had been “on the books for years” and planning had been “extensive”.

About 20 residents attended a council transport officer briefing for traders at Capri On Via Roma yesterday.

Resident Ian Ward said: “Council has been petitioned for a public meeting where residents will call for an overall traffic management plan.

“Officers made it clear that council wants to create a major east-west corridor across the island but it has, to date, no overview of how it will integrate with local island traffic.

“It is unbelievable that a new bridge can be built without an associated island traffic management plan.”

Residents say landmark trees on either side of the bridge on Via Roma will be lost. Other concerns include the lack of a U-turn on leaving the shopping centre and safety of cyclists.

A median strip preventing motorists from accessing at least three streets, or a righthand turn from their homes, “needs a total rethink”, they say.

The council announced plans in May 2017 for a $34 million bridge to run parallel to the existing one. It will feature two lanes for vehicles and a generous shared path for cyclists and pedestrians.

Cr Baildon said: “The planning for the project has been extensive, considered and undertaken by experts with safety as the number one priority while also including a $1 million landscape plan. The road is almost at capacity and within eight years there will be 25,000 cars a day travelling on that road.

“Our engagement team is talking to the residents every week. We have sent letters, held meetings and doorknocked the neighbourhood.”