Traders hurt by big cuts to traffic

BUSINESS owners on Mount Spec have expressed frustration over their access road to Townsville being open to local traffic but not to the general public.

A spokesman for the Department of Transport and Main Roads said while they were mindful of the need to allow access for residents and businesses, there was a chance of further landslips and that further work may be required to remove boulders from the range.

According to the department’s website, damage from recent flooding closed Mount Spec Rd in both directions and tells people to “avoid the area”.

Businesses say the road has been reopened to local traffic for some time and that it is only for want of an assessment by the department to have it also opened to the general public.

Sam Stedman, who operates an Outer Limits adventure centre at Paluma, said it was impacting on his business.

“No one wants to take responsibility to open the road. We are not sure why. They also can’t give us a timeline on when it will be opened.”

Hidden Valley Cabins operator Bonnie Mclellan was unsure why local people were allowed to use the road and the general public were not.

She said the department had told them they could bring cruise ship passengers on tours to the cabins provided they used vehicles that were no bigger than a 21-seat bus.

“We want decisions made. Give us a time frame (for when the road will be opened),” Ms Mclennan said.

But the department’s spokesman was unable to give a time frame on when geotechnical assessments could be made or when the road would be reopened. “We are doing everything to ensure the safety of motorists while supporting Paluma businesses and residents to maintain essential access to businesses and homes,” the spokesman said.

Mount Spec Rd is one of several trouble spots or road closures in the region.

The Alice River Bridge on Hervey Range Rd has been closed indefinitely and is awaiting assessment and repair. A 13-tonne load limit has been applied to the Bowen Rd bridge in Rosslea until repairs are completed, expected late this year.