Cathedral Drive on the New England Highway
Photo © S.A.V.E.

The Minister for Main Roads, Craig Wallace recently accepted an independent Report from consultants, Conics, recommending a revised design for the upgrade of the New England Highway from Hampton to Geham. The Minister commissioned the review in late 2009 following community concerns including submissions by Wildlife Queensland about the removal of 1400 trees as part of upgrade plans to widen the road. Such extensive clearing of this road reserve would have had significant impacts on biodiversity and cultural, scenic and tourist value of the area. This section of road is one of the iconic drives of the New England Highway and is clearly identifiable with the experience of the High Country. The avenue effect of the tall eucalypt forest that lines the highway has resulted in it being referred to as 'Cathedral Drive'.

The Conics Report supported claims that the socio-economic, cultural heritage, landscape and scenic values of the vegetation corridor proposed to be cleared had not been properly assessed, and therefore was not adequately considered in the final design and specifications. Under the new scheme widening will be maximised around identified dangerous stretches, especially around the Geham tip. Other sections of high ecological value and visual amenity will be given a different treatment to preserve the over-arching canopy. However, driving lanes will be widened to 3.5m throughout, in order to address motorists’ concerns about the existing road being too narrow. Under the Conics Report around 486 trees will be removed which is a far less than the original design recommended. An arborist will be engaged to assess tree health and undertake an accurate tree survey to inform the final design and provide a more accurate assessment of the exact number of trees likely to be impacted with the final design.
The next step is for the department to consider how to implement the recommendations and, where feasible, revise the project based on the report’s findings. A project reference group has been established to engage and inform all stakeholders during the redesign process.

On the surface it appears that there has been a partial win for the environment. However only when the final design has been approved will the real outcome be known. Wildlife Queensland will continue to monitor this project through our networks involved in the reference group.

What Wildlife Queensland is doing:

In August 2009 Wildlife Queensland wrote to the Minister for Main Roads raising our concerns for this proposal.

Wildlife Queensland will be writing commending the Minister for his decision to revise the design but highlighting that wildlife will still be at risk.

For more information on Wildlife Queensland's activities, call us on +61 7 3221 0194 or send us an email.