1720 Upper Widgee Rd, Widgee 4570 QLD

Gympie Regional Council.. Recent Application for proposed tourist park.. Reference 7.2021.2728.1

I strongly oppose the Application for a proposed Tourist park at 1720 Upper Widgee Rd, Upper Widgee.

My concerns are for the Safety Implications that a Tourist park with 15 camp sites would create on already inadequate road structure..

Upper Widgee road is a mostly One lane road, turns into a Gravel road with several hills and corners where vision is limited with a 100km speed limit..
I believe this road is not sufficient to cope with another 15 vehicles per day, per week, possibly towing Camper Trailers or Caravans behind them, coming and going to the proposed Tourist Park.

I also am concerned about the quality of life for the local residents with the coming and going of the said traffic at all hours of the day or night.. Therefore I believe there will be negative effects on the amenity due to increased noise, increased vehicle traffic causing disturbance, road congestion and safety implications..
There is only one road in or out to the proposed Tourist park.. Mostly one lane, 2 vehicles cannot pass safely without 1 vehicle moving over to the soft verge and slowing right down..

School buses, Children, Cattle, Wildlife, Walkers/Joggers, Horse Riders and Bike riders all utilize this local road and I believe there will be an increased Risk for all who live in the area.

The road structure is inadequate to cope with increased traffic and therefore lives will be put at risk with the current limits and conditions..
The speed limit is 100km, the road suface is gravel, and it can only be classed as a one lane road..
Quality of life for local residents will be affected if recreation and exercise cannot be undertaken due to a significant increase in traffic on an already inadequate road structure.
Being only a single lane road, Bushfires in the area could create a congestion hazard with extra vehicles trying to leave the area also..
Environmental damage to Remnant Vegetation, Regeneration areas and endangered Wildlife is also a concern..
Strongly Opposing the Proposed Tourist Park for the amount of Vehicle traffic it will create on an already inadequate road structure..
Regards,
Margaret.

Gympie Regional Council.. Recent Application for proposed tourist park.. Reference 7.2021.2728.1

I strongly oppose the Application for a proposed Tourist park at 1720 Upper Widgee Rd, Upper Widgee.

I have serious concerns about the extra traffic passing through my property on the narrow one lane gravel road, which is hardly maintained and not really even fit for purpose for the residents. This is a safety issue. I and my dog walk regularly along the road and enjoy the quite rural lifestyle that the area offers which is why I chose to live here. I am therefore concerned about the consequences of increased traffic, of not only extra vehicles, but the large caravans they tow and/or motorhomes etc. There is only one way in and out from the proposed location, which
may present issues in the event of a Bushfire, and the need to evacuate with increased road usage. Furthermore there are concerns around the native wildlife, destruction of vegetation, garbage and human waste deposits, water contamination of Widgee creek, and noise pollution.
I would suggest prior to any such development that Upper Widgee Road is repaired , made two lane and the last 4-5km paved with asphalt, as well as assurance of zero impact on the aforementioned potential damage to the natural environment and native wildlife.
This is not acceptable with the current access available to this site. I reiterate I strongly oppose such a proposal and see it as a major disruption and safety issue.

Regards

David

Gympie Regional Council.. Recent Application for proposed tourist park.. Reference 7.2021.2728.1

I strongly oppose the Application for a proposed Tourist park at 1720 Upper Widgee Rd, Upper Widgee.

I have serious concerns about the extra traffic passing through my property on the narrow one lane gravel road, which is hardly maintained and not really even fit for purpose for the residents. This is a safety issue. I and my dog walk regularly along the road and enjoy the quite rural lifestyle that the area offers which is why I chose to live here. I am therefore concerned about the consequences of increased traffic, of not only extra vehicles, but the large caravans they tow and/or motorhomes etc. There is only one way in and out from the proposed location, which
may present issues in the event of a Bushfire, and the need to evacuate with increased road usage. Furthermore there are concerns around the native wildlife, destruction of vegetation, garbage and human waste deposits, water contamination of Widgee creek, and noise pollution.
I would suggest prior to any such development that Upper Widgee Road is repaired , made two lane and the last 4-5km paved with asphalt, as well as assurance of zero impact on the aforementioned potential damage to the natural environment and native wildlife.
This is not acceptable with the current access available to this site. I reiterate I strongly oppose such a proposal and see it as a major disruption and safety issue.

Regards

David

Proposed Tourist Park 1720 Upper Widgee rd, Widgee Reference #7.2021.2728.1

I strongly oppose the application for a proposed Tourist Park. Reference 7.2021.2728.1

My concerns are the safety on this road and having 15 camp sites would create more damage on the already inadequate road structure. This gravel road has a lot of blind corners, hills and single cattle grids. I believe this road is not sufficient to handle another 15 vehicles per day or weekly they would possibly towing caravans or camper trailers in an out of this proposed tourist park. There would also be an increase of noise and road congestions to all hours of the day and night. This proposed Tourist Park is going to disrupt the lifestyle I chose when I moved out here living out here which is quiet and relaxed, which will change having more people passing up and down the road.

Bushfires in the area could create a congestion hazard with having potentially 15 extra vehicles trying to leave the area as well. Not to mention the environmental damage to the area and impact the wildlife that live here.

I strongly oppose the proposed tourist park for the traffic it will create in the disruption to where I live.

Regards
Jill

On behalf of my family we are strongly against the proposed tourist park at 1720 Upper Widgee Road. Our biggest concern is the safety of all who travel on this poorly maintained and designed road. As a local I need to take extreme care while driving on the dirt section especially after rain, 60kph is at times too fast on this 100kph rated road. With unfenced grazing, an abundance of wildlife, school buses, cattle trucks, locals commuting to and from work, we consider any increase in traffic let alone inexperienced drivers a unnecessary and dangerous risk to all locals.

Regards
Tony Edwards

I strongly oppose the application for a proposed Tourist Park - 1720 Upper Widgee Road, Widgee - Reference #7.2021.2728.1

I have concerns for the safety of all road users.

The proposed Tourist Park will increase the volume of cars on
Upper Widgee Road. This is a safety issue, as the road is mostly single lane and limited places for two cars to pass safely.

The road is inadequate to handle an increase in traffic. The safety of all road users is at risk.

Regards
Melissa

I strongly oppose the application for a proposed Tourist Park. Reference 7.2021.2728.1

15 campsites for 74 people will significantly impact on Upper Widgee Road and especially the small community at the end of Upper Widgee Road.

The proposed site is at the end of Upper Widgee Road, with 6+km of this road being on a single lane dirt road. I am highly concerned that increased traffic, often heavy RV’s and large camper trailers will further impact on the already inadequately maintained road (The high school bus no longer wants to drive on the dirt road due to it being inadequately maintained). Cattle are grazing on the road. Inexperienced drivers and vehicle breakdowns (blocking the road) may impact on the public safety of everyone accessing the road.

The road experiences (flash)flooding as there are 6+ creek crossings to navigate. The creeks can swell rapidly and significantly within a short time due to big amounts of water entering the creek from waterfalls/cascades when it rains.

I am also concerned that in the event of a bushfire, increased traffic will cause congestion on the dirt road and significantly hinder emergency vehicles. Emergency vehicles may have difficulties passing RV’s and camper trailers, trying to leave the area. The increased risk of campfires being left unattended is also a concern.

There is no mobile reception on the dirt road and all the way to the end of Upper Widgee Road.

I am also concerned about the impact on nature and wildlife. Koalas are seen regularly along Upper Widgee Road , alongside with a lot of other wildlife. I am highly concerned that, having unmaintained campsites alongside the creek, where people will be “asked” to dispose of of their own waste/rubbish, that this will impact on pollution and littering of the creek and the valley in general.

There will also be more noise from 74 people and traffic coming and going.

As the site has already been promoted on social media as being set up towards the beginning of next year I am also worried about the lack of community consultation as it can be expected, that having 74+ random people “living” in the area will have a significant impact on the area. The site has been promoted on social media as “adventure camping” and I am concerned about campers trespassing (including opening gates) the surrounding properties to “explore” and have their “adventurous” holiday. It can also be expected that there will be an increase in day tourism, adding further pressure to the road and valley

Widgee already has safe and well maintained campgrounds at the beginning of Upper Widgee Road which campers can access to explore the region.

Regards,

Gudrun White

i strongly oppose the application for a tourist park reference 7.2021.2728.1

the road is inadequate for caravans doing speeds of up to 100kms an hour with drivers who dont know the rd........unsealed and single lane

road is not maintained by council very well as per applicant.........council has not graded the road for nearly 2 years now.....................and the turn around area as claimed by applicant must have been done by applicant on public road as there has never been a turn around area at the end of the road before

the property is surrounded by forest which has not seen any firebreaks maintained for approx 5 years so this would create great danger for campers if the forest was to b alight and with no mobile coverage could put lives at risk

the proposed area indicated in application is on low ground very close to a creek which floods in high rainfall times

Please supply full details about the following:
• What precautions are being taken and what rules set in place for patrons to protect the water courses, which are the upper reaches of Widgee Creek, to prevent rubbish pollution, pest weeds, disease to plants being transferred into the environment and downstream and affecting the existing stock, native plants and wildlife etc?
• What laws are set in place to prevent patrons from bringing vermin, cats, dogs, toads, disposable or recyclable containers, oil from vehicles and introduced seeds and other pollutants to the area which will affect the pristine nature of the surrounding areas and pollute and poison the water down stream – this is a season creek and floods several metres breaking the banks? Also, lately there have been a number of wet seasons and but in the past, fires have escaped from the State Forests and caused serious fire threats to the area- many places saved only by the local fire fighters. In fact it is more the norm for this area to be tinder dry, including the seasonal creek.
• Will the site be inspected frequently and regularly to ascertain that environmental protection is being adhered to?
• What kind of toilets and bathing facilities are being planned? Have composting toilets been considered or recycled water systems, as fouled or polluted water will seep into the underground water which is already under heavy use and depleting?
• Are there limits on water usage and what natural vegetation is being planted or maintained near the water course to filter run off to prevent erosion and polluted?
• Is there a planting scheme of natural grasses and trees to encourage the migratory koalas who travel through this path?
• Can the number of tracks and paths be reduced to a minimum, as it appears that one path to a campsite is sufficient- not more than one- which already cause denudation and erosion?
• What plans are there for clearing, as many birds and other animals frequent this area and their food supply needs to be kept intact?
• What are the recreation plans for the area- if there are trail bikes or other motorized facilities, I fear for the impact of noise and environmental damage to the wildlife and the neighbours who have stock grazing nearby all this will be adversely affected.
• Will there be game shooting and what regulations or safeguards will be monitored and put in place to make sure this is not causing distress and danger to neighbours, stock and wildlife?
• Will there be awareness education programmes to stop patrons from trespassing onto neighbouring properties- as boundaries are not clearly marked in some instances? Scant camp regulations, as displayed to date, seem to have already been broken with noise and trespassing to mention a few.
• What controls are in place for fire management, including those inadvertently started by patrons etc?
• As well as many rare insects, birds and mammals- there needs to be an awareness of the Phascogales which a vulnerable, if not endangered species and they are found in this area? https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/species/8435
I am not satisfied that the regulations are being adhered to as required by the legislation for National Parks and State Forests and that enough monitoring systems are in place to make sure our biodiversity and national environments are protected and looked after for the benefit of all- not just a select few engaged in using the area in an environmentally degrading manner.
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/management/plans-strategies/principles/legislation#:~:text=Under%20the%20Nature%20Conservation%20Act,management%20plan%20for%20the%20area. National Parks Laws
I hope this business is considered in the light of the wishes of the majority of the people who know the area and understand the devastating effects unplanned and unmonitored projects cause when they don't fully adhere to the present legislation.
No- no gift to the council etc -except my deep concern for the preservation of the natural environment around Gympie which has gone from beautiful and pristine to devastation in less than a lifetime.