06 March 2008
Beenleigh Showgrounds Road
One of the most contentious issues in Beenleigh surrounds proposals for a road to be placed through the Beenleigh Showgrounds. With Local Government elections around the corner, the fever on this issue is as hot as ever. I am, and have been for some time, a supporter of the road going ahead.
Beenleigh has traffic problems. During peak hours, the five way roundabout in the centre of town clogs up, particularly either side of George Street. With a continually growing population in surrounding suburbs, Beenleigh's traffic challenges are only going to get worse. The proposed road is part of a larger ring road to take pressure off the inner centre of Beenleigh.
Talk about a ring road through the Beenleigh showgrounds dates back to around 15 years ago, when Beenleigh was part of the old Albert Shire. The Beenleigh Show Society, responsible for the Beenleigh showgrounds, in more recent years has not had a problem with the road, but had a preferred route. In late 2006 or early 2007, with the assistance of Evan Moorhead MP, the Gold Coast City Council and the Beenleigh Show Society found an agreeable solution. The key change was using traffic lights rather than a roundabout, allowing better angles on the road and better safety for Beenleigh State School students. The road then became a done deal from the Gold Coast City Council perspective.
Enter the Save Our Showground group, which have been around for years and are a separate entity to the Beenleigh Show Society. The Save Our Showground group oppose any road through the showgrounds, under the argument that the road will, in effect, destroy the showgrounds. Holding a regular peaceful protest out the front of the Beenleigh markets, the Save Our Showground crew has many local friends and has thousands of petition signatories.
I believe that I understand where the Save Our Showground group are coming from, but disagree with their view. I am saddened by the thought of a road going through the old showgrounds, but I also recognise that change is inevitable and that this change will not be the end of the world. The road will be closed for major events, which is hardly different to the Nerang Markets or a number of other events. I also believe that we have gone beyond the point of no return.
As part of Queensland's Local Government reform, Beenleigh has moved from Gold Coast City Council to Logan City Council. With elections on the boil, candidates have been keen to not be seen taking sides in this long running quarrel. Instead of the road being a done deal, as appeared to be the case with Gold Coast City Council, the word is now that Logan City Council will review the plans. The deliberations have, incredibly, been strung out even further than they have been already.
I believe it is time the Beenleigh Show Society got certainty. The many years of deliberations have made it impossible to make the necessary investments, leaving the showgrounds depressingly dilapidated. Following the recent Gold Coast City Council agreement, the Beenleigh Show Society spent many thousands of dollars preparing for the road to go through the grounds. The new uncertainty is causing unnecessary grief to the Beenleigh Show Society and not helping the showgrounds.
The core disputes about the Beenleigh showgrounds have resulting in a number of side disputes. A great variety of heat surrounds the Save Our Showgrounds weekly Sunday morning protest out the front of the showgrounds. As far as I am concerned, while I am not in agreement with the Save Our Showgrounds group, I support the right of all people to peacefully assemble. While I believe that many local laws need to be changed, the Save Our Showgrounds group must in turn adhere to local and electoral laws.
Patronage at the Sunday markets has also been a bit down. The Beenleigh Show Society sees this as a result of the Save Our Showground crew giving people the impression that the markets and showgrounds are to be no longer. The Save Our Showground crew believe the attendance has more to do with Gold Coast City Council slogging locals with fines of over $300 for parking on the grass (where we previously parked for years unhindered). I suspect the reality involves elements of both of these interpretations.
I think that this situation would be better if some people had a nice big cup of calm the hell down. Most of the rumours and rubbish doing the rounds in relation to the showgrounds are easily resolved by some common sense and asking questions. It's so revolutionary, you know, checking the facts and all.
To return this back to roads, I believe that the road through the showgrounds will be of a moderate benefit to Beenleigh. It is only a relatively small part of a much broader solution to our traffic challenges. That given, it is a road that, if in place now, I would use daily. The long term goal, as I see it, is to keep as much unnecessary traffic out of inner Beenleigh as possible.
I would like to see a serious network of main roads circling Beenleigh. I would like to see the now four lane Logan River Road split to two four lanes at the first Beenleigh roundabout (approaching Beenleigh from the Waterford direction). Boundary Road and Logan Street leading to the Beenleigh North M1 exit as a four lane road. Hammel Street and Milne Street to the Beenleigh South M1 exit as a four lane road.
However, here and now, the road through the Beenleigh showgrounds must go ahead. The debate and deliberation has already been occurring for a generation and the main stakeholders have already reached agreement. Let the Beenleigh Show Society have the road so that they can make the investments that our showgrounds need.
