WITH the Palmwoods-Kiel Mountain crossroads with the Nambour Connection Road expected to be completed by the end of 1998, the Main Roads Department has answered concerns raised about the project:

• It will be 18 months before construction commences.
  Reply: Maunsells gave an opinion that it would be of the order of 18 months before design, survey, land acquisition, calling of tenders and construction could be completed....it is Main Roads’ position that this project is of high priority and following completion of Maunsells commission it is proposed that design and construction commence at the earliest possible time.
• The majority of commercial land on the western side of the Nambour Connection Road is to be resumed affecting the employment of 20 to 25 people.
  Reply: A number of alternative arrangements put forward for consultation had varying impact on the commercial land on the western side of Nambour Connection Road. Under any scenario for an interchange at this location, the direct access from this property would need to be closed.
• Access to the Nambour Connection Road by commercial businesses including the motel on thew eastern side of the road is to be denied and that access would be by Acorn Lane.
  Reply: One alternative developed to reduce the impact on this property was to locate the northbound on-ramp closer to Nambour in the vicinity of the motel. This alternative would required that access to the motel be altered and relocated to Pine Grove Road.
• At council’s request and on completion of the overpass, the speed limit is to be increased from 80kph to 100 kph causing speculation about the Woombye entrance to the Nambour Connection Road.
  Reply: There is no proposal to increase the 80 kph speed limit past Blackall Street on completion of the interchange.
• That the Rust PPK recommendations made after a thorough investigation and consultation with the residents of Woombye have apparently been rejected.
  Reply: The recommendation made by Rust PPK that an interchange be provided at the intersection has been accepted by Main Roads as the appropriate solution at this location and is now being delivered.

 The Main Roads representatives said they had been disappointed with the timing to date and that they had been expecting to hear from the consultants a lot sooner.