Community
7 August, 2024
Cloncurry man's push to fix notorious intersection in main street
Joe Backhash is a man on a mission.
Joe Bakhash says it is time for the government to take action on the intersection of King and Ramsay Streets at Cloncurry before someone is killed.
The retired firefighter has launched a petition, which will be presented to state parliament by Traeger MP Robbie Katter at the end of the month, calling for a roundabout to be constructed at the intersection to improve traffic flow.
Mr Bakhash said the wall of parked vehicles that can line the middle of the intersection creates a dangerous vision obstruction that causes repeated near misses.
He said his wife was injured in an accident at the intersection, police have told him that they had had near misses at the site and it was a well known trouble spot for Cloncurry locals.
Mr Bakhash said his petition had even received support from interstate tourists who know the intersection as dangerous.
Ironically, Mr Bakhash said the Cloncurry office of the Department of Transport and Main Roads overlooks the intersection – meaning its staff must have seen for themselves the dangers on the roadway.
“I want as many people as possible in the community – and even outside the community – to sign this petition,” he told North West Weekly.
“We can’t be complacent because it is people power that will change things.
“When something terrible happens, like a major accident, people always say something should have been done earlier to prevent a tragedy – well this is the opportunity we have to take action now.”
Mr Bakhash spent about six hours speaking to locals in front of two grocery stores last week and received about 200 signatures.
This is in addition to the more than 300 signatures the online petition has already accrued.
Mr Bakhash has also provided hard copies of the petition at seven Cloncurry businesses.
“Everyone who hears about this petition says something needs to be done about it – I am getting alot of support,” he said.
DROP SPEED LIMIT
CLONCURRY Shire mayor Greg Campbell said concerns over the intersection have previously been raised with the state government, with the speed dropped to 50km/h in response.
He said further action might be necessary, especially with the opening of a new childcare centre nearby.
“There’s certainly been a lot of near misses there. We’ve raised potential solutions, including lowering the speed limit to 40km/h,” Cr Campbell told North West Weekly.
“Getting it dropped from 60km/h to 50km/h was a battle and at the time they told us it would never be 40km/h. If it’s truly about safety there shouldn’t be any reason not to drop it.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Transport and Main Roads said crash data collated shows there has only been one crash registered in the past decade at the intersection and there had been three minor crashes recorded in the location in the past 28 years.
The spokesperson said the department had worked with Cloncurry Shire Council to improve signage at the area as well as lower the speed to 50km/h.
The e-petition can be signed on Queensland parliament’s website.