November 14, 2025
Residents’ hopes have been dashed that serious issues with Glastonbury Road can be fixed soon, including the upgrade of four single-lane bridges to dual-lane roadways.
More than 370 people signed an ePetition to the State Government seeking upgrades to the Gympie-Woolooga Road (known as Glastonbury Road) which currently has a one-star safety rating.
“Glastonbury Road has dangerous intersections, dangerous road shoulders and a road that carries water every time there is rain,” the petition submitted by Widgee resident Madonna Waugh said.
“Often it is necessary to traverse on the road shoulder due to its narrowness. It is a road upon which there have been many accidents, including at least one fatality.
“Your petitioners reject any assertion that this road should not be a priority in terms of funding.
“Your petitioners, therefore, request the House do all in its power to ensure that the whole of Glastonbury Road is bought up to a safe standard and fix the four one-lane bridges to be dual carriage bridges with Armco barriers.”
Acting Transport and Main Roads Minister Sam O’Connor responded to the ePetition last week, with bad news for the petitioners.
He said “neglect and inaction” by the previous State Government meant Glastonbury Road had not received “due care and attention”.
“I appreciate the concerns of locals who rely on this road day in and day out,” Mr O’Connor wrote.
However, he also noted the “fiscally constrained environment” .
“At the moment, our government is investigating specific and and targeted locations, such as the Glastonbury Road and Exhibition Road intersection, to determine whether an opportunity exists to deliver meaningful support within existing funding parameters,” he wrote.
“Additionally, I note that preliminary investigations have confirmed that, due to the existing girder configuration of the four single-lane timber bridges along Glastonbury Road, it is not feasible to widen the bridge decks of the bridges to safely accommodate two lanes of traffic.
“As such, facilitating two-way traffic would only be possible through complete bridge replacements.
“In the meantime, the Crisafulli Government will continue to monitor the safety and capacity along Glastonbury Road and, where possible, will act accordingly to address matters within available pockets of funding and capacity.”
This is the second ePetition about Glastonbury Road to have been presented to the State Government.
In August last year, a petition sponsored by local Member Tony Perrett was submitted to the then-Labor Government.
This petition also emphasised the issues with the road: “The road is dangerous. It is over its designed capacity. Traffic is reduced to a single lane on four bridges, the road is constantly pitted with potholes, has deep verges, narrow in many sections and has limited overtaking opportunities. Drivers become frustrated, take risks and there have been numerous accidents and near misses.”
The response, by Transport and Main Road Minister Brent Mickelberg after the election, also focussed on the Exhibition Road intersection.
“I am advised the Department of Transport and Main Roads is aware of the community’s desire for an upgraded intersection and is investigating potential solutions … Regrettably, due to higher safety and competing priority projects in the State, there is currently no funding available to upgrade the intersection. However, the request will be considered as part of future prioritisation, planning and funding of road and safety upgrades.”
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