Media Release
24 May 2021
Tenders are now being sought to build a major new east-west arterial road in Hervey Bay.
Fraser Coast Regional Councillor Denis Chapman said the Urraween to Boundary Road extension would improve accessibility into the Hervey Bay city centre from outlying suburbs.
“This project will complete the missing link between Boundary Road and Kawungan Way, reducing traffic congestion and meeting the needs of the region’s growing population,” he said.
“The 1.9 km four-lane Boundary Road extension will create a second east-west thoroughfare through Hervey Bay, removing traffic from Boat Harbour Drive and providing better access to major shopping centres, tourist destinations, and the health and medical precinct.
“It will include new traffic lights, shared pathways, on-road and off-road cycle facilities, lighting, landscaping and drainage works, with construction expected to start in late 2021 and be completed in 2023.”
Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt welcomed this important milestone in a long-awaited project.
“Extending Urraween Road through to Boundary Road will improve connectively throughout Hervey Bay which is experiencing massive growth at the moment,” Mr Pitt said.
“The $7.7 million commitment under the Hinkler Regional Deal from the Federal Government for this extension follows the previous investment of $2.28 million towards the significant upgrade of Urraween Road, which was completed in 2018.
“This upgrade will make our local roads safer for not only residents, but also for tourists who visit our fantastic region.”
Cr Chapman said the Urraween to Boundary Road Extension was a critical part of the Hinkler Regional Deal between Council and the Australian Government, while the Queensland Government was also supporting the project through its Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme.
“This connection has been planned since the 1980s with the majority of the road reserve dedicated to this east-west link in the 1990s so it’s fantastic to see it going ahead now,” he said.
The project is being funded with support from the Australian Government ($7.7 million as part of the Hinkler Regional Deal and Building Our Futures program) and the Queensland Government ($3,147,687) with the remainder to be paid by the Fraser Coast Regional Council.
With the detailed design phase now complete, exact costs will be determined once the tender is awarded. Tenders are open now through QTenders and close on Thursday 1 July 2021.
A local supplier/contractor and local content benefit weighting of 20 per cent has been adopted as part of the tender assessment for this project.
More details about the project, including a flyover animated video, is available at https://frasercoast.engagementhub.com.au/boundary-road-extension-project
ENDS
Download the release HERE.
The Boundary Road Extension Project will provide for the completion of the missing link between Boundary Road and Kawungan Way which will give residents and visitors an alternative and improved access to the Hervey Bay CBD, major shopping centres, tourist destinations and the medical precinct. With the region’s population forecast to reach 150,000 within the next 20 years, an improved east-west road connection will cater for growth, limit traffic congestion and take pressure off Boat Harbour Drive, Hervey Bay’s primary east-west link.
This connection has been planned since the 1980s, with the majority of the road reserve for the link dedicated in the 1990s.
Construction commenced on 15 November 2021 with works likely to be completed July/August 2024, weather permitting.
This project will provide for the construction of a dual lane two way road along the vacant road reserve between the roundabout at the Urraween Road and Kawungan Way intersection connecting to the intersection at Boundary Road and Denmans Camp Road. The project will include new signalised intersections at Grevillea Street and Denmans Camp Road. The project will also include road lighting, landscaping and drainage works. A shared path will be provided for the length of the road corridor which will improve the east-west connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists.
Drainage modelling has been undertaken as part of the design to identify treatments to minimise stormwater inundation along Denmans Camp Road. Proposed stormwater works include the provision of a retention basin to help control the stormwater flows at the Denmans Camp Road culverts and rerouting of stormwater flows to the open channel drain along Boundary Road east of Maree Street.
The design will include the provision for some vehicle crossovers, where possible, at properties that currently have a defined rear access provision onto the existing
road reserve. Properties located on the northern side between Grevillea Street and Denmans Camp Road that may access the rear of their property through the large
drainage area will no longer be provided with access due to the corridor required for drainage purposes.
To limit traffic disruptions to this main thoroughfare, it should be noted that no additional rear access provisions over and above those being provided as part of this construction project will be permitted. Primary access to properties are through their front access streets.
No. Council will not be replacing or upgrading the existing private property fencing located at the rear of properties that adjoin the Boundary Road Extension road reserve; however, there will be areas of landscaping included between existing fencing and the road reserve area.
Yes. The works will require the use of various machinery such as excavators, profilers, loaders, rollers and trucks as well as hand tools such as demolition hammers and power saws. Noise from the works can generally be expected between 6.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. on weekdays. In extreme cases or emergencies where construction outside of these times are necessary residents will be notified.
The total cost of this project is estimated at $32M. This project is being partly funded through the Federal Government’s “Hinkler Regional Deal” with the Federal Government contributing $9.625M of funding towards the project and the State Government's contributing $3.272M through the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme. The remaining $19.103M will be funded by Council.
Yes. Concrete shared pathways will be provided on both sides of Boundary Road. On road cycle lanes are also included as part of the design.
The speed limit for this section of Boundary Road will be 60km/hr.
Tree removal will occur within the road footprint and every effort will be made to minimise vegetation clearing within this corridor. New trees will be planted to off-set any vegetation removal that is undertaken as part of the project.
Yes. Residents who provide an email contact address will be provided with project updates monthly. Additionally, Council’s Project page for this project will also include details relating to progress of the project on a monthly basis.