Rock slope stabilisation and guard rail replacement works to commence at Head Road, Carneys Creek

Works at Head Road will include the replacement of damaged guard rail

Important and complex works to replace approximately 200 metres of guard rail originally damaged in the 2019 Black Summer Bushfires at Head Road, near Brett Road at Carneys Creek will commence this week.

The section of Head Road has been closed to date for safety reasons and will remain closed for a further six months for repair works to occur, weather and conditions permitting, with alternative routes available.

Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Works were originally postponed due to the border closure between Queensland and New South Wales as a result of COVID-19 restrictions which prevented use of the alternative route and were again delayed as a result of weather events in 2021 and 2022, with further damage sustained from landslides which lead to the closure of the road for safety reasons.

Works will involve the excavation and stabilisation of highly weathered rock slope for the installation of guard rail posts, including a rebuild of foundations, improved drainage, and the inclusion of hazard signage.

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said keeping the road closed throughout the period of works is safer due to the unsteady terrain along the road and nature of the work being carried out.

"These works are occurring on a very challenging and steep section of Head Road near the boundary of Scenic Rim and Southern Downs and the stabilisation of the rock slope is a dangerous job that will take time to safely carry out."

Mayor Christensen said the border closure (at the time) meant works could not be carried out without causing a high level of inconvenience to residents and businesses using the road to travel between the two states.

"The alternative route of Cunningham Highway via Killarney is the primary and most reliable  all-weather route that residents and the travelling public can use while works are happening," he said.

"There are also other shorter routes in varying conditions available, but Council recommends using sealed roads as much as possible. These shorter alternative routes are unsealed and in a mountainous environment, so suitable road conditions for all vehicle types cannot be guaranteed.

"We listened to regular users of Head Road and understood that carrying out significant works at that time would have added strain to residents already experiencing COVID-19 restrictions.

"The border closure meant those travelling across would have had to take a much longer northern detour via the Cunningham Highway, adding unnecessary travel time to their journeys."

Division 5 Councillor Marshall Chalk said the works on Head Road would no doubt be welcomed by the many motorists who use it daily.

"I know these works will allow Head Road to be reopened which will be greatly appreciated by residents and regular users because it provides an important link to other regions to the South West of the Scenic Rim," he said.

"I would also like to acknowledge the local residents who normally travel along Head Road daily and thank them for their patience while the works are undertaken."

"I thank the community for their continued patience and understanding and I encourage everyone travelling in this area to drive to the conditions and follow the roadwork traffic signage in place."

For more information visit https://www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/roadworks