Head Road at Carneys Creek reopens following extensive repairs

The reopened Head Road at Carneys Creek

Head Road at Carneys Creek is now open after major works to repair damage caused by the 2019 Black Summer bushfires and subsequent flood events.  

The works were originally postponed due to the border closure between Queensland and New South Wales during the COVID-19 pandemic which prevented the use of an alternative route while works were underway. 

The works were again delayed due to extensive rain and flooding in 2021 and 2022, with further damage caused by landslides necessitating the closure of the road for safety reasons.  

The extensive works completed on Head Road included excavation and stabilisation of the rock slope, installation of new metal guard rail posts, rebuilding of road foundations, installation of gabion basket retaining walls, reconstruction of road pavement, bitumen sealing an additional 625 metres of road, improved drainage, and inclusion of hazard signage.  

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said Council initially engaged a contractor to replace about 200 metres of timber guard rail which was damaged by bushfires in 2019.  

“Following multiple declared disaster events in 2021 and 2022 and subsequent landslides, Council’s engineers carried out a very thorough and comprehensive assessment of Head Road,” he said.  

“These surveys indicated the foundation beneath the guard rail posts required stabilising which meant the highly weathered rock slope had to be excavated and rebuilt, and a section of the road cut out to allow the guard rail foundations to be suitably reinstalled.” 

Mayor Christensen said he appreciated the community’s patience during the road’s extended closure which was necessary to ensure the safety of residents and the travelling public.  

“I would especially like to acknowledge those residents who used Head Road daily prior to its closure and thank them for their understanding,” he said.  

“These complex works were on a very windy and steep section of the road near the boundary of Scenic Rim and Southern Downs and stabilising the rock slope was a difficult job that took time to safely complete.” 

Mayor Christensen thanked the Queensland and Australian Governments for their financial support of the project, which was provided through the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. 

“This funding enabled us to reinstate this important link to our neighbouring regions to the west and south and rebuild it to a more resilient standard to improve its ability to withstand future wet weather,” he said.  

Assistance for this project was provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).