Why the Kuranda Range Road capacity forecast numbers don’t add up

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The Department of Transport and Main Roads has provided an explanation for why its own reports have conflicting figures on when the Kuranda Range Road will reach capacity.

According to results of a $1.6-million study into alternative transport routes between Cairns and the Northern Tablelands, the thoroughfare won’t reach capacity until 2051.

That report, released in January, said there is no immediate need for an alternative route.

However, it contradicts a 2018 study released under Right to Information, which said capacity on the Kuranda Range Road would be reached within 10 to 20 years.

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The Kuranda Range Road Link Study was released just months before the proposed $640-million Kur-World Integrated Eco-Resort at Kuranda was mothballed.

At the time, the project manager claimed the Government had cited the state of the Kuranda Range Road as its reason for not supporting the project.

A spokesperson for Transport and Main Roads has told Tropic Now the 2018 report got it wrong.

“Growth forecasts adopted in previous assessments were not realised, meaning that growth was much lower than anticipated in previous assessments,” they said.

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“We now have a greater understanding of travel times due to fixed cameras at the top and bottom of the Kuranda Range.

“The (Cairns to Northern Tablelands) Access Strategy shows while there are clear challenges with routes between the coast and northern Tablelands, none of the existing corridors are operating at capacity.”

The explanation comes as an independent organisation brokering regional development solutions has thrown its support behind widening the existing Kuranda Range section of the Kennedy Highway to four lanes.

Regional Development Australia Tropical North reviewed four reports produced over the past 20 years, and said widening the road as recommended by a 2007 TMR study may be the most cost-effective medium term solution to improving access from Cairns to the Atherton Tablelands.

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Chair David Kempton said the review had considered traffic projections, freight and environmental issues.

“Widening the existing Kuranda Range Road to B-double standard and creating more overtaking lanes is possible within the current footprint with minimal disturbance to the Wet Tropics area,” he said.

“An estimate for a preferred option from 2014 was $3.1 billion with much of that cost from inflation and debt servicing, when compared to estimates in 2001 of $300 million and $700 million in 2006.

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“Approval for the 2014 Kuranda upgrade from the Wet Tropics was obtained and remains in place until December 2030.”

Other alternatives put forward include upgrading Quaid Road between Wangetti and Mount Molloy, turning the Bridle Track into a road, and the Reddicliffe Highway proposal for a new thoroughfare between Davies Creek and the Cairns Western Arterial Road.

Mr Kempton said each of those options have issues.

“For example, the Quaid Road option adds 31 kilometres to the trip and requires significant upgrade, realignment and straightening as well as channelling heavy traffic at Wangetti, meaning the Cook Highway would also require an upgrade,” he said.

“The Redicliffe proposal requires 25 kilometres of new construction with grades of up to seven per cent and severe residential dislocation.

“Member for Kennedy Bob Katter’s Bridle path requires construction of 23 kilometres of roadway and tunnel which needs to avoid Copperlode Dam and would impact residential areas south of Cairns city.

“The Gillies and Palmerston routes are either not suitable or add too much distance to the route.”

Advocacy group Advance Cairns wants the State and Federal Governments to split an estimated $20-million bill for a business case into upgrades.

It’s also recommended that the Kennedy Highway from Smithfield to the Mulligan Highway be designated a federal road under the National Land Transport Act.