Plans for the Long Road extension remain stalled as the Scenic Rim Regional Council continues to investigate options.
Former Tamborine Mountain councillor Derek Swansborough is an advisor to the Tamborine Mountain Community Foundation which has renewed the push to open it and is seeking to raise independent funding to do so.
“The plans for the extension go back more than 20 years. The roundabout at the showgrounds was stage one, which was going to go to Esme Street where someone has now put a barrier across the road,” Mr Swanborough explained.
“The changes of staff in council over this time means they have lost sight of the original purpose of the road.
“Under Mayor Christensen there was no appetite to build the road, and it was taken off the long-term capital works program.”
Mr Swanborough believes the need for the road has increased substantially with the increase in population and tourism.
“It is a dilemma for Tamborine Mountain because the road was necessary for good planning reasons. There is risk with only having one road connecting the south to the north of extreme bush fire risk,” he said.
Mr Swanborough said the foundation has struggled to get any information from the council on whether the locked gate across the path is even lawful.
The group is asking for pathway extension to be open initially just for pedestrian use, but Mr Swanborough said there is reluctance from the council for even this.
“I think they are dragging the chain on it,” he stated.
Council CEO David Keenan said they are aware of the issue with the locked gate.
“Investigations are progressing regarding potential options in relation to the current and future management of this historically created land corridor, which also provides access rights to, and maintenance obligations for, owners whose properties feature direct frontage to the land,” Mr Keenan explained.
