Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto on Mount Spec Road.

30 April 2025

Mount Spec: Heritage Listed Road fall short of Modern Expectations

Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Deputy Leader and Hinchinbrook MP, Nick Dametto, has backed his community’s call for answers regarding timeframes on repair works to Mount Spec Road, calling on the Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Minister to urgently provide answers and a timeline to residents and businesses living in limbo.

Following February’s devastating flood event which resulted in multiple landslides on Mount Spec, access to Paluma and Hidden Valley was completely cut off. While TMR, Roadtek and local contractors worked hard to restore access via the western route, the community of Paluma and Hidden Valley have grown frustrated with the lack of a solid timeline for the completion of works to the Heritage Listed Mount Spec Road.

“Road crews on the ground have taken on a mammoth task under extremely difficult conditions and I thank them for their continued efforts as they work to clear and stabilise Mount Spec Road, but it’s now time for the Minister to provide the residents and small businesses in this area some certainty around when access will be restored,” Mr Dametto said.

“I’ve worked constructively with the TMR Minister during the recent flooding events on major projects like restoring access to the Olera Creek bridge which cut the Bruce Highway, but my job now is to ensure the good people of Paluma are not forgotten.

“Every day without answers pushes this community closer to the brink of collapse. People who live in Paluma and work in Townsville have been forced to either spend hours travelling via Hervey Range Road or pay for accommodation in Townsville just to keep their jobs. This situation is completely untenable.

“Adding to the frustration is the heritage listing attached to Mount Spec Road, which no doubt is hindering any betterment on this restoration project and scrapping any chance of building a more resilient piece of road infrastructure.

“While it’s important to protect key historical structures like the Crystal Creek Bridge and the historic culverts, applying a heritage listing to the entire length of the road no doubt adds extra complexity to any rebuild.

“Our office is currently putting together an application to scrab the heritage listing in favour of building a fit for purpose road that may mitigate some these issues into the future.

“Minister, people aren’t asking for miracles, they understand that this is a complex task. All we expect is a clear plan and a genuine timeline for delivery.”

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