Community group targets 'eyesore'

Cooroy pedestrian railway overpass is an eyesore which locals want to see replaced.

Darryn Smith

THE new voice in Noosa hinterland - the Cooroy Area Residents Association - came into being last Thursday night and has its sight sent on dismantling the town's "launching pad".

Interim president and former Noosa councillor Ray Kelly said among the host of issues raised by the gathering of 48 people at the Cooroy CWA was finding a more practical and visually appealing alternative to the railway foot crossing.

Mr Kelly said this, and convincing Sunshine Coast council of a better use for the Carpenters Lane industrial estate, were two of the hot topics.

These issues, along with better footpaths and finding some room for caravan tourists in town, were areas to be pursued once the new organisation becomes properly incorporated.

Mr Kelly said most locals referred to the rail overpass as the launching pad and wanted the eyesore gone, replaced by a better system of getting across the rail tracks that divide the town in a way that is also more friendly to people with disabilities.

He said one option considered in the past had been a tunnel near the state school, but he said the general feeling was that an "at grade" crossing with locking safety gates was the best and most financially feasible option.

However Mr Kelly said despite local rail workers considering it the best solution, Queensland Rail was not in favour, saying there were potential safety dangers.

That is despite the fact trains do not stay in the station for long and approaching rail traffic is slowed by a having made the steep ascent from the south and from the north by a bend.

Mr Kelly said residents wanted to see the Carpenters La land set aside as a business park, seeing any possible light industry as being more suited to the old timber mill site outside of town.

He said council had originally backed the Carpenters La estate before the mill closed down.

There will be a further residents' meeting in March and those interested in joining can call Mr Kelly on 5447 7314 or Cliff Dawson on 5472 0321.

Before the meeting, Mr Kelly had vowed not to accept a committee position, but was persuaded to take on the temporary role to get the lobby group off the ground.