With construction now underway, residents have raised concerns regarding the increased number of heavy haulage vehicles travelling along Lake Macdonald Drive, particularly regarding alleged speeding. We have collated the following information from our advocacy, which includes truck volumes and actions being used to monitor speeds and enforce compliance.

Daily Truck Volumes

In response to our requests, Seqwater provided the following graph on the estimated daily truck volume for the project, which we posted on Facebook in February 2025. As quoted in the project’s Traffic Management Plan, during peak construction periods, the estimated peak hourly flow for heavy vehicles is 21 two-way movements.

Please note, Seqwater have advised that this graph is subject to change based on weather and construction conditions, which may impact truck movements. In addition, the construction contractor selected four quarries, including Kin Kin Quarry, to supply materials for the Lake Macdonald Dam Improvement Project.

Control Measures

As mentioned in our November 2024 Noosa 360 update, the Minister for Water, in response to Sandy’s letter communicating that efforts must be made to minimise heavy haulage impacts from the upgrade, highlighted the following control measures:

  • GPS tracking to monitor truck speeds and haulage routes
  • Signage and Ultra High Frequency for school buses to communicate and coordinate movements on the road
  • Sign-in and sign-out system, including QR code registration, to track and monitor truck movements
  • Boom gate system to stagger truck movements travelling between the quarry and the project site
  • Scheduling of heavy vehicle movements to avoid school pick-up/drop-off times, with early works approved for one quarry truck into and out of the site per hour during peak school zone times (7.20 – 8.45 am and 2.30 – 3.45 pm).

To read the minister’s full response, visit www.sandybolton.com/lake-macdonald-dam-upgrade-update-2-november-2024.

Compliance & Corrective Actions

In response to resident concerns, we also contacted Seqwater’s Lake Macdonald Dam Improvement Project (LMDIP) team and the contractor to clarify the use of these control measures, as well as corrective actions and the current operations to address compliance. They provided the following information in italics:

GPS tracking is being used for all quarry trucks to monitor their speed and ensure compliance with designated haul routes.

 Additionally, we are working closely with Cooroy Police to enforce speed limits along Lake Macdonald Drive.

Regarding corrective actions for non-compliance, we take this matter very seriously.

The steps we take include issuing a caution for a first offence, re-induction, written warnings to both the drivers and their employers (if applicable), dismissal from the project, and potential cancellation of contracts.

To date, no penalties have been issued to drivers for speeding.

We appreciate this information and the efforts the project team is taking to minimise the impacts on our community while they work to ensure that Lake Macdonald Dam continues to operate safely and provide water security for our region.

Report non- compliance

If you believe you have witnessed a LMDIP heavy haulage vehicle speeding along Lake Macdonald Drive, please report this to Seqwater and the contractor, along with the location, date, time and registration or truck identifier (e.g. company name), if possible, via (07) 5472 1565. This will allow them to identify the vehicle, if being used for the project, the driver involved and adopt corrective actions accordingly.

School Zones

Seqwater and the contractor have also provided the following information on their heavy haulage vehicle policies regarding school zones:

The management of heavy vehicle movements through school zones and the safety of the local community is critical to the project team.

Heavy vehicle movements will be minimised throughout construction during school pick up/drop off to six, two-way movements between 7.20am to 8.45am and 2.30pm to 3.45pm.

Advanced notification will be provided to stakeholders if there are any changes to heavy vehicle

movements during school pick up/drop off times throughout the main construction period.

Queensland Procurement Policy

The QPP is the state government’s overarching policy for the procurement of goods and services, with the intent of the local benefits test being to evaluate the benefits any supplier would bring to the local area. As mentioned in previous Lake Macdonald Dam updates, we have been advocating for reform of this policy due to clear flaws, including lack of public consultation and inclusion of whole of community impacts.

While the policy appears to focus on benefits, procurements choices can cause and impose costs on local communities, such as inappropriate volumes of heavy haulage passing through towns, impacting amenity, infrastructure, wildlife and local businesses, and these effects need to be captured in procurement assessments.

The QPP is currently under review, and in their latest response, the Minister for Public Works has confirmed that our suggestions for public consultation and consideration of impacts on the community will be considered.

We will now be updating on our efforts regarding this in a separate Noosa 360 thread, with our latest at www.sandybolton.com/queensland-procurement-policy-heavy-haulage-and-local-benefits-test-april-2025.

Repair Works on Lake Macdonald Drive

As Lake Macdonald Drive is a Noosa Council-managed Road, please report any repair requirements, including potholes, to the Noosa Council. As the road manager, Noosa Council will continue to undertake repairs and maintenance of the road as normal, however, damage directly caused by LMDIP heavy haulage vehicles will be invoiced to Seqwater.

To raise issues with Noosa Council, report via the ‘Snap Send Solve’ app or email mail@noosa.qld.gov.au or call 5329 6500. Advocacy regarding Noosa Council can be provided by the Mayor and Councillors, whose contact details are available at www.noosa.qld.gov.au/About-Council/Councillors-and-meetings/Mayor-and-councillors.

Repair Works on State-Managed Roads

To report repair requirements on state-managed roads, including Elm Street, please contact North Coast TMR via northcoast@tmr.qld.gov.au or by calling 5451 7055.

While they do not manage the repair of roads, Seqwater will assist in funding the maintenance of roads used as routes for heavy haulage vehicles.  Our office can provide advocacy on 5319 3100 or via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au.

Further information

For any other enquiries regarding the Lake Macdonald Dam Improvement Project, please contact Seqwater on 5472 1565 or via projectinfo@seqwater.com.au.

To view the LMDIP’s Traffic Management Plan, visit https://bit.ly/LMDIPtrafficmanagementplan

Direct advocacy regarding other matters related to Seqwater can be directed to the Queensland Minister for Water via lgwv@ministerial.qld.gov.au. Please cc’ our office in via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward any response you receive to us.

For our previous Noosa 360 updates on this, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=lake+macdonald.