MCU12/0184 - Traffic Engineering Report dated 31 July 2014

As such, this would equate to a maximum of two (2) articulated vehicles travelling along the
transport route (either inbound or outbound) in the worst case one hour period. In addition to this
it is estimated that during the collection process approximately 5 laden vehicles (10 vehicle
movements) would leave the site in the period prior to 7am. Using the traffic survey data
obtained in March 2014 (refer Appendix A), Top Forestry Road experienced a maximum of 16-
22 total vehicle movements on the Friday (worst case) AM peak.
We would not expect that the addition of two (2) articulated vehicles movements during this
corresponding period would result in impacts sufficient to warrant refusal of the application.
We note that from a safety perspective the level of traffic volumes being discussed are so low that
the likelihood of two vehicles interacting along Top Forestry Road would be very small. We do
note however there are some sections of the existing pavement that are less than the desirable
5.5m in width which would need to be addressed. This is discussed further in Section 4.3 below.


4.3      TRANSPORT ROUTE
It is our understanding that the chicken farm will utilise the existing transport route shown in
Figure 3-1.


4.3.1    COOROY BELLI CREEK ROAD & OLD CEYLON ROAD
As previously discussed in Section 2.2, Cooroy Belli Creek Road and Old Ceylon Road form part
of the Noosa Council’s trunk infrastructure road network. Both roads have a sealed pavement
width raging from 7m to 11m, with a painted centreline along their lengths. Taking into account
these aspects of the surrounding road network, the forms of both roads are considered to be
adequate to accommodate the forecasted traffic of the proposed poultry farm.
4.3.2    TOP FORESTRY ROAD
It is our understanding that historically Top Forestry Road was a State Forestry Logging Route,
and as a result Top Forestry Road has been constructed at a relatively high standard. Site
investigations undertaken in April and July 2014 confirmed that Top Forestry Road features are
what we consider to be a relatively high standard running surface, with no obvious evidence of
potholes or rutting.
It is noted that there is not a substantial amount of guidance available for traffic engineers with
respect to the appropriate standards for gravel roads, with the currently adopted design guides
paying little attention to these standards of road. It is worth noting that throughout Queensland
there is a significant network of gravel roads serving a range of purposes ranging from localised
access provisions through to major arterial routes serving freight movement functions. A
reasonable guide to consider in the assessment of the gravel roads is the Unsealed Roads



 Ref: B14101TR001_Final                      - 13 -   Proposed Poultry Farm – 136 Top Forestry Rd, Ridgewood