Sport
26 May, 2026
Quaid Rd petition gathers support
A PETITION calling for Quaid Road to be made accessible to the public and declared a road of significant importance is being backed by Member for Cook David Kempton.
The petition was launched by Iain Edwards and is aimed at preventing the permanent closure of the road when the permit allowing access through the National Park expires on 29 March 2027.
Quaid Road traverses the Great Dividing Range from Lake Mitchell at Mt Molloy to Wangetti on the Captain Cook Highway north of Cairns.
The Queensland Government approved construction of the road in November 1983, and it was completed in 1989. The route passes through rainforest landscapes and ecosystems that were subsequently included within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area which resulted in the road being closed to the public.
Mr Kempton is backing the new petition, saying he is fully supportive of the road being reopened to the public.
“Unless action is taken part of the road that traverses the National Parks may be permanently closed in March next year when the current permission expires. I do not want to see that happen,” he said.
“It is a stunning drive with unique vistas and landscapes that would attract tourists but more importantly it could serve as an emergency access route before and after a natural disaster.”
During Cyclone Jasper in December 2023, all major road access to Cairns was cut for three days due to flooding and landslips affecting the Kuranda Range, Rex Range and the Palmerston Highway.
Quaid Road sustained only minor damage, allowing it to be repaired quickly and used as a vital emergency access route for residents and businesses.
Quaid Road was formally known as the Southedge-Wangetti Road and is approximately 32 kilometres long.
In November 1983, George Quaid sought approval to build a road corridor linking his proposed Southedge development to the coast. At the time, the Queensland Government granted approval that year and construction began soon after.
But in 1988, the Federal Government made regulations under the World Heritage Properties Conservation Act 1983 to prevent the road from opening.
Construction was completed in early 1989, including through rainforest areas that were later declared part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
Despite being completed, the road has never been lawfully opened to the public, but Mr Kempton believes the time is now to consider opening the road.
“Quaid Road could be converted to a world class tourist drive, speed and load limited that offers a fantastic tourist experience and economic opportunity including for indigenous peoples,” he said.
The petition can be accessed by going to https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/petition-details/4525-26
