New Vehicle Length Limits to the Paluma Range Road

In response to the announcement of new length restrictions for vehicles on the range road, the PDCA has written the following letter to TMR.

From: Ross Murray <ross.murray23@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2026, 5:52 pm
Subject: New Vehicle Length Limits to the Paluma Range Road
To: Department of Transport and Main Roads <engagement.northern@tmr.qld.gov.au>, director-general@tmr.qld.gov.au<director-general@tmr.qld.gov.au>, Julie.Mitchell@tmr.qld.gov.au<Julie.Mitchell@tmr.qld.gov.au>, brendan.j.clancy@tmr.qld.qov.au<brendan.j.clancy@tmr.qld.qov.au>

Dear TMR

 Firstly, thank you for the update of the Paluma Range Road permit access.  On behalf of the PDCA, we find it very disappointing to see the new length limits announced in the latest update (March 29,2026). This amounts to very significant restrictions for residents needing to bring equipment up the mountain for maintenance purposes.  A large proportion of Paluma residents use 4wd vehicles and trailers to bring gear up the range road for repairs, regular maintenance to dwellings and transport of green waste to the local depository etc. Most 4wds are approximately 6m long and a medium sized (8×5) box trailer adds another 6m.  If tradies are asked to come up to carry out work in the village, a typical tradie’s set up would be a 4wd (6m) + medium to large trailer (6-12m).  

 It is disappointing that no prior consultation was attempted with the community through a local meeting, or via correspondence with the Paluma and District Community Association (PDCA).  Unfortunately, there was no reasonable explanation regarding the issues created by continuing to allow such vehicles to join the piloted convoy up the range during scheduled times. Given that two of the worst affected sections of the road have been successfully stabilised during the current permit system we are surprised that the restriction was deemed necessary.

We ask that as a matter of urgency, the TMR:

1. Provisionally recalls the announced vehicle length limit on the Range Road;
2. Provides details of the specific problems that would be caused by longer vehicles and the impacts these have on: a) public safety; b) worker safety; c) timelines; d) costs; and
3. Meet with the community in Paluma to explore ways to minimize the impact on the road restoration project while also minimizing impact on residents.

Many in our community are frustrated with the way restrictions have been imposed on the Paluma and Hidden Valley residents and commercial operators.  The Community as a whole, through the PDCA is keen to work proactively and in good faith with TMR to find reasoned and balanced solution to the issues raised above. 

 If reverting to the length restriction is not feasible, there might be options that would help to reduce or compartmentalize the risks, such as:

• Nomination of one or more timeslots when oversized vehicles are least likely to create problems to the contractors or road users;
• Nominating specific days/timeslots when roadwork would stop any activities that are affected by oversized vehicles and allow such vehicles up only on those times; and
• Allowing individuals to ring up traffic control officers to determine if there is a time slot during the day when an oversized vehicle would not cause any problems.

We look forward to your response to this matter by Thursday, April 2nd.

 Yours sincerely,

PDCA

President 

Ross Murray