Alan Deering

ALAN DEERING QUESTION 1 In answer to my public question of 18/9/2025, part of the response was "Based on current material usage, maintenance practices and environmental exposure conditions, there is minimal to no health risk from silica dust generated by unsealed gravel roads in the Noosa Council region. There is no confirmed evidence of harmful silica dust concentrations in these areas, and no recorded public health impacts attributable to road dust". As a 40 year owner on Cooroy Mountain Road, I have concerns about the health effects of long-time exposure to fine particle road dust on myself, and especially on my partner who occasionally has nose bleeds at times of severe dust coverage emanating from Cooroy Mountain Road. Does Noosa Council confirm that there are health impacts from road dust? RESPONSE BY DIRECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES SHAUN WALSH In terms of health risk exposure from dust on unsealed roads Council can advise:  Unsealed roads in these regions typically carry low traffic volumes (30–500 vehicles/day).  Dust exposure is intermittent, outdoor, and dispersed, significantly reducing concentration compared to enclosed occupational settings.  A New Zealand Transport Agency study found that while PM₁₀ (particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less) dust from unsealed roads can be present, respirable silica levels were generally low and not linked to adverse health outcomes in ambient settings.  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) evaluations of dirt road maintenance found no erionite and only occasional silica exceedances, primarily in active roadwork zones, not general public exposure.  The Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) for Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) in Australia is 0.05 mg/m³ (8-hour Time Weighted Average (TWA)). Ambient exposure from unsealed roads is not known to exceed this threshold in SE Queensland. Based on current material usage, maintenance practices, and environmental exposure conditions, there is minimal to no health risk from silica dust generated by unsealed gravel roads in the Noosa Council region. There is no confirmed evidence of harmful silica dust concentrations in these areas, and no recorded public health impacts attributable to road dust. The use of natural gravel and recycled asphalt, combined with routine grading and dust suppression, ensures compliance with engineering and environmental standards. Council has also sought further advice from Queensland Health about the topic but unfortunately had not received a reply by this meeting. QUESTION 2 Overall, it seems that Noosa Council has a policy of not sealing dirt roads and if residents offer to seal sections at their expense, Council will make that impossible to achieve. Besides the sealing of the $5.6 million Dr Pages Road upgrade in 2016 that former Mayor Noel Playford called "a win for hinterland tourism' in Noosa Shire what dirt roads and to what length have been sealed since de-amalgamation? RESPONSE BY DIRECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES SHAUN WALSH Council has undertaken the following road sealing programs:  2015/16 Dr Pages Rd and Kinmond Creek Rd Cootharaba – 5.6kms length  2018/19 Donnellys Rd Ridgewood – 800m length  2019/20 Tewah Rd, Boreen Point – 200m length  2019/20 Ambulance St, Pomona – 100m length  2021/22 Tablelands Rd, Cooran (bridge approaches) – 150m length Council has recently asked for review of its road sealing priority program and consideration of a budget allocation for the 26/27 budget for its further consideration.