New line markings confuse drivers

BURNETT Heads business owners have criticised a new intersection in the town, complaining it is driving away customers and causing confusion among motorists.

The Zunker Street intersection, designed to accommodate the new IGA store, was completed last week and has left more than a few drivers scratching their heads.

Burnett Heads General Store manager Ronnie Collins said the intersection had made it more difficult for customers to access her store and had been a source of frustration for residents.

“We’ve served more than a few perplexed customers lately, and I think there will be a few more to come,” she said.

“It’s a menagerie of markings and people are confused as to what to do.”

The intersection means traffic travelling northbound from Bundaberg can no longer access the store and must continue on Zunker Street and complete a U-turn.

“I’m all for progress, but not when it comes to an inconvenience for our customers,” Mrs Collins said.

“Our customers are precious to us. They’re our lifeblood and we don’t want them turned away.”

A spokesman for developers Primo Property Group said the intersection had been designed and constructed in accordance with Main Roads standards and regulations.

“It was chosen from a number of possible intersections and it was chosen because it was deemed to be the safest,” he said.

“It was built in line with all the relevant guidelines and has ticked all the boxes.”

The spokesperson encouraged motorists to be careful while they became accustomed to the new intersection.

“It’s a regional area and people may not be used to an intersection of this size, so it may take them a while to get used to it.”