Community & Business
12 March, 2026
Clarity on SDRC’s Murphys Crossing decision
Clarity on Murphys Crossing
The complicated decision by council around Murphys Crossing Road can be seen by the number of misunderstandings around the decision recently.
Southern Downs Mayor, Cr Melissa Hamilton pointed out to the Town & Country Journal that councillors did not vote to take the necessary actions to terminate the temporary road closure but instead voted on whether to support or oppose the Queensland Government converting the land from leasehold to freehold. Council’s view on the temporary road closure is yet to be considered at a future meeting.
The closure of the road was done by the Queensland Government, not Council, in 2023. Council was asked at that time whether it supported the temporary closure, but all decisions on closing or opening the road reserve are made by the Queensland Government.
The recommendation from staff at the last council meeting was to not object to the conversion of the land from leasehold to freehold.
Council, Mayor Hamilton says, will not formally request that the Queensland Government take steps to terminate the temporary road closure. That matter is yet to be considered by Council at a future meeting.
Mayor Hamilton also pointed out that while Cr Richters put forth his “own personal view” in a press release after the meeting, “it is not the official view of the council on the reasons for the decision.”
She continued:
“It is essential that Councillors, as the decision makers, remain neutral and do not get ahead of decisions of Council. This is important so that all members of our community feel that they are being heard and being treated fairly. In local government we must make our decisions in open meetings, where we debate around the table and we should remain open to receiving new information or hearing different perspectives during that debate that assist us in making the final decision. Until that debate happens, statements made by Councillors in support or opposition to a matter can create a perception of bias in the community and, in turn, erode trust in local government.”
