General News
7 May, 2026
Murphy’s Road Crossing update: council or not council?
Murphy’s Road Crossing issue
The ongoing issue of opening or closing Murphy’s Crossing Road continued in the latest ordinary meeting of council. Cr Ross Bartley had asked CEO Rachel Brophy if it is only council which has the authority to open roads that have previously been closed in the March meeting. His question got a fairly long response in the CEO’s status report, tabled in the April meeting, which Cr Bartley wasn’t entirely satisfied with. The original question, Cr Bartley said, was about roads that have been ‘previously closed by council’ which was left off.
Cr Bartley said “… because originally that road was closed by council and I believe we have the capacity to reopen it if there’s necessity to do it. It doesn’t belong to the state government. It’s not a main road or anything. It’s under our control. It’s up to council.”
“Are you talking about Murphy’s Crossing Road,” the mayor asked.
“Correct.”
Mayor Hamilton explained that the “previous resolution on Murphy’s Crossing Road by the previous council was to offer no objection to the closure, not to close, but to offer no objection to the state.”
She asked staff if that were correct which was followed by more clarification of the current situation.
“Anyhow, it’ll have to be sorted out some way because it would appear the residents would like that road open around the area,” Cr Bartley said.
“I understand that we are being the question from the state on our view and that will be coming in a report to council. Is that correct, CEO?” the mayor responded.
“Yes,” replied CEO Rachel Brophy.
The opening or otherwise of Murphy’s Crossing Road will be updated as information comes in.
