Feds must step up for Bruce fix

Published Wednesday, 24 October, 2012 at 09:43 AM

JOINT STATEMENT

Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Jeff Seeney

Minister for Local Government, Community Recovery and Resilience
The Honourable David Crisafulli

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

The Newman Government’s Bruce Highway Crisis Management Group will tackle Canberra with a plan for a safer, more reliable and flood-immune Bruce Highway, and a call for the Federal Government to follow the lead and take immediate action.

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney joined Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson and Local Government Minister David Crisafulli to unveil the Bruce Highway Crisis Action Plan, titled Out of the Crisis, in Townsville today.

“The Bruce Highway is Queensland’s 1677km backbone, playing a significant role in building a four-pillar economy by moving people and freight across the state,” Mr Seeney said.

“This plan includes projects already committed over the next 10 years under base funding arrangements, plus additional projects that are needed to repair, improve and flood-proof the Bruce.

“The Newman Government will honour its election commitment and contribute an additional $1 billion over the next 10 years, if the Federal Government also brings forward its funding.

“This is a federal road that has been ignored by the Federal Government, but it’s time Prime Minister Julia Gillard and her Cabinet stopped short-changing Queenslanders.

“The Federal Government must step up and fund at least 86 per cent of the additional projects for their road, as it has in the past.”

Mr Emerson said Out of the Crisis identifies more than 50 capacity and flood-mitigation projects and hundreds of kilometres of safety treatments to be delivered during the next 10 years.

“If the Federal Government commits to its usual funding split, Queenslanders can expect to see an additional $500-$600 million a year towards significant improvements to the Bruce,” Mr Emerson said.

“These include wider centre lines, audible edge lines, more overtaking lanes, intersection upgrades and upgrades to flood-prone areas.

“Labor left the Bruce Highway in a crisis, with the RACQ predicting between 300 and 400 road deaths occurring in the next 10 years if we don’t take action.

“This plan will provide better infrastructure and better planning, and pinpoints how, where and when funding is required.

“We are ready to start work on some of these additional safety measures as soon as funding has been secured.”

Mr Crisafulli said Out of the Crisis would also deliver benefits for regional communities and the Queensland economy.

“Projects identified will contribute to strong state and regional economic growth and deliver a transport system that better connects Queenslanders,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“They will also deliver a pipeline of direct and indirect employment opportunities to regional Queensland during the next 10 years.”

[ENDS] 24 October 2012

Media contacts:

Minister Seeney:        John Wiseman 0409 791 281
Minister Emerson:    Andrew Berkman 0429 128 637
Minister Crisafulli:    Monica Rostron 0409 126 332