Transport infrastructure hit list
Published Thursday, 24 January, 2013 at 05:19 AM
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said Federal investment in transport infrastructure was vital to get Queensland back on track.
“For too long Queensland has missed out on crucial transport infrastructure,” Mr Emerson said.
“It was clear even before we came to government that Queensland needed a significant injection of transport funding from the Federal Government.
“Federal investment in Queensland transport infrastructure has fallen well behind Victoria and NSW and we'll be making sure both Federal Labor and the Federal Coalition are aware of that.
“At the top of our list are projects currently before Infrastructure Australia, including the Brisbane Inner Rail Solution, the Bruce Highway Action Plan and Toowoomba’s Second Range Crossing.
“We have also submitted a number of other projects such as the duplication of the Beerburrum to Landsborough rail line that was previously promised by the Bligh Government before the 2009 election and then ignored just 26 days after the election.
“I’ll also be calling on Federal Labor to step up and match the Federal Coalition’s $1 billion commitment to upgrade the Gateway Motorway between Nudgee and the Bruce Highway.”
The Newman Government has already shown it can deliver these projects more cheaply than had been proposed under Labor.
In 2012 an expert panel audited proposals for a second Brisbane rail crossing and managed to deliver the same passenger capacity while saving several billion dollars – from $6.4 billion under Labor to currently $4.45 billion.
“Without the Federal Government stepping up with 80 per cent funding we won’t be able to afford this vital piece of transport infrastructure,” Mr Emerson said.
“I won’t be letting a single opportunity pass in the next few months to remind both Federal Labor and the Federal Coalition of Queensland’s transport infrastructure needs.”
Media contact: Andrew Berkman 0429 128 637