Queensland Government to develop Inland Highway

Drivers and regional communities will benefit from a Queensland Government decision to upgrade existing road networks to create an inland alternative to the Bruce Highway.

This week, Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney told State Parliament that a vital alternative north-south link would be both strategically and economically important for Queensland.

“What sets our government apart from Labor is our commitment to Queensland regions and to long-term infrastructure planning that will pave the way for economic growth,” Mr Seeney said.

“We promised at the election to deliver better infrastructure and planning and we are delivering.

“In a state the size of Queensland, high quality road networks are essential to keep the economy rolling and to boost quality of life for regional Queenslanders.

“Our intention is to identify the roads that will form the inland alternative to the Bruce Highway and given them a priority in funding decisions.

“This is not about building a whole new highway. It’s about upgrading existing roads to create a much-needed inland route to be used during flooding and natural disasters and to ease pressure on the Bruce Highway.

“As that inland alternative is progressively upgraded, we hope it will carry increasing volumes of traffic and expand the economic horizons for communities along the route.

Mr Seeney said the State Government remained committed to improving the Bruce Highway and ensuring the Federal Government met its financial obligations to upgrade this essential piece of infrastructure.

“However it also makes sense for those coastal communities that depend on the Bruce Highway to have an inland alternative to be used in times of flood and natural disaster,” he said.

“As part of this process we will consider upgrading roads such as the Burnett, Gregory, and Kennedy Highways, and the Kennedy and Gregory Development Roads.

“Our government has the commitment and foresight to consider Queenslanders needs 10, 20 and even 50 years ahead and plan for those infrastructure requirements.”

[ENDS] 8 May 2014

Media Contact: Jane Paterson 0417 281 754 or Elizabeth Spry 0418 928 744