Plenty of nothing for busy SEQ motorways

Published Wednesday, 13 May, 2015 at 06:29 PM

Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey said some of South East Queensland’s busiest motorways had missed out on funding in the Abbott Government’s $50 billion federal budget.

Mr Bailey said no funding was allocated to widen the Pacific Motorway to six lanes between Mudgeeraba and Varsity Lakes.

“This nationally-significant link forms part of the National Land Transport Network for which the Federal Government has primary funding responsibility. This means they have a responsibility for the safety of many thousands of motorists who drive this section of the motorway every day.

“We asked for $350 million. We got nothing.

“There was nothing in the federal budget to progress important project planning on the Pacific Motorway (Gateway to Tugun) including where it intersects with the Gateway Motorway at Eight Mile Plains and for an eight-lane upgrade through to Springwood.

“We asked for $20 million to progress this vital planning. Again, we got nothing.”

Mr Bailey said the Abbott Government is being unreasonable by insisting on 50:50 funding for continued upgrades of the Ipswich Motorway, which to date, were largely fully-funded by the Federal Government.

“The Queensland Government was reluctantly prepared to fund the Rocklea to Darra section on an 80:20 basis, but the Abbott Government wasn’t even prepared to meet us half-way on this important $558 million project.

A number of other national highway priorities across Queensland also missed out on funds in the federal budget.

  • $345 million for Cunningham Highway – Yamanto to Ebenezer and Amberley upgrade - nothing
  • $40 million for Gore Highway from Millmerran to Goondiwindi - nothing
  • $57 million for New England Highway – Accommodation Creek upgrade - nothing
  • $30 million for Gore Highway - Wyaga Creek upgrade - nothing

Mr Bailey said the Abbott Government had also siphoned $78 million from an agreed contingency reserve for road funding in Queensland.

“They channelled these funds into other national programs that are not roads-related. These programs should have been funded in their own right. It’s like robbing Peter to pay Paul,” he said.

Media contact: Minister’s Office   3719 7316