Palaszczuk Government roads and jobs boost for Central Queensland

The Palaszczuk Government will deliver $175.6 million of road infrastructure in 2017-18 for Central Queensland as part of a record investment in road and transport infrastructure for the second year in a row.

Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety Mark Bailey spruiked the Bruce in Rockhampton today as part of his 1700 kilometre Bruce blitz road trip up the Queensland coast to talk about the record roads program the Palaszczuk Government is delivering.

“The funding for Central Queensland is part of the Palaszczuk Government’s record delivery of road and transport infrastructure across the state for the second year in a row, with around $21 billion of works planned supporting 17,000 jobs over the next four years,” Mr Bailey said.

“This will include $755.7 million of works planned just for Central Queensland alone, over the next four years, supporting 669 direct jobs in the region.

“The Bruce Highway is a big winner as part of our blockbuster roads budget with works including widening of the Highway between Benaraby and Rockhampton.

“This is part of the $8.5 billion ten year Bruce Highway Upgrade Program jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments to improve safety and reduce serious injuries along the whole stretch of the highway form Cairns to Brisbane.”

Member for Rockhampton Bill Byrne said the Palaszczuk Government’s budget shows a commitment to delivering key infrastructure and creating jobs for the people of Queensland.

“In 2017-18 we will complete the improvements to intersections and road train access on Yeppoon Road, Rockhampton at a total cost of $30 million,” Mr Byrne said.

“We will also commence the duplication of the Capricorn Highway between Rockhampton and Gracemere, a $75 million project jointly funded by the Australian Government.

Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga said the Budget also focused on cyclists, with $44.1 million planned for new cycling infrastructure across Queensland in 2017-18, which includes $3.7 million for Central Queensland.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to making cycling safer and more accessible for communities across Queensland,” Ms Lauga said.

“This includes constructing an on-road bike lane along Yaamba Road (The Bruce Highway Rockhampton-St Lawrence) and North Street from Victoria Parade to Campbell Street.

“We will also be upgrading the existing boat ramp at Stanage Bay, Banksia Road a $1.85 million investment.”

2017-18 Major Projects for Fitzroy District include:

• $16.8 million in 2017-18, to replace timber bridges at various locations on the Dawson Highway, at a total cost of $40 million.
• $10.9 million in 2017-18, to undertake the Northern Access Upgrade Stage I, Rockhampton, at a total cost of $121 million.
• $9 million in 2017-18, to undertake the Rockhampton Road Train Access upgrade on Yeppoon Road, Rockhampton, at a total cost of $30 million
• $7.6 million in 2017-18, to rehabilitate and widen a section of the Bruce Highway between Benaraby and Rockhampton, at a total cost of $17 million.
• $5 million in 2017-18, to duplicate a section of the Capricorn Highway from two to four lanes between Rockhampton and Gracemere, at a total cost of $75 million.

Minister Bailey said the Palaszczuk Government was committed to continuing our record investment, building our roads network, boosting productivity, future proofing the state, creating jobs and fostering economic growth.

“We’re repairing the damage done by the LNP who slashed roads funding by $600 million and stalled road infrastructure across Queensland,” he said.

ENDS

Media contact:            Zoe Russell – 0428 079 640