MEDIA STATEMENT: Crisafulli Government Calls for Regional Representation on the Bruce Highway Advisory Council

Published Today at 07:51 AM

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Brent Mickelberg

Crisafulli Government Calls for Regional Representation on the Bruce Highway Advisory Council

  • The Crisafulli Government is committed to providing a long-term upgrade plan for the Bruce Highway, including the re-establishment of the Bruce Highway Advisory Council (BHAC) by the end of 2024.
  • Expressions of interest are being sought from regional representatives who regularly use the Bruce Highway to support the BHAC.
  • The BHAC will be chaired by Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg

The Crisafulli Government will re-establish the Bruce Highway Advisory Council (BHAC) by the end of 2024 as part of its commitment to providing a long-term plan for the Bruce Highway.

Expressions of interest are now open to Queenslanders who regularly use the Bruce Highway between Carseldine and Cairns and can identify priority locations for future investment to improve road safety. 

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is currently seeking nominations for regional representatives from the following Queensland districts:

  • Far North Queensland
  • Northern Queensland
  • Mackay/Whitsundays
  • Fitzroy
  • Wide Bay/Burnett
  • North Coast

Road safety will be at the forefront of the re-established BHAC – bringing key stakeholders and industry together – with regional representatives playing a vital role in informing the Council on priority investment locations. Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg will chair the BHAC.

Capacity and flood resilience will also be addressed however, the focus of the BHAC is to advise on current challenges and opportunities, as well as investment priority and sequencing of key upgrades along the Bruce Highway.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg says the Crisafulli Government made a commitment for a re-established Bruce Highway Advisory Council to meet before Christmas, and that’s exactly what we’ll do.

“It’s important we listen to our regional communities to be able to deliver the upgrades that are so desperately needed to the Bruce Highway,” Mr Mickelberg says.

“We want to hear from a broad cross section of people who drive the Bruce Highway regularly from the Far North to south of the Sunshine Coast, whether they be truck drivers, local commuters or interested stakeholders.

“The BHAC will provide the Crisafulli Government with advice on challenges and opportunities, as well as investment priority and sequencing on the Bruce Highway.

“One of my key priorities as Minister for Transport and Main Roads is to help deliver a long-term upgrade plan to bring the Bruce Highway up to safety standards.

“I will also be calling out the Federal Government for cutting its share of funding to the Bruce Highway and calling for a return to the long-standing 80:20 funding split for the national highway.

“I look forward to hearing from regional representatives and their firsthand experience using the Bruce Highway at the first Council meeting scheduled for December 2024.”

Queenslanders interested in supporting the Bruce Highway Advisory Council need to submit an expression of interest by 5pm Friday 29 November 2024.

More information is available at https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/business-industry/business-with-us/bruce-highway-advisory-council

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Sophie Cassidy 0484 620 899