BUDGET BOOM FOR MARYBOROUGH AND HERVEY BAY

Maryborough and Hervey Bay residents are big winners from the Beattie Government's 2007-08 budget with more than $240 million for infrastructure from the Transport and Main Roads portfolio.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Paul Lucas said the funding would provide better and safer roads, rail line improvements and jobs for local residents

"Maryborough's EDI Rail continues to keep Queensland on the move with over $140 million worth of rail contracts in today's 2007-08 State Budget," he said.

"EDI will continue to manufacture new three-car passenger trains for the rail network at a cost of $104.6 million and new coal locomotives worth $40.3 million.

"And Maryborough's rail users will benefit from a $935,000 instalment in the $10.7 million upgrade of sections of the North Coast Railway Line," Mr Lucas said.

Mr Lucas said the budget also provided almost $75 million in 2007-08 for the improvement and maintenance of roads in the Wide Bay area. This funding forms a part of the new five-year, $13.3 billion Roads Implementation Program (RIP) released today.

"In 2007-08, funding of $14.25 million is provided to continue upgrading two sections of the Maryborough to Hervey Bay Road to four lanes. This is part of an ongoing program to upgrade three sections of the road at a total cost of $25.6 million," he said.

"The Maryborough to Hervey Bay Road handles a substantial volume of local and tourist traffic. These upgrades will improve driving conditions, giving travellers a safer and smoother ride.

"The sections to be widened to four lanes from this budget are between the Torbanlea turn-off and the Dundowran Road turn-off, and between the Dundowran turn-off and the Pialba to Burrum Heads turn-off."

Mr Lucas said safety and traffic flow will be improved in Hervey Bay, with Boat Harbour Drive being upgraded to four lanes between Hunter and McNally streets.

"The upgrade will also include two new sets of traffic lights at Taylor Street and Banksia Park Drive," he said.

"Maryborough residents will welcome the $450,000 in this budget to construct a two-metre wide overpass across the Highway, providing a safe and easy link for pedestrians, including students cycling or walking to Maryborough TAFE.

"The budget also provides $351,000 for a 1.3 kilometre shared pathway to be built along the Gayndah Road at Maryborough.

Media contact: Robert Hoge 3237 1942 or
Darren Roberts 3237 1947

The budget at a glance

• Over $140 million in rail contracts for EDI to supply rolling stock for the Citytrain network and for coal haulage
• $75 million in 2007-08 to improve roads in the Wide Bay region
• $14.25 million in 2007-08 of a $25.6 million project to widen three sections of Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road to four lanes
• $935,000 to upgrade sections of the North Coast railway line
• $450,000 to construct a two-metre wide pedestrian overpass across the Bruce Highway at Maryborough
• $351,000 to construct a 1.3 kilometre shared pathway for pedestrian and vehicle access along Gayndah Road at Maryborough
• $254,000 to upgrade the Buccaneer Pontoon at Urangan