NORTH DEMANDS BETTER DEAL FROM CANBERRA

A priority list of North Queensland road projects on the Bruce Highway totalling almost $2 billion will be presented to the Federal Government.

State Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Paul Lucas, has today returned to North Queensland as the region’s mayors meet in Townsville for a roads summit.

“I want to thank Member for Thuringowa, and Minister assisting the Premier in North Queensland, Craig Wallace, for driving this important forum.

“From Sarina to Cairns local mayors are united and have mobilised with the Queensland Government to ramp up pressure on Canberra to bring the Bruce Highway up to scratch.

“With the help of the mayors, Main Roads has listed 15 priority projects on the Bruce Highway.

“Important inclusions on the list are work on the Cardwell Range, Burdekin road safety projects, extra lanes in urban areas and flood improvements on key sections of the highway.

“It also sets out the urgent need for additional overtaking lanes, intersection safety upgrades, rest areas, plus road and bridge maintenance.

“On current estimates it’s a $2 billion bill – and that's just for the next five years and just on the section of the Bruce Highway from Sarina to Cairns.

"We'll also be submitting a list to the federal government for the needs on the rest of the Bruce Highway and the AusLink network.

“We need a real commitment to the Bruce Highway now and it needs to come from both sides of politics ahead of the federal election.

“Motorists in New South Wales and Victoria wouldn’t tolerate the current conditions on the Bruce Highway, neither should motorists in North Queensland.

“Canberra needs to put its money on the table so the motorists of the North and Far North can make an informed decision on election day - it’s that simple.

"$2 billion sounds like a lot of money, but it should be remembered that Canberra collects $14.4 billion in fuel tax from Queensland motorists every year - in the past ten years the North has pumped an estimated $2.065 billion into the federal government's fuel excise coffers.

"Yet the federal government is prepared to spend $1.2 billion more than it needs to on the Goodna Bypass in south east Queensland that no one wants.

“North and Far North Queenslanders aren’t getting a fair return on road funding for their national highway,” he said.

“The Federal Government is still missing in action on cost sharing for the Townsville Port Access Road.

“We’re asking for a 50/50 contribution of $95 million from Canberra, but so far there’s been nothing.

“Our money is on the table, we’ve already spent $15 million on planning and land acquisition – where’s the Federal Government?

“Make no mistake - they’re running from their road funding responsibilities.

“It even extends to taking $40 million from the $220 million set aside for flood work on the Bruce Highway between Townsville and Cairns.

“The Federal Government’s flood money is welcome, but to it use to build the Mt Low upgrade of the Bruce Highway isn’t part of the original funding agreement.

“Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile has said the decision ‘will require some adjustments to the program’ – I agree.

“To be blunt, what’s left of the flood money won’t be nearly enough to finish the job on the Bruce Highway,

“Canberra must do better,” Mr Lucas said.

Media Contact: Darren Roberts 3237 1947