Federal Government queried on plans for Goodna bypass sporting parks

Queensland Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt today called on the Federal Government to disclose any plans to create sporting parks adjoining the proposed Ipswich motorway Goodna bypass corridor.

Mr Pitt said a report published in The Australian today claimed the Federal Liberal Member for Ryan Michael Johnson has been negotiating with Prime Minister John Howard’s Office on the issue.

By building the two sports parks on either side of the Goodna bypass corridor at one of the points where it crossed the Brisbane River, two particular properties adjoining the bypass corridor would need to be resumed.

“The article raises serious concerns”, Mr Pitt said.

“It would appear that Mr Johnson is proposing millions of dollars of taxpayers money be spent acquiring the two properties and creating sports parks when there is no demonstrated need for such facilities.

“The article states that Mr Johnson appears to have won the Prime Minister’s support for the parks, which he had proposed in response to complaints by the owners of the multi-million-dollar properties who were upset that the bypass had slashed their property values.

Mr Pitt said the Federal Government ought to disclose if it was planning to create the sporting parks as reported.

“We need to ask: “Exactly what is going on here? Just what is this plan that has been hatched by the Federal Liberal MP Mr Johnson, and why is it being negotiated at a political level with the Prime Minister’s office?” Mr Pitt said.

“Rather than splashing around millions of dollars resuming properties and building sporting parks that aren’t needed the Federal Government should instead put the money towards other far more needy and worthy road projects in Queensland.

“This whole Goodna bypass is a nightmare of the Federal Government’s own making. The massive $2.3 billion price tag is already blowing out and now stands at closer to $3 billion.

“If the Federal Government had taken the sensible course and upgraded the existing Ipswich motorway years ago when it was needed and should have been done, they could have had the project completed by now at half the cost of what they are proposing to spend”, Mr Pitt said.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819