Northern Link Declared Significant Project

The State Government’s Coordinator-General has today declared the proposed Northern Link Tunnel a significant project.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Paul Lucas, told State Parliament today the declaration meant consideration of the project could be fast tracked.

“Northern Link, which has been proposed by Lord Mayor Campbell Newman, will connect Brisbane’s western suburbs with the Inner City Bypass,” Mr Lucas said.

“With significant project status now official, the Coordinator-General will set the terms of reference for the tunnel’s Environmental Impact Statement. The EIS may be out in mid to late 2008, though the ultimate timing will be a matter for council.”

Mr Lucas also told State Parliament the project was a stark example of how the Federal Government and Opposition treated roads in Brisbane.

“A commitment from Kevin Rudd and Labor to contribute $500 million to Northern Link has greatly improved the chances of the projects going ahead, if approved.

“It demonstrates Lord Mayor Campbell Newman is far more effective at campaigning for road funding from Canberra than the State Opposition.

“The State Opposition has never put the wood on the Federal Government to deliver cold hard cash for Queensland roads.

“After 11 years in office the Howard Government seems to have tunnel vision when it comes to roads in Brisbane City, and has been missing-in-action on Northern Link.

“And it’s Labor who is the Lord Mayor’s greatest friend when it comes to infrastructure.

“Cr Newman proposed the Airport Link Tunnel – and State Labor has committed to it. Cr Newman boasts about public transport – and State Labor is funding it.”

“It appears however, that Brisbane roads are in the Prime Minister’s blind spot. How else do you explain the inability of the Coalition MPs in Petrie, Ryan, Bonner and Moreton to bring home one single cent from Canberra for Brisbane roads?

“All four Coalition members in those Brisbane electorates get an ‘F’ for failure.

“The only commitment the Prime Minister has made to Brisbane roads is the Goodna Bypass.

“The Federal Coalition has not committed a single dollar to any other road project in Brisbane.

“But Federal Labor hasn’t shirked the Brisbane roads challenge. Federal Labor has committed $70 million for the Gateway Motorway south of Mount Gravatt-Capalaba Road. They’ve committed $125 million for the start of work on the Gateway Motorway north of Nudgee Gold Course.

“Labor will deliver $300m to fix the Mains & Kessels roads bottleneck. And Labor has promised $500 million so Northern Link can become a reality.

“These are four Labor commitments that will make a major difference to Brisbane’s road network.

“It demonstrates very clearly that Labor is the party of builders.”

Media inquiries: Robert Hoge 0419 757 868