Published Tuesday, 03 June, 2008 at 04:44 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
State Budget boost for south west roads
South west Queensland’s burgeoning coal, oil and gas developments will receive a boost with $12.1 million provided in a record roads Budget to continue paving and sealing sections of the Roma-Taroom Road, Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said today.
The funding is part of a record $3.235 billion commitment towards roads in the 2008-09 State Budget that will drive progress on the Queensland Government’s infrastructure plans.
Mr Pitt said work on the vital connection would also improve access for local communities.
“The 2008-09 Budget provides $7.1 million towards the section in Banana Shire, west of Taroom, and another $5 million for the section in the Roma Regional Council area, north-west of Roma,” Mr Pitt said.
“This funding will provide significant benefits for freight and transport associated with the coal, oil and gas industries.
“As well as providing a smoother route, upgraded sections of the road will also have the potential to cut travel time between Roma and Rockhampton.
“This will bring significant economic benefits to the whole region, as well as improve access during wet weather and flooding.”
Mr Pitt said the Budget also provided $7.5 million for continued construction of the new Ward River Bridge on the Diamantina Developmental Road.
“The new bridge will be a 260m long, six-metre-high, dual-lane bridge on the Diamantina Developmental Road west of Charleville,” Mr Pitt said.
“The project, which also includes approaches on a new alignment, has a total estimated cost of $15 million.
“The new bridge—which will have a design life of more than 100 years—will deliver a safer crossing and improved access during flooding as well as increased efficiency for freight transport.”
Mr Pitt said new regional councils would also benefit, with $3 million provided to councils under the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS).
TIDS is a program that allows local government to access State Government funding for projects on local roads.
Projects funded under the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) in 2008-09 include $247,000 for Roma Regional Council to rehabilitate and widen a 6km section of the Mitchell-Bollon Road, south of Mitchell, and $250,000 for Balonne Shire Council for gravel re-sheeting of various sections of Whyenbah Road, west of St George.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
The funding is part of a record $3.235 billion commitment towards roads in the 2008-09 State Budget that will drive progress on the Queensland Government’s infrastructure plans.
Mr Pitt said work on the vital connection would also improve access for local communities.
“The 2008-09 Budget provides $7.1 million towards the section in Banana Shire, west of Taroom, and another $5 million for the section in the Roma Regional Council area, north-west of Roma,” Mr Pitt said.
“This funding will provide significant benefits for freight and transport associated with the coal, oil and gas industries.
“As well as providing a smoother route, upgraded sections of the road will also have the potential to cut travel time between Roma and Rockhampton.
“This will bring significant economic benefits to the whole region, as well as improve access during wet weather and flooding.”
Mr Pitt said the Budget also provided $7.5 million for continued construction of the new Ward River Bridge on the Diamantina Developmental Road.
“The new bridge will be a 260m long, six-metre-high, dual-lane bridge on the Diamantina Developmental Road west of Charleville,” Mr Pitt said.
“The project, which also includes approaches on a new alignment, has a total estimated cost of $15 million.
“The new bridge—which will have a design life of more than 100 years—will deliver a safer crossing and improved access during flooding as well as increased efficiency for freight transport.”
Mr Pitt said new regional councils would also benefit, with $3 million provided to councils under the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS).
TIDS is a program that allows local government to access State Government funding for projects on local roads.
Projects funded under the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) in 2008-09 include $247,000 for Roma Regional Council to rehabilitate and widen a 6km section of the Mitchell-Bollon Road, south of Mitchell, and $250,000 for Balonne Shire Council for gravel re-sheeting of various sections of Whyenbah Road, west of St George.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819