Budget delivers $150m road funding boost for central Queensland

A special $150 million funding package to improve roads servicing central Queensland will commence in 2008-09, Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said today.

Mr Pitt said the new funding package was one of the highlights of the State Budget for central Queensland.

“Rapidly growing areas in regional Queensland require spending on roads just as the surging south east corner of the State does.

“This budget delivers funding for road projects that central Queensland needs and deserves.

“The projects that form this package are part of a $3.235 billion roads Budget for 2008-09 that will drive progress on the Queensland Government’s infrastructure plans

Mr Pitt said the targeted funding boost would provide a huge injection of funds to support central Queensland communities generally, and the mining sector in particular.

“This funding recognises the significant role both the Bowen Basin and the Callide Basin provide in powering Queensland’s economic development,” Mr Pitt said.

“It builds on $200 million for road upgrades in this area over the last five years, and is in addition to other road spending that already had been planned.

“The Queensland Government is pouring funding into the area to help ease the impact of the industry boom.

“Work will begin in 2008-09 on a $15 million suite of safety initiatives for the Peak Downs Highway and the Dysart-Middlemount Road.

“The works focus on safety, taking into consideration changes to work shifts in the area and commuting between mining dormitories and mine sites.”

“An amount of $4 million has been allocated for two overtaking lanes between Boundary Creek and Denison Creek, with $1million to undertake further safety improvements on Eton Range.

“Funding of $10 million has been approved to address safety issues on the German Creek to Middlemount and Dysart to Norwich Park sections of the highway.

“Work will involve building and sealing road shoulders to provide fully-sealed highway widths of 8-8.5 metres.

“Under the three-year funding package, work will also start in 2008-09 on upgrades to the Dawson Highway at the Calliope Range, as part of an overall project worth $70 million.

“The upgrade will ensure the highway can cater for larger vehicles, particularly those involved in the haulage of materials used for the operation and expansion of the Bowen Basin."

Mr Pitt said the remaining $65 million would be spent on the Leichhardt Highway, with work starting in the 2009-10 financial year to upgrade the link near the Don River Bridges.

“The works will include realigning the highway and improving flood immunity, as well as replacing some timber bridges.”

Mr Pitt said the funding pool was over and above expenditure already identified for improvements to mining links.

“The government has a strong commitment to improving infrastructure that is under pressure from the mining boom,” he said.

“This is a clear message to mining communities that the Bligh government cares about road safety and is putting the money on the table to improve our regional infrastructure.”

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819