Published Friday, 13 June, 2008 at 04:12 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Claims of Queensland dropping its advocacy for motorway section untrue
The Queensland Government has not altered its advocacy for the Darra-Rocklea section of Ipswich Motorway one iota, Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said today.
“The Queensland Government remains just as strongly committed as ever to this section of the Ipswich Motorway being upgraded – any suggestion to the contrary is incorrect,” Mr Pitt said.
Mr Pitt said it had been reported that he had “dropped the State’s advocacy” for a full upgrade of the Darra-Rocklea stretch of the motorway.
“This is simply not true. This section of the motorway was included in Queensland’s Auslink2 submission to the Federal Government for road funding last year.
“It remains part of Queensland’s Auslink2 funding submission. It hasn’t been dropped or downgraded in any way.
“What hasn’t been determined is when it will be funded. Upgrading other sections of the motorway have higher priority, and they have been funded.”
Mr Pitt said he was satisfied that the Federal Government was not shifting “one cent or one centimetre” from its commitment to fund the full upgrade of the Goodna to Dinmore section of the motorway.
“Work on this project will get underway next year. The initial cost estimate for this project is $1.1 billion – and this is part of the Federal Government’s overall $2.2 billion commitment to motorway projects.
“Motorists using the motorway can see evidence of this massive commitment every day in the two other major projects that are now in full swing – the $770 million Wacol to Darra section and the $255 million Logan Motorway interchange project.
“The work is happening where it is needed the most. The traffic volumes clearly bear this out. West of the Logan Motorway interchange, there are approximately 95,000 vehicles a day using the motorway, compared with approximately 60,000 on the Darra to Rocklea section.
“This is not to say the Darra to Rocklea section doesn’t need upgrading. It definitely does, and Queensland will continue to include it on the list of projects requiring federal funding.
“The Federal Government has made it very clear that it, too, remains committed to eventually being able to fund the Darra to Rocklea part of the motorway.
“The Federal Government has indicated that this is one of the projects that will be considered for funding through the Building Australia Fund for boosting the nation’s infrastructure”, Mr Pitt said.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
“The Queensland Government remains just as strongly committed as ever to this section of the Ipswich Motorway being upgraded – any suggestion to the contrary is incorrect,” Mr Pitt said.
Mr Pitt said it had been reported that he had “dropped the State’s advocacy” for a full upgrade of the Darra-Rocklea stretch of the motorway.
“This is simply not true. This section of the motorway was included in Queensland’s Auslink2 submission to the Federal Government for road funding last year.
“It remains part of Queensland’s Auslink2 funding submission. It hasn’t been dropped or downgraded in any way.
“What hasn’t been determined is when it will be funded. Upgrading other sections of the motorway have higher priority, and they have been funded.”
Mr Pitt said he was satisfied that the Federal Government was not shifting “one cent or one centimetre” from its commitment to fund the full upgrade of the Goodna to Dinmore section of the motorway.
“Work on this project will get underway next year. The initial cost estimate for this project is $1.1 billion – and this is part of the Federal Government’s overall $2.2 billion commitment to motorway projects.
“Motorists using the motorway can see evidence of this massive commitment every day in the two other major projects that are now in full swing – the $770 million Wacol to Darra section and the $255 million Logan Motorway interchange project.
“The work is happening where it is needed the most. The traffic volumes clearly bear this out. West of the Logan Motorway interchange, there are approximately 95,000 vehicles a day using the motorway, compared with approximately 60,000 on the Darra to Rocklea section.
“This is not to say the Darra to Rocklea section doesn’t need upgrading. It definitely does, and Queensland will continue to include it on the list of projects requiring federal funding.
“The Federal Government has made it very clear that it, too, remains committed to eventually being able to fund the Darra to Rocklea part of the motorway.
“The Federal Government has indicated that this is one of the projects that will be considered for funding through the Building Australia Fund for boosting the nation’s infrastructure”, Mr Pitt said.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819