Brisbane bridge naming celebrations begin

Brisbane residents will this year help celebrate Queensland’s 150^th birthday by suggesting names for 11 local bridges, Main Roads Warren Pitt said today.

Mr Pitt said the Q150 bridge naming festivities would highlight the integral role that roads and bridges played in building the state's prosperity and connecting Queenslanders.

“The state’s 150^th birthday is an important milestone for all Queenslanders and we want to involve the community in the celebrations,” Mr Pitt said.

“We have a list of 11 bridges around Brisbane and Ipswich that need names and the community is invited to provide suggestions to Main Roads for consideration.”

Mr Pitt said the bridges to be named were:

·Woogaroo Creek (Centenary Highway Extension)

·Deebing Creek (Centenary Highway Extension),

·Bundamba Creek (Centenary Highway Extension)

·Little Bundamba Creek (Centenary Highway Extension)

·Six Mile Creek/School Road (Centenary Highway Extension).

·Woogaroo Creek at Gailes/Goodna (Ipswich/Logan Interchange project)

·Old Logan Road and Wilruna Street (Ipswich/Logan Interchange project)

·Park Ridge Road Overpass (Mount Lindesay Highway upgrade)

·Nundah tunnel

·Acacia Ridge rail crossing overpass

·Houghton Highway duplicate bridge

"We are looking for names that represent the community such as fauna or flora species, names, or historical events,” Mr Pitt said.

“All suggestions must have a unique tie to the local area and a significant meaning to the whole community.

“Examples of suggestions could be Indigenous names, local historical events or traditions, plants, animals or other significant features such as geographical landmarks.”

Mr Pitt said submissions would close on 30 March, 2009, and he encouraged residents to get involved by visiting the Main Roads website.

The project is being advertised in local papers, posters, flyers and the Queensland Government’s ‘get involved’ website.

“A name will be recommended following the review of public submissions by a decision-making panel which includes community representatives,” Mr Pitt said.

Mr Pitt said this year marked the 150th anniversary of Queensland's separation from New South Wales as a colony.

“The anniversary celebrations, which will run the entire year, express the vision – reflect on our past, imagine our future – and is shaped around four themes – history, people, places and future.”

Mr Pitt said 2009 would be a time for everyone to feel good about being a Queenslander.

"We have come a long way since being declared a state in our own right by Queen Victoria in 1859.

“Our 150th anniversary year is an opportunity for Queenslanders to take stock, reflect, think ahead and move forward.

"The Queensland Government’s year-long celebrations have been designed to help Queenslanders do just that.”

For more information on Main Roads Q150 bridge-naming program email Q150bridges@mainroads.qld.gov.au or visit www.mainroads.qld.gov.au

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s office 3227 8819