$22.5m upgrade to tackle Petrie bottleneck

The Palaszczuk Government has announced an additional $22.5 million for the Petrie roundabout upgrade as part of the 2018 State Budget.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the extra funding would support the $30 million project to improve traffic movements at the intersection of Anzac Avenue, Dayboro Road and Gympie Road in response to local population growth.

“We are fixing the bottleneck at the Petrie roundabout where Anzac Avenue, Dayboro Road and Gympie Road meet,” Mr Bailey said.

He said $22.5 million construction funding was in addition to $7.5 million already committed for a detailed design and property acquisitions, with early planning already underway.

“Design work will review and build on early planning to ensure the upgrade meets current engineering standards and community expectations,” Mr Bailey said.

“A preferred option was developed in 2016 which included replacing the roundabout with signals at a reconfigured T-intersection.

“I’d also like to thank local MP Shane King for his relentless advocacy for action at the Petrie roundabout bottleneck which bears fruit today.”

Member for Kurwongbah Shane King said locals would be able to have their say on the project.

“The community will have an opportunity to provide input during the detailed design phase, which is expected to be completed in 2019,” Mr King said.

“Importantly, this project will improve safety and connectivity in Petrie and reduce delays during peak periods.

“It will also reduce traffic queues and crash risk.

“Thanks to the Palaszczuk Government, this funding now means work can begin by 2020.”

Mr King said the upgrade would ultimately benefit thousands of students who would in time attend the new Petrie campus of the University of the Sunshine Coast.

“The former Petrie paper mill site and surrounding suburbs have been declared a priority development area by the Palaszczuk Government which is expected to deliver up to 10,000 university student placements, 6000 ongoing jobs and $950 million in economic benefit through the creation of a major new University of the Sunshine Coast campus,” he said.

“We know that knowledge-based projects like this can deliver huge economic benefits for local communities by driving jobs growth in higher education, research, science and commercial sectors.

“That’s why the Palaszczuk Government is pleased to be supporting this project with the provision of surplus state land adjacent to the former paper mill site.”

Member for Murrumba Steven Miles said upgrading the intersection would improve safety and travel times for the community.

“So many people use this roundabout every day, to get to work or drop their kids off at school. This upgrade will mean less time in the car and more time at home,” Mr Miles said.

Mr Bailey said further investigations into land requirements and consultation with key stakeholders, Moreton Bay Regional Council and directly affected property owners and businesses would continue in preparation for the heavy works.

ENDS

Media contact: Dominic Geiger, 0447355565