Minister Bailey hits the Bruce in Big Rig from Port to Maryborough

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey will today blitz the Bruce in a South East Qld Hauliers’ truck transporting solar panels, to highlight the Palaszczuk Government’s investment from Brisbane to Wide Bay.

Mr Bailey said Queensland’s freight industry was benefitting from the Palaszczuk Government’s blockbuster $21.7 billion roads budget being delivered under the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) over the next four years.

“This record investment includes $975.4 million of works planned to be delivered just in the Wide Bay/Burnett area,” Mr Bailey said.

“From paddock to port, and port to industry, hundreds of millions of dollars have been committed to projects to support a seamless and multi-modal transport system.

“That’s why we are undertaking major projects on the Bruce Highway between Brisbane and the Fraser Coast in partnership with the Federal Government.

“In fact, continuing works on the Bruce and other key supply chain links are the main focus for this year’s road budget,” he said.

“The $812.9 million widening of the Bruce Highway between Caloundra Road to Sunshine Motorway will create much-needed capacity through the fast-growing Sunshine Coast region.

“Further north, we have started detailed design on the $1 billion, 62km realignment and upgrade of the Bruce Highway to four lanes between Cooroy and Curra, creating the much needed Gympie bypass.

“We committed to getting this done during the election last year and we are making good on that commitment, with $200 million locked and loaded in this year’s budget.

“Once completed, these upgrades will significantly improve safety and travel times for the road freight industry.

“It’s about supporting local companies like South East Qld Hauliers to improve efficiency, both through infrastructure investment and regulatory approvals.”

Queensland Trucking Association chief executive officer Gary Mahon said: “Queensland is the second largest freight hauling state which makes infrastructure investment ultra important.

“Our QTA member South East Queensland Hauliers is travelling on a recently approved route to Childers in an A-Double combination that improves efficiency over a B-Double by 30 per cent. 

“The Queensland Trucking Association appreciates these leading decisions by Government to improve safety and productivity. 

“These network approvals are essential to strengthen our economic performance, increase safety and lower community costs.”

Mr Bailey said building the capacity of the Port of Brisbane, one of Australia’s fastest growing container ports and the state’s largest multi-cargo port was also essential.

“I welcome the port’s planned investment of more than $600 million over the next 5 years,” Mr Bailey said.

Mr Bailey said rail connections were also critical to supporting Queensland’s freight supply chains.

“We recently announced $160.8 million for the Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade Project that will deliver increased capacity, travel time savings for passenger and freight services,” he said.

Mr Bailey said he was looking forward to inspecting locations set to receive funding as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $150.6 million 2018/19 budget investment in the Wide Bay Burnett region, which would support an average of 937 direct jobs in the region over the next four years.

These projects include:

-     Bruce Highway, start upgrading the intersections between Fleming Road and Fishermans Pocket Road, Chatsworth for a total cost of $12 million (2018-19 $9 million)

-     Pialba Burrum Heads Road, continue works to realign and signalise the intersections with Scrub Hill Road and Wide Bay Drive for a total cost of $26 million (2018-19 $8.7 million)

-     Bruce Highway, start construction of overtaking lanes between Gympie and Maryborough for a total cost of $13.3 million (2018-19 $5.7 million)

-     Bruce Highway, intersection upgrades between Gin Gin and Benaraby for a total cost of $8.23m (2018-19 $4.2m)

“The Palaszczuk Government is commitment to delivering key infrastructure investment to improve productivity and drive industry growth, supporting jobs across the State.”

ENDS

Media contact:  Dominic Geiger 0447 355 565