Bob Katter calls for a fix to Burke Development Road near Chillagoe
Bob Katter says failure to fix potholes resembling craters on an outback FNQ road is compromising road safety.
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A FAILURE to fix crater-sized potholes on the Burke Developmental Road near Chillagoe has sparked safety concerns on the isolated stretch of highway west of Cairns.
Kennedy MP Bob Katter has received complaints, including from the Chillagoe Primary Health Centre and truck companies about what he described as “an extremely poor and dangerous condition” of the dirt road.
A bad section of the road between Almaden and Chillagoe recently resulted in a Queensland Ambulance four-wheel-drive becoming stuck in a huge ditch.
“I have once again contacted the Minister for Main Roads to fight for constituents’ safety, (he said) his office has been receiving complaints for more than a decade,” Mr Katter said.
On Monday, Traeger MP Robbie Katter backed rural road fixes as tourist use rose.
“It is very disingenuous of the government to say ‘let’s promote outback tourism’ without agreeing to fix the region’s roads at the same time,” Mr Katter said.
He has been approached by the director of nursing of Chillagoe Hospital, Megan Wieland, who was “deeply concerned” for road users.
“There have been some horrific accidents over the past six months and we are worried it is only a matter of time before someone once again loses their life” Mr Katter said.
The Department of Traffic and Main Roads (TMR) told the Cairns Post grading works between Chillagoe and Almaden were completed this month by the Mareeba Shire Council on behalf of TMR between Chillagoe and Almaden.
“This section of the Burke Developmental Road has been targeted for an upgrade as part of the $100 million Northern Australia Beef Roads Program,” the TMR spokesman said.
The department confirmed two of the four remaining unsealed sections of the road between Almaden and Chillagoe would be progressively sealed under the works.
Mr Katter is calling for a review of TMR’s $7 million road sealing commitment so that it would include blacktopping of the entire 15km section.
Originally published as Bob Katter calls for a fix to Burke Development Road near Chillagoe
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