Qld government brings back Bruce Highway advisory council

Regional appointees will form part of an advisory council to the state government to map and prioritise future upgrades of the Bruce Highway.

The future of the Bruce Highway is being brought back to front and centre with the new LNP state government revealing it is resurrecting an advisory council for Queensland’s arterial road. Photo: 7 News

The future of the Bruce Highway has been put front and centre by the new state government, with the announcement of the resurrection of an advisory council made up of representatives from every region in Qld.

The committee is expected to be put together by Christmas.

The condition of the state’s main road has been in the firing line for years, if not decades, dubbed a national disgrace by drivers and ranked among the 10 worst roads in Queensland.

Transport and Main Roads online records show the last meeting of former the Bruce Highway Trust Advisory Council was held in September 2022.

Expressions of interest for the new council are now open.

The condition of the Bruce Highway has been under fire in the past few years, with it being called a national disgrace by drivers and ranked among the 10 worst roads in Queensland.

Regional areas will be represented on the new council with the government seeking nominations from across the Wide Bay Burnett, North Coast, Fitzroy, Mackay and the Whitsundays, Northern Queensland and Far North Queensland.

The council’s remit is to advise on challenges, opportunities, investment priorities, flood resilience and traffic capacity.

Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said the new state government had committed to re-establishing the council before Christmas.

“It’s important we listen to our regional communities to be able to deliver the upgrades that are so desperately needed to the Bruce Highway,” he said in a statement.

The federal government’s decision to slash a previous 80-20 funding arrangement in which state would pay a lower cost of highway upgrade projects, in favour of a 50-50 split, was in the state government’s spotlight too. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We want to hear from a broad cross section of people who drive the Bruce Hwy regularly from the Far North to south of the Sunshine Coast, whether they be truck drivers, local commuters or interested stakeholders.

“The BHAC will provide the Crisafulli government with advice on challenges and opportunities, as well as investment priority and sequencing on the Bruce Highway.

“One of my key priorities as Minister for Transport and Main Roads is to help deliver a long-term upgrade plan to bring the Bruce Highway up to safety standards.”

The federal government’s decision to slash a previous 80-20 funding arrangement in which state would pay a lower cost of highway upgrade projects, in favour of a 50-50 split, was in the state government’s spotlight too.

Mr Mickelberg has called for the 80-20 deal to be restored.

“I look forward to hearing from regional representatives and their first-hand experience using the Bruce Highway at the first council meeting scheduled for December 2024.”

Queenslanders interested in supporting the Bruce Highway Advisory Council need to submit an expression of interest by 5pm Friday 29 November 2024.

CLICK HERE to submit an expression of interest, or head to TMR’s website.