Phillips Creek Bridge: $14.4m pledge to fix often flooded road from Moranbah to Dysart

A notorious stretch of road used as a major thoroughfare between two Central Queensland towns costs the mining industry more than $12m a day when it floods. Read about the $14.4m plan to fix the issue.

A notorious stretch of road used as a major thoroughfare between two Central Queensland mining towns could soon receive a $14.4m funding boost.

The money will go towards fixing the Phillips Creek Bridge on Saraji Rd between Moranbah and Dysart and Capricornia MP Michelle Landry has called on the state government to ante up the remaining $3.6m towards the project.

Saraji Rd is a key link between the two mining towns with flooding sparking closures of the low-lying bridge each year.

Saraji Road serves as a key link between the mining towns of Moranbah and Dysart.

It is estimated the closure of the bridge costs the mining industry more than $12m a day. A replacement bridge would make the highway safer, more flood resilient and keep motorists and freight moving and would

The Nationals have committed to investing $14.4m (80 per cent) of the $18m project total and Capricornia MP Michelle Landry wants the state government to stump up the remaining 20 per cent.

“A replacement bridge will support year-round access for the benefit of the businesses that depend on this key freight route,” she said.

“These improvements to safety and year-round accessibility would help our area to grow and prosper.

“The project would also provide an important economic boost for local communities, supporting an expected 42 jobs during construction and helping drive our region’s economic recovery.”

The Coalition will commit $14.4m to replace the Phillips Creek Bridge on Saraji Road. Capricornia MP Michelle Landry has called on the state government to ante up the remaining $3.6m for the project.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said unlike the Labor Party, the government was committed to getting it done.

“The Liberal and Nationals Government has put money on the table because we know how important this project is to motorists, businesses and the economy,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“Road closures in this region affect our country’s ability to make money, slowing the flow of valuable commodities from Central Queensland’s mines to our ports and onto buyers.

“When the trucks stop, so do the royalties that pay for the services all Australians rely on. That’s why we’re pushing to get this project done.”

Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said he had not received any notification or correspondence from either Mr Joyce or Ms Landry on the funding proposal.

“I’ve received no information or correspondence from Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce about this road so I can only assume it’s yet another Morrison government lie,” he said.

“The incompetent Morrison government has had nearly a decade to act on this road and yet they are offering a last-minute election bribe to distract from their failure to order enough Rapid Antigen Test kits.”

A Main Roads spokesman also noted Phillips Creek Bridge was owned and maintained by Isaac Regional Council and sits on a local government road.

“It is not state-controlled,” the spokesman said.

In the lead-up to the 2020 Queensland Government election, then LNP leader Deb Frecklington and Burdekin MP Dale Last also committed $16.5 million to address the Phillips Creek Bridge on Saraji Rd, between Moranbah and Dysart if the party won on October 31.

Labor won that election.