George Christensen, Mackay council push state gov to fund Mackay-Bucasia Rd

Councillor George Christensen rallied the Mackay council around a motion to push the state government to commit funding to an alternative for the chaotic Mackay-Bucasia Rd.

Councillors united around a motion pushing the state government and election candidates to divert resources to a congested commuter choke point.

Connecting the CBD to the Northern Beaches via the Bruce Highway, the Mackay-Bucasia Rd is under significant strain as the population of the Northern Beaches continues to grow.

A unifying force in Mackay politics, it became an council election issue when mayoral candidate Steve ‘Jacko’ Jackson promised to ease congestion.

In his bid for mayor Mr Jackson proposed building an overpass at the intersection of Mackay-Bucasia Rd and Golf Links Rd, as well as a bridge from Slade Point to Blacks Beach.

Mayor Greg Williamson called the plan unrealistic and spoke about the ongoing conflict between council and the state government over the road, stating the situation was complicated by congestion occurring during peak hours and easing at other times.

The location of the proposed Northern Beaches Community Hub. Picture: Mackay Regional Council

According to Google Maps, driving from the Mackay CBD to Blacks Beach takes between 15 – 28 minutes during non-peak hours, however at school pick-up times this estimate rises to approximately 20 – 40 minutes, continuing through to 5pm and only decongesting by 6pm.

Councillor George Christensen brought forward a motion to send a message to leaders of all state political parties asking they commit funding to Northern Beaches infrastructure.

The Mackay-Bucasia Rd runs through Richmond and Rural View.

“These issues are bugbears to our Northern Beaches community and this will elevate them to state election priorities,” Mr Christensen said.

The motion called for the state government to commit funding to building extension roads at Dawson Boulevard and Norwood Parade, additional parallel roads to Mackay-Bucasia Road and a call for state funding to the Northern Beaches Community Hub which received $15 million from the Federal government in May.

“We’re simply putting them up to the state government and all parties running in the election,” Mr Christensen said.

Councillor Karen May at the ordinary meeting of Mackay Regional Council, April 24, 2024. Picture: Contributed

Councillor Karen May spoke in favour of the motion and thanked Mr Christensen for bringing it forward.

“He’s right in saying these are two very important issues for council,” Mrs May said.

“It is under our jurisdiction to be advocating for an upgrade to that road to deal with traffic congestion.
“We’ve been very fortunate to gain federal funding (for the Northern Beaches Community Hub) but have yet to see any state money on the project.”

The state department of transport and main roads set aside $750,000 for an upgrade to the Mackay-Bucasia Rd in 2021.

Community consultation for an upgrade ended in August 2023 and as of writing no upgrade announcements of plans have been released.

Mr Christensen’s motion passed unanimously.