Qld to splash $107m on Inland Freight Route early works

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk wants the federal government to keep its commitment to the critical $1bn Inland Freight Route, honouring a 80:20 funding arrangement.

Traffic chaos on the Bruce Highway.

The state government will push ahead to spend $107m on early works to build the Inland Freight Route despite an escalating funding war with the federal government.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will on Tuesday reveal the government will maintain its commitment to the $1bn Inland Freight Route from Mungindi to Charters Towers – which she has dubbed a “second Bruce” Highway.

Ms Palaszczuk said the 1185km Inland Freight Route would establish a viable north-south alternative to the Bruce Highway and form a critical freight corridor.

Queensland will honour its 80:20 funding commitment to the project, with $200m allocated towards the $1bn total cost.

An alternative to the Bruce Highway.

The state will start spending $107m to accelerate early works, a move expected to put pressure on the federal government, which this month revealed it would no longer provide 80 per cent of costs for major infrastructure projects.

Ms Palaszczuk said the alternative Bruce Highway was critical as the state’s population grows.

“It will provide an alternative route for truckies and keep communities connected during major flood events,” she said.

“We are calling on the federal government to keep their commitment to the Inland Freight Route and honour the 80:20 agreed funding arrangement.

“It’s only right that Queensland gets its fair share – no more, no less.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: David Clark

An alternative Bruce Highway built through upgrades to the existing Gregory, Dawson and Carnavon highways was an election commitment made by Ms Palaszczuk in 2020.

The state government will spend $19.7m building a bridge upgrade over the Dawson River, north of Injune – the first of two bridge upgrades between Injune and Rolleston.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said bringing forward the state’s share of expenditure was vital.

“The Bruce Highway is the single most important highway in the country,” he said.

Traffic chaos on the Bruce Highway.

“By building a better Inland Freight Route targeted at taking trucks off the Bruce, we are ensuring strong supply chains and driving economic growth for regional industries and communities.”

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has defended the Commonwealth’s decision, arguing the government was providing more cash to Queensland for infrastructure projects than before.

In a swipe at big-spending states, Agriculture Minister and Queensland senator Murray Watt said the government could not continue “throwing precious taxpayers’ funds around like drunken sailors”.