Michelle Landry, Bridget McKenzie call for Rocky Ring Road funding
Capricornia MP Michelle Landry and Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie have called on the Federal Government to cough up their commitment for the Rockhampton Ring Road with the Budget due to be handed down next month.
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With just three weeks until Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers hands down the 2023-24 Budget, all eyes will be on Central Queensland’s fair share of funding.
In particular, what is committed for the Rockhampton Ring Road.
On Tuesday, Capricornia MP Michelle Landry and Opposition spokeswoman for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Bridget McKenzie called on the Federal Government to put their commitment on the table for the major project.
“When we were in government there was a billion dollar commitment on the table for this, $800 million from the Coalition Federal Government and $200 million from the state,” she said.
“We saw that Labor pulled this and put it on the never-never plan and after protests and rallies and people coming to Canberra they put $80 million on the table.
“This is just not good enough, this project needs to be started now.”
Ms Landry said there was also a safety concern in the delays with emergency services being caught in congested traffic on Rockhampton’s two bridges.
“When I drive from Rockhampton to Yeppoon each day it takes longer to drive through Rockhampton than it does to drive from Yeppoon,” she said.
“If you get an ambulance, fire engine or the police stuck in that traffic it is very difficult for them to get through.
“The federal budget is next month and we’re calling on the Federal Government to bring forward money for the Rockhampton Ring Road, it is simply not good enough.”
Opposition spokeswoman for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Bridget McKenzie said the federal budget next month was the time to “rectify” the “mistake” of cutting funding for the ring road from the October 2022 budget.
“Every single month that goes by in tendering and procuring this project, every single year that they push this project out is going to mean it costs taxpayers more, and has opportunity costs right here locally as locals have to struggle with the Bruce Highway issues as they are,” she said.
In a statement Transport and Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said the Federal and State Government had jointly committed $1.065 billion to the project, with the feds committing $852 million.
“On 13 December 2022 the Australian and Queensland governments announced a $280 million early works package as part of the project. The Australian Government’s share of that funding ($80 million) will be reflected in the May 2023-24 Budget,” she said.
“Public utility and land management works are currently underway. The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads has advised early works – which include geotechnical investigations, building demolition and other essential pre-construction works – are expected to start later this year and continue up to 2025-26.
“The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts is working with the Queensland Government to confirm the timing of the next stage of construction for the Rockhampton Ring Road.”
It’s been a tumultuous beginning for the ring road project.
Construction was supposed to begin in January 2023, with a completion in 2026.
Just days later Federal Transport and Infrastructure Minister Catherine King confirmed the project would not be complete by that date.
The news sparked outrage across the community with a rally being held and the Start Rockhampton Ring Road group being formed.
Members of the group, which includes SMW CEO Jack Trenaman and JRT owner Jason Thomasson, embarked on a convoy from Parkhurst to Canberra to speak to whoever would meet with them about getting the project started.
After weeks of campaigning, meetings and people power a deal was struck between the State and Federal Government of $280m for construction work commencing in 2023 which will include the upgrade of multiple key connecting roads for the landmark infrastructure piece.
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