Crisafulli stops short of giving key Ring Road overpass the green light after budget blowout
Premier David Crisafulli says the Queensland Government is “working overtime” to try and deliver the Rockhampton Ring Road to its full scope without having to downgrade a key overpass to an intersection.
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Premier David Crisafulli says the Queensland Government is “working overtime” to try and deliver the Rockhampton Ring Road to its full scope without having to downgrade a key overpass to an intersection.
Mr Crisafulli gave the assurance during a visit to the city on Wednesday to celebrate Rockhampton being selected as the venue for the 2032 Olympic Rowing and Sprint Canoeing events.
His Ring Road comments came after The Morning Bulletin revealed last week that the Alexandra St overpass element of the project could be downgraded to an intersection after another major cost blowout.
“He’s (Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg) working overtime to try and save it (the Alexandra St overpass),” he said.
“The local members (Rockhampton MP Donna Kirkland, Mirani MP Glen Kelly and Keppel MP Nigel Hutton) are pushing him hard to do that and I’m mindful the easy option would be just to put our hands up and point to the fact that just like about every project we’ve inherited (from the former Labor Government) , it’s miles over budget and miles blown out in time.”
The Ring Road project was originally costed at $1.1b but those estimates blew out to $1.7b in 2022 before construction started in 2023 and now costs have increased again - like every other major civil works project in Australia - but just how much and why has not been revealed.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King visited Rockhampton last week to announce the Australian Government had tipped another $200m into the Ring Road project bringing its total commitment to $1.4b while the State’s official share remains at $530m, lifting the total to in excess of $1.9b.
The State’s anticipated share of the blowout costs and what it will cover has not been made public.
However, in Australian Senate Estimates hearings in Canberra today, March 27, following questions by LNP Senator Matt Canavan, Assistant Secretary for Queensland Infrastructure Investment and Brisbane 2032 Games Venues Bill Brummit said the Government’s extra $200m in funding would allow the “full scope of the project to be delivered” without any downgrading of the Alexander St Overpass.
“I’ve got every faith that we can deliver it and the minister’s working overtime to do that,” the Premier also said yesterday.
“I want people to know that we understand the importance of projects like (the Ring Road) and Donna Kirkland has been in the Minister’s ear about what that looks like.”
He said Mr Mickelberg would have more to say about the issue.
“But I’m confident that it can be done and done for the standard that the community needs,” he said without elaborating.
“Yes, there’s been delays and yes, there’s been cost escalations, but I’ve got faith that we are able to deliver something that the community is proud of.”
The Minister said the final cost of the project’s “significant budget blowout” was still being determined.
He blamed the situation on years of “delays and mismanagement” under Labor.
“I visited the site with local MPs last week to assure the community the Crisafulli Government is working hard to get this important road project back on track,” he said.
“The final cost is currently under negotiations. The community will be information of this and our delivery strategy as soon as an agreement has been reached.”
When the Premier announced Rockhampton as the 2032 Games Rowing venue he spoke about the importance of the Ring Road project and Bruce Highway upgrades in providing high standard connectivity throughout the state.
“Come 2032, through better connectivity and the right infrastructure, Rockhampton will be ready to open its doors not only to the Games but to more tourists, more employment and more opportunities,” he said.
“These Games are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver an infrastructure, tourism and grassroots sports legacy to benefit all of Queensland.
“Delivering 2032 and Beyond sets the plan to build much more than what’s needed for a few weeks of competition.
“This is a plan that builds for our future, ensuring regional communities continue to benefit for decades to come.
“That includes delivering critical upgrades to the spine of our transport network, the Bruce Highway, between Cairns and Brisbane.”
The Rockhampton Ring Road provides a western link of the Bruce Highway, extending from the Capricorn Highway (at Nelson Street) in the south through to Bruce Highway / Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road intersection in the north. This will include a new crossing of the Fitzroy River.
At the end of June 2023, contracts were awarded to BMD-Bielby Joint Venture (North Package 1) and Acciona-Fulton Hogan Joint Venture (South Package 1).
Construction on this first phase of the project commenced in November 2023 with completion expected mid-late 2025.
All stages are expected to be completed after 2030.
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