Federal Government assures no delay in Rocky Ring Road Project
The Federal Government has assured there will be ‘no delay’ in construction of the Rockhampton Ring Road despite budget analysis showing a stretch out in the project’s funding.
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The Federal Government have assured there is “no delay” in construction for the Rockhampton Ring Road, despite budget papers showing a delay in the completion date.
Analysis of the funding breakdown from the May budget showed the ring road, Inland Freight Route from the NSW border to Charters Towers and future plans for the Warrego Highway had been either pushed back or had the funding stretched out over a longer period of time delaying the project completion.
According to the funding breakdown, the Rockhampton Ring Road project won’t be complete until the 2030-31 financial year, a year later than what was proposed in October.
A spokeswoman for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said the budget profile figures were “simply a result of how the milestone payments worked”.
“The Australian and Queensland governments have jointly committed $1.065 billion to the Rockhampton Ring Road on an 80:20 funding split. The Australian Government’s commitment is $852 million,” she said.
“On December 13, 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) was reflected in the May 2023-24 Budget.
“There is no delay in construction for the Rockhampton Ring Road.”
Capricornia MP Michelle Landry said the fight for the Rockhampton Ring Road was “far from over”.
“The Prime Minister promised on the election trail that the Rockhampton Ring Road would be a certainty under his government. I’m far from surprised that we are seeing such extensive delays and cuts from the Labor Party, who have no interest in making any investment into regional Australia,” she said.
“Federal Labor funding for the ring road still sits at $80 million only - $30 million for 2023-24, $30 million for 2024-25 and $20 million for 2025-26 and no further funding pushed past the forward estimates.
“Our fight is far from over and I will continue to hold the Albanese Government to account on his promise for the Rockhampton Ring Road.”
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