Mackay Resources Centre of Excellence CEO calls for matched infrastructure funding commitments

A resources industry CEO says both major parties have so far failed to fairly fund or commit to priority projects in a region which contributes so much to Queensland’s bottom line.

Kylie Porter of Greater Whitsunday Alliance, Harrup Park CEO Adrian Young and Greater Whitsundays Communities CEO Carol Norris joined RCOE CEO Steven Boxall to call for more bipartisan election commitments.

Resources Centre of Excellence CEO Steve Boxall, who just a week ago gathered business and community leaders to discuss election priorities, said since then there had been “virtually nothing” committed to the Greater Whitsundays.

“We’ve had a few announcements,” Mr Boxall said, pointing to both parties' commitments to the Great Barrier Reef Arena stage two development and Chances homelessness support service.

“But it’s really only the tip of the iceberg.”

Stage two of the Resources Centre of Excellence has so far only received a commitment from Labor. Picture: Duncan Evans

Mr Boxall will miss out on $5m in funding, pledged by Labor, to stage two of the RCOE if the LNP seize power following October 26.

“We’re looking for bipartisan support because if we don’t get that funding now it will obviously cost us more,” he said.

Pointing to the Peak Downs Highway and Bowen Basin Roads, which received a $157m commitment from Labor, while the LNP allocated $20m to the same highway, Mr Boxall said “you would expect given, not just the royalties, but the revenue that comes out of our region … that road should be absolutely five-star”.

Resources Centre of Excellence CEO Steven Boxall organised a luncheon for community leaders to determine what exactly Mackay had been promised and what it was missing in the election. Photo: Fergus Gregg

“I would expect that an investment like that would be a bipartisan commitment because there’s people being killed on the roads every week,” he said.

“We shouldn’t be begging for money.”

Former Isaac mayor and Labor candidate for Burdekin Anne Baker has pledged $157m to improving coal roads in her electorate, with the bulk of the funding going to the Peak Downs Highway. Picture: Heidi Petith

On the LNPs $20m commitment to the road, Mr Boxall echoed Mackay CEO Scott Owen’s statement that this was “missing a zero”.

“I think we have to be really clear about the Mackay-Bucasia Rd that’s where the bulk of the population is living and will be living,” he said.

“The investment needs to come now and at the right level.

“Not at a token amount which may fix one intersection, but you’ll get through that intersection, and you’ll get down the road and you’ll have the same problems again.

“It’s about giving back the right levels of funding and investment to our region, not just for Band-Aid solutions but to actually fix the problems.”