Inland Freight Route still years away as fresh food shortages raise concerns in Townsville

Townsville’s supermarket shelves were bare again, and there seems to be no long-term solution for food security in the North.

TOWNSVILLE’S supermarket shelves are bare again, and there seems to be no long-term solution for food security in the North.

The region has been almost completely cut off from supplies to major supermarkets twice in the past few months when the Bruce Highway and train lines were cut due to a major weather event.

While the state government has proposed an Inland Freight Route, dubbed the Bruce 2.0 in the October 2020 state election, it is years from completion with just $600m of $1bn on the table for funding.

Supermarkets are frequently forced to find “alternative routes” to bring stock to the North to keep the region stocked.

While there is widening, strengthening work and intersection upgrades occurring on part of the inland route, official upgrades are scheduled to begin in 2023-24.

Almost empty shelves on Tuesday at the Coles North Ward after significant delays to grocery deliveries.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the inland route could shave hours off a trip between North Queensland, Sydney and Melbourne, and would make a huge difference during periods of bad weather.

“We know that in times like this, where major flooding has impacted roads in the South East, we need a second option to ensure the people of Queensland have access to the essentials,” Mr Bailey said.

The minister has called on the federal government to stump up more cash for the $1bn project.

So far, the federal government has committed $400m towards it, while the state has committed $200m, with $100m of the state’s commitment towards future priorities for the route.

Only $75m of the promised federal government’s funding is in forward estimates, with Mr Bailey saying the bulk of the investment would not be seen for more than three years.

Almost empty shelves on Tuesday at the Coles North Ward after significant delays to grocery deliveries.

A spokesman for Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce federal funding would be released when the government meets agreed construction milestones.

“Upgrades to this critical route will improve reliability, slash travel times and better connect businesses and communities, supporting jobs and creating new economic opportunities,” the spokesman said.

“Recent events have underscored the need to strengthen our key freight routes and the Nationals and Liberals are delivering the funding to get the job done.”

The federal government’s funding will go towards long-term priority works through to 2030 between Mungindi on the New South Wales border and Charters Towers.

A Department of Main Roads and Transport spokesman said the first priority in the program would be addressing issues north of Injune and near Belyando, and flood immunity issues near Emerald.

Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey speaks during Question Time at Parliament House in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

A Woolworths spokesman said the company did its best to supply communities throughout challenging weather events.

“Now that the Bruce Highway has reopened, we are utilising as many forms of road transport to get stock from Brisbane to our distribution centre in Townsville and then out to stores throughout North and Far North Queensland,” he said.

The spokesman said Woolworths encouraged customers to be mindful of others in the community and only buy what they need.

“We’re placing temporary purchase limits on selected categories in affected stores to help ensure more customers have access to food and essentials while we work through this period of disruption,” he said.

The Bruce Highway was closed at multiple locations between Brisbane and Gympie, and all routes between Caboolture and Caloundra are currently closed during the weather event Picture: Department of Transport and Main Roads

A Coles spokeswoman said it was not unusual for the supermarket chain to face disruption because of severe weather events.

“As a result, we have comprehensive response plans in place across our network that cover contingencies including resourcing and product sourcing. We consider this planning part of our core operating model,” the spokeswoman said.

The supermarket does have a distribution centre for fresh produce in Townsville, but all other grocery items come from Brisbane.

Deputy leader bid could be brewing in the North

BURDEKIN MP Dale Last has indicated he could nominate for the Deputy Opposition Leader role, but is taking a few days to talk it over with family.

Former deputy Opposition leader David Janetzki stepped down from his position on Saturday, saying the job had taken a toll on his family.

“My family has dealt with some physical and mental health challenges during the last few years,” Mr Janetzki said.

“Due to work demands across Queensland, these challenges were often met by my wife Mel alone.

“Our three children also need more of me – and my heart knows that I need more of them.

“Every family makes choices and this decision is right for our family at this time.”

Opposition spokesman for Police Dale Last. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Mr Last, who ran for the position following the October 2020 election and lost, posted on Facebook that he was considering taking another punt at the job.

Mr Last would need to gain the support of enough of the party room in order to secure the position.

“Firstly, I want to acknowledge the bravery of David Janetzki in openly admitting the toll that his position has taken on him and his family. The support of a Member of Parliament’s family is crucial to enable us to serve our constituents but, sometimes, their needs must come first,” Mr Last said.

“I have previously nominated for the position of Deputy Leader but, at this time, I have not decided on whether I will nominate for the upcoming ballot.

“I will be speaking with my family over coming days about the position but, in the meantime, there are other issues to focus on.”

Mr Last said the disaster in South East Queensland should be the focus in the coming days.

“As Shadow Minister for both Police and Fire and Emergency Services, the most important thing I am focusing on right now is supporting those communities and the staff and volunteers who are responding to these crises,” he said.

Digital licences to be trialled in Townsville

TOWNSVILLE is about to become the first city to trial the use of digital driver’s licences.

This comes after the Fraser Coast dipped its toe into the digital sphere and trialled the Digital Licence App with success.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said Thales Australia and New Zealand would finalise the development and delivery of the app, which would be rolled out across the state next year.

However, before it is rolled out across the state, Townsville will get the chance to trial the app on a larger scale.

“The app is being upgraded based on feedback from the Fraser Coast pilot, as well as adding new functionality and options to make sure we are meeting the needs of the people who use it,” Mr Bailey said.

“It’s exciting for Townsville to be the first major town to trial this new technology, covering a larger area and more diverse population than previous testing.”

Digital licence. Picture: TMR

Legislation was passed in the Queensland parliament in July 2020 to make digital licences the legal equivalent of the physical licence.

Mr Bailey said Queensland was modernising its approach to licensing, with the Fraser Coast trial users reporting 94 per cent satisfaction rating during testing.

“This gives us confidence that we’re on the right track to ensuring the smooth and successful rollout of the Digital Licence App across the state,” he said.

“What we’re doing here is creating a modern, innovative solution that adopts international best-practice solutions and has the privacy of data front of mind.”

Thales Australia and New Zealand CEO Chris Jenkins said the app would meet the International Mobile Driver Licence Standard ISO 18013-5, which was published last year.

This means the new licence will be able to be used across the country and internationally.

“This will allow the state’s digital driver’s licences to be recognised and used all over the world,” Mr Jenkins said.

Townsville MP Scott Stewart said this was an innovative new way of doing things.

“It’s great to be trialling this in Townsville and it means people will have one less thing to carry if they’re exploring our backyard,” Mr Stewart said.

Mundingburra MP Les Walker said he hoped the city would embrace the new technology.

“Technology is continually changing and making things like this possible which just gives people more flexibility,” Mr Walker said.

Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said the way people used their licence today was different from when it was introduced.

“This trial in Townsville is about giving people a choice and more flexibility which is important as digital technology continues to evolve,” Mr Harper said.

Originally published as Inland Freight Route still years away as fresh food shortages raise concerns in Townsville