Government and council at odds over plans for the proposed Youngs Crossing Road upgrade

A Federal MP has accused Moreton Bay Mayor Alan Sutherland of being “in bed with Labor” over a proposal to flood proof Youngs Crossing Rd.

Floods at Youngs Crossing in 2015.

A FEDERAL MP has accused Moreton Bay Mayor Alan Sutherland of being “in bed with Labor” over a proposal to flood proof Youngs Crossing Rd.

Cr Sutherland, however, says the federal government’s plan to upgrade the crossing at Youngs Crossing Rd for about $15 million was a Band-Aid solution.

The government last week announced a $7.5 million contribution to flood proof Youngs Crossing Rd, however both the council and state government claimed it was not enough.

Federal LNP MP for Dickson Peter Dutton said the contribution, which was to be funded by all three tiers of government, was “entirely reasonable” based on a 2012 council report that stated the bridge at North Pine River could be raised for about $15.5 million.

This option would use the existing footprint of Youngs Crossing Rd as opposed to the more expansive Option G which involves a new road connection between youngs Crossing Rd and Torrens Rd.

However, both Mayor Alan Sutherland and State Labor Minister for Main Roads Mark Bailey said $7.5 million was “well short” of the total amount needed to upgrade the crossing.

Cr Sutherland added he was surprised the Federal Government had based its election costings on a document from 2012.

“I’m not prepared to waste millions of ratepayer and taxpayer dollars on a Band-Aid solution,” he said.

Flooding at Youngs Crossing Road in 2015.

“I believe in doing things once and getting them right the first time.

“We need to work towards delivering the best outcome, so this announcement is just the start of that conversation.”

The council has so far resisted putting a dollar amount on the project, though Cr Sutherland said it had already budgeted $4.5 million to start design works.

Mr Dutton said he felt Cr Sutherland was “in bed with Labor”, and that he wanted to push ahead with the Option G arterial road.

“That is something I will never support,” Mr Dutton said.

“Option G is an environmental disaster and is opposed by local residents.”

The State Government meanwhile is investigating a future transport corridor on the western side of the Bruce Highway, known as the Moreton Bay Western Arterial Corridor.

This would connect Dohles Rocks Road to Steve Irwin Way.

“We have allocated $800,000 from our most recent roads budget to progress early planning works for it,” Mr Bailey said.

“That work will complement the necessary planning for Bruce Highway upgrades from Pine River to Caloundra.”

Moreton Bay Regional Council has budgeted $300,000 over two years to help fast-track the investigation.

A council spokesman said it expected to receive the government’s findings and recommendations from the investigation by the end of the year.