LNP commits $20m to Mackay-Bucasia Rd upgrades at Golf Links intersection if it wins election
A regional road that turns a 6km trip into a 45-minute nightmare will score $20m in traffic upgrades if the LNP wins power on October 26 — but the party was not as quick to commit to a satellite hospital.
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Mackay’s most troublesome traffic hotspot would score $20m in upgrades if the LNP wins the Queensland state election on October 26.
Mackay-Bucasia Rd, the sole access road directly linking the growing Northern Beaches suburbs and the CBD has been straining under the weight of peak hour traffic for years.
Standing at the Golf Links Rd intersection on the first official day of the election campaign Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm, Mackay candidate Nigel Dalton, and deputy LNP leader Jarrod Bleijie committed $20m in state funds to go towards upgrades if their party wins power.
Ms Camm said it was unacceptable that a six kilometre journey can take up to 45 minutes.
“The requirement for upgrades here at Golf Links is critical as part of congestion busting for Mackay-Bucasia Rd,” Ms Camm said.
“People in the northern beaches are fed up, they are tired of being ignored when it comes to infrastructure projects.”
Nigel Dalton said it is a project the Mackay Regional Council and LNP government would get underway “as soon as possible”.
“There are too many hours spent sitting in a car waiting to get somewhere when it’s not necessary.”
Mackay mayor Greg Williamson said “hallelujah” at the promised $20m, calling it “absolutely outstanding”, and said council already knew how the money could be spent, including a million dollars on a traffic light system at the Golf Links intersection.
“It’s a traffic light system not all day — just for the traffic periods that are really congested.
“So that will be about a million dollars for slip lanes to widen these roads, and down to Sologinkin road, the same traffic light work, and widening of slip lanes.”
He said it won’t fix all the problems — that would require $200m and grade separation.
“This is a start. What we need to do is buy ourselves some time to get the overall traffic management plan completed for the region.”
He pointed out that most of Mackay’s planned population growth is coming to the Northern Beaches, with traffic issues slowing down development and keeping people from moving into the area.
“If we fix this trunk infrastructure, that will allow us to develop the land, which is not taking over good quality agricultural land,” Mr Williamson said.
When asked if he had spoken with former colleague Belinda Hassan about the road, Mr Williamson said she knows exactly what’s needed, but she’s standing for the seat of Mackay.
He called on Labor’s Whitsunday candidate — Bauke Hovinga — to match the $20m commitment.
Belinda Hassan — currently on leave from Mackay Regional Council to run for the state seat of Mackay said any decision on Mackay-Bucasia Road upgrades would have to be made from the Labor Party.
Ms Hassan pointed to the intended location of a promised satellite hospital in the Northern Beaches as a way of alleviating traffic woes on Mackay-Bucasia Rd.
When asked at the presser if the LNP would commit to matching the Labor commitment for a satellite hospital in Mackay, Ms Camm and Mr Bleijie said they would need to consult health professionals in the area first.
Ms Camm had previously said she would welcome a satellite hospital in the Northern Beaches, as well as “any health investment” for her constituents, words she stood by again.
Regardless of who wins power the Department of Transport and Main Roads would likely have the final say for Mackay-Bucasia Rd, with a planning process currently underway.
The Daily Mercury asked Queensland Labor if it would match the $20m commitment for road upgrades.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish said “Fully funded work is currently underway to identify and prioritise sections of Mackay–Bucasia Road for future upgrade to improve congestion, safety and flooding impacts”.
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