Greg Williamson, Kelly Vea Vea, Ry Collins advocate for Greater Whitsunday roads and homes

Three regional mayors have come together to ask for their fair share as Labor and the LNP celebrate 50c trains and buses. Is it time for our cut of the cake?

The Greater Whitsunday mayors reckon more attention be paid to their roads, which are vital arteries for the transport of coal and cattle. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Three mayors have joined together to declare to both parties the time has come to say fair's fair.

Mackay mayor Greg Williamson, the leader of the Greater Whitsundays council of mayors said “democracy is against” the regions of Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac.

“Most of the seats in the state parliament are in the south eastern part of Queensland,” Mr Williamson said.

“That’s why we’ve got to bang the drum a lot harder to be heard.”

Along with Whitsunday mayor Ry Collins and Isaac mayor Kelly Vea Vea, they outlined priorities ahead of the election, focusing on roads and housing.

The Mackay council’s foremost election priorities are two road extensions to connect Mackay to the Northern Beaches. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Mr Williamson criticized frequent road closures due to adverse weather conditions, which occur an average of 71.8 times annually.

“That’s just crazy in this day and age,” Mr Williamson said.

“Can you imagine south east Queensland, that’s anywhere between the Sunny Coast and Gold Coast, putting up with 15 or 16 road closures a year for four or five days on average?”

The Greater Whitsundays Alliance estimates these closures cost the region around $287 million annually.

Whitsunday mayor Ry Collins emphasized safety, citing three recent fatalities on the Bruce Highway, and demanded progress on the stalled Shute Harbour Road upgrade.

“I’ve met with our state and federal government and we hear the 80-20, 50-50 … we don’t want to hear that anymore,” Mr Collins said.

“We want to see the project delivered.

“It’s not just about transport, it's about the safety of our people … getting to hospital, being able to get to school and a place of refuge in a disaster.”

Two parallel roads are being pitched to state government to ease congestion on the Mackay-Bucasia Rd. Photo: Mackay regional council

Premier Steven Miles acknowledged the need for better infrastructure and said a planning study was underway to assess the Mackay-Bucasia Road, an election priority for the Mackay council.

“We know how important it is that people can get by road between Mackay and Northern Beaches,” Mr Miles said.

“That planning study will help to identify which are the priority projects.

“Rest assured we know how important those projects are to this region and they’ll be given priority when considered for budget.”

Steven Miles, standing with the candidates for Mirani, Mackay and Whitsunday, promised a planning study into a potential solution to congestion on the Mackay-Bucasia Rd. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Mr Miles also reiterated the 79 social and affordable homes under construction in the Mackay-Whitsundays and 27 modular homes expected to be available for rent “by Christmas”.

“I’m listening to Queenslanders and doing what matters to deliver a better future for them,” the Premier said.

The Greater Whitsundays Alliance calculated the region must build over 700 dwellings each year in order to meet conservative growth estimates.

When asked how the Premier would help builders deliver the 458 homes approved by Greater Whitsunday councils annually he pointed to the Catalytic Infrastructure Fund.

“We have a range of programs designed to encourage our builders to act on active development approvals,” he said.

“This helps them get the infrastructure they need and our $350m in funding that’s available to pay for infrastructure charges.”

Since launching Homes for Queenslanders in February this year the state government have delivered 900 homes across the state with 1,100 more under construction.

“We know how important housing is here in the Mackay-Whitsunday region,” he said.
“We know that we will be focusing funds into the regions that need it most.”

Originally published as Greg Williamson, Kelly Vea Vea, Ry Collins advocate for Greater Whitsunday roads and homes