ALP’s $146m Bremer River second bridge promise for key Ipswich seat

Transport Minister Bart Mellish has dropped a $146m plan for a new bridge in a bold move which could prove vital in its quest to retake a heartland seat from the Opposition.

Labor has announced $146m for a second, flood-proof crossing of the Bremer River in a bold last ditch bid to win back the Ipswich West seat it lost in the March by-election.

The normally rock solid Labor electorate recorded a savage swing to the Opposition, portending serious trouble ahead for the party.

But the withdrawal of the LNP’s Darren Zanow, after he was diagnosed with a brain disease on the same day he was sworn into parliament, has reopened the possibility that Labor could get a second chance.

Transport Minister Bart Mellish, facing a strong challenge in his own seat of Aspley, drove all the way out in heavy rain and traffic to make the announcement beside the party’s Ipswich West candidate Wendy Bourne.

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Mr Mellish did not spell out when the decision was made to fund the bridge, which has been one of the top local issues for at least a decade.

Ipswich MP Jennifer Howard, Minister for Transport and Main Roads Bart Mellish and Ipswich West candidate Wendy Bourne in Ipswich. Picture: John Gass

He denied it amounted to an admission that Ipswich West would be hard to win back.

“Not at all. I think it’s a sign we’ve had some really great local members (and) we know that, over the years, there’s been some issues with council investment in terms of the city,’’ he said.

“I know Wendy has been pushing for this, as has Jen, and it’d be great to see Wendy as (the Ipswich West) representative.’’

The existing bridge was often cut in major floods despite being well above water level, with no emergency centre on the north of the river.

Instead, a school has served as a flood evacuation point for many years.

A second river crossing was a major issue in the March local government elections in the Ipswich area.

Mr Mellish repeatedly sidestepped questions about whether the announcement would be enough to win the seat.

The Hancock Bridge goes under at the Bremer River in February, 2022. The Bremer River Bridge also is often cut. Picture: John Gass

“This is a key priority for our community and it will support our city’s growth into the future,” he said.

“In 1965, that was the last time a bridge was built here.

“This has been something that has been floating around for a while, but a re-elected Miles government will help make this happen.

“This commitment means we can get on with the detailed business case, knowing that the state Labor government’s contribution to construction is already locked in.”

The $4m business case would investigate, among other things, the best location, which has been a vexed local issue.

The announcement came after the government pledged to fix the nearby Amberley and Warrego highway intersections.

Ms Bourne said transport, along with affordability, were the key issues in the electorate.

Originally published as ALP’s $146m Bremer River second bridge promise for key Ipswich seat