Future of Barron River Bridge questioned despite LNP commitment

The LNP have pledged to fix a major Far North Queensland transport route if elected, but have refused to elaborate on what that would look like.

LNP Candidate for Cairns Yolonde Entsch, LNP Deputy Leader David Janetski and Shadow Finance Minister Fiona Simpson have discussed the future of the Barron River Bridge.

Queensland’s Liberal National Party has pledged to fix a major Far North Queensland transport route if elected, but stopped short of elaborating on what that would look like.

Opposition spokeswoman for finance Fiona Simpson confirmed the LNP were committed to ensuring there was a solution for the Barron River Bridge at Kuranda, but would not be drawn on how.

“Our commitment is to ensuring that there is a solution for the Barron River Bridge,” Ms Simpson said.

“Our commitment is to ensure that vital connection between these communities is opened up again.”

The LNP’s comments follow a $15m funding allocation from the state budget to the beleaguered transport route, out of an estimated total $450m needed to replace it.

Ms Simpson called on the state government to release reports on its plans for Barron River Bridge.

$15m in funding was allocated for the building of a new bridge over the Barron River at Kuranda in the 2024/25 state budget. Picture: Transport and Main Roads

“When the state government was asked what their plans were for the Barron River Bridge, they couldn’t actually outline the work they’ve done to plan and replace that bridge,” she said.

“By this stage, after nine years in government, they should have a suite of plans to show what it’s going to cost, how they’re going to do it and when they got to deliver it.”

However despite calling on the government to release their plans for the major transport route, the LNP refused to elaborate on any of their own.

When The Cairns Post asked what solutions the LNP would consider, opposition treasury spokesman David Janetski said his party did not have access to the government’s crucial planning documents.

“We’re going to have a look at the technical reports first and have a read over them,” Mr Janetski said.

“We don’t have access to everything that’s on the table. There’s some things that have been seen, but not everything.”

It follows a petition signed by hundreds of Far North residents demanding the Barron River Bridge be urgently repaired while also calling for a new inland highway from the Tablelands to Cairns.

Originally published as Future of Barron River Bridge questioned despite LNP commitment