Gympie Bypass $311,000+ community open day under fire in Parliament

The Transport Minister has confirmed that a five-hour community open day to celebrate the near completion of the $1B Bruce Highway bypass of Gympie cost more than $311,000, or the equivalent of about $60,000 an hour.

Gympie MP Tony Perrett has fired up over the price of a community day out to celebrate the impending opening of the Gympie Bypass, which he says amounts to a cost of $60,000 per hour.

A community open day to celebrate the impending opening of the $1billion final section of the Cooroy to Curra Bypass has cost taxpayers more than $311,000, Transport Minister Bart Mellish confirmed on Friday.

Mr Mellish revealed the price tag of the August 17 event following questions from Gympie LNP MP Tony Perrett, who wanted to know who was responsible for organising it amid claims the region’s own businesses were “snubbed”.

In response, Mr Mellish said the cost “was approximately $311,000”.

He said the Transport Department “was responsible for the planning and conducted market research to assess the needs of the event”.

Third party event management was engaged “following standard... procurement procedures”.

Gympie MP Tony Perrett (inset right) has fired up over the price of a community day out to celebrate the impending opening of the Gympie Bypass, which he says amounts to a cost of $60,000 per hour. Transport Minister Bart Mellish (inset left) revealed the event cost $311,000 following questions from Mr Perrett.

The event was organised “to thank the local community and celebrate the forthcoming completion of the Bypass,” Mr Mellish said.

Thousands of people turned out to the day, which included bus transport for guests to and from the site, food stalls, and live entertainment.

“It was a major success with strong community participation, involvement and positive feedback,” Mr Mellish said.

The Bypass is expected to pen in October, with the announcement made as part of the day’s festivities.

No confirmed date has formally been revealed.

Thousands of people turned out to the day, which included bus transport for guests to and from the site, food stalls, and live entertainment. Picture: Scott Kovacevic

Mr Perrett blasted the price tag as “outrageous” and accused the government of playing politics with the Bypass and taxpayers’ dollars.

“The government spent $311,000 on a photo opportunity for a road which is still not open,” Mr Perrett said

“That is an average of more than $60,000 an hour for a manufactured ribbon cutting event to promote a state Labor minister, Labor senator, and Labor candidate,” he said.

“The road won’t even open until October which is the same time as the state election.”

The spend came “in the middle of a cost of living and housing crisis” where “people are struggling to pay bills, put food on the table, and find accommodation,” Mr Perrett said.

Gympie LNP MP Tony Perrett blasted the price tag as “outrageous” and the government of playing politics with the Bypass and taxpayers’ dollars.

“That amount of money could have almost bought a unit to support the homeless and disadvantaged in Gympie where the median price is $395,000,” he said.

“It could have bought a unit to put a roof over the head of the homeless or disadvantaged.”

He questioned the need for the government to conduct market research to “assess the needs of the event”, and said Gympie businesses reported being “snubbed”.

“I am advised that many Gympie businesses were excluded from being involved or having stalls,” Mr Perrett said.

“The event managers used businesses from outside Gympie.”

A TMR spokesman defended the event, saying it was a celebration of 15 years’ work on the $2.5bn Cooroy to Curra project.

A TMR spokesman defended the event, saying it was a celebration of 15 years’ work on the $2.5billion Cooroy to Curra project.

“This was a way to thank the community for their patience and support during construction and involve them in the unique experience of accessing the new highway before it’s trafficked,” the spokesman said.

He said about 5000 guests turned out to the day, and the response was positive.

“TMR worked hard to put on a significant community event that was family-friendly and catered for the majority of community members in the Gympie region.

“Prior to the event, it was determined that parking would need to be off site to protect the new highway.

“Therefore the majority of the event costs were associated with traffic management on the new highway and the local road network, transport to the event, infrastructure to protect the new works and security for public safety.

“Local business participation was at the forefront of preparations for the community event.

“On the day, local suppliers were engaged to assist with the shuttle bus system and site tours of the new highway, as well as water supply, food stalls, displays and other activities.”

Originally published as Gympie Bypass $311,000+ community open day under fire in Parliament