RACQ calls for federal Labor to reverse 50-50 funding split on Bruce Hwy work

RACQ has renewed a call for the federal Labor government to undo its controversial decision to swap an 80-20 funding agreement with states to 50-50 as demand grows for a better Bruce Hwy north of Gympie.

The state’s peak motoring body is renewing calls for the federal government to ditch its new 50:50 funding policy on major projects as calls continue to grow for an “urgent” upgrade of the Bruce Hwy north of Gympie.

The state’s peak motoring body is renewing calls for the federal government to ditch its new 50:50 funding policy on major projects as calls continue to grow for an “urgent” upgrade of the Bruce Hwy north of Gympie.

RACQ traffic and safety engineering manager Greg Miszkowycz said an increase in the number of fatalities on the stretch between Gympie and Maryborough, from nine across 2013-2018 to 13 over 2019-2023, reflected the need for action.

“The Gympie to Maryborough section of the Bruce Highway is in urgent need of upgrade,” Mr Miszkowycz said.

“If the federal government doesn’t reverse its decision to reduce its funding split from 80:20 to 50:50 for new regional infrastructure projects, it will force the state government to pick and choose between future upgrades, leading to consequences for our communities, economy, road safety and natural disaster resilience.

“The Bruce is the backbone of our state, it’s a critical piece of infrastructure that not only requires urgent upgrades already in the pipeline, but also a long-term plan and commitment to ongoing upgrades and maintenance well into the future.”

RACQ Traffic and Safety Engineering Manager Greg Miszkowycz said more than 40 per cent of the stretch of the Bruce from Gympie to Maryborough was rated as two stars out of five for road infrastructure safety, According to AusRAP (Australian Road Assessment Program) Star Rating data.

The change from an 80:20 split to 50:50 was made following an extensive review of infrastructure projects nationwide.

It sparked backlash from motoring groups and the Queensland Labor government upon its announcement.

On Monday a spokeswoman for federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said the change was “a recommendation of the 2023 independent Strategic Review of the Infrastructure Investment Program” and meant “both levels of government carry an equal share of risks and accountability for fiscal discipline on projects”.

“The change in funding ratios will not reduce the overall amount of money available to projects,” the spokeswoman said.

“We are maintaining an infrastructure pipeline of more than $120 billion including over $21 billion for projects in Queensland over the next 10 years, the largest investment being made in any state in the country.

“The new funding ratio means we can assist the Queensland government in funding future projects.

RACQ members voted the Bruce Hwy the state’s “most unroadworthy” in 2022.

Mr Miszkowycz reiterated the need for the Bruce Hwy to be a top priority, especially in light of the success of the four-lane upgrades south of Gympie.

“According to AusRAP (Australian Road Assessment Program) Star Rating data (2019) more than 40 per cent of this stretch of the Bruce (from Gympie to Maryborough) is rated as two stars out of five for road infrastructure safety,” Mr Miszkowycz said.

“Head-on and run-off crashes have dramatically reduced thanks to upgrades including a dual lane divided carriageway with median and roadside safety barriers.

“Interchanges replacing high-speed intersections have also played a big role in making this section of road safer.

“The success of this upgrade is case in point why governments can’t take their feet off the funding pedal for the rest of the Bruce Hwy.

“Big sections of (the Bruce Hwy) are still too narrow, worn, unforgiving and dangerous.”

The road was voted by RACQ members in 2022 as the state’s “most unroadworthy”.

The body is in the process of asking its members to have a say on the matters most important to them ahead of the October 2024 state election.

Originally published as RACQ calls for federal Labor to reverse 50-50 funding split on Bruce Hwy work