TMR RTI data reveals shocking state of Bruce Hwy, Wide Bay roads

New data obtained under Right to Information has revealed the roughest and most dangerous roads across the region, with the Bruce Hwy featuring prominently despite a shocking federal decision to step away from a funding deal with the state.

New data obtained and released by MP Llew O’Brien under RTI reveals the worst roads across the Wide Bay, with the Bruce Hwy featuring prominently with a significant portion rated no higher than two stars.

The shocking condition of key roads across the Wide Bay has been exposed in new data released amida growing fight over the future of federal government road funding.

The figures, obtained by Wide Bay LNP MP Llew O’Brien from the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads under Right to Information, paints a stark picture of the roads that have been flagged as dangerous or not fit for purpose.

Mr O’Brien highlighted the most troubled parts of the region in a media release, singling out the Bruce Hwy, which is rated as only two stars along much of its length across the Wide Bay.

Two stars is the second worst rating, with the best rating being five stars. Across the Wide Bay, only two small sections of the highway south of Gympie scored five stars.

One-star rated roads in the Gympie region include Glastonbury Rd, Harvey Rd, Amamoor Creek Rd, the Mary Valley Rd past Amamoor, Cedar Pocket Rd, Brooweena Woolooga Rd, Miva Rd and the bulk of Kin Kin Rd.

The only parts of the Bruce Hwy between Gympie and Maryborough to be rated higher than two stars was at Gunalda, Glenwood, and Glenorchy.

The data was obtained from the state government’s Department of Transport and revealed the safety conditions and road worthiness of the main routes across Queensland.

Mr O’Brien claimed the data had been kept secret from Queenslanders by the state government and that it should serve as a “wake up call” for the Labor state and federal governments.

“We need transparency and accountability for funding decisions to transform dangerous roads into safe roads,” he said.

“With much of the Bruce Highway through Wide Bay rated just two stars, the data highlights the need for increased investments to make the Bruce Highway safer, not cuts, such as the 30 per cent cut to federal road funding proposed by the Albanese Labor Government.”

In response to Mr O’Brien’s release of the data Mr Bailey said the former LNP federal government had 10 years to implement and share the data.

“I am advised TMR already supplies a broad range of road safety data to the Federal Government, including road conditions, crash data, rest area locations and traffic volumes,” Mr Bailey said.

“The federal government publishes this data to assist various stakeholder groups.”

Wide Bay LNP MP Llew O'Brien (standing on the side of the Bruce Hwy at Tiaro) said the Bruce Hwy between Gympie and Maryborough was in “appalling” condition and criticised the federal government’s decision week to step away from an 80-20 funding deal with the state on infrastructure, in favour of a 50-50 split on future projects.

The release of the information comes as the state and federal governments clash over the latter’s decision to step back from the 80-20 split on future road projects in favour of a 50-50 split.

Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said Tuesday funding splits between tiers of governments would now only exceed 50-50 on case-by-case scenarios.

The new arrangement was to ensure the two tiers of governments were “equal” investors in future projects.Ms King announced the change at the Australian Financial Review Infrastructure Summit, saying it was important to understand the federal government was not “:just the bank”.“The incentives for managing cost escalations have not always been there and our view, very simply, is that it’s important that we get more investment into those regional and rural roads but that we share the risk,” Ms King said.Mr O’Brien said the change would heavily impact regional areas.

“It’s people living in regional Queensland who will pay the price for Labor’s cuts,” Mr O’Brien said.

“We live in the most decentralised state with large populations spread across the east coast.

“The Bruce Hwy is in appalling condition north of Gympie and we need more investments to make it safer, ease congestion and boost productivity, with four lanes and physical separation between opposing directions of traffic.

Maryborough Labor MP Bruce Saunders called the federal government’s funding decision “shameful” and said he would fight alongside Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien to secure the $336 million Tiaro Bypass should it be at risk from federal government funding cuts. Picture: Liam Kidston

“The data shows there’s a lot of work to be done and it’s time for more investment, not Labor’s life-risking cuts.”

Maryborough Labor MP Bruce Saunders has also slammed the federal government’s decision to step back from the funding deal.

Speaking on Triple M Fraser Coast on Wednesday morning.

“We are a very fast growing area … I don’t think it’s good enough,” Mr Saunders said.

“We do not want this government to cut funding to our major arterial road.”

Mr Saunders said the move was “shameful”.

“It’s not good enough and I’m not going to wear it.”

The federal government’s decision arrives as the fate of the proposed $336 million Tiaro Bypass hangs in the balance.

It was included as part of a wider federal government review of the country’s infrastructure pipeline in May.

The results of that review have not yet been released, although Treasurer Jim Chalmers has flagged cuts will be needed to some projects to help fight inflation.

“You’ll see me very angry if anything is to come on the Tiaro Bypass,” Mr Saunders said.

“I’ll be standing there with (Mr O’Brien) … him and I both fought to make sure this Tiaro Bypass was put on the table.”

Mr Bailey likewise criticised the federal government’s decision to change the 80-20 funding deal.

“We are very concerned that the federal government would put Queensland livelihoods at risk by walking away from current 80:20 funding split for necessary upgrades along the Bruce Highway,” Mr Bailey said.

The results of the review are expected to be released this week.

Originally published as TMR RTI data reveals shocking state of Bruce Hwy, Wide Bay roads