Qld election 2024: Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts promises business case to ease Highfields congestion with second road

The LNP has promised to create a second road to Highfields if it wins government, but the project’s chief advocate Trevor Watts can’t guarantee it will start construction in the next term.

 

The LNP has pledged to take steps to ease congestion between Toowoomba and the fast-growing community of Highfields if it forms government — but can’t guarantee it will be actioned in the next term.

Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts on Friday revealed the opposition will fund the completion of a business case into a second road into Highfields, which would see Boundary Street and Old Goombungee Road connected.

The election pledge, the second local promise of the campaign from either major party, would see the LNP either finish work started by Labor during the previous term or start a fresh business case and complete it.

State Opposition Leader David Crisafulli and Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts.

A secondary connection from Highfields was part of the current government’s plan for a north-south transport corridor, which was scrapped in 2023 following a significant backlash from residents.

While Mr Watts couldn’t guarantee the business case would be actioned within the next four years, he said he would be lobbying leader David Crisafulli to have its construction funded in a future budget.

“I am confident the business case will demonstrate a sound investment for taxpayers, addressing not just today’s congestion but future demand as well,” he said.

“Given this process and my prior experience with the Second Range Crossing, I will be fighting alongside the community for the project to advance in a timely manner, subject to the usual stages of approval and funding availability.”

Mr Watts said a new connector road to link up Wilsonton and Cranley, which are currently separated by the Toowoomba Bypass.

“The LNP’s plan will safeguard the future of Toowoomba North by investing in infrastructure to keep our community connected, support local businesses, and reduces the daily grind of congestion,” he said.

“The upgraded road infrastructure will connect Wilsonton and Cranley residents heading north and Highfields locals heading south.

“Time’s up for Labor’s expensive failures which have overseen $20 billion-plus in project cost blowouts, that could have instead delivered local infrastructure like the Toowoomba to Highfields Connector Road.”

The announcement comes a day after the LNP pledged to build a $15m manufacturing hub in Toowoomba, which included a promise to make it easier for businesses to access state and federal grants.

A second connection to Highfields has been a long-held dream of Mr Watts, who has campaigned on it heavily since he was first elected in 2012.

The content summaries were created with the assistance of AI technology, then edited and approved for publication by an editor.