Townsville Enterprise chief executive, acting Townsville Mayor and regional Mayors welcome Bruce funding

North Queensland leaders want to see a large chunk of the money earmarked for critical “lifesaving” upgrades to the Bruce Highway be spent outside the south-east corner.

Townsville Enterprise CEO, Claudia Brumme-Smith at the Port of Townsville. Picture: Shae Beplate.

North Queensland leaders want to see a large chunk of the money earmarked for critical “lifesaving” upgrades to the Bruce Highway be spent outside the south-east corner.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced $7.2 billion would be allocated to fix the Bruce Highway if Labor was re-elected this year, with Townsville Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney promising to lobby for our fair share.

“Returning to the 80/20 funding split will allow the State Government to come to the table so they can get on with the job and fast-track critical, lifesaving projects,” she said.

“Townsville residents can rest assured we will be lobbying our state and federal counterparts to make sure we get our fair share to and from Townsville, and continue the fight for critical projects that enable safe access to our national highway like the long overdue intersection upgrade at the Bruce Highway and Northshore Boulevard.”

Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith said the funding would reinforce the importance of a safe and efficient road network, particularly with Townsville becoming an ‘important green energy and critical mineral corridor’.

“We are a strategic hub for national security, and tourism demand for our region continues to grow,” she said.

Townsville City Council special meeting December 17, 2024. New Deputy Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney. Picture: Evan Morgan

“Robust road infrastructure is essential to support these transformative industries.”

Citing the group’s Canberra trip in November last year to deliver their budget and election priorities, Ms Brumme-Smith said reinstating the 80/20 funding split for the Bruce was one of their top wishes to ensure North Queensland’s infrastructure growth was in line with its economic and population growth.

“We strongly welcome this announcement and look forward to further details on the funding rollout,” she said.

“We will continue advocating for the same 80/20 funding model to be applied to other critical highways, including the Flinders Highway, which will play a crucial role in supporting the construction of the nation-building CopperString project.”

Hinchinbrook Shire Council Mayor Ramon Jayo has called on Wilmar Sugar and Renewables and employee representatives from the company's eight sugar mills to end the current industrial dispute threatening the prosperity of local communities. Picture: Cameron Bates

Adjunct JCU professor Colin Dwyer from the Northern Bruce Action Group spoke to the Townsville Bulletin last week ahead of their meeting with Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg, planning to share their data and reports on how to improve the safety of the Townsville stretch of the Bruce.

The road safety advocacy group said 16 new overtaking lanes were needed in the region to reduce fatality and serious injury rates.

Prof Dwyer said on Monday the federal government’s funding was happy news, saying it was a win to revert the 50/50 funding back to 80/20.

“We are happy with the process that they have taken, that they are looking at improving the star rating on the highway from two up to three,” he said.

“But we do have concerns that we are five star taxpayers who will be driving on a three-star road now. We are still not getting the same facilities as they are in Northern NSW or western NSW and western Victoria.”

Prof Dwyer said the thanked the prime minister and the minister for the announcement and said their upcoming meeting would serve as a discussion on the areas that needed to be looked at first.

“We will talk to the minister on Wednesday about our suggestions for which areas need priority upgrades,” he said.

”We will be presenting information about the different safety on the Bruce Highway and we will suggesting that those areas get greater priorities.”

Hinchinbrook Mayor Ramon Jayo said the announcement was a win for North Queensland, with upgrades needed to help flood-prone areas which sees parts of the highway closed ‘too often’.

“Today’s funding announcement is a positive one for North Queensland and I am pleased to see the Ingham to Innisfail section identified as a priority,’ he said.

“Upgrades along the Bruce are long overdue an need to be rolled out quickly to improve connectivity, safety and secure future growth across the North.”

Burdekin Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort

Saying the Burdekin Bridge needed to be recognised as a crucial link for transport, rail and defence, Burdekin Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort said while there was no commitment yet for an upgrade to the river crossing in the announcement, they would continue to advocate.

“The Burdekin Bridge is central to both local and regional travel,” Ms Dalle Cort said.

“Upgrading and duplicating the Burdekin River crossing will significantly enhance safety, accessibility and our strategic connectivity across Queensland.”

Originally published as Townsville Enterprise chief executive, acting Townsville Mayor and regional Mayors welcome Bruce funding