Bruce Highway: MPs say $9b safety package fails to address flooding
North Queensland politicians have criticised a $9 billion safety package announced for the Bruce Highway for failing to address critical flooding concerns.
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North Queensland politicians have criticised a $9 billion safety package announced for the Bruce Highway, saying it won’t address the sort of flooding the region has seen in recent months.
“The Bruce Highway has been closed at Seymour for 16 days so far already this year, and it’s not even the end of March,” Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto said.
“This is an absolute failure that would never be tolerated in the South-East.”
The notorious, flood-prone stretch of the highway north of Ingham was open on Friday morning, although floodwater remained over both lanes of the notorious S-bend at Gairloch.
The government opened the $10 million 25-metre span bridge on Arnot Creek in 2017 but that stretch is now arguably more susceptible to flooding than Gairloch.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said $10 million had been invested in replacing the former 19.5 metre bridge with a new 25 metre span bridge, capable of handling high traffic volumes including heavy vehicles.
“The State Government needs to do everything possible to have the Gairloch and Seymour project fast-tracked immediately to the construction phase,” Mr Dametto said.
“Every time the Bruce Highway is cut, it stops supplies from getting in and produce from getting out.
“The inland highway has proven to not be a viable alternative with freight companies, businesses, and consumers all suffering from the increased cost of trying to re-route freight.”
Andrew Willcox, the federal member of Dawson, said he was “extremely disappointed” to see that the majority of the upgrades were outside his electorate between Mackay and Townsville, “the worst rated section of the 1600km of the Bruce”.
“Every time it rains the Bruce Highway is cut in multiple sections, including at Goorganga Plains and Plantation Creek, which brings the vital transport route to a grinding halt costing the local economy,” he said.
“What this announcement has shown is that one of the worst sections of highway in my electorate is still not deemed a priority, and that’s just not good enough.”
He said the Dawson section of the Bruce “needs to be fixed, and fast”.
Mr Dametto said $9 billion sounded great “until you learn that none of it has been earmarked for flood immunity projects”.
“We need to bring this shameful neglect of the North to an end before we get left stranded once again.”
The Federal and State governments committed $7.2 billion and $1.8 billion respectively to fix Queensland’s Bruce Highway in January.
On Tuesday, Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King and Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg investing an initial $300 million in “early works and planning”.
Included in the planning phase were priority sections of wide centreline treatment north of Ayr to Zinc Road in Townsville and between Rungoo north of Ingham and Mourilyan, as well as priority overtaking lanes between Ayr and Brandon.
Mr Mickelberg said the Crisafulli LNP government was committed to building “better and more resilient” roads in North Queensland, including at the Ollera Creek Bridge which was cut in two in the February flood disaster.
“We have made a commitment to North Queensland to build better and more resilient roads, including the Bruce Highway, just like we are doing with Ollera Creek bridge following the recent flood event.
“The early works projects announced this week are just the start of safety upgrades along the Bruce between Gympie and Cairns, as part of the landmark $9 billion investment secured by an 80:20 funding split with the Federal Government.”
He said the Bruce Highway in North Queensland was “neglected under Labor for far too long, and regions are sick of hearing about designs and business cases”.
“We are getting shovels in the ground and taking real action.”
Ms King was contacted for comment.
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