War of words between councils erupts over bypass

Lockyer Valley Mayor Steve Jones has defended Lockyer Valley Regional Council's approach to negotiations on the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor Steve Jones, Withcott Progress Association president Rod Coleman and Locyer Valley Councillor Janice Holstein discuss options to improve safety in Withcott.

Lockyer Valley Mayor Steve Jones has defended Lockyer Valley Regional Council's approach to negotiations on the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing.

Yesterday Toowoomba region Mayor Paul Antonio labelled the Lockyer Valley council's approach as "antagonistic".

Cr Jones said the number one priority for his council was to ensure the best and safest deal for people who live in the region.

"We were initially promised a Withcott interchange when the project was first mooted and that was removed without any consultation," he said.

"The Gore Highway section was then suddenly included, again without any consultation."

He said the safety of the people in Withcott was paramount.

"The safety of people in Withcott, particularly school children is paramount, with no safe crossing of the 27,000 vehicles a day on the Warrego Highway for many children who attend Withcott State School.

"Council has lobbied for 20 years for a safe crossing for those school children and fixed speed cameras in Withcott with no Government action."

He said his council had been the number one supporter of the bypass because many Lockyer Valley residents had been killed and injured on the current crossing.

"We have had meetings with Nexus and has no issue whatsoever with the group, the issues are with the Department of Main Roads who have failed to address our safety issues for the people of Withcott while including the Gore Highway connection in the project," he said.

"I call on Queensland Premier Palaszczuk to come and visit Withcott to see the safety issue first-hand that our school children deal with every day."

Cr Jones said the issue around the toll had concerned transport operators in the region.

"They simply don't know what that figure is going to be," he said.

"Surely a sound business case would have ensured the toll figure is known at this stage of the project?"

"I reject the claim that the Lockyer Valley has been antagonistic, but rather trying to get the best and safest deal possible for our residents and transport operators on the Toowoomba second range project."

Cr Antonio declined to comment on Cr Jones' statements.

Originally published as War of words between councils erupts over bypass