Barron River Bridge planning starts as LNP government’s plans questioned

Eagle-eyed Far Northerners have bombarded their local MP’s office demanding clarification on a perceived change of plan by the state government towards the Barron River Bridge.

State Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg received briefings of works being conducted on the Kuranda Range Rd and Barron River Bridge during a visit on December 4. Picture: Facebook

Eagle-eyed Far Northerners have bombarded their local MP’s office demanding clarification on a perceived change of plan by the state government towards the Barron River Bridge.

The Member for Cairns Michael Healy said numerous residents had contacted him in the past week, questioning whether the bridge would be fixed, or rebuilt.

“At the time of the election, we committed $450m to rebuilding the bridge,” Mr Healy said.

“But I’ve been contacted by numerous parties seeking clarification as what is actually happening. Is the bridge going to be rebuilt or is it going to be fixed?

“So the word now they’re (the LNP) now using – ‘fix it’, as opposed to ‘rebuild’.”

During the campaign trail, now Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie visited the bridge, declaring: “We’ve committed to building a new Barron River Bridge,” while also sharing that news with his social media followers on September 17.

However when new Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg toured the Far North last week he told locals: “I reinforced the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to fixing the Barron River Bridge as a priority”.

His site visit of the bridge on Wednesday, December 4 came after a stop in Cairns earlier that day to speak on the budget blowout of the Common User Facility, where he told reporters his view was “that we need to be open and transparent even when it’s inconvenient”, following questions about the Kuranda Range Rd and Barron River Bridge.

But in follow-up questions Mr Mickelberg refused to accept his government had changed its position on a solution.

“A plan is being developed for the Barron River Bridge which will guide the project design and timeline for the crossing,” he said.

“Our position stays the same on the importance of this piece of infrastructure which is a vital connection point for Far North Queensland.

Roadtek employees work on the underside of the Barron River bridge at Kuranda. Picture: TMR

“We have never changed our position on the Barron River Bridge as a key priority. It was Labor’s lack of action that led to the bridge being in its current state.

“The Crisafulli Government is committed to finding a solution. Planning is progressing, and once all the details are clarified, a path forward will be identified and communicated to the people of Far North Queensland.”

On the Kuranda Range Rd, Mr Mickelberg said he hadn’t been briefed on the Cairns to Northern Tablelands Access Strategy which reported the plagued route would not reach capacity until 2050, directing the previous government away from an alternative route option.

However he noted it was “very clear” the road was not where it needed to be “to meet community expectations.”

“We need to ensure that we’re delivering safe and reliable roads for all Queenslanders.”

Originally published as Barron River Bridge planning starts as LNP government’s plans questioned