08/05/2012

Queensland - the state feeding the mining boom – has received no additional funding for critical road infrastructure projects in the Federal Budget, the RACQ said tonight.

“The Bruce and Warrego highways – both essential to the State’s economic growth – have received no new funding,” RACQ’s Executive General Manager External Relations, Paul Turner, said.

“One in six deaths on national highways occur on the Bruce Highway, but although it’s one of the nation’s most dangerous, it doesn’t seem to be a funding priority for the Federal Government,” Mr Turner said.

“And the Gateway North, a major bottleneck north of Brisbane that needs urgent widening, has only received $18m for variable message and speed signs.

“Floods in Queensland over the past two years highlighted the need for flood proofing of the Bruce Highway – the state’s major economic transport route – but this has not been factored into the Budget.

“The Budget is a disappointment for Queensland motorists. The fact is the mining boom is being fed by the Bruce and the Warrego highways, yet they’ve received no additional funding in this year’s Budget.

“The $3.6 billion that has been allocated to the Pacific Highway in northern New South Wales would have provided massive and vital improvements to the Bruce Highway, saving lives.

“Once again we see continual recycling of previously announced funding. Queenslanders have every right to be angry that their most vital infrastructure needs have been ignored.” 

RACQ’s top transport priorities that require Federal Government funding are:

1. Bruce Highway – Cooroy to Curra Sections A,C and D, including Gympie Bypass, to address safety, capacity and flood immunity
2. Bruce Highway – Yeppen Floodplain at Rockhampton, upgrade to improve flood immunity, freight efficiency and capacity                                                                                                                               
3. Warrego Highway – construct second Toowoomba Range Crossing to address capacity and safety
4. Gateway Motorway North – Nudgee to Bruce Hwy, additional lanes
5. Pacific Motorway – Nerang to Tugun, additional lanes
6. Warrego Highway – Toowoomba to Miles, additional overtaking lanes and rehabilitate and strengthen pavement to address safety, capacity and flood immunity
7. Bruce Highway – southern approach to Cairns, upgrade to improve capacity, safety and flood immunity
8. Bruce Highway – Sarina to Mackay, additional overtaking lanes and ultimately duplicate to address safety and capacity
9. Cross River Rail – Brisbane.