A Sunshine Coast MP has welcomed the federal government’s funding announcement for the Bruce Highway after “cuts and delays”.
The Coalition’s Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace said Labor had essentially just restored its funding for the highway after it decreased its commitment in 2023, which also hampered plans for a huge interchange upgrade at Mooloolaba.
The government on Monday announced a pledge for $7.2 billion to upgrade and repair parts of the highway, with works to start this year.
The funding has been touted as the largest investment for the 1673km road, which will help bring it closer to a three out of five-star safety rating.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government was committed to the Bruce.
“I’ve driven the Bruce Highway many times, and I know the critical role it plays for Queenslanders, tourists and freight,” he said.
“Queensland deserves a long-term plan, and that is what my government is delivering. We’re getting on with building a better future for all Australians.”
But Mr Wallace said that “crucial roadworks” had been delayed “because Labor was deaf to Queenslanders’ concerns about the priority of this dangerous highway” and said the government had stalled on the $7.2 billion funding until close to the election.
“The question has to be asked of Labor, given the importance of the Bruce Highway, why wasn’t it identified as a priority for further funding following Labor’s infrastructure pipeline review in 2023?
“Why has it taken two and a half years for the Prime Minister to start listening to community concerns about the Bruce Highway?”
“It is thanks to the relentless campaigning from myself and my Coalition colleagues that has seen the government forced to backflip on funding cuts and restoration of the 80 per cent funding for the Bruce Highway announcement.”
The Queensland Government is expected to provide the other 20 per cent to help bring the road to a three-star safety rating.
The funding announcement comes after key stakeholders, including RACQ, Queensland Farmers Federation, Queensland Trucking Association, and Queensland Tourism Industry Council, along with everyday Queenslanders, called for more investment and a long-term plan.
The highway has an average Fatal and Serious Injury (FSI) crash rate three to five times higher than any major highway in New South Wales and Victoria.
It is the major north-south corridor which connects Brisbane to the regional centres of Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns.
The new safety package is expected to fast-track critical projects along the corridor, and will initially focus on priority sections north of Gympie that have been identified by stakeholders due to their higher-than-average crash rates.
Priority sections include Maryborough to Benaraby, Rockhampton to St Lawrence, Bowen to Townsville and Ingham to Innisfail.
Projects within the package may include installing safety barriers, wide centre lines and audio tactile line marking, constructing wider shoulders, increasing run-off areas, overtaking lanes and rest areas, and improving intersections, signage, and sight lines.
There will also be a focus on resealing and rehabilitating road surfaces to mitigate damage from increasing weather events.
The identification and prioritisation of projects funded under the package will be informed in consultation with the Queensland Government and the Bruce Highway Advisory Council, with works starting this year.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the highway “means so much to our regional and national economies”.
“As a Queenslander I know how important the Bruce is to our state, from the south-east corner to the tropical far north and everywhere in between.
“This is all about transporting people, goods and opportunities and linking and strengthening local communities and economies right around regional Queensland.”
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
The federal government stated that the Department of Transport and Main Roads estimated that $9 billion was needed to bring the Bruce up to a three-star safety rating. The federal government is committed to funding 80 per cent of that.
Minister for Transport Catherine King said the road needed to be safer.
“Almost half the Bruce has a two-star safety rating and that’s not good enough,” she said.
“This historic (federal government) investment answers the call of Queenslanders to bring the Bruce up to a three-star safety rating so Australians stop losing their loved ones on this road.
“We are providing a significant and long-term commitment to fixing the Bruce.”
The state government then issued a media release to confirm an “80:20 funding split for the Bruce Highway.”
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the Bruce Highway was the state’s most critical transport infrastructure.
“Queensland deserves better than a second-class highway and that is why we are focused on delivering a safer and more reliable Bruce,” he said.
“One of my key priorities as Minister for Transport and Main Roads is to deliver a long-term upgrade plan to bring the Bruce Highway up to safety standards.
“Our newly formed Bruce Highway Advisory Council met before Christmas as committed to Queenslanders at the election and includes strong voices from the regions.
He said the 80:20 funding split “is a welcomed commitment from the Federal Government to enable our delivery of a safer Bruce”.
“This is a win for Queensland.”
But Mr Crisafulli’s federal counterparts lashed the funding pledge, with senator Susan McDonald calling it a “farce”.
“Labor at all levels has shown scant regard for Queensland’s regional roads and it’s sad that the only time Anthony Albanese cares about it is when there’s an election looming,” she said.
