Call to prioritise Walkerston Bypass rejected by Labor

SEPTEMBER 4, 2015: I am calling on the State Labor Government to prioritise the development of the Bowen Basin Service Link, otherwise known as the Walkerston Bypass, so that it can be in the running for funding under the $600 million Northern Roads funding programme.The Bowen Basin Service Link (BBSL) is as critical to the region as the Mackay Ring Road, and in both cases, when it comes to getting them happening, the ball is firmly in the State Government’s court.Both projects would create hundreds of jobs for the people of Mackay as well as the associated flow-on effects of a boost to the economy.I have written to Member for Mirani Jim Pearce telling him that if the Queensland Labor Government prioritizes the Bowen Basin Service Link as a key road for Federal funding, and stumps up 50% of the funding for this state-controlled road, then serious consideration will be given by the Federal Coalition Government to funding the other 50% through its $600 million National Roads funding programme.I’m officially waiting for a response. However I have heard that the offer has effectively been rejected by the State Transport Minister Mark Bailey.My colleague Michelle Landry, the Federal Member for Capricornia, shares my concerns on moving this stretch of road which is the major service link for Bowen Basin mines, out of the centre of the small community.Walkerston is in the Federal electorate of Capricornia, and Michelle is a passionate advocate for action on this road which has been ignored for years.Funding under the Northern Australia Roads Package, a Coalition Government commitment in the Northern Australia White Paper, will only be directed to roads which have been prioritised by the northern states.Regarding the Mackay Ring Road,  the Federal Government has ear-marked 80% of the funding for this project, while the State Government has its 20% available.However, we’re waiting on the State Labor Government to get the project to construction stage.The latest timeframe I had on this was a construction start time of 2017.I don’t think that’s good enough. Every effort should be made to speed up the process, so that we can get workers into jobs on the ground.