I joined Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester, as well as Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson to inspect work on an upgrade to Glenella Road in Mackay.The Australian Government had committed more than $2.52 million toward this project, under the Roads to Recovery program, which gives councils certainty when they need to upgrade and repair local roads.The Glenella Road upgrade near Jane’s Creek will involve resurfacing of the road and pavement rehabilitation to make it less prone to damage from flooding, installing off-road bike paths, and upgrading street lighting - improving safety in the major sporting area around the Magpies Sporting Club.
Second local business wins Ring Road water relocation contract
A second contract to relocate water mains on the construction site of the new Mackay Ring Road has been awarded to local company, Roebuck Civil.This is a major investment in the region’s road network. The Mackay Ring Road project was identified as a priority project under the Australian Government commitment to improving the Bruce Highway, and we want local businesses to benefit from that commitment.Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said this was the second local business awarded a water relocation contract on the Ring Road Project, after Vassallo Construction won a contract in May.
$75 Million to support development of Walkerston Bypass
A $75 million investment by a re-elected Coalition Government will support the development of the Walkerston Bypass, following construction of the $565 million Mackay Ring Road (Stage One) project.I joined the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester and LNP Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry for the announcement today in Walkerston.This is a fantastic outcome for our region because it will provide the thing we need most and that’s jobs.There will be jobs during construction, but the project will also boost freight productivity, which provides flow-on efficiency benefits and secures jobs in the local resource industry for the future.
Investing in Dawson
THE Dawson electorate will benefit from a significant infrastructure boost in the 2016-17 financial year, with $43.6 million allocated for specific projects in the region, and that's in addition to any Federal funding which will flow for the $448 million we will invest into the Mackay Ring Road.The electorate will also receive its fair share of a further $6.4 billion across a range of infrastructure initiatives, including the $5 billion Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.This demonstrates the Liberal National Government’s commitment to regional communities, outlined in last night’s Federal Budget.The funding is about boosting connectivity, building critical infrastructure, supporting innovation and fostering local leadership to support regional communities in Dawson.
Landowner suffers $350,000 rip-off
I'VE gone into bat for a Mackay landowner who is owed more than $350,000 in compensation from the State Government’s Transport and Main Roads Department.Charles Ogilvie, who operates Blue River Landscape Supplies adjacent to the Edmund Casey Bridge at Foulden, has run out of options to get a fair deal, after land for the construction of the Edmund Casey Bridge was resumed in 2006.The valuer for Transport and Main Roads (TMR) determined that the value of the land, just on its capacity and not income potential, was $450,000.Mr Ogilvie was finally paid $100,000 about 18 months ago, but TMR has since said they have improved the value of his land and they don’t have to pay him any more money.
Campaign points to need for ring road jobs Now
DUE to the positive response to my pointed campaign for action on the Mackay Ring Road, I'm extending the cut-off date to return signed petitions.This petition urges the State Labor Government to throw more resources into the design phase of the Mackay Ring Road, so that work on the massive job-creating project can get under way.We desperately need jobs in the Mackay region right now, and the construction of the Mackay Ring Road will create 600 jobs.
A call to action on jobs in resource industry
AS the Member for Dawson, and Chairman of the Coalition’s Backbench Policy Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources, I wish to state in the strongest of terms that it’s not just Townsville and the 237 Queensland Nickel workers who are in need of assistance right now; it’s just about every resource community around the nation, and particularly the Bowen Basin.While I am as angry as the next person about the fate of the workers at Yabulu, and they are deserving of every bit of assistance offered, it’s a crying shame that State and Federal Governments of all political persuasions have not done enough to stabilise, stimulate and transition economies in resource communities.In the Bowen Basin we have seen job losses in the thousands at mine sites, at mining service companies and in mining town businesses whose trade has dried up in the downturn.
Get moving on Mackay Ring Road
AS 600 jobs wait in the wings, I'm calling on the State Main Roads Minister to pull out all stops to build the Mackay Ring Road.The Federal Government had supplied most of the money needed to execute Stage One of the $565 million Stage One project, but it is now up to Minister Mark Bailey to stump up with the resources to get it happening.Our city is in dire need of major projects like the Mackay Ring Road to deliver jobs and stimulate our economy.And while the Abbott Government has done its part to help with the process, I’m pushing for some serious action at the State level.
Millions directed to road infrastructure
PROGRESS towards the construction of the Mackay Ring Road is on track with the announcement of close to $35 million in the Budget in 2015-16. In addition to this, more than $70 million will be invested into road infrastructure in the next financial year.