Need for action on Bowen Road Bridge
I RAISED the issue of load limits on Townsville’s troubled Bowen Road Bridge with the Federal Infrastructure Minister Darren Chester during his visit to Townsville today.I am concerned to hear that the load limit on the Bowen Road Bridge (over the Ross River near the Murray Sports area) may soon be restricted from 26 tonnes to 24 tonnes.The traffic issues around the Bowen Road Bridge near the Murray Sports area are well known in this community and I have regularly lobbied for action here.
Main tender on Mackay Ring Road announced
WE reached a major milestone in the Mackay Ring Road Stage 1 project today with the announcement that CPB Contractors have won the major tender.This project will remove heavy vehicles from the Mackay CBD and residential areas by providing a bypass for all vehicles without a destination in Mackay.This is a massive project for the region – we’re going to see 13 new bridges being built as part of it - and I believe an average of 534 jobs will be supported during construction of the bypass.We need jobs, jobs, jobs in this region and I have already had discussions with CPB and heard firsthand that they're very keen to engage the local suppliers, subcontractors and workers in Mackay.They have said that it is naturally more efficient for them to source supplies where they can up here in this region rather than elsewhere.CPB will also be advertising for expressions of interest in due course for locals interested in being involved in the project.This is a very big infrastructure project for our region and we can look forward to seeing the flow-on effects of business dollars and job opportunities for a number of years.
Next step on $30 million jobs and investment boost
I will meet with other Federal MPs who represent the Bowen Basin region next week to plan the next steps in delivering a $30 million jobs and investment package, bringing to fruition another Coalition Government election commitment.The aim of the Bowen Basin Regional Jobs and Investment Package is to help businesses diversify and to create more jobs on the ground.The next step in getting this $30 million investment out of Government coffers and into businesses and programmes that will provide jobs is to establish a local planning committee which will operate under the guidance of the Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash.
Work kicks off at Sandy Gully
We've turned the sod to mark the commencement of work on the Sandy Gully Bridge upgrade north of Bowen today, and this $57 million project will improve safety and flood immunity on this 3.7 kilometre stretch of the Bruce Highway.The project will create in excess of 100 jobs, and I was happy to see this work was awarded to a Mackay-based business, Vassallo Constructions.This section of the Bruce Highway floods regularly in bad weather and closures can seriously impact on drivers in the region.
Tenders called for flood-proofing project on the Bruce
WORK is now at the tender stage for the $57 million Bruce Highway – Sandy Gully Bridge Upgrade north of Bowen, as we deliver a road able to withstand a once-in-50-year flood event.This particular section of the Bruce Highway is regularly closed during bad weather, with wide-ranging effects on surrounding residents and motorists passing through the region.Making this section of highway more flood resistant will have significant benefits for the safety of motorists and the wellbeing of communities at risk of being isolated by flood waters.It’s also a project which will provide 107 direct jobs over the life of the project, so we can look forward to these jobs coming on line in the very near future.
Bill should tell Labor buddies to get moving on the Haughton
THE ability to progress work on some Bruce Highway projects rests entirely in Labor’s hands, and the best thing Bill Shorten could do for the Bruce Highway is to tell his counterparts in the State Labor Government to pull their finger out.I believe Mr Shorten has been making announcements regarding Labor's plans for the Bruce Highway in Townsville today, and he should ask his counterparts in the Palaszczuk government ‘why is Labor holding up the Haughton River Bridge Replacement?’The replacement of this bridge has been voted the most urgent problem to be fixed on that stretch of the Bruce Highway between Mackay and Townsville.
Funding to fix black spots
THE main street of Ayr is a beneficiary under the latest round of Black Spot Program funding, as is the notorious Horse & Jockey Road and Landsdowne Road intersection at Racecourse near Mackay.The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester’s has announced that $70,000 would be provided by the Liberal National Government to fix the black spot at the intersection of Queen and Soper streets in Ayr.This black spot funding will be used to modify the approaches and centre island geometry, for resurfacing and upgrading line marking.In the Mackay region, though it actually falls in the Capricornia electorate, I welcome the announcement of $1.19 million for the intersection of Horse Jockey Road and Landsdowne Road.
Need to fast-track Haughton bridge replacement
THE BURDEKIN has been left out in the cold yet again by the State Labor Government due to their failure to bring forward work on the Haughton River Bridge replacement.We have had a fanfare about a State Infrastructure Plan from the Palaszczuk Government and there’s even $20,000 million for fast-tracked planning, but the Haughton River bridge replacement is not going to get a look in before 2019.The replacement of this bridge has been voted the most urgent problem to be fixed on that stretch of the Bruce Highway between Mackay and Townsville.But does that mean the State Labor Government will fast-track the long and drawn-out planning and design process to replace this unsafe bridge?
Funds up for grabs: Get applications in
COMMUNITY groups who are planning to apply for grants under Round 2 of the Liberal National Government’s Stronger Communities Programme are reminded to get their applications in by March 11.I am keen to ensure the money goes to worthy causes.There are grants of between $5000 and $20,000 to fund small capital projects which deliver social benefits, so please make sure your group is in with a chance for a share of the $150,000 available across my electorate.
Time for Premier to walk the walk
THE Queensland Premier’s talk of fast-tracking infrastructure projects in North Queensland is an absolute joke when two of the biggest job-creating projects, namely the Mackay Ring Road and the Haughton River Bridge replacement, are lost in a bureaucratic bog.We need more than rubbish talk from Labor Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on fast-tracking these big projects, because the blame for holding up hundreds of jobs lies squarely with the State Labor Government.The Federal Government had already committed to fast-tracking funding for these infrastructure projects at my insistence; that promise was secured back in September 2014 from then Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Roadworks bring jobs to region
WORK started today on construction of two new overtaking lanes on the Bruce Highway between Proserpine and Mackay, bringing more jobs to the region and boosting the local economy.The project will result in a southbound overtaking lane at Kitty Creek, 10km north of Kuttabul, and a northbound overtaking lane at Carey’s Creek, 7km south of Calen.The Liberal National Government’s commitment to fully fund these works will improve safety and efficiency on this stretch of the Bruce Highway – all part of the Government’s 10 year commitment to the Bruce Highway.
Construction starts on $45 million Yellow Gin Creek upgrade
CONSTRUCTION is now underway on a $45 million project to help floodproof the Bruce Highway at Yellow Gin Creek, south of Ayr.This morning I turned the sod on this project, which will replace the existing floodway with a two-lane, two-way bridge and wider, higher road approaches.The works will include an upgrade of the intersection at Beachmount Road, which provides access to the small coastal settlement of Wunjunga.
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.