Mackay's One Billion Dollar Man
28 JULY 2016: With the support of the Liberal National Government, I am driving a one billion dollar investment to create more than a thousand jobs for Mackay over the next three to four years.
$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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Roads contract means jobs for Mackay
Mackay company Vassallo Constructions has won the $3 million contract to construct an overtaking lane near Thomsetts Road, south of Proserpine, and this means jobs for Mackay workers.I want to congratulate this Mackay business run by Vic Vassallo, on winning the tender on this project which has been brought forward by a year by the Liberal National Coalition Government to provide work when it is desperately needed.Despite false claims by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk that the project was part of Labor’s so-called ‘accelerated works program’ this project is not only fully funded by the Federal Coalition Government; we brought it forward by a year to support jobs in the region.
Minister’s Mackay visit to canvass ideas
29 JANUARY 2016: Mackay residents will provide direct input into a regional policy process when the Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister visits Mackay. The Liberal National Government is formulating a policy that will set out a long-term vision for regional Australia and North Queensland will play a vital role in the process.
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.
Region needs a ‘year of opportunity’ in 2016
27 NOVEMBER 2015: A dedicated agency tasked with job creation and industry development could make 2016 a year of opportunity for the greater Mackay region.
More work for the Bruce
26 NOVEMBER 2015: Work is set to begin on constructing two overtaking lanes on the Bruce Highway between Proserpine and Mackay, with a contract for the $7 million project being awarded to Doval Constructions. These constructions projects on the Bruce Highway are bringing jobs and economic growth to the region. The jobs and wages that will come into the region are a welcome boost to the local economy in the short term and in the long term, a more efficient Bruce Highway keeps the economy on the move and more productive.
More jobs in highway works
11 NOVEMBER 2015: More road construction jobs will be created when overtaking lanes are added to the Bruce Highway near the O’Connell River north of Bloomsbury. Tenders for the construction have been issued for a south-bound overtaking lane near Thomsetts Road.
On road to progress
Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss joined me to inspect progress on the $13.8 million Showgrounds intersection upgrade in Mackay today.This is one of many safety related projects included in the $241.8 million Bruce Highway – Black Spots programme, and it's another significant improvement which is nearing completion.“The Bruce Highway forms a key transport link along the east coast of Australia, connecting small towns with major cities, as well as suppliers with domestic and international markets,” Mr Truss said.
Key intersection upgrade progressing rapidly
Work is progressing rapidly on major upgrades to the intersection of the Bruce Highway and Shakespeare Street and the Showgrounds in Mackay, and it's great to see this continued investment in local roads.This is a key intersection in the city, and the Bruce Highway link to the north and south.An upgraded intersection will improve safety and reduce congestion.
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.
Bruce Highway fix to create 100 jobs
8 AUGUST 2015: A BRUCE Highway fix at Yellow Gin Creek (between Bowen and Ayr) will create around 100 jobs over the life of the project.