State and Federal Governments investment of $33m falls short for NQ road safety

24th July 2022

Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Deputy Leader and Hinchinbrook MP, Nick Dametto, acknowledged the State and Federal Governments for investing $33m into the Bruce Highway to improve road safety in North Queensland.

The Townsville Bulletin revealed more than $33m will be pumped into the Bruce Highway in the next 12 months to make one of North Queensland’s most dangerous stretches of road safer.[1]

The Hinchinbrook MP said he hopes the eight projects between Ayr and Ingham will improve safety and result in a decrease in fatalities on this section of the Bruce Highway, but qualified his statement by saying more needs to be done.

“I’m frequently travelling up and down the Bruce Highway from Townsville to Ingham and nearly every trip I witness a near miss,” Mr Dametto said.

“Road users are anxious to travel from Ingham to Townsville and vice versa due to the potential risk of a collision. These projects are welcomed by the community but $33 million being spent between Ayr and Ingham is just a mere drop in the ocean.

“The investment necessary to bring the Bruce Highway up to standard between these two regional centres needs to be in the billions, not millions.

“Unfortunately, with road construction comes the unavoidable traffic delays and I understand that this may be frustrating to some, but it is an unavoidable part of improving highway safety conditions.

“During the construction phase of these road improvement projects I’m calling for commuters to be patient.

“I will also continue to lobby the State Government to accelerate necessary road projects such as the Gairloch Flood Immunity Project.

“Transport companies and commuters come to a halt along the Bruce Highway between Ingham to Cardwell when the region gets four to five inches because the Gairloch washaway goes over due to a lack of adequate drainage.

“It’s extremely disappointing and frustrating for locals that the Federal Government budgeted $40m for this project over 10 years ago and the business case will only be completed mid-next year.”[2]

–  ENDS –

Image: State Member for Hinchinbrook and KAP Deputy Leader, Nick Dametto at Gairloch washaway Ingham.

Media Enquiries: Caitlin Schofield – 0402 352 343.

[1] https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/townsville/bruce-highway-from-ayr-to-ingham-to-be-upgraded/news-story/a50d759f642bf0ef827f7e633c6131ef

[2] https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableoffice/questionsanswers/2022/245-2022.pdf