Dametto gets highway back up to speed

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto is thrilled the Bluewater section of the Bruce Highway will be returned to its original 100km/h speed limit this Thursday.

A NON-STOP lobbying effort by Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto has convinced Transport and Main Roads (TMR) to restore a stretch of the Bruce Highway north of Townsville back to 100km/h.

Mr Dametto was relentless in advocating for the speed limit at the Bluewater section of the highway to be returned to 100km/h after it was reduced to 80km/h in October 2017 following several brumby sightings on or near the road.

The stretch of road will officially be returned to 100km/h this Thursday when speed signs officially go up.

“This is a great win for the thousands of motorists who use this stretch of highway on a daily basis,” Mr Dametto said.

“I’m glad I could play a part in being able to restore some sanity to this speed limit. Since being elected to office, this has been one of the top issues raised with me by constituents and I have been in constant communications with TMR ever since to get the speed limit lifted.

“Both myself and my office were inundated with phone calls, emails and Facebook messages about this issue and I’m pleased we now have a solution. I want to thank all of those people who contacted me for their patience. You concerns have been heard loud and clear.”

Mr Dametto said he understood the frustration of motorists who were forced to drop their speed as TMR worked out a strategy to deal with feral brumbies in the area.

“Fencing has now been erected to reduce the event of large animals like brumbies being able to wander on to the road and motorists can get on with their journey without being inconvenienced any longer,” he said.

“Let’s hope the speed limit stays where it is.”