State Budget Secures the Future of Hinchinbrook Road Projects

Hinchinbrook MP and KAP Deputy Leader Nick Dametto.

12 June 2024

The 2024-25 State Budget was a mixed bag for regional Queensland however one of the bigger winners was transport infrastructure including in Hinchinbrook where two out of four projects critical to the electorate received much needed funding.

Hinchinbrook MP and Katter’s Australian Party Deputy Leader, Nick Dametto said he welcomed the inclusion in the budget of funding for projects on the Hervey Range Development Road and the Bruce Highway.

“The safety upgrade project that is currently underway on Hervey’s Range Road has seen a further $5.2 million locked in for the next financial year to ensure those works continue to progress,” he said.

“The Hervey Range Road project is part of the Australian Government Road Safety program and will cost $30 million in total to be split evenly between the State and the Commonwealth.

“The key upgrades for this project will include intersection upgrades at Rupertswood Drive, Ridge Drive and Rangewood Drive including dedicated turning lanes, improved lighting, pavement widening and guardrail installation.

“The project is scheduled for completion in December this year and will be welcomed by the many residents of Alice River, Rangewood and those travelling to the north-west of Townsville.

“Further north it was pleasing to see that the Dallachy Road flood immunity project secured funding for a total spend of $18 million however I would have liked to see a commitment to get the project underway sooner. At this stage we won’t be seeing any construction start until at least the 2025-26 financial year.

“It’s hard to accept that North Queensland, and particularly those people in the Tully area will have to endure yet another uncertain wet season knowing full well that this project should (and could) have been fully completed by now if not for a series of Government blunders.

“Overall it is clear that the State Government has tried to deliver a budget focused on cost-of-living relief but that doesn’t ease the frustration of seeing vital infrastructure projects miss out.

“We advocated heavily for a Government commitment to fix the gridlocked suburbs to the north of Townsville and it was disheartening to see the project of North Townsville Road/Woolcock Street overlooked.

“It would have been comforting to see some funding secured to commence a business case at the earliest opportunity but now any hope of seeing a solution has been kicked down the road by another 12 months.

“Should there be a change of Government in October it will be one of my main priorities to work with the new Transport Minister to ensure that this project is recognised as a priority project”.

The fourth major project in Hinchinbrook is the Gairloch flood and safety project to the north of Ingham. This project will continue to progress after recently entering the Detailed Design phase which came as a very welcome announcement to Hinchinbrook residents and those who depend on the Bruce Highway for commuting and freight purposes.

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