The Queensland Government has been called out by Member for Burdekin and Shadow Minister for Rural & Regional Affairs Dale Last after increased funding for the Bruce Highway was announced from 2027-28, saying it has “given up when it comes to improving roads in regional Queensland”.
The state government announced it will increase its annual Bruce Highway funding commitment to $250 million per annum from 2027-28 onwards, but Mr Last said this will see safety upgrades on the roads that their constituents use every day delayed by at least three years.
“Again, Labor is publishing a lot of plans and making a lot of noise but not actually doing anything,” Mr Last said.
“If you look at the ‘Safer Roads Sooner’ program, for example, they talk about a forgiving roadside to reduce injuries if a collision occurs.
“Meanwhile, on large sections of the Bruce Highway, you can’t even pull off the road safely due to trees and rocks; let alone on lesser used roads.”
The state government also released the 15-year Vision and Action Plans for the Bruce Highway and the Safer Bruce 2030 Action Plan, endorsed by the Bruce Highway Trust Advisory Council, and finalised following the Australian Government’s Infrastructure Review in 2023.
“Safety is always our most important priority and I’m pleased to be working with key transport advocates to improve safety on the Bruce,” said Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish.
“The release of the 15-year Vision and Action Plans for the Bruce Highway and the Safer Bruce 2030 Action Plan marks a key milestone for the Bruce Highway.
“We now have a plan for the future of the Bruce Highway which extends beyond the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program commitments.”
Mr Last said regional Queenslanders are screaming for action sooner.
“You really have to ask what it will take to see something done about these roads that are nothing more than goat tracks,” he said.
“Regional Queensland, through resources and agriculture, contribute billions to the state government’s coffers each year but what do we get for it?
“All we get from Labor is broken promises and misleading statements while we are forced to travel with our families on unsafe roads.”
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