General News
25 September, 2024
LNP commits to new bridge
THE LNP has committed to building a new bridge across the Barron River at Kuranda quicker than the seven years predicted by the State Labor Government which has pledged $450 million to replace the ageing structure.
Opposition Deputy Leader Jarrod Bleijie, Shadow Minister for Transport Steve Minnikin, candidate for Cook David Kempton, candidate for Hill Cameron McCollum and candidate for Barron River Bree James witnessed first-hand the chaos and delay motorists are experiencing when they made the announcement last week.
“The state of the Barron River Bridge at Kuranda has been an embarrassment for years and locals have paid the price,” Mr Bleijie said.
He said that after a decade of inaction from the Palaszczuk-Miles Government, it was “clear they have no concrete plans for this vital piece of infrastructure”.
Mr Bleijie reassured road users that “the LNP has committed to building a new Barron River bridge and an LNP Government will also review the state of the current bridge to get it back up to scratch as soon as possible”.
Mr Kempton claimed Labor knew about the problems with the bridge for years but had no plan to bring it back into full service any time soon.
The Express has asked the Department of Transport and Main Roads when a decision will be made on whether the bridge will return to two lanes and what rules may be put in place for heavy vehicles, but have yet to hear of a date for the decision.
“This is not just a scenic tourist road but a vital transport link between a major regional city and an economic and agriculture powerhouse,” Mr Kempton said.
“These constant delays are intolerable and impact daily on road users who depend upon it to get to work, medical appointments, transport, services, business, family visits and so on.
“I have spoken to many people in my electorate who are nervous about even using the bridge.”
Mr Kempton has also called out Labor’s promise of $60 million for stage 3 of the Peninsula Development Road, describing the pledge as “a hollow vote-buying stunt five weeks before an election that Labor cannot deliver”.
“Transport Minister Bart Mellish knows full well that the State cannot commit funds to stage 3 without the Federal Government putting up its share pursuant to the bilateral funding agreement,” he said.
“When, as the then Member for Cook over a decade ago, I secured the funds for Stage 1 of the PDR in conjunction with Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch, the total spend was $260 million.
“Labor has not been able to replicate the cost efficiency of stage 1 since with cost overruns, delays and waste.
“What Minister Mellish has done is waste $40 million on a farcical cassowary overpass, another $40 million on inoperable cameras on the Kuranda Range and an unbelievable $100 million overrun on the Archer River bridge – that’s $180 million which could have been better used on sealing more of the PDR.”
Mr Kempton said, if elected, he would re-establish the CYRP advisory task force to “make sure there are no more white elephant schemes and wastage, and local contractors will get a fair go when tendering”.
