The Federal LNP Government is funding 80 per cent of important road projects across Central Queensland, injecting almost $1.3 billion into job-creating infrastructure in Rockhampton and surrounding areas.
The projects include:
• Rockhampton Northern Access Upgrade
o Total Estimated Project Cost: $121 million
o Australian Government Contribution: $96.8 million
o 80 per cent federally funded
• Capricorn Highway-Rockhampton to Gracemere Duplication
o Total Estimated Project Cost: $75 million
o Australian Government Contribution: $60 million
o 80 per cent federally funded
• Road train access to Rockhampton abattoirs: Rockhampton-Emu Park Road
o Total Estimated Project Cost: $30 million
o Australian Government Contribution: $20 million
o 66 per cent federally funded
• Bajool-Port Alma Road upgrade
o Total Estimated Project Cost: $14.5 million
o Australian Government Contribution: $11.6 million
o 80 per cent federally funded
• Capricorn Highway overtaking lanes
o Total Estimated Project Cost: $19 million
o Australian Government Contribution: $15.2 million
o 80 per cent federally funded
• Rockhampton Ring Road
o Total Estimated Project Cost: $1 billion
o Australian Government Contribution: $800 million
o 80 per cent federally funded
• Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road upgrade
o Total Estimated Project Cost: $80 million
o Australian Government Contribution: $64 million
o 80 per cent federally funded
• Roads of Strategic Importance Initiative – Mt Isa to Rockhampton Corridor Upgrade
o Total Estimated Project Cost: $237.5 million
o Australian Government Contribution: $190 million
o 80 per cent federally funded
Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said road transport infrastructure is critical to sustaining regional communities.
“Australia’s road network is helping our economy grow and improve our international competitiveness.
“I have fought hard to see these projects funded and I’m happy to see the Federal Government has stepped up and taken on the lion’s share of this funding,” Ms Landry said.
Federal Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd said the Government is committed to providing significant funding to benefit Central Queensland motorists.
“These projects benefit motorists but also our transport industry that need to travel great distances safely to ensure our economy continues to move.”
LNP Candidate for Rockhampton Tony Hopkins said the timing of the Premier and Minister Bailey visiting Rockhampton is curious.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor have been sitting on their hands for years, doing nothing and selling us short.
‘Why is it only now, when Labor’s got a bit of bad polling, we get a visit from their FIFO Premier.
“Labor have taken Rockhampton for granted and held us back for far too long. They never get stuck in to make sure something is done, they’ll just take credit for it later,” Mr Hopkins said.
LNP Candidate for Keppel Adrian De Groot said the Queensland Government had to be dragged kicking and screaming to come to the table on each project.
“If they had their way, Rookwood Weir would be stuck in the bottom drawer of a Brisbane-based bureaucrat’s desk.
“I think people in Keppel see through what the Palaszczuk Labor Government is doing during an election year and are sick and tired of their games,” Mr De Groot said.
