Work on the former Coalition Government’s Rockhampton Ring Road is officially underway following a tumultuous 15 months of Labor’s attempts to cancel and delay the much-needed road infrastructure project.
Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, said she is happy to see work finally begin on the Rockhampton Ring Road.
“Despite the Prime Minister being in town to turn the sod on the Coalition’s Rockhampton Ring Road project and his oversight in not inviting the sitting Federal Member who secured the initial $800 million, I am happy to finally see movement begin.
“It’s ironic that the Prime Minister is rushing into town to turn the sod on a project he tried to throw onto the scrap heap in his first Budget. The Albanese Government underestimated how tough the Rockhampton community is. We are fighters here in Central Queensland and the Prime Minister was shamed into reinstating funding.
“I worked hard alongside my colleagues and local businesses to fight for securing additional funding for the cost blowout due to State Labor delaying the project. We are still waiting on the State Government to cough up their half and put $374 million to complete the project to its original design,” Ms Landry said.
Local hard working LNP candidate, Donna Kirkland, echoed Ms Landry’s comments by reiterating the importance of delivering projects on time and on budget.
“The Rockhampton Ring Road is an incredibly important piece of infrastructure for the Rockhampton region. It diverts heavy loads travelling the Bruce Highway out of the city and away from not only 19 sets of traffic lights but also diverting them away from a number of schools along the main road.
“Under the current Labor State Government, budgets on major infrastructure projects have blown out by billions of dollars and delayed for years, which is what we saw for the Rockhampton Ring Road.
“It’s crucial for Queenslanders to have projects delivered on time and on budget. Only an LNP Government will end the chaos and crisis caused by cost blowouts to ensure taxpayers dollars is spent using proper planning to maximise the benefit,” Mrs Kirkland said.
