Minister Fails to Make Firm Commitment on Bruce Highway

Federal and state Labor governments have failed to make a firm funding commitment on repairing and upgrading the Bruce Highway in the Dawson region in the wake of recent flooding events.

When asked about flood proofing the highway on Wednesday, Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King failed to commit any funding to the flood affected highway.

Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox criticised the Minister’s inaction saying it leaves residents vulnerable, cut off from the rest of the country. 

“Our Bruce Highway is an essential route for locals and tourists. Its closure has been a stark reminder of how vital it is,” Mr Willcox said.

“Flooding events in the tropics are common and our major highway should be able to withstand these kind of weather events.

“The flooding of the Bruce Highway has resulted in a hit to our local economy, with businesses shutting, people not being able to get to work, and goods not being delivered to towns. Towns like Ayr and Bowen couldn’t get grocery supplies delivered to them when the road was closed.

“One local has contacted my office when she was stranded in Airlie Beach for nights on end, costing her $400 per night. There are many stories like this.”

Since 2013, the Federal Coalition Government had a 10-year, $10 billion commitment to upgrade the Bruce Highway, to improve safety and flood immunity and bust congestion to reduce travel times for motorists and freight.

With the regional elements of the Bruce Highway program funded on an 80:20 basis, the Coalition’s $10 billion commitment to the Bruce Highway has contributed to most of the funding to the Queensland Government’s $13 billion Bruce Highway Upgrade Program.

In the October 2022 Budget, Federal Labor made several decisions to cut funding to specific Bruce Highway upgrade projects over the forward estimates. These funds have been ‘reprofiled’ to years beyond the forward estimates.

“I am calling on the Federal Labor Government and the State Labor Government to make a firm funding commitment for the Bruce Highway between Mackay and Townsville.

“I am also urging the state government to get on with the job of fixing the road. Cut the delays, the cost blow outs and give North Queensland the safe road it deserves.

“In places like Goorganga flood plains, $12 million of funding from the Coalition Government has been lying dormant because the state government have failed to come up with a plan. It’s a disgrace. In my time as Mayor of the Whitsunday Regional Council I lobbied and secured almost $30 million from the previous Coalition Government to provide flood immunity to Hamilton Plains, the main connection from Airlie Beach to Proserpine. Why has this vital work not been completed? I will continue push the State Government on this issue.

“Our Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Bridget McKenzie, has come to Dawson to advocate for upgrades to the Bruce Highway. But it’s time for Minister King to come North and see why we’re crying out for funding. I will gladly give the Minister a tour of the Bruce to show the condition it is in.

“When the Prime Minister flew into Mackay for one hour a week ago, I was disappointed that he didn’t see the dismal state of our highway or meet with his state government counterparts to hold them to account on the progress of the upgrades. “