Time for Blackbutt Range solution

The closure of the Blackbutt range during recent floods events resulted in significant impact on commuters and on important freight networks.  Now is the time to ‘bite the bullet’ and scope all options for the most cost effective solution to improve the safety and reliability of this road.

All options deserve to be assessed as part of a proper planning exercise to seek funding from the Federal and State Governments, to build a safer, permanent solution.

This road regularly experiences blockages with overturned trucks and other tragic accidents. The issues aren’t isolated to the extraordinary weather and action needs to be taken now.

The recent blocking of the Blackbutt Range has had a significant impact on locals getting to and from work, as well as for truck drivers being forced to take longer detours which in turn increased the cost of freight into the area.

Whilst meeting with South Burnett Regional Council Mayor David Carter to discuss the recent road closures, many local business people mentioned to me alternate alignments along old tracks which could be used as either emergency or permanent corridor solutions.