Sunshine Coast LNP Federal and State MPs met today at the Roy’s Road overpass where they called upon State Government Roads Minister Mark Bailey and the Palaszczuk Government to fast-track the Bruce Highway Upgrade Planning Study.
In response to a question on notice from LNP Main Roads Spokesperson Andrew Powell, Minister Bailey
advised that the Planning Study is not due to be released until mid 2018.
The Planning Study which incorporates planned upgrades between Pine Rivers and the Sunshine Coast,
was announced on 3 July 2015 following a $6.4M contribution from the Federal Government and $1.6M from the State.
“As an 80% financial contributor to the upgrading of the Bruce Hwy, the Federal Government needs this Planning Study as soon as possible, so that it can start allocating funding to the project” said the Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace.
“That this Planning Study should take three years to complete by the Queensland Department of Main
Roads is unacceptable” said the Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien who also noted that the Planning Study between the Sunshine Motorway and the Maroochydore Road Interchange should also be fast-tracked.
“In the mean time, Sunshine Coast commuters and visitors will continue to face long delays on the
Bruce Hwy which has now been dubbed ‘the car park’ by locals” said the State Member for Caloundra Mark McArdle.
“A growing population the size of the Sunshine Coast deserves better from the Palaszczuk Government. The Sunshine Coast needs the Bruce Hwy upgraded now. To do that, we need the Planning Study completed as soon as possible, not in two years time,” said the State Member for Glasshouse and Opposition Main Roads Spokesperson Andrew Powell.
All Federal and State LNP MPs agreed that the Palaszczuk Government must expedite the due date for
the Planning Study to April 2017 at the latest.
