As part of the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to Queenslanders in their 100-Day Plan, the re-established Bruce Highway Advisory Council (BHAC) met for the first time in Townsville.
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The BHAC is a group of diverse stakeholders including industry experts, peak bodies and regional representatives from south of the Sunshine Coast all the way up to Far North Queensland and is chaired by the Minister for transport and Main Roads, Brent Mickelberg.
Keppel Sands local Eleanor Butler is representing Central Queensland on the BHAC, after her mother was significantly injured in a car crash on the Bruce Highway in 2020.
“I’ve lived in the region for 40 years and I know the Bruce like the back of my hand,” she says.
“I strongly believe upgrades to the highway should be top priority to drastically improve road safety.”
“I have drivers taking backroads instead of the Bruce because they feel it is safer, even though is takes longer. I want to change that,” says Nortrans heavy haulage provider Kent Battle.
The Crisafulli Government aims to address the many challenges facing the Bruce Highway, by listening to the voices of those who regularly use it.
Minister for transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg says regional input is valued and necessary to prioritise investment on the Bruce Highway.
“The Bruce Highway is the spine of Queensland’s road network and needs continued investment, which is why the Crisafulli Government has re-established the Bruce Highway Advisory Council to understand from road users the real issues,” he says.
“We made a promise to Queenslanders that the BHAC would meet before Christmas, and here we are today with peak bodies and six regional representatives in Townsville to discuss the current problems along the Bruce Highway and where investment should be prioritised.
“The Bruce Highway Advisory Council is a very important part of my portfolio and as Chair, I am committed to ensuring everyone at the table has a voice as we collectively identify priority locations to improve road safety.”
Mickelberg says Labor dropped the ball when it comes to the Bruce Highway, cutting their advisory group after meeting only a handful of times.
“I’m taking the fight up with the Federal Government to reinstate 80:20 funding for the national highway,” he says.
“It’s only fair for Queenslanders to receive the same kind of investment on their roads as other states.”
He thanks the regional Queenslanders who expressed their interest in joining the BHAC, proving the need for this type of representation in the council.
Industry and peak bodies invited to join the BHAC are:
- RACQ
- Queensland Trucking Association
- Queensland Farmers’ Federation
- Queensland Tourism Industry Council
- Transport Workers’ Union Australia, Queensland Branch
- Local Government Association of Queensland
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