Shout out for regional voices on highway advisory body

The State Government has put the call out for regional representatives to join the Bruce Highway Trust Advisory Council and help shape the future of Queensland’s critical artery. But Townsville economist Colin Dwyer says the move follows considerable advocacy after people last year identified that not one member of the existing trust lived north of Noosa and called it out as unacceptable to North Queensland residents and businesses. "There is more work to do to get the basics right in regional Queensland," he said. "Consistent safety standards is just one area that needs attention from southern decision-makers." Townsville economist Colin Dwyer. On his most recent trip on the Bruce Highway, Townsville to Bowen, in December 2020 he said he had noted basic items needing attention such as overtaking lanes, road surface upgrades, wet weather accident prevention, median strip upgrades, verge width improvement for safety stops, consistent barriers for safety, speed zone considerations and separation of carriage for consistent safety. Inspecting works on the Bruce Highway today in Rockhampton, Assistant Minister for Regional Roads Bruce Saunders announced that trust advisory council nominations had opened for regional representatives who regularly used the highway, were road safety experts or regional development experts. They would join industry leaders like the RACQ and Queensland Farmer’s Federation, he said. Mr Saunders said the Bruce Highway Trust Advisory Council was officially launched last year to build on the $12.6 billion plan being rolled out on the Bruce, and drive a long-term vision for the 1,677km highway with a series of rolling five-year action plans. The Palaszczuk Government committed during the election to expanding the trust to incorporate more regional voices while also investing an additional $100 million towards a proposed $500 million jointly-funded boost for more upgrades. Mr Saunders said the trust and its new regional representatives would take the politics out of the Bruce Highway. “Projects like the $1 billion Gympie Bypass, $480 million upgrade in Cairns’ south and plans for the $1 billion Rockhampton Ring Road show what can happen when all levels of government knuckle down and work together – and I’m sure myself along with many other Queenslanders would like to see that good work continue," he said. “We’re talking here about Queensland’s backbone that millions of Queenslanders depend on. It connects locals in regional centres, moves freight between our ports and regional communities, and from paddocks and pits to export markets.” Mr Saunders encouraged regional community leaders who regularly used the road as well as road safety and regional development experts to put their hand up and join Bruce Highway Trust Advisory Council members: Chair – Peter Garske, a director on the Queensland Transport and Logistics Council and former chief executive officer of the Queensland Trucking AssociationDeputy Chair – Barbara Madden, company director of the Smithfield GroupChief executive officer, Local Government Association of Queensland – Greg Hallam AM, PSMHead of Public Policy, Royal Automobile Club of Queensland – Dr Rebecca MichaelChief executive officer, Queensland Trucking Association – Gary MahonChief executive officer, Queensland Farmers’ Federation – Dr Georgina DavisChief executive officer, Queensland Tourism Industry Council – Daniel GschwindBranch secretary, Transport Workers’ Union – Peter Biagini To ensure regional representation of the nominees, applicants must meet minimum requirements such as living along the Bruce Highway corridor north of Gympie and have some demonstrated experience of regularly using the Bruce Highway, and being a road safety or regional development expert. To nominate head to: https://www.qld.gov.au/about/join-a-board, and for more information on the Trust visit: https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/business-industry/Business-with-us/Bruce-Highway-Trust-Advisory-Council

Shout out for regional voices on highway advisory body

Industry Queensland

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