FLASHBACK: Stuart Valley Drive at Haly Creek was one of three roads the SBRC upgraded using its $1.1 million ‘Roads For Recovery’ grant funding in 2014
South Burnett Mayor
Keith Campbell is the new
Deputy Chair of WBBROC

May 24, 2016

Councils in the Wide Bay-Burnett will pressure the Coalition to commit to several important council funding programs ahead of the up-coming Federal election on July 2.

The Wide Bay-Burnett Regional Organisation of Councils (WBBROC) will ask the Federal Government to ensure three key infrastructure programs continue to be funded beyond 2019-20.

They also want a five year program to make heavy vehicle transport safer to continue.

WBBROC is the peak body that represents the interests of all Councils in the Wide Bay and Burnett areas – South Burnett, Cherbourg, North Burnett, Gympie, Fraser Coast and Bundaberg.

It wants the Federal Government to agree to:

  • Put an extra $50 million a year into the Roads To Recovery Program after 2019-20. This annual program provides fixed allocations of money directly to local councils to pay for roadworks chosen by each council
  • Ensure the Black Spot Program continues to receive $60 million a year beyond 2019-20 for road safety works at places where there have been serious crashes, or where serious crashes are likely
  • Ensure the Bridges Renewal Program continues to receive $60 million a year after its initial $300 million funding expires in 2018-19 to help councils upgrade and repair ageing bridges

WBBROC also wants the Federal Government to put $40 million a year into the Heavy Vehicle Safety And Productivity Program when its initial $248 million funding expires in 2018-19.

The money is used to fund infrastructure that improves the safety and productivity of heavy vehicle operations such as building truck rest stops and parking bays; upgrading road capacities; and conducting technology trials aimed at improving heavy vehicle productivity.

* * *

South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell has been appointed as Deputy Chair of the Wide Bay-Burnett Regional Organisation of Councils (WBBROC).

Mayor Campbell was elected to the post at last Thursday’s WBBROC meeting.

The same meeting also elected Gympie Mayor Mick Curran as Chair, and Fraser Coast Mayor Chris Loft as Treasurer.


 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.