May 10, 2018
A proposal for an urgent upgrade of the Brisbane Valley Highway was overlooked in this week’s Federal Budget, despite lobbying by the South-East Queensland Council of Mayors.
The project would have involved upgrading a section of the highway to increase road safety and improve freight and transport links between the Warrego Highway and the Somerset and South Burnett regions.
It would also have provided improved travel for commuters using the Brisbane Valley Highway to access Ipswich and the western suburbs of Brisbane.
A wish-list of 10 projects was prepared by the Council of Mayors – which includes Toowoomba and Somerset councils – late last year.
Representatives from the Council of Mayors lobbied Federal MPs in Canberra in March.
Six of the projects on the wish list received funding, including the North Coast Rail Line and Bruce Highway upgrades.
However, the Brisbane Valley Highway upgrade missed out.
* * *
The 10 critical projects in south-east Queensland identified by the Council of Mayors:
- Brisbane Valley highway upgrade – Blacksoil to Blackbutt (not funded)
- North Coast rail line – Beerburrum to Nambour
- Bruce Highway upgrades – Pine River to Nambour
- Manly to Cleveland rail duplication (not funded)
- Eastern Busway to Capalaba (not funded)
- Brisbane Metro
- M1 Pacific Motorway upgrades
- Business case for a Mt Lindesay Highway upgrade (not funded)
- Cunningham Highway – Yamanto to Willowbank
- Business case for a passenger bus/rail service – Toowoomba to Rosewood
