September 3, 2018
The Mundubbera to Jandowae Roads Working Group – a lobby group formed to push for critical road improvements – has received support from local councils in its campaign to have a major transport route in the western South Burnett upgraded.
The Wide Bay Burnett Regional Organisation of Councils (WBBROC), which consists of the South Burnett and five other councils, has agreed to throw its political weight behind a push to replace the John Peterson Bridge (North Burnett) and widen a single-lane section of the Mundubbera-Durong Road (South Burnett).
Roads Working Group chair Georgie Somerset said the political endorsement was an important step towards getting funding commitments for the projects.
It followed a delegation by the Working Group to State Transport Minister Mark Bailey on August 22.
Mr Bailey was presented with a petition carrying more than 2000 signatures seeking immediate improvements to Mundubbera-Durong Road and Chinchilla-Wondai Road.
The petition was co-ordinated by Peter Seiler, from Darr Creek Oasis Rural Supplies & Fuel Station.
“It really feels like we are starting to get some traction with regional endorsement and acknowledgement of the work of the Roads Working Group from the State Minister,” Mrs Somerset said.
“Just in the Burnett region alone, tonnes of cattle, pigs, grain, fruit and nuts are transported on a daily basis on these roads from Central Queensland to the Darling Downs, in and out of
feedlots, piggeries and processing plants.”
The Working Group has also met with Federal Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd who is lobbying the Federal Government for funding to upgrade John Peterson bridge.
“We now have support and acknowledgment from all three levels of government about the importance of improving these connection roads and replacing the bridge,” Mrs Somerset said.
“Current scoping and costings are almost complete and we will then call on State and Federal governments to prioritise funding and construction.”
Related articles:
- Roadworks Planned For Durong
- Roads Group Welcomes ‘Great Start’
- Roads Group Gathers Evidence
- Rain Postpones Road Tour
- MP Rejects Bridge Claim
- Bridge Already Underway: ALP
- Mayor Welcomes Road Announcement
- $50m Promise To Upgrade Road
- Push Grows To Upgrade Road
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Single-Lane Stretch of Mundubbera-Durong Road
(2017 video by BIEDO)
The shoulders on the roads are so bad!
I got a flat when I had to give an oncoming truck enough room, forcing me to drop off the shoulder and scared the children. The tyres are brand new Bridgestones (not even 1 month old).
Instead of repairing the much used road, they just put out signs to say “be careful of the drop”.
This was NEVER a problem before the amalgamation of the Western Downs councils! Spend bulk money on tourism for Dalby and ignore all the rural towns that NEED basic repairs. Never mind, we’ll just add a few more signs so it’s not a council liability.