March 5, 2019
The Mundubbera to Jandowae Roads Working Group is hoping the upcoming Federal Election will be an incentive to convince candidates to promise to fix a dangerous single-lane bridge on the Mundubbera-Durong Road.
The State Government has advised it would cost $20 million to replace the flood-prone John Peterson Bridge over the Boyne River.
The bridge is a vital connecting link for residents, tourists and freight across the North and South Burnett.
The group is also pressing for upgrades to the Mundubbera-Durong Road.
Mundubbera to Jandowae Roads Working Group (RWG) chair Georgie Somerset said upgrading the route would provide economic benefits as well as ensuring an effective inland transport link during natural disasters.
“The replacement of the John Peterson Bridge has been identified as a high priority for both North and South Burnett councils and the wider Wide Bay Burnett Regional Organisation of Councils,” Ms Somerset said.
“More than 2000 road users have signed a petition calling for road upgrades and improvements.
“The bridge over the Boyne River is a strategic piece of infrastructure that urgently needs to be upgraded, with increasing numbers of freight and tourist traffic using this route.
“Additionally, and of great concern to the Roads Working Group, surveys conducted revealed freight companies avoid using the Mundubbera-Durong Road and Chinchilla-Wondai Road due to damage caused to equipment, fresh produce and animal welfare concerns related to the condition of the roads.
“This should raise alarms for governments at all levels.
“Mundubbera-Durong Road is a main thoroughfare that carries thousands of heavy vehicles laden with cattle, timber and grain on a weekly basis. The road is the main inland thoroughfare connecting the Western Downs with Rockhampton.
“Queensland’s future economic growth will be built on the ability to move freight to support the resources, agriculture, construction and tourism sectors. An efficient freight system will provide the backbone for facilitating this growth and connecting our regional communities.”
Ms Somerset said State Transport Minister Mark Bailey had confirmed the cost to replace the existing low-level timber bridge with a new high-level reinforced concrete bridge on a straighter alignment was estimated to be $20 million, if constructed immediately.
Ms Somerset said the group hoped the federal candidates in Flynn would commit to funding the bridge as part of their Federal Election commitments.
“We are committed to meeting with all the candidates to ensure they understand the importance of this bridge upgrade and the strategic linkages, economic and safety improvements any upgrades will contribute,” she said.
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