Queensland’s Bruce Highway is probably one of the roads most hated by grey nomads, but it seems the potential development of a sustainable inland alternative is now back on the table.
As part of the election campaign in the Sunshine State, Premier Campbell Newman, has unveiled a $375 million plan for significant upgrades to inland highways. The improvements would move from the Queensland-New South Wales border through Emerald, Charters Towers and end just south of Cairns, crossing the Gregory Highway, Burnett Highway, Gregory Development Road and New England Highway.
Mr Newman said the upgrades would create 2250 jobs and would assist not only in “times of emergency” but also with the tourism industry.
He said the Bruce Highway was depended on heavily, particularly by grey nomads and he hoped the inland upgrade would see traffic off the Bruce and into the regions.
“We will see far more people going west of the Divide, which is a great thing,” Mr Newman said.
However, Opposition leader Annastacia Palaszczuk, has attacked the premier over his claim that the upgrade would be funded by the leasing of assets, and she accused him of ‘plucking figures out of the sky’. For its part, Labor has said it would spend $40 million to help increase tourism jobs if it were elected to government.
Whatever the outcome of the election to be held on January 31, those communities who would be directly affected by an upgraded inland route are delighted that it is at least being talked about again.
Central Highlands Regional Council Mayor Peter Maguire told the Central Queensland News there had been “a number of councils looking at this” and that the news would be welcomed around the state.
Cr Maguire said after Emerald was cut off from all directions during the 2011 floods, so upgrading road networks could only be good news.
Built it and we will come!
Yes! Queensland has heaps to offer and so far, this decision is the best news to come out of the election campaign.
I drive on roads as I find them if they are to good the traffic gets bumper to bumper. I am a retried volunteer ambo and a lot of crashes attended were on straight roads. I have travelled on the Bruce highway.
I would like to no if my jayco on road camper van will be ok to take to Cape York