Priority Sections For Bruce Highway Funding

In a recent meeting between Senator Nita Green and Mayor Ry Collins, discussions centred on two new $30 million projects in Cannonvale and the allocation of $7.2 billion in funding for the Bruce Highway.
One key issue raised was the prioritisation of sections along the Bruce Highway, especially given that the Whitsundays region has been identified as the most hazardous area in the recent Bruce Highway safety survey.
This funding represents the single largest investment in the highway’s history, bringing the Australian Government’s total contribution to over $17 billion for the 1,673 km route.
The Bruce Highway is crucial to Queensland's infrastructure, with an average Fatal and Serious Injury (FSI) crash rate three to five times higher than major highways in New South Wales and Victoria. It serves as a vital transport link, supporting 62 per cent of the state's population.
Concerns were expressed that most of the priority sections were named south of Rockhampton, with the Bowen to Mackay area not being named a priority just yet despite being among the worst-rated.

Nita Green and Mayor Ry Collins revealing funding plans. Photo Credit: Victoria Velton.

The Albanese government recently revealed plans to invest in the Whitsundays with two brand new developments including a $15 million Cannon Valley Sports Park and a $14.9 million Cannonvale Community Facility, which the Whitsunday Regional Council successfully applied for funding under Round 2 of the Growing Regions Program.
In addition to the two new investments into the Whitsundays, the Bruce Highway is also getting a $7.1 billion investment. Concerns were raised over the priority sections of the Bruce and if the Whitsundays to Mackay region would be getting the much-needed work done on the Bruce.
This issue was discussed in a meeting between Senator Nita Green and Mayor Ry Collins. Senator Nita Green explained that she was proud of the Bruce Highway announcement.
“It is going to make a huge difference to the people in North Queensland,” Senator Nita Green explained.
“Making the Bruce Highway safer with $7.2 billion will save lives here in North Queensland, and I'm so proud that we've managed to deliver that announcement and work with the state government on where that money will go.”
“The state government, I don't mean to speak for them, but they have said that they are now going to have a look at where that money needs to go. So, the priority areas will be decided by the state government. They've set up an Independent Assessment Panel. I think that's a good thing.
“We know after 10 years of the coalition government, we didn't see the investment in the Bruce Highway that we needed to and so I think priority areas like this in North Queensland are crying out for funding, and the state government should listen and should get that funding out as soon as possible.”
“If North Queensland misses out, you'll be hearing from me, and you'll be hearing from Ry and you'll be hearing from local members.
“We want to make sure that these parts of the roads that we know get flooded easily, have become the scene of serious accidents, and are used by tourists, are looked at. Quite often.
Speaking about the recent flooding over the past few months, Mayor Ry Collins highlighted the severe impact of inadequate road infrastructure along the Bruce Highway.
“It's not just about the tourism industry; it stopped families from communing,” he said.
“Pre-Christmas, our airport, which is in the top 20 commercial airports in the country, was shut down for two days.
“We had people that couldn't get to the hospital, so they're real concerns for communities.
“I think, the win for us here is now we've got that 80/20 commitment reinstated.
“So, as Senator Green said, really the opportunity now is for us to highlight the priorities we know in the Whitsundays.
“Here we've got two of the eight two-star sections that remain on the Bruce Highway, so I'd say we have got more than our fair share of substandard Bruce Highway in our local government area.
“I really look forward to working closely with the state government to make sure that our needs are prioritised and that we get those sections of road delivered as soon as we can.”

‍

Senator Nita Green and Mayor Ry Collins discussing the new investments into the Whitsundays. Photo Credit: Victoria Velton
Senator Nita Green and Mayor Ry Collins speak about Bruce Highway. Photo Credit: Victoria Velton

‍

‍

‍