LEICHHARDT MP Warren Entsch has welcomed the release of the Coalition’s $8.5 billion plan to Fix the Bruce Highway, which include $193 million for much-needed local upgrades.
“The Policy released today by Tony Abbott and Warren Truss means an investment of $6.7 billion from the Coalition, partnering with the Queensland Government to deliver an $8.5 billion upgrade of the Bruce Highway over ten years,” said Mr Entsch.
“Our Policy to Fix the Bruce Highway includes $2.1 billion over the next four years and a further $4.6 billion over the following six years.
“This is $2.6 billion more than Labor’s inadequate commitment to this nationally significant road.
“We all know the state of the Bruce Highway is holding Queensland back and creates major issues for local residents, visitors and commercial traffic. It’s unsafe, floods too much and it’s getting more congested,” said Mr Entsch.
After a 2000km road trip, Dawson MP George Christensen (left) and Nationals Leader and Shadow Infrastructure Minister Warren Truss met Mr Entsch in Cairns in July last year to launch the Fix the Bruce campaign.
The following local projects would be undertaken by the Coalition as part of the ten year plan to fix the Bruce Highway:
· Cairns Southern Access Corridor – Stage 3 ($135 million)
· Cairns Southern Access Corridor – Stage 2 ($58 million)
“I will also continue to push for a genuine second access into Cairns because with our growing population, the need is only going to increase,” Mr Entsch said.
“Our plan is not talk, it is real action to fix the Bruce Highway and for us to move quickly. You can be assured that a Coalition government won’t play the blame game with the State Government we will work with the LNP State Government to make this happen.
“Fixing the Bruce Highway is an integral part of the Coalition’s plan to build a strong, prosperous economy and I’ll continue to work with Warren Truss and Tony Abbott to make sure this happens.”
