Focus on Mount Lindesay Highway needs to consider freight

Scenic Rim Regional Council welcomes the addition of Mount Lindesay Highway to Infrastructure Australia's latest update of the National Infrastructure Priority List released earlier this week.

Scenic Rim Mayor, Greg Christensen said Council was pleased the major arterial was being recognised for its contribution to national economic performance.

"The Mount Lindesay Highway needs to be of a standard that is safe for motorists and that also enables efficient logistics capability, which is so vital for South East Queensland's economic performance," he said.

"For many years, we have advocated for upgrades to Mount Lindesay Highway to bring it to the standard of being a high-performance road corridor.

"We look forward to seeing what initiatives are put forward to improve the road capacity and safety now that the highway has been given the recognition it's needed for so long.

"What we've seen with the recent upgrades is that they provide benefit to local traffic and commuter integration, however destroy freight efficiency."

While supporting the commuter experience, which is important, Cr Greg Christensen said the recent focus has been short-sighted.

"The addition of more sets of traffic lights makes it difficult for heavy vehicles to stop and start, slowing down the important freight task which is so vital for our economy, and even more so in the current economic climate.

"We are hopeful this latest addition to the Infrastructure Priority List gives the focus the right shift.

"We need this major arterial to have the capability for greater capacity to support the future population growth, industrial growth in the Bromelton State Development Area, and the expected increase in heavy vehicles in the long-term when the Inland Rail project is delivered.

"Importantly of course, the highway needs to be safe for all users."

In Council's Scenic Rim Regional Prosperity Strategy 2020-25, the current dated road infrastructure is recognised as a barrier to the Scenic Rim's economic growth.

"As identified in our Regional Prosperity Strategy, given the size, nature and location of the Scenic Rim, the current infrastructure is dated and inadequate and is a barrier to the region's economy.

"Any investments in the highway infrastructure need to take into account both aspects of road use and have a long-term strategic view."