Advocacy

Browns Plains to Beaudesert
At my urging, and through the advocacy of the LNP Federal Member for Wright Scott Buchholz, the Australian Government has now invested significantly in the Mount Lindesay Highway- $16 million on the North Maclean upgrades, $37.5 million  committed  to  the Stoney Camp Road to  Chambers Flat Road duplication, and now $42 million committed in the Federal Budget in October 2020 to four-lane the highway through Jimboomba between South Street and Joanna Street. This last project is only possible because in 2018 I put on the agenda of the Queensland Government the need to get on with planning to fix this "Jimboomba bottleneck" that is a significant impediment to an efficient road. With these funding commitments and National Highway network additions, the LNP is stepping up where Labor has failed our community over the past 25 of 30 years of Queensland Labor Governments.

The Queensland LNP is committing, heading into the 2020 election, to fast-track planning to widen the highway south of Jimboomba  towards Beaudesert  so that Australian Government funding can be obtained, when available, to upgrade it . This fast-track is vit al, because under Labor's Mount Lindesay Highway plan, this planning work is anywhere from 2-4 years away (perhaps even longer). The Queensland Government must have projects ready to go - "shovel ready". It was very unfortunate that when the Australian Government made $418 million available for COVID-19 stimulus road projects, the Queensland  Labor Government did not have a single project on the Mount Lindesay ready to fund.

The Queensland LNP is also committing to invest $40 million extra into the Mount Lindesay Highway to continue duplication south of Chambers Flat Road (over and above what is already in the budget). This funding will be utilised together with Australian Government funding when available.

Creating jobs for locals is vital for our region. The ability of many local businesses to do this depends on having a more efficient road network - especially when it comes to realising the potential of the Bromelton State Development Area. SCT is a fine example of what is possible, but to have more employers like SCT we need a better road network.

During my time as the region' s representative, I have consistently been fighting for a fair share for the Mount Lindesay Highway. In around 2013/14, $19 million was spent rehabilitating the road between Beaudesert and Jimboomba, the Millstream Road intersection was upgraded in 2014 and the Wearing and St Aldwyn Road intersections were also upgraded in 2014. 2014 also saw a commitment made by the Queensland Government to build the Beaudesert Town Centre Bypass. My lobbying has also seen recent upgrades occur at Gleneagle and Laravale, a commitment by the State to 4-lane the highway from Stoney Camp Road to Chambers Flat Road, and the addition of a significant portion of the highway to the National Highway network.

Unfortunately, Labor Governments in Queensland over a long period (25 of the last 30 years) have allowed too much development in this corridor without adequate investment  in the Mount Lindesay Highway. This needs to stop - we need slower rates of residential development, and a catching up of infrastructure to service existing development. Removing the Labor Government from office is vital to this outcome. Just as I have lobbied hard with success to see the Stoney Camp-Chambers Flat Road duplication and the "Jimboomba bottleneck " projects put on Main Roads' agenda, the LNP is committed to ensuring future projects are planned and designed on a fast-track so that Australian Government funding can be sought and utilised when available.

Woodhill - Bromelton
In respect of the Woodhill - Bromelton deviation, this is a matter I have lobbied the Government on since 2018, when I raised the issue of corridor planning with Minister Mark Bailey. The decision of the Queensland Government not to deliver a budget prior to the election means that we cannot see what is in the four-year plan for Main Roads. This is a disgraceful decision which hinders planning at all levels of government and business. I requested QTRIP (QLD Transport & Roads Investment Program) to be released by Minister Mark Bailey twice, but he has refused.

Regardless, my lobbying on this matter has paid off. TMR is intending to begin corridor planning work on this " Woodhill -Bromelton deviation" with a $600,000 contract as outlined by TMR in its industry briefing document earlier in 2020. This contract should be completed as soon as possi ble, as it will likely provide far more certainty for the route, eventual design and cost of the deviation - at present there is virtually no information available upon which to base any commitment. As any future "Woodhill-Bromelton deviation" will form part of the National Highway network, timing of works and funding arrangements  will also be subject to negotiation between the Queensland and Australian governments - regardless of who forms government in Queensland after the election."

"Encouraging Bromelton to become a showcase of innovative and sustainable industrial design, striving towards being totally self-sufficient in power generation and becoming an important employment (and even educational) hub – would also help reduce the carbon footprint as cars would be travelling towards Bromelton – not Brisbane. Any heavy vehicle bypasses would also benefit the congestion but your plan to ensure there are wildlife corridors are essential as the rate of wildlife habitat devastation is alarming; and in particular we must remember koalas are particularly vulnerable."

"Despite numerous strong representations made by Council, Cr Virginia West and myself, Main Roads has refused to even consider this project as one that it would progress in any way, shape or form. This must change, and the only way it will change is to change the government. I will be working to have Main Roads put this project back on its agenda (and any other possible options to alleviate concerns over traffic congestion in Canungra given the passage of time since it was last looked at by Main Roads)."

"This section of Boonah Beaudesert Road floods after moderate rain events due to  the presence of Wyaralong Dam and the inability of water to flow as quickly downstream as it once did.

Main Roads is well aware of this issue, and I have made many, many representations to them about it. I received correspondence from Minister Mark Bailey in July 2019 which stated that "planning undertaken in collaboration with DSDMIP, with Scenic Rim Regional Council as a key stakeholder, has recently been completed." It further stated that "the planning undertaken confirmed that there is no immediate need for an upgrade at this location."

As a non-Government MP, I was not a party to this work, but note that the Council was identified as a key stakeholder. The LNP is committed to building the roads, dams and bridges we need to create jobs in Queensland, and if we are elected to government on 31 October I will be pursuing this matter to fully scope the cost of an upgrade. At present, the cost is unknown making it impossible to make a credible funding commitment."

"You have addressed two of the worse flood plains which is wise – it is just a shame we don’t have the problem more often – having to deal with deluges!"

"Sections of this road are in poor condition, and this is acknowledged by Main Roads. The most obvious section in need of repair is the (combined) approximately 4.5km of road from Musgrave Bridge heading towards Maroon that requires shoulders to be constructed  on it, so the road has a consistent width and condition from Boonah to Rathdowney. This issue is similar to one I successfully lobbied to have fixed on Lamington National Park Road near Canungra in 2017.

I have been working to see this issue fixed . In 2020, I sponsored a petition signed by hundreds of people urging government to fund these works. With the recent increase in visitors to our region, these works are even more urgent. Locals have suffered for too long with a Labor Government neglecting their roads (there is a $5 billion backlog on repairs and maintenance), but the interaction of tourists with local traffic presents an additional safety imperative.

Clearly, there needs to be an increase in roads funding and a re-prioritisation of repair funding to address these issues (which, it should be stated, exist on many other State­ controlled roads as well after such a long period of neglect by Labor). As part of a new LNP Government, I will be urging both of these things to occur."

"Based on past correspondence with Main Roads about this proposal, I am aware that Council has previously  undertaken planning for  this project some 10 years ago. However, there are no detailed designs or costings, making it difficult for a responsible public representative to commit to funding a project.

I recognise the difficulty faced by businesses and residents alike in having Tamborine Mountain's main tourism corridor double as a major traffic route. The Cook Road Bypass proposal must be advanced to a stage where the cost of it being constructed is known with certainty. If the LNP is elected, I will be seeking funding to achieve this, while ensuring that Main Roads works co-operatively with Council to progress proposals to ease pressure on Gallery Walk, including through looking at changes to parking arrangements or other alternatives."

"I understand a Gallery Walk Bypass is essential."

"An upgrade of this road is something I have been lobbying for since 2016 and it has paid off.

Main Roads has recently announced a $12 million project will commence late 2020/early 2021 to upgrade this road between Brooklands Drive, Beaudesert and the intersection of this road and Beaudesert Beenleigh Road at Tabragalba. I understand it will include addressing flooding issues at Rogers Flat .

I will keep on fighting for our fair share on Scenic Rim roads."
 

"You have addressed two of the worse flood plains which is wise – it is just a shame we don’t have the problem more often – having to deal with deluges!"

"The Salisbury to Beaudesert rail connection has been a project spoken about for too  long. We have been looking at lines on maps for too long. The Federal LNP Government has made available $10 million for the Business Case for the Salisbury to Beaudesert passenger rail project. The LNP will make this a priority by getting the Business Case up and going in the early stages of a new LNP Government."

"Passenger Rail. I strongly agree with and again locals have spoken to me about this issue. I believe this is an essential service needed for people working closer to Brisbane plus to bring employment opportunities to our youth completing school who are also going onto higher education, with TAFE or University. This service would open the door to bigger horizons especially our Scenic Rim teenagers looking to expand their skillset and have access to travel."

"It is acknowledged that public transport options are limited on Tamborine Mountain. The repeated failure of government to acknowledge the inequity of providing regular public transport to communities similar in size (or smaller) to Tamborine Mountain is something I have highlighted many times. In 2018, a large petition was sponsored by me urging the implementation of a Demand Responsive Transport trial on Tamborine Mountain.

I congratulate Tamborine Mountain Rotarians for their advocacy on this matter, and look forward to being able to draw on their well-researched options in the future. If the LNP is elected to government, I will be lobbying the new Government to implement a public transport trial for Tamborine Mountain.

In respect of the Fassifern district, in 2020- despite COVID - I have facilitated considerable engagement between Translink and the Active Community Transport (ACT) group established to lobby for better transport  options for  the area. After considerable input from  all parties, Translink's view was communicated to ACT: that, owing to the lower population density in this district, and greater distances involved, the case for regular bus services is harder to establish in the Fassifern district. However, this does not take away from the fact that many people - especially those who are older, have the need to travel for medical appointments or study/training -  struggle  with transport  at times, and this can be a significant cause of isolation and health issues. Having been a part of a number of discussions about these issues, I am determined to see the transport needs of those particular segments of the community met on a segment-by-segment basis . In my view, this is understood by the parties I have been speaking with and I look forward to continuing to advocate on their behalf to ensure transport needs are met as appropriate."

"Public Transport Bus Service is essential especially with our growing population across the Scenic Rim in our bigger towns."