Moreton Bay council is pushing the Queensland Government to fast-track planning and funding for the Bruce Highway Western Alternative project.
Mayor Peter Flannery said on Wednesday (April 1) that he wanted a “solid commitment” from government to solve their traffic chaos.
“It might be April Fool’s Day but the only joke we want to talk about is that the Bruce Highway Western Alternative won’t be delivered for another 15 years!” he said.
“The congestion on the Bruce Highway in Moreton Bay is no laughing matter.”
Flannery says their top budget choice is for funding to fast-track the Western Alternative’s construction by nine years to 2032.
“The real tragedy is we foresaw this,” he says, claiming they are the fastest growing city in South East Queensland and third largest council in Australia with population of 1 million people by 2056.
“The Bruce Highway starts in Moreton Bay and is a carpark every day of the week,” he says.
“We’ve been talking about this Bruce Highway disaster for years yet still there is no real action and our residents are calling for a fair return on the taxes they pay.”
UNCERTAINTY FOR COUNCIL
Flannery says years of delays, talk and failed promises have caused uncertainty for planners and investors.
He says the Western Alternative is essential for future Waraba and Elimbah housing residents.
“The state mandates that we add more housing across our city under the SEQ Regional Plan. Almost single-handedly, we are solving the local housing crisis with our greenfield sites so we’re certainly happy to do that heavy lifting but how do people get around?” Flannery asks.
“Our road networks are already congested with people fleeing the chaos of the Bruce Highway yet we’re expected to take more traffic without serious investment? This will stuff up our traffic network to the point of standstill.”
Flannery is calling for clear decisions and timelines from government.
“Moreton Bay (council) is happy to work constructively with the state. We have a proven reputation … we want proper consultation and action to ensure our city’s traffic network and plans for future housing and jobs don’t grind to a halt.”
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