Newsroom

September 24, 2024

State Member for Hinchinbrook, Nick Dametto, has welcomed updates from the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) on several critical projects aimed at improving road safety and flood resilience across the Hinchinbrook electorate, but has emphasised the need for continued pressure to ensure they progress without further delays.

One key project is the much-anticipated safety improvements on the Bruce Highway at Gairloch, north of Ingham. With the Australian Government committing an additional $8 million in the 2024-25 Federal Budget, the total funding for this project now sits at $48 million. TMR has awarded the detailed design tender, and work has commenced this month, with the design expected to be finalised by December 2025.

While this progress is promising, Mr Dametto stressed the importance of finalising timeframes for construction.

"The Gairloch project has been a ‘work in progress’ for the past 10 years. I’ll be pushing to make sure this new funding is put to work as soon as possible so we can deliver these much-needed safety upgrades for not only people in Hinchinbrook but those Bruce Highway users who have to navigate this treacherous stretch,” Mr Dametto said.

Dametto also noted the recent updates on the Dallachy Road flood immunity project, with an additional $7 million committed by the Queensland Government, bringing the project total to $18 million.

“The construction tender is set to be released in early December 2024, and works will be expected to commence after the 2025 wet season. This flood-prone area just to the south of Tully has been a thorn in the side for locals and truckies for too long. It’s good to see things moving forward, but I'll keep pushing until the sod is turned and the first cement is poured.”

In Townsville’s northern suburbs, Mr Dametto said the North Townsville Road (North Shore Boulevard and Shaw Road intersections) was going to continue to be one of his main priorities when parliament resumed.

“Previous Labor TMR Ministers have failed to see the urgent need for this project. Labor has failed commuters living in the northern suburbs of Townsville.

“We have just been told that preliminary planning has been completed, yet the Options Analysis has not been released to the public. Without this we cannot apply for the funding necessary to compile a business case and this is immensely frustrating heading into the October election.

“Even though TMR have indicated that further consultation with affected property owners is in the works, there has been no clear timeline set for construction. After the election, I'll be wasting no time inviting the new TMR Minister to Townsville to experience first-hand how dire the situation is.”

Photo: Nick Dametto MP at Shaw and North Shore Blvd Intersections