Newsroom

May 21, 2025

A petition backed by 2,643 Queenslanders has been officially tabled in the Queensland Parliament, calling on the State Government to prioritise and expedite the planning, design, and construction of critical Bruce Highway and Woolcock Street corridor upgrades through Townsville’s Northern Suburbs.

Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto MP welcomed the tabling of the petition and said the strong public support demonstrated the urgency of addressing the traffic bottlenecks and safety concerns that are stifling growth in one of Townsville’s fastest-growing regions.

“This petition sends a message to the Transport and Main Roads Minister that the people of the Northern Suburbs are fed up with daily congestion, inadequate infrastructure, and the ongoing vulnerability of the Lower Bohle River Bridge,” Mr Dametto said.

“Every time the Bohle River floods, the northbound bridge is shut down and traffic is forced to merge into one lane in each direction on the southbound bridge. Even in perfect weather, this section of road can’t handle the volume during peak times. It’s a choke point that’s holding growth in northern Townsville back.

“Beyond the Bohle River, Woolcock Street leading out to Veales Road is already over capacity, with daily traffic chaos at intersections including Shaw Road, North Shore Boulevard, Garland Road, Deeragun Road, Wagner Street, and Mount Low Parkway.

“That’s why I’ve continued pushing for a full-scale re-design and upgrade of this vital stretch of highway. This must include additional lanes, flyovers, dedicated bike paths, a pedestrian bridge connecting Burdell and Deeragun, and crucially, the raising of the northbound Bohle River Bridge.

“An Options Analysis has already been completed on the proposed upgrade, although this is yet to be made public. What we do know is that $20 million for a business case is needed to continue progressing this project.

“I’ve written to the Treasurer ahead of the 2025–26 State Budget to make sure this important funding need is not overlooked. The Northern suburbs are a key part of Townsville’s future, and if the government is serious about building more houses and growing our state, this project must be a priority.”

The Minister responsible is expected to publish a formal response to the petition within four weeks