Newsroom

January 24, 2025

The population surge in Townsville’s northern suburbs continues to create traffic chaos for daily commuters prompting Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Deputy Leader and Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto to launch the latest parliamentary petition to Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Minister Brent Mickelberg to prioritise and expedite the planning, design, and construction of critical upgrades along the Woolcock Street corridor.

Mr. Dametto, who has been lobbying the State Government since 2019 to address this issue, said frustrated residents and road users were desperate for action.

“The stretch from Veales Road intersection to the Ingham Road intersection is at capacity,” Mr Dametto said.

“People living in and commuting through Townsville’s northern suburbs have dealt with the frustrations of this congested road for far too long.

“The new LNP government and TMR must urgently realise that redeveloping the road infrastructure along this stretch is key to opening up new housing developments in the north.

“The previous Labor administration never prioritised this project. I’d be surprised if the previous TMR Minister knew where this section of road was and I am hopeful that with a fresh set of eyes the current Minister will look at this differently.”

Burdell resident and Townsville City Council Division 2 Councillor Brodie Phillips shared the frustrations of northern suburbs residents who have endured years of congestion.

“For years the State Government and TMR have neglected to plan and future proof the road infrastructure in this area despite being aware of the master planned communities and population growth,” Cr Phillips said.

“This will be more than an upgrade, the whole section from Veales Road to the Ingham Road intersection will need to be redeveloped including pedestrian and cycling routes, a raised Bohle River bridge going northbound and flyovers.”

Residents who want to support this initiative can help by signing and sharing the online petition that can  be found here: https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Petitions/Petition-Details?id=4200

Photo: Local resident Nathan Earsman with Nick Dametto MP and Cr Brodie Phillips at a meeting about the much-needed Woolcock Street redevelopment.