Colin Boyce (Flynn, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wish to raise my concern with the Queensland Labor government's Department of Transport and Main Roads, including lack of planning, funding shortfalls and delays. The former member for Flynn, Mr Ken O'Dowd, secured $100 million for access to the port of Gladstone project to provide an alternative route for heavy vehicles accessing the port of Gladstone. This has still not been done. With Gladstone being identified as a future renewables hub, is the government prepared? There are four bridges in the Gladstone area that have oversized load and weight restrictions on them. These bridges need to be repaired and present huge logistical problems for the proposed multibillion dollar alternative and renewable energy projects in Central Queensland.

On top of this, lack of funding for road infrastructure has already been clearly identified by the Auditor-General's report, with a projected $9 billion shortfall. Bridge and culvert refurbishment and road resheeting are operating at under 20 per cent of their budget need. We then have continual roadwork delays. Lawrie Street in Gracemere in my electorate of Flynn is a prime example, with this project taking over a year to date. Yet the government still has little regard for the businesses that are struggling to keep their doors open, denying them any form of compensation. It is quite evident that the Queensland Labor government are not interested in addressing the logistical problems associated with their renewable and alternative energy proposals.