Bert Van Manen (Forde, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The population of South-East Queensland is expected to grow by up to 2.2 million people by 2046, and yet we see this government putting critical infrastructure in our region on the backburner. The coalition understands how vital infrastructure is in supporting the growth of our communities. It's why, in the 2022 election, the coalition committed $55 million to the upgrade of exit 38 on the M1 at Yatala. The member for Fadden sitting next to me would well know how important that is. Disappointingly federal Labor failed to see the importance of this project and refused to match the funding for it. I've since written to the Prime Minister, the Treasurer and the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, highlighting the need to continue to fund these vital projects for our growing communities.

The 90-day review is at day 130 plus, somewhere in the minister 's office, and we're at risk of losing upgrades to Chambers Flat Road between Park Ridge Road and Derby Road, to High Road and Easterly Street at Waterford, and to the Beaudesert Beenleigh Road to Milne Street section—just to name a few. They're now uncertain. I'm calling on the government to make clear their plans for the future infrastructure projects in our rapidly growing communities, to put our communities at ease and deliver the infrastructure they so desperately need.