PRIME Minister Scott Morrison has promised $21 million to upgrade intersections at Cleveland and Thornlands and on Rickertt Road.
The local works are part of a $244 million package that Mr Morrison is announcing across south-east Queensland this week.
The $21 million includes $15 million to upgrade three intersections on Panorama Drive and Wellington Street.
The remainder will be spent on safety improvements at the intersection of Rickertt and Chelsea roads, just outside the Redlands.
State MP Don Brown has slammed the announcement, saying that the upgrades to Redlands roads were “a couple of band-aids for council roads”.
Federal member for Bowman Andrew Laming said the Redlands upgrades would unclog nearby roads and improve safety.
“By working with Redland City Council to upgrade Wellington Street, we will ensure safe access to the hospital via Weippin Street and provide a high quality north south arterial that directly connects Wellington Point down to Redland Bay,” Mr Laming said.
“For two state elections, the LNP has committed to the duplication of Cleveland-Redland Bay Road, with Labor refusing.
“It is clear Labor refuses to invest in this city and that is why we are investing.”
- Roadworks on Giles Road and Cleveland-Redland Bay Road intersection complete
- Road to nowhere in Thornlands as intersection upgrade hits roadblock
- No state road upgrades for Redlands in South East Queensland Regional Plan
- Thornlands roads set for upgrade and Victoria Point bypass feasibility study to begin
Mr Brown said that Mr Laming had failed to deliver half of his road promises from the last election.
“Where are the big plans, where are the main roads announcements and where is the public transport funding?” Mr Brown said.
Mr Brown said an upgrade to the intersection of Rickertt and Chelsea roads would be wasted now as it would be ripped up when Brisbane City Council decided to do a much-needed four-lane upgrade.
Mayor Karen Williams welcomed the announcement saying that better transport infrastructure was one of residents’ biggest priorities.
“The upgrade of Wellington Street is on council’s radar and we will now look at where it sits in terms of priorities and what this funding commitment means for when the project may be delivered,” Cr Williams said.
“The SEQ Council of Mayors People Mass Movement Study released last week shows we need serious transport investment across the whole region, with the duplication of the Cleveland rail line and Eastern Busway extension to Capalaba the two priority projects for our community.”
Cr Williams said she would like the state and federal governments to work together to deliver transport projects.
She said the works also needed to align closely with any upgrade to the Redlands Hospital, which was a key priority for the Redlands Coast.
The PM has also promised a $12 million upgrade to the Newnham Road and Wecker Road intersection at Mount Gravatt, which is listed as one of the top five worst intersections in the state.
The intersection had been the site of seven serious crashes and nine serious casualties between 2014 and 2017.
Mr Morrison said the money would come from the $1 billion Urban Congestion Fund for upgrading roads and fixing trouble spots.
“Better roads get us all home faster,” Mr Morrison said.
“They make it easier to commute, easier to do business and easier to live in our cities.
“Throughout Queensland and Australia we are building roads and tackling trouble spots so you can get home sooner and safer.
“Getting stuck in traffic means you miss dinner with loved ones, or you can’t help the kids with homework, I want to give that time back to hardworking families.”
Urban Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge said the Urban Congestion Fund would deliver a more reliable road network for commuters and freight.
“This is as much about hitting those local traffic headaches as it is about the major highways and providing a safer journey home for motorists,” Mr Tudge said.
