PRIME Minister Scott Morrison has promised jobs and road upgrades for the Redlands while on the campaign trail at Cleveland.
Mr Morrison promised $15 million towards upgrades at three intersections on Wellington Street and Panorama Drive as part of his congestion-busting infrastructure announcements.
Bowman MP Andrew Laming said the funding was the first down payment for a $60 million project.
“We’ll be asking council to contribute and turn this into the north-south arterial that Redlands needs,” Mr Laming said.
The intersections in the spotlight are at Weippin Street, Panorama Drive and Ziegenfusz Road.
Mayor Karen Williams said the upgrade of Wellington Street and Panorama Drive – including widening the road to four lanes from Boundary Road to Shore Street West – was on council’s radar.
“...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.
Mr Morrison – who has been campaigning in south-east Queensland although not having called an election date – said the federal government was working with councils on upgrades that were not only on major roads.
“...It’s about the on-ramps, it’s about the traffic lights, it’s about the right-hand turn lane,” Mr Morrison told a meet-and-greet crowd opposite Redland Hospital.
Mr Morrison said the Redlands needed investment, infrastructure and services to support a growing population.
State Labor MPs Kim Richards and Don Brown said they welcomed the funding but asked about money for main roads.
“...Given Andrew Laming’s constant outcry and campaigning about congestion on Cleveland-Redland Bay Road and its impact across Redlands city, why has he and the prime minister ignored this road?” Ms Richards said.
Mr Brown said the works were a couple of band-aids for council roads.
“Where are the big plans, where are the main roads announcements and where is the public transport funding?” Mr Brown said.
Mr Laming said the Labor government would not spend money on state roads if funds were offered by the federal government.
He said the federal government had previously committed $3.5 million to fix the roundabout at the intersection of Wellington Street and Shore Street West, which was a state road.
“...Labor refused to spend the money so we’re compelled now to work with council,” Mr Laming said.
Mr Morrison said job creation was a great success for the government and promised a further 1.25 million jobs would be created across the country.
“At the end of the day a job changes a life, a job changes a family, a job changes a community,” Mr Morrison said.
The PM said job creation would be achieved by lowering taxes, supporting small and family businesses and investing in infrastructure.
