$1.4 million to extend Kay McDuff Drive

A re-elected Coalition Government will invest $1.4 million to support the extension of Kay McDuff Drive to the Bundaberg Ring Road.

Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt announced the funding with Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester in Bundaberg today.

Mr Pitt said the project would provide ease of access for 25m B-Doubles from the industrial area of Bundaberg to the freight network.

He said the current route utilises local roads and allows for 23m B-Doubles only.

“This project has been on the radar of the local community for some time and it is something I have advocated for in Canberra,” Mr Pitt said.

“Data collected indicates that more than 6,200 vehicles, including more than 320 heavy vehicles, use the current route every day.

“This extension will provide opportunities to direct traffic away from one of the largest high schools of the district – Shalom College which has around 1,500 students – onto the Bundaberg Ring Road.

“As such, this project is expected to deliver vehicle savings of $15.3 million over 25 years.”

“These upgrades are very welcome and if re-elected I will also be seeking further Commonwealth funds to improve our local road network.

“I’ll also be making sure that we never see a resurgence of Labor’s failed road safety tribunal which was simply setup to increase union membership and union power.”

“Funding that was set aside for the tribunal is now being re-directed to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and I will be engaging with local operators on what practical safety practical safety initiatives they would like rolled out.”

Mr Chester said construction on the project would commence later this year and would be completed in early 2017.

“The project will be carried out as part of the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme and will be jointly funded by the Bundaberg Regional Council,” Mr Chester said.

“The Coalition is committed to working with the heavy vehicle industry and getting on with the job of providing safer and more productive freight network.

“A competitive freight industry supports jobs and growth in our primary industries and there are flow-on safety benefits from these upgrades for all road users.”

The Coalition extended funding for the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Programme as part of the 2016/17 Budget, ensuring that $40 million is spent delivering projects on an annual basis from 2019/20.