Wendy Bourne MP, State Member for Ipswich West, has responded to comments made by the Minister for Transport, Brent Mickelberg on 27 November regarding Ipswich West’s stalled infrastructure projects along the Warrego Highway, namely the Bremer River Bridge Reinforcement.
Ms Bourne rejected Minister Mickelberg’s claim that “[The LNP is] investing $85 million to strengthen the [Bremer River] Bridge’s steel girders without closing it – avoiding traffic chaos.”
“The idea that the Minister has taken any real action to avoid traffic chaos is laughable. I defy the Minister to ask any of the 30,000 people crawling over the bridge daily if they think chaos has been avoided. He’ll no doubt get his answer quickly.” Ms Bourne said.
The Warrego Highway is Queensland’s principal east-west freight route, moving over $19 billion in freight annually, and passing through three major infrastructure projects that have remained stalled for years.
She also highlighted a clear contradiction between the Minister’s public statements and the position of his own department. While the Minister asserted that the LNP was “acting” and “delivering” on the project, the Department of Transport and Main Roads remains unable to provide a timeframe for the works.
“How can the Minister speak so boldly about delivering this project when his own department is still no closer to confirming a timeframe after a full year in office?” she said.
Ms Bourne said she understands the frustration felt by local residents and industry, who have been neglected by this government for too long.
“No wonder people are frustrated. Our community deserves better than delays, excuses, and political spin.” Ms Bourne said
“We’re not talking about a small piece of infrastructure: 30,000 vehicles cross this bridge every single day, and $19 billion in freight moves through the Warrego yearly. This is a vital entry point into Queensland’s fastest-growing region and principal east–west freight route. If these cracks had been discovered on a bridge in Brisbane, they would have been fixed years ago.”
She called on the Minister to take responsibility for the project rather than shifting blame along party lines.
“At some point the Minister needs to stop blaming the previous government and start taking responsibility. You’ve been the Minister for a year: this is your department now.”
For media enquiries, please contact Ipswich.west@parliament.qld.gov.au
