Member for Scenic Rim says Labor has lost the plot and lost control when it comes to maintaining the State’s road network, including many Scenic Rim roads.
Under questioning by the LNP in Parliament, the Labor administration has revealed the backlog of maintenance on State-controlled roads is over $5.85 billion – more than 3 times the cost of the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing – and has increased by $400 million in just one year.
“Locals in Scenic Rim know the Government has lost control of the road maintenance backlog – and have known for a long time because of all the problems on our roads that are simply not fixed, or not fixed fast enough.”
“Whether its potholes on Tamborine Mountain, dangerous conditions on Beaudesert Nerang Road or Boonah Rathdowney Road, or the roller-coaster like trip on some parts of the Mount Lindesay Highway, Cunningham Highway or Boonah Ipswich Road – everywhere you go, there are issues to be fixed, and some very long-term issues too.”
Mr Krause is calling on the Government to fund road maintenance to stop the backlog growing even greater.
“Remember, this $5.85 billion backlog is just maintenance – it doesn’t even touch on new projects, or upgrades that are needed at places like Harper’s Crossing on Mt Alford Road or the Coulson crossing of Teviot Brook on Boonah Beaudesert Road.”
“For road safety, and for the sake of local jobs that depend on getting around efficiently, we need to stop the backlog rot.”
“I’m constantly battling Main Roads to get more funding into our region, and will continue to stand up for our roads and road safety, but the Government has a job to do here and that is to put more funding into the network to stop the rot.”
Mr Krause said his constant fighting for Scenic Rim roads had seen work brought forward on Beaudesert Nerang Road at Tabragalba, Boonah Beaudesert Road near Crows Creek, and the Mount Lindesay Highway at Laravale, together with the upcoming 4-lane project between Stoney Camp Road and Chambers Flat Road on the northern part of the Mount Lindesay Highway.
“I’ll keep fighting for our fair share, getting in the Government’s ear to plan for interchanges at Jimboomba, and improvements to many other parts of the road network to make them safer and more efficient.”
“First things first, and the Government should stop the rot and fund maintenance, so we stop going backwards when it comes to roads and road safety.”