The re-established Bruce Highway Advisory Council has met for the first time in Townsville today.
Chaired by Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Brent Mickelberg, the BHAC brings together a statewide group of stakeholders including industry experts, peak bodies and regional representatives.
The six regional representatives – selected following an expressions of interest process last month – have varied backgrounds including civil construction, heavy vehicle and transport operators, small business owners and road safety advocates.
Industry and peak bodies invited to join the BHAC are:
- RACQ
- Queensland Trucking Association
- Queensland Farmers’ Federation
- Queensland Tourism Industry Council
- Transport Workers’ Union Australia, Queensland Branch
- Local Government Association of Queensland.
Minister Mickelberg said regional input was valued and necessary to prioritise investment on the Bruce Highway.
“The Bruce Highway is the spine of Queensland’s road network and needs continued investment, which is why the Crisafulli Government has re-established the Bruce Highway Advisory Council to understand from road users the real issues,” he said.
“We made a promise to Queenslanders that the BHAC would meet before Christmas, and here we are today with peak bodies and six regional representatives in Townsville to discuss the current problems along the Bruce Highway and where investment should be prioritised.
“The Bruce Highway Advisory Council is a very important part of my portfolio and as Chair, I am committed to ensuring everyone at the table has a voice as we collectively identify priority locations to improve road safety.”
The Minister said it was essential to have regional representatives as part of the Council as their background and life experience would provide valuable insights to “life on the Bruce”.
“Labor dropped the ball when it comes to the Bruce Highway. They cut their advisory group after it met just a handful of times. We are placing far more importance on it and the need to improve road safety,” he said.
“I’m taking the fight up with the Federal Government to reinstate 80:20 funding for the national highway. It’s only fair for Queenslanders to receive the same kind of investment on their roads as other states.
“I’d like to thank the many regional Queenslanders who expressed their interest in joining the Bruce Highway Advisory Council – it proves how passionate the regions are and the need for this representation in the council.”
Keppel Sands local Eleanor Butler is representing Central Queensland on the BHAC, after her mother was significantly injured in a car crash on the Bruce Highway in 2020.
“I’ve lived in the region for 40 years and I know the Bruce like the back of my hand. I strongly believe upgrades to the highway should be top priority to drastically improve road safety,” she said.
Fellow regional representative, owner of heavy haulage provider Notrans Kent Battle from Townsville wants to be a strong voice for locals and the industry as a whole.
“I have drivers taking backroads instead of the Bruce because they feel it is safer, even though is takes longer. I want to change that,” he said.
