Noosa to Cooloola Coast road - $10 million committed
6th November, 2007
Federal Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss, announced today that a re-elected Coalition Government will contribute $10 million under the AusLink Strategic Regional Roads Programme towards the cost of upgrading the Noosa to Cooloola Coast RoadMr Truss said a key element of the AusLink Strategic Regional Programme is to build better roads between regional communities.
“I am delighted to announce Australian Government funding for this project which involves the upgrading of the sub-standard gravel road to a new, sealed road link.
“This project has been a high priority for the Cooloola Coast over a number of years and there is strong support from regional councils, tourism groups and the community.
Mr Truss said the upgrading of the road will provide a new tourist drive between the Sunshine Coast and the Cooloola Coast and will provide travellers with an alternative to the busy Bruce Highway. The project will provide a vital inter-regional link from the Sunshine Coast to the Cooloola Coast and to the Fraser Coast.
“This project will enhance the tourism industry’s competitiveness through the connection of tourist attractions along the coastline. The project will open up the hinterland and encourage visitors to see more of what the region has to offer.
Mr Truss said the Australian Government funding contribution will be provided under the AusLink Strategic Regional Programme funding guidelines and will require other Governments to also contribute to the project.
The Queensland Government has provided for the project in its long term planning and has indicated an interest in bringing money forward if Australian Government funding is forthcoming. Local councils lodged an application for federal funding for the project under this programme last year.
Mr Truss said Labor has made no commitment to regional roads and has instead indicated an intention to divert rural road funding to capital city projects especially in Sydney.
ENDS
