Cooroy to Curra Section A plans at last - more than a year late
10th November, 2011
Federal Transport Minister, Anthony Albanese, has finally authorized the release of the proposed design for Section A of the Cooroy to Curra upgrade of the Bruce Highway, more than a year after it was due to be made available for public comment, Federal Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss said today.“The plans for Section A were sent to the Federal Government in August last year and the design was supposed to be released for public comment shortly after. After waiting nearly 15 months, the Section A design will finally be revealed on 23 November,” Mr Truss said.
“We will soon have a plan for Section A, but we are still waiting for funding and a timetable for the project to be constructed,” Mr Truss said.
“The Gillard Labor Government stripped over $100 million from the Cooroy to Curra upgrade in its 2011-12 Budget. These funds could have been used for an immediate start on building the Section A project.
“The Highway has to be fixed and it must be a high priority. Mr Albanese knows how treacherous the Cooroy to Curra section of the Highway is but he persistently refuses to nominate starting dates for the remaining sections of the Cooroy to Curra upgrade, including Section A.
“The Gillard Labor Government is now a year and a half behind its already delayed schedule and must act quickly.”
Mr Truss called on Mr Albanese to match the Liberal and National Parties commitment to complete the Cooroy to Curra upgrade by 2020.
The Section A project will extend the four lane Highway from south of Cooroy to Sankeys Road.
Mr Truss encouraged the local community to take advantage of the opportunity to see the proposed designs which will be open from 23 November to 30 November at the following locations:
• The Cooroy Library
• The Gympie Regional Library
• Federal Memorial Hall
• Pomona & District Community House
The display at the Cooroy Library will be staffed by officers from the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads between 3.00pm and 5.30pm from 23 November to 25 November and from 9.00am to 12.00pm on 26 November.
There have been come community concerns about earlier proposals for the road design, especially surrounding the Cudgerie interchange and Pomona and Cooroy exits. This display will give the community the opportunity to be sure they are satisfied with the latest plans.
