- Bruce Highway Advisory Council delivers 12 months of critical road safety programs for Queensland's spine - the Bruce Highway.
- Final meeting of the year held in Mackay to discuss achievements and future Bruce Highway priorities.
- Seven new projects for Mackay-Whitsundays included in the latest round of the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments historic $9 billion Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland's future by building the roads and infrastructure needed for a growing population.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering a safer and more reliable Bruce Highway for regional Queensland, as the re-established Bruce Highway Advisory Council holds its final meeting of the year in Mackay to map out future road safety upgrades.
The group, made up of representatives from peak industry bodies, government and regional community members from across the State, has met three times since being reestablished by the Crisafulli Government.
The Bruce Highway Advisory Council has played a key role in informing priorities for the historic $9 billion investment into the Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program (BHTSP), to boost road safety up the spine of Queensland.
The meeting follows the recent announcement of more than $500 million for 22 new projects along high-risk sections of the Bruce Highway north of Gympie under the latest round of the BHTSP.
Seven of the new upgrades will be delivered in the Mackay Whitsundays region and follows an upgrade completed between Bowen and Ayr as part of the BHTSP early works package.
These works are the result of the historic 80:20 funding agreement for the Bruce Highway struck between the Crisafulli and Albanese Governments with BHAC providing important advocacy on the priorities that matter most.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Brent Mickelberg acknowledged the Council's significant contributions to improving the Bruce Highway.
"It is a pleasure to be here in Mackay working with the Bruce Highway Advisory Council in our last meeting for the year - we're well on road to delivering the Bruce Highway Queenslanders deserve," Minister Mickelberg said.
"We're focusing today on the Bruce Highway Fatigue Management Strategy, which will help inform priority locations where rest areas may be required on the Bruce.
"The regional representatives of the Bruce Highway Advisory Council have provided valuable input over the past 12 months, and I thank them for their work."
Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton welcomed members of the Bruce Highway Advisory Council to Mackay.
"The re-establishment of the Bruce Highway Advisory Council by the Crisafulli Government was a game-changer for regional Queensland, giving a voice to communities about where the priority projects are," Mr Dalton said.
"Our region is already benefiting from key safety improvements brought about by the Crisafulli and Albanese Governments historic Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program, and that's only set to continue."
Member for Whitsundays Amanda Camm said the Bruce Highway was a lifeline for North Queenslanders.
"The Bruce Highway is relied upon by so many local families and businesses, yet it can be such a dangerous stretch of road," Ms Camm said.
"The re-establishment of the Bruce Highway Advisory Council has been critical because it gives our communities a voice in shaping upgrades that will save lives and keep our region connected."
Member for Mirani Glen Kelly said more than 400 kilometres of the Bruce Highway ran through his electorate.
"The Bruce is not like any other highway, it's the key corridor that keeps this state moving, and is depended upon by millions of Queenslanders every day," Mr Kelly said.
"We've re-established this Bruce Highway Advisory Council because we care about regional Queenslanders, who know this route better than most, and want them to input into how we can improve the Bruce in the short and long term."
