Labor promises $50m for road

TWO major Gladstone road projects will receive funding and construction to start in 2012, if the Labor Party is re-elected in the August 21 Federal election.

Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan joined Member for Flynn Chris Trevor yesterday morning to announce up to $50 million from the Regional Infrastructure fund for the final two stages of the Gladstone Port Access Road (GPAR); along with the additional $95 million for the Calliope Crossroads project reported in yesterday’s edition of The Observer.

The final two stages of the GPAR will involve an extension from Glenlyon Street to Blain Drive (Stage 2) and from Blain Drive to Red Rover Road (Stage 3).

Mr Trevor yesterday welcomed the announcements, saying both projects were vital as the region was on the cusp of a major industry and population boom.

“It (Crossroads) is one of the most dangerous intersections in the whole of Central Queensland,” he said.

Mr Trevor said the GPAR was a critical piece of infrastructure.

“This is absolutely necessary to get heavy vehicles off our local roads,” he said. “Presently we are involved in the building blocks to have the critical pieces of infrastructure in place in Gladstone.

“I will be looking at extending projects into the Banana Shire to ensure that we have all the building blocks in place to deal with this growth.

“It is something I will be working on, subject to my re-election.

“As the area grows, infrastructure has got to grow with it,” Mr Swan said.

Gladstone Regional Council acting Mayor Gail Sellers said council was delighted with the announcements.