Team work delivers significant community road project

Thursday, 20 April 2006 22:00 |

At the official opening of a $14 million federally funded road interchange project at Plainland yesterday, Federal Member for Blair, Cameron Thompson, and Leader of The Nationals in the Senate, Ron Boswell, said the project was only possible because of a co-operative approach within government. “This significant road upgrade project demonstrates what can be delivered by having members of a government – Ron Boswell and myself - working together,” Mr Thompson said. “The green light for the Plainland Interchange, featuring a 1.4 km flyover across the four lanes of the Warrego Highway, was only given after our extensive lobbying within the Government ranks to have this project prioritised in the interests of the community.” Senator Boswell said the next project in their sights was the upgrade of the Brisbane Valley Highway and Warrego Highway intersection at Blacksoil Flats just down the road. The Nationals candidate for Nanango, John Bjelke-Petersen, accompanied Ron Boswell and Cameron Thompson on an inspection of the dangerous intersection, emphasising safety concerns for passing traffic and local residents negotiating the risky intersection on a daily basis. Mr Bjelke-Petersen said that while the intersection was not in his electorate, many of his constituents from the Nanango electorate use the road regularly, particularly those from Esk and Toogoolawah. He said a seemingly simple manoeuvre of turning right from the Brisbane Valley Highway onto the Warrego Highway had become a difficult exercise for local school buses, parents, commuters and truck drivers. “The expansion of the nearby West Moreton Anglican College to around 2,000 students and staff accentuates the need for an urgent upgrade to end this dangerous dodging of traffic once and for all,” he said. “While the Federal Government has approved $1.5 million for planning for an upgrade of the intersection, the region needs Coalition Members of Parliament who can raise these important projects with their federal colleagues in Canberra and push them forward,” Mr Thompson said. “As part of a State Coalition Government, John Bjelke-Petersen will be able to represent local residents in Parliament and deliver essential infrastructure projects of this nature”. Senator Boswell said residents of Queensland, particularly those in the rural areas, are concerned about Beattie’s actions on important issues such as health, water and tree clearing. “Rather than just accepting this style of anti-bush governing, electors need to send the government a strong message on election day that they’re not happy, and vote for a Coalition team. It would make it very difficult to change the State Government without conservative seats like Nanango returning to the Coalition,” he said. Senator Boswell and Mr Thompson encouraged electors to give great thought to how they are going to vote at the next election. “If they’re happy with the Beattie Government, they should keep voting for Independents as this will deliver government back to Labor.” 21 April 2006 Contacts – Cameron Thompson (3813 0088), Ron Boswell (3001 8150), John Bjelke-Petersen (0427 143 117)