Push to grab funds to plan a range fix
PRESSURE is mounting on the Far North’s State Labor members to act on a multibillion-dollar opportunity to resolve the region’s most frustrating road issue.
The federal government has reaffirmed to the Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (FNQROC), that $21.5m for a Kuranda Range Rd study to plan a solution, is still available, after being first announced in November 2019.
The catch – the state government must apply for it.
“It’s a no-brainer,” FNQROC chairman Michael Kerr said. “This is money to fund a study, to find the best solution to an ineffective road. I wouldn’t think it would cost $21.5m.
“Disappointingly, we’ve been unable to get all the local (state) members together for a meeting, to get them to get the ball rolling on taking this to parliament. They’ve been too busy.
“Everyone knows about the issues, so this has to happen, and we need our local state members behind the push,” he said.
Mr Kerr said there had been multiple solutions already put forward, including a range bypass road, but he said upgrades to the existing road would not be the answer.
“Doing bits and pieces to this road is not the solution, it’s not fit for purpose.
“We really do need a different road that doesn’t hamper the growth of agriculture; B-doubles can’t use this.
“It’s the main thoroughfare not just west, but also north, and without proper access, it’s slowing population growth, slowing development. You can’t grow these regions when you have to allow extra time on your main road there, just because there might be a crash,” Mr Kerr said. “It’s inexcusable in this day and age; there are 1.3 unplanned closures on that road per week.”
Mareeba Shire Council Mayor Angela Toppin echoed Mr Kerr’s calls that the current road was hindering growth of regional communities. “This road is the gateway to Cape York Peninsula, Gulf of Carpentaria and the Tablelands,” she said.
“Reliable efficient access is paramount for our industries, our communities to access health and education and reliability for our tourists.”
Kuranda resident, support worker, and frequent user of the range road Emma May said that safety was the greatest issue.
“I go up and down the road three to five times a week,” she said.
“And in the rain it becomes very dangerous. I’m in an allwheel-drive car and I’ve spun out at low speeds, and it just catches people out.
“So we really do need a detour for those situations.”
Ms May said a range bypass road sounded “awesome”, but hoped if that was the solution, there would be entry and exit points linking the new road with Kuranda.