Plenty on our wish list
Forget roads, rates and rubbish. It’s all about roads, ranges and right now. It’s beginning to feel a lot like a Federal election … and I’m hoping that will mean many gifts now and well after Christmas. Member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch, has ramped up his appearances and support of everything since signalling his intention to run again. He’s polished his hard hat, grabbed his trusty shovel from the shed and been applying lip balm for the babykissing opportunities ahead. I hope he and all the candidates in Leichhardt and Kennedy are limbering up for an election campaign with substance next year. The Far North is certainly ready for it. Among business and civic leaders there is a real feeling of urgency. The time to get on the front foot is now so that all parties know what it is this region needs and wants.
Unfortunately FNQ hasn’t always been effective at collectively campaigning for its fair share, with its priorities a bit hit and miss or lacking in substance.
We’re a cynical mob, too, when it comes to politics.
We can ill-afford though to allow a large dose of cynicism to snuff out hope and passion.
It has been a long, hard tennis match watching State Transport Minister Mark Bailey and Mr Entsch hit base liners for what seems like an eternity on the extension of the National Highway to Smithfield.
However, the way is now clear for the Federal Government to fix peak-hour traffic congestion between Cairns and the Northern Beaches, with Mr Bailey asking the Federal Government to include it on the National Land Transport Network. The ball is firmly in Mr Entsch’s court now on this one.
Fixing the nightmare that is the daily grind of travelling between the CBD and the northern beaches is a priority but, rightly so, thousands of motorists and industry want a solution to the accident- prone Kuranda Range Rd (KRR) too. That long-term problem won’t be easy to solve. Whether it’s providing more lanes, constructing a new road or drilling a tunnel, no option will come without a huge burden in terms of cash, the environment or motorists’ sanity.
We don’t have the population or traffic numbers — yet — to catch the eyes of our city-slicker politicians on this one.
But that’s why we should be talking about a range alternative/upgrade now.
We need to ensure the KRR is working as safely and effectively as it can be and planning and pushing for a solution for the future.
More than 50 community leaders will front politicians in a Convoy to Canberra soon to put the Far North on the capital’s agenda.
The Advance Cairns plan is bold and flashy. Along with other, more quiet and methodical efforts in our community, we must ensure we keep marching to the beat of one drum with passion, purpose and accountability.
Let the thump, thump, thump grow so loud that Canberra can’t ignore us.
WE DON’T HAVE THE POPULATION OR TRAFFIC NUMBERS – YET – TO CATCH THE EYES OF OUR CITY-SLICKER POLITICIANS ON THIS ONE. BUT THAT’S WHY WE SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT A RANGE ALTERNATIVE/UPGRADE NOW.