BYPASS PLAN SCARES INGHAM BUSINESSES
INGHAM businesses have been left “gutted” following news Transport and Main Roads is forging ahead with the Bruce Highway bypass, Hinchinbrook MP Nick says.
TMR says it will begin planning and consultation on the planned bypass between Ingham and Cardwell later this year in a bid to floodproof the flood-prone Bruce Highway.
This would effectively move the highway west of the township.
Mr Dametto said he shared the concerns of many residents and business owners who felt the bypass could be a recipe for disaster for the local economy and rural communities.
He said “$40m of federal funding is still on the table to improve flood immunity at the Gairloch washaway”.
“Not one day more of planning should take place on a bypass until this project is designed, constructed and completed,” Mr Dametto said.
“The state government has an opportunity to reduce flooding along this section of the Bruce Highway here and now, and this project is being neglected to spend time on a fix that may be 10 to 20 years away.”
Mr Dametto said Hinchinbrook never asked for the bypass.
“In my opinion, reducing critical mass flowing through our town centre would be disastrous, with the likelihood that some businesses would be forced to close; this bypass has the potential to cripple the Ingham CBD,” he said.
It has been estimated the bypass will cause the shire an economic loss of up to $6m per annum.