Ipswich Motorway
Friday, 23 February 2007 10:00
Many residents have become increasingly frustrated and angry about the failure to resolve a decision in relation to the Ipswich Motorway.
My strongly held position and that of the majority of local residents is clearly that the existing Ipswich Motorway should be upgraded as soon as possible. Its present state is absolutely unacceptable.
Any concerns about the future capacity of the upgraded road could clearly be adequately dealt with by reserving an alternative corridor for future use.
Clearly the faster and cheaper alternative of an upgrade, the alternative also supported by the Queensland Main roads department, should be the preferred option and I strongly urge the State & Federal Governments to quickly reach agreement and rapidly advance the upgrade for the benefit and safety of the many Queenslanders who use this road.
The treatment of local residents whose lives have been left in limbo by the numerous alternative proposals floating around without any decision being made is unacceptable. Clearly they have a right to be angry and frustrated.
Whilst we accept that the infrastructure needs urgent upgrading, this should be done with respect for the rights and lives of residents. The now many years of uncertainty and the ongoing lack of a definitive answer has stressed, inconvenienced and cost many local residents far more than it ought to have.
I join with local residents in urging the State and Federal Government to resolve this matter immediately. There is no additional information expected to come to light that would change the decision.
It is now time to agree and get on with providing this upgraded infrastructure, while at the same time, give fair treatment to long suffering local residents who have lived with this uncertainty now for too many years.
I have again and will continue to strongly lobby the State and Federal Ministers responsible on behalf of local residents.