GOONDIWINDI Regional Council this week welcomed Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg, who spent time in the region gaining first-hand knowledge of the condition of Queensland and federal highways.
Mr Mickelberg said the state government was focused on supporting regional Queensland.
“We are getting on with the job of putting regional communities and road infrastructure back on the priority list,” Minister Mickelberg said.
“The people of the Darling Downs region – and so many communities like them – are the backbone of key industries that drive our State’s economy.
“That’s why I’m committed to being on the ground, hearing directly from locals, and working alongside councils to understand the challenges and opportunities they face,” he said.
Goondiwindi Regional Council mayor, Lawrence Springborg, said Mr Mickelberg’s level of direct engagement was invaluable.
“We deeply appreciate Minister Mickelberg’s commitment to personally visiting our region and seeing the state of our highways for himself,” Cr Springborg said.
“We know there are millions of dollars of essential repairs needed along our critical highways, and we are grateful for his commitment to advocate federally and at state level for our highway network.
“As locals know, the poor condition of some sections of highway roads not only impacts road safety for all users but also significantly influences the productivity of agricultural and other rural enterprises and affects tourism routes,” he said.
The Goondiwindi Region is home to the busiest interstate freight route in and out of Queensland.
Minister Brent Mickelberg and mayor Lawrence Springborg inspect roads in the Goondiwindi district.
But there is an increasing trend of heavy vehicle traffic diverting onto local routes due to the deteriorating state of main highways, placing strain on infrastructure not designed for heavy loads.
Council also thanked the Queensland Government for recent and impactful funding contributions.
This includes recent works, including the widening of the Yelarbon-Keetah Road, a project that has drawn numerous compliments from the community.
During discussions, Council highlighted the opportunity for improved signage during flood events across the region.
Enhanced signage will make a significant difference in helping drivers make safer and more informed decisions during flood events.
Minister Mickelberg’s visit allowed him to travel across the region, with a focus on the Leichhardt Highway towards Yarrill Creek and the Gore Highway, providing an understanding of the challenges and opportunities.
Goondiwindi Regional Council’s portfolio holder for Roads, Jason Watts, said direct dialogue and Mr Mickelberg’s on-the-ground experience is essential to helping address the critical road infrastructure needs of our region.
“We look forward to continuing our constructive collaboration with the Queensland Government to secure the necessary investment for safer, more efficient, and more resilient roads for our entire community,” Cr Watts said.
