LNP WILL BUILD A BETTER DARLING DOWNS
- The LNP has a comprehensive plan to build the infrastructure the Darling Downs needs
- Annastacia Palaszczuk has the wrong priorities and has taken the people of the region for granted
- Only the LNP will Build a Better Queensland by building the roads, bridges and dams Queenslanders need
A Tim Nicholls-led LNP Government will Build a Better Darling Downs with a comprehensive plan to tackle the cost of living, build the infrastructure the region needs and tackle out of control crime rates.
LNP Deputy Leader Deb Frecklington unveiled the plan in Toowoomba today with a major focus on building infrastructure for the region.
“Labor isn’t interested in investing in regional infrastructure and they are certainly not interested in investing in the bridge projects our state needs,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Enough is enough. This is why an LNP Government will invest $3 million to upgrade the Warrego Highway/Fairways Drive intersection, $4.5 million to upgrade the Warrego Highway Withcott Controlled intersection and $900,000 to upgrade the Forest Hill-Fernvale Road.
“Instead of sitting around talking about it, the LNP has put its money where its mouth is and will actually deliver these vital projects for our state that will create local jobs.
“Labor are certainly not interested in delivering these projects for communities across Queensland – they are more interested in building a $15 billion tunnel in Brisbane.”
LNP Candidate for Lockyer Jim McDonald said an LNP Government would improve road and pedestrian safety in Withcott.
“The LNP will invest $4.5 million to investigate and construct pedestrian connections in Withcott, which is cut by the Warrego Highway,” Mr McDonald said.
“The Withcott community is currently split by the Warrego Highway, with schools and shops on both sides.
“Upon completion of the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing an opportunity exists to reconnect the separated community.”
Mr McDonald said an LNP Government would also invest $80 million to improve and upgrade key bridges across Regional Queensland.
“An LNP Government will invest $255,000 towards reconstructing Cran Bridge/Stockyard Creek Rd in the Lockyer Valley,” Mr McDonald said.
“This program will include replacing timber bridges, safety works on existing bridges, improved signage for motorists and capacity upgrades to increase bridge load limits.
“We will also invest $4.5 million in upgrading Oakey-Cooyar Road, Bowenville-Moola Road and Oakey-Pittsworth and Warrego Highway Intersection as a part of our Beef Roads projects.
“These projects will ensure the growth of our state’s livestock and agricultural industries and facilitate the movement of cattle to ports and processing facilities.
“By beefing up our beef roads we will unlock new road freight routes for higher productivity vehicles as well as improving safety, flood and disaster resilience.”
LNP Member for Toowoomba North Trevor Watts said the LNP would tackle traffic congestion by investing $5 million for vital upgrades to bust congestion at the North and Ruthven Streets intersection.
“For too long the Toowoomba community has been stuck in traffic because Annastacia Palaszczuk has done nothing to fix congestion,” Mr Watts said.
“The LNP Government will invest $5 million to reconfigure the intersection of North Street and Ruthven Street.
“Over recent years this junction has seen significant traffic increases resulting in delays. We will build turning lanes to reduce congestion and get Toowoomba residents to work and home sooner.
“An LNP Government will also invest $3.5 million to expand the Highfields Sport and Recreation Park to provide quality and accessible sport and recreation facilities for the community now and into the future.
“We will also tackle the scourge of ICE by implementing a $52.21 million action plan to take ICE off our streets.
“As a part of this plan we will build a dedicated ICE rehab centre in Toowoomba.”
Mr Watts said the LNP would promote the Darling Downs region to interstate and international visitors through a new marketing campaign.
“An LNP Government will invest $1.5 million on a Taste Queensland campaign encouraging domestic and international tourists to visit Queensland’s unique food and wine regions,” Mr Watts said.
“We will also encourage our domestic and international visitors to take the opportunity to experience the Darling Down’s diverse agriculture opportunities and enjoy a farm stay.
“An LNP Government will plan for the future by creating a Hospital Planning Commission to deliver a Hospital Master Plan for Toowoomba.
“We need to start planning now so we can meet the demands of the growing Darling Downs community in the future.
“We will also make it easier for Toowoomba residents to work and play in other parts of the southeast by investing $2.5 million to progress a business case for a Southeast Queensland Very Fast Train network.”
Mr McDonald said the LNP would upgrade the Lowood Police Station with a $2 million investment in community safety.
“We strongly support our dedicated police officers, and believe the facilities and equipment they rely on should be maintained to the highest standards,” Mr McDonald said.
“This is why an LNP Government will invest $2 million to upgrade the Lowood Police Station.
“An LNP Government will also support local farmers by investing $1 million to help Lockyer Valley irrigators access the National Water Development Fund.
“We will also invest in Queensland’s future with a $2.5 million investment in Lockyer and Brisbane Valley schools.
“As a part of our comprehensive $2.25 million schools package, an LNP Government will air condition classrooms, refurbish buildings and purchase new equipment for eight schools in the region.”
Ms Frecklington said an LNP Government would focus on building local infrastructure and creating a safe and liveable Darling Downs.
“Queenslanders need to ask themselves if they can afford another Labor Government which has chosen to ignore the people of Darling Downs,” Ms Frecklington said.
“A vote for anyone other than the LNP will see a return of a do-nothing Labor Government which has the wrong priorities and has taken the people of the Darling Downs region for granted.
“Only the LNP will Build a Better Queensland by Building a Better Darling Downs.”
