News
23 October, 2024
LNP says no to highway
The LNP has pledged to scrap two controversial highway routes proposed by the Labor Government if elected this weekend.
LNP leader David Crisafulli, along with Glass House MP Andrew Powell and Pumicestone LNP candidate Ariana Doolan, met with about 40 locals at Elimbah Soldiers Memorial Hall on October 18, reaffirming their commitment to abandoning the plans.
Mr Crisafulli acknowledged the shock caused by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) announcement last Christmas, which proposed a motorway through local towns, affecting hundreds of homes. “I know what’s been happening in the last 12 months; I’ve seen the fight and the spirit,” he said.
“Communities matter, and small communities matter. If a community loses what makes it special, you don’t get that back — and that’s what this Stage 4 threatens to do.” He criticized the consultation process, calling it “conditioning,” and stated: “The government has made a decision and tried to force you to accept it. We will go back to the drawing board, but two things are non-negotiable: you will be listened to, and the proposed routes will not be on the table.”
The two routes, part of Stage 4 of the Bruce Highway Western Alternative (BHWA), have faced strong opposition, with over 800 submissions and a petition of more than 9,000 signatures. TMR has not yet confirmed whether the routes will be scrapped, with an update expected by February 2025.
Mr Crisafulli reiterated that if elected, the LNP would abandon the routes and direct TMR to explore alternatives, aiming to give residents certainty before Christmas.
Resident Jason Smith expressed his satisfaction with the LNP’s support for the community, calling it “more than just self-service.”
“Any identified future routes would need to minimise impacts on housing and agriculture and provide a long-term, sustainable solution that is generational proof,” he said.
