News
8 October, 2024
State Government Election 2024: Nanango
Candidate question: Five key issues in the Somerset region include fixing the Brisbane Valley Highway, opening up Wivenhoe Dam to recreational and sporting pursuits ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, investing in fire ant fighting at a local level, investing in public safety along and in the Mid-Brisbane River, and committing to water security by investing in the Lockyer Valley and Somerset Water Collaborative. Will you commit to upgrading the Brisbane Valley Highway? How would you address the issues?
Deb Frecklington - Liberal National Party
Brisbane Valley Highway
I have been advocating for action to address the Brisbane Valley Highway for many years, and its inclusion at number Four in the Top 10 of RACQ’s Most Unroadworthy Roads comes as no surprise.
The Brisbane Valley Highway is one of our major connecting routes, bringing produce and freight from inland areas to coastal centres.
Our community use this road every day to access health services, get their kids to school and travel to work.
Sadly, people continue to lose their lives on this dangerous road. Surely they deserve to be able to get to their destination safely.
Traffic counts conducted on the Highway show a definite increase in road usage with a 15.9% increase on the section just north of Esk and a 17.6% increase at Toogoolawah since 2019.
An LNP will be investing $20million to upgrade the Brisbane Valley Highway between Blacksoil and Esk.
Opening up Wivenhoe Dam to recreational and sporting pursuits
It was an LNP Government that first opened-up Wivenhoe Dam in 2013 to more recreational access.
I fought for these changes at the time, because former Labor Governments had ignored the recreational and sporting potential of Wivenhoe.
Further opening up of the Dam to more recreational opportunities is something I support and I will continue to work with the SeqWater and the Somerset Regional Council on realising these opportunities.
Fire Ants
The LNP have announced an additional $50million investment in biosecurity to tackle emerging threats, including fire ants.
The investment will bolster our frontline workforce with 100 additional staff within the Department of Agriculture including new stock inspectors, vets, agronomists, research and development and AgTech specialists.
This funding will also help us strengthen the fire ant response after Labor’s bungled management of the Fire Ant Eradication Program.
An LNP Government will act quickly to ensure this program is properly governed and key recommendations implemented.
Public Safety along the Brisbane River
The proper management of the mid-Brisbane River to better address ongoing issues such as illegal dumping, anti-social behaviour and other illegal activities is important for public safety and environmental impacts.
The State Government can’t keep relying on the Somerset Regional Council to clean up this problem.
Water Security including the Lockyer Valley and Somerset Water Collaborative
The LNP values water security for Queenslanders, in particular for our irrigators, who rely on access to water in what is one of our State’s most important food bowls.
We know that an investment in water infrastructure is not only an investment in agriculture, but an investment in hope, growth and jobs for the region.
An LNP Government will work closely with the Lockyer Valley and Somerset Water Collaborative as we progress water security in this state.
Angus Ryan - The Greens
While the Greens are committed to balanced and sustainable infrastructure investment, it’s critical that our state’s highway network is safe — especially for the truckers that keep Queensland moving. Making sure our major highways meet safety standards needs to come before big infrastructure boondoggles that cost billions.
Politicians love to make big pronouncements to give big infrastructure money to swing electorates every election to buy votes — while ignoring safe seats like Nanango.
The Greens will make sure every project everywhere gets equal consideration on their merits, but the sad truth is that the best way to make sure projects in your local area get funded is by making the major parties sweat.
On water infrastructure, the major parties have neglected investment in water for years.
Queensland faces these boom and bust cycles — crushing droughts followed by destructive floods and back again — and all the investment gets announced to combat one and quietly get cut when the next comes around.
Remember how many of the Millenium Drought water saving programmes never got finished? With climate change bringing longer droughts, worse floods and more severe heat waves, we can’t continue this unsustainable cycle.
We need to massively upgrade our water infrastructure that can handle both wet and dry seasons while still ensuring there’s enough water for farmers and towns alike.
Recreational boating, fishing and watercraft should be encouraged sustainably in our waterways — provided that’s balanced with protecting our precious riparian environments and the sensitive ecosystems that thrive on our riverbanks.
One of the best ways we can do that is making sure we maintain and upgrade boat ramps, campsites and emergency access points along our rivers, creeks and lakes.
The Greens are proud to support outdoor recreation and the sustainable, active enjoyment of our natural environment.
We support government land and water managers to provide and manage spaces, infrastructure and opportunities for outdoor activities to cater for demand.
This management must include taking a precautionary approach to the impact of such activities on our natural disasters — especially flood risks along the Brisbane River.
Jason Miles - Independent
I am running as an independent candidate because I am frustrated with politicians voting along party lines instead of representing the people’s will. As an independent, my sole focus is on serving the electorate’s needs. Through conversations with residents spanning from Esk to Kilkivan, I pinpointed 8 crucial issues during my campaign. One of the issues that corresponds with your concerns is road infrastructure. Many other topics from your email also fit into these 8 priorities. Independents have a unique advantage when neither major party has a clear majority. Historical examples like Peter Wellington. Liz Cunningham and Dorothy Pratt show the impact independents can have on their electorates and Queensland’s governance. Independents vote based on what the people want, not the party. How will I fund these initiatives? I propose cancelling the Olympic Games. Victoria is in a world of financial pain and did the right thing by cancelling the Games. Victoria’s debt is $32K per person. How does Queensland’s debt compare? $31.6K per person. Almost the same. Queensland will reach $171 billion in debt in the next year or two. The Games are estimated to cost $9BN, but history shows that this number will blow out, as seen with the 2000 Sydney Games, and the economy was doing a lot better back then. Meanwhile, Australians are struggling with high costs of living, worsened by both Labor and LNP policies. We have people living in tents and cars. The priority should be the people, not Games. Redirecting Olympic funds toward immediate needs such as homeless, roads, policing, youth programs, and combating domestic violence would have a direct positive impact on our electorate. We must also address Queensland’s debt, which incurs $21 million in daily interest. I would work with other independents and minor parties to push the government of the day to prioritise actual solutions, not just promises and handouts funded by further debt. If we don’t act now, our electorate and our state will remain far short of its potential. The can has been kicked far enough. It needs someone to say, “Enough is enough. We cannot leave this for the kids of tomorrow to fix. This happened on our watch and we need to fix it.” That person is me.
Adam Maslen - One Nation
I am fully committed to upgrading the Brisbane Valley Highway. This is an essential step to ensure the safety and connectivity of our region. As our population grows and more people move through our area, we need infrastructure that supports safe and efficient travel. An upgraded highway will not only reduce accidents but also improve economic opportunities by ensuring better access for businesses, farmers, and locals alike.
Yes, while the Olympics is certainly a massive project that will strain state funds and we didn’t ask for it, the reality is that it’s here. Our region must take full advantage of this opportunity. By opening up Wivenhoe Dam for recreational and sporting use, we can ensure Somerset benefits from increased tourism and local activity. The long-term positives are clear: it will boost our economy, give locals more access to outdoor activities, and help put Somerset on the map for future visitors.
Let me be very clear—fire ants are a serious threat. These pests can devastate our environment, our agriculture, and even endanger the safety of our families. I’ve heard from countless constituents about how fire ants are already causing issues in their daily lives. Unfortunately, these rural concerns are often ignored by the major parties. Australia should adopt a more cohesive approach and look at locally developed solutions that are proven specifically for fire ants.
Yes, ensuring safety along and within the Brisbane River is a prime concern. We need to look at better safety infrastructure, from improved signage and barriers to regular monitoring of river conditions. The river is a lifeline for many of our communities, but it also presents risks— especially during flood seasons.
Water security is absolutely critical for our region and much of Queensland. Regional areas like Somerset have been crying out for sustainable water solutions for years. Yet, successive governments—whether Labor or Liberal—have failed to take meaningful action. Projects that would secure our water supply have been delayed or neglected. It’s not just about today, it’s about ensuring our farmers, families, and businesses have a stable future with access to this essential resource.
I will continue to lobby hard to make sure Somerset is represented in the planning and funding for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. We can’t afford to be overlooked when it comes to infrastructure upgrades. I will not rest until we get our fair share.
