9 October 1983
The Federal Government will spend $3 million on road works in the Cairns area this financial year.
The work will include substantial improvements along more than 100 kilometres of the Bruce Highway south of Cairns.
Specific projects include:
- reconstruction of the Bruce Highway from Liverpool Creek to Moresby ($2 million)
- construction of an access road to the new Cairns airport terminal ($ 400,000)
- reconstruction of McCoombe Street and Aumuller Street ($ 300,000)
- reconstruction and widening of Lake Street ($ 13,000)
- reconstruction and widening of Grove Street ($ 13,000)
The Federal Government has allocated a record amount of $ 272.4 million for Queensland roads this financial year, which will create about 3,000 jobs in the State.
Work on national roads will provide 140 jobs in Cairns alone.
This will in turn lead to increased spending in local communities and will be a factor in improving business activity.
The record expenditure is an increase of 51.3 per cent and includes a 60 per cent increase in allocations for local roads.
Federal funds will include an allocation of $ 65 million for the Bruce Highway this financial year.
This is a record amount.
Substantial work will continue on upgrading the Bruce Highway, including completion of the dual carriagewvy between Brisbane and Nambour.
The Federal Government sees roads as important in both economic and social development terms.
Queensland, and especially North Queensland, has special needs.
It is an area where communications are vital.
The boost in road funding to Cairns and the region implements another of the Federal Labor Party's election commitments to the people of North Queensland.
We. pointed to the urgent need to upgrade North Queensland's roads, including local roads.
Now the Federal Government is providing the funds to do that.
Other North Queensland commitments being met include special assistance to the sugar industry of $ 10 million, $ 1 million to subsidise the diesel costs to Barrier Reef island resorts, abolition of the 20 per cent sales tax on tourist vessels and a second ABC regional radio network.
Keith Wright has released a comprehensive and impressive set of policies for North Queensland.
I have no doubt he will be scrupulous in implementing those commitments. I look forward to working closely with Keith Wright as Premier to ensure Far North Queensland fully realises the enormous potential it has for growth and development.