Ring Road battle heads out on the highway

A ‘Start Rockhampton Ring Road' convoy has hit the road after a community rally at Yaamba Rd, Parkhurst today. A local industry group kicked off the campaign after Budget support was pulled from the $1 billion-plus project, with the Federal Government stating that it could not be delivered in the expected timeframe after a $700 million blow-out in the expected cost. SMW Group chief executive officer Jack Trenaman said the group had stops planned in Brisbane, in Sydney for the Paul Murray Live show and at Parliament House in Canberra. "At the end of the day it's not about us, it's about the greater Rockhampton region," he said. "At some stage, considering the contribution of Central Queensland with coal royalties and certainly the GST collection around agriculture here, we just want the fair share that's taken out of this region returned to this region. "And then by returning it, get Rockhampton Ring Road started in 2023. "There has to be budget cuts, that's fine. But take them out of somebody else's budget because we're starved in the region every year when it comes to budgets." Mr Trenaman said the campaigners had limited the convoy to half a dozen vehicles bearing the ‘Start Rockhampton Ring Road – Stop the Politics’ message. "That's a big enough statement. We certainly don't want to disrupt any of the road traffic anywhere that we are going. That's not what we're about." With Shoalwater Bay Defence facilities construction work and the Rookwood Weir project happening in the region now, he said hundreds of workers would be ready to take on Ring Road work in the original timeframe. "So the commentary around a severe skill shortage in this area is absolute rubbish," he said. "And if we don't have the extra $700 million for this project, we just want the first $1.1 billion spent on the Southern and Northern Access until they can find the funding for the bridge. "...There's enough work there with the current agreed and committed and promised federal funding and state funding just to get this job up and going and keep all those people gainfully employed for the next four and a half to six years. All we ask is that all levels of government keep their promise." Advance Rockhampton executive manager Greg Bowden said businesses across Rockhampton had been gearing up for the project, buying equipment and employing staff to ensure the city had a shovel-ready workforce. “There are no winners with this delay and local industry are the ultimate losers, now out of pocket and wondering what their next big project will be,” he said. “I commend local industry leaders for acting swiftly in response to the delay. “A project of this magnitude does not come around often, especially in regional Queensland. The Rockhampton Ring Road was slated to bring almost 800 new jobs. It would have changed our community forever with the economic benefits worth tens of millions. “A construction timeline is ultimately needed, and it’s needed now.”

Ring Road battle heads out on the highway

Industry Queensland

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