CQ ROC meeting brings talks of region’s future potential to Emerald

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport, Scott Buchholz today met with Mayors from the Central Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (CQROC) and visited the CQ Inland Port, at Emerald.

Mr Buchholz said the Morrison Government’s 10-year, $110 billion nation-wide Infrastructure Investment Program which is underway across Australia, was delivering upgrades and jobs in Central Queensland.

“As Assistant Minister, I appreciate the opportunity to get out and connect with regional communities, with local Mayors and the industries critical to our economy. We need every part of Queensland, every industry firing, for our economic recovery and the Morrison Government is investing to make that happen here in Central Queensland.

Mr Buchholz said the CQROC was a productive meeting of councils and industry from Gladstone in the East, through to Central Highlands in the West, and everywhere in between.

“These local representatives are here on the ground, they know their people and industries firsthand, they hear their experiences and they drive the same roads that carry the cattle and move the resources.

“It was clear from the attendees here today and discussions on Thursday that they are delighted with the Morrison Government’s extensive investment in Central Queensland road transport. Through programs such as the Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI), Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program and Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program,” Mr Buchholz said.

The Morrison Government’s significant $1 billion commitment towards the Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) Initiative in Queensland was also a hot topic of discussion, following Assistant Minister Buchholz successful second round of consultations recently undertaken with local mayors in Townsville.

Federal Member for Flynn, Ken O’Dowd said under the Liberal and Nationals, Central Queensland freight roads were being improved and transport hubs upgraded.

“The CQ Inland Port was developed with funding by the Morrison-McCormack Government, with $2.9 million in upgrades to enhance connectivity through an intermodal freight terminal.

“Programs such as ROSI are about improving freight productivity, connecting agricultural and mining regions to ports, airports and other transport hubs and communities to services.

“Strategic investments on ROSI corridors are delivering works such as road sealing, flood immunity, strengthening and widening, and other projects like the Biloela Heavy Vehicle Bypass,” Mr O’Dowd said.

Mayor of the Central Highlands, Cr Kerry Hayes welcomed Mr Buchholz visit and noted the strong partnership between the Federal Government Council.

Central Highlands Regional Council was able to share their strategic road priorities with Minister Scott Buchholz who was in the region for the Central Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (CQROC) meeting on Friday.

“Regional Queensland is in no doubt about the Morrison Government’s commitment to delivering road and freight infrastructure critical for key supply chains,” Mayor Kerry Hayes said.

“Minister Buchholz is leading from the front with his rollout of Roads of Strategic Importance funding.”

Fresh from Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) meetings in Toowoomba and Townsville, the Minister will be visiting the CQ Inland Port with Mayors and Councillors from across Central Queensland.

“Local government feels very confident when we get this level of engagement and on the ground service,” Mayor Hayes said.

“We are very fortunate that Minister Buchholz is indeed a local and is determined that valuable supply chains across the state are strengthened and constructed.”

“Roads like Springsure-Tambo have benefitted from the Roads of Strategic Importance initiative and improvements will make a huge difference to our communities and our key industries,” Mayor Hayes said.

Mr Buchholz said strong voices in Central Queensland were delivering critical investments.

“We have a strong team of Government Members here in Central Queensland, Michelle Landry, George Christensen and Ken O’Dowd – they are always in my ear about these investments and they have a real focus on improving road safety and increasing the region’s productivity. Mr Buchholz said.

“I look forward to continuing to work with local mayors and stakeholders in Central Queensland as we finalise the ROSI projects on the Townsville to Roma and Mount Isa to Rockhampton corridors.

“I thank Mayor Kerry Hayes and the Central Highlands Regional Council for playing host to the CQROC meeting here in beautiful Emerald,” Mr Buchholz said.

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