Mount Lindesay Highway funding solutions sought

“The Mount Lindesay Highway is not only the number one road servicing one of the fastest growing residential corridors in Australia, it is also an increasingly busy freight route,” LCC mayor Luke Smith told the Times.

“Logan City Council wants the Mount Lindesay Highway recognised as a nationally important highway.

“The national recognition will provide the impetus for attracting priority federal funding. That might also provide the state government with the motivation it needs to come up with a business case for the entire stretch.”

According to Cr Smith, insignificant amounts of funding from state and federal governments are no more than band-aid solutions.

“Until they get serious and contribute the significant funding that is needed, the Mount Lindesay Highway will remain one of Australia’s most dangerous roads, as well as being one that holds back the economic productivity of not only Logan, but south-east Queensland too,” he said.

SRRC mayor Greg Christensen said his council is committed to working with all levels of government, and welcomed the state and federal co-funding of $40 million in upgrades.

"The current path of the Council of Mayors SEQ is to achieve a regional city deal agreement for south-east Queensland and get participation at all levels of government to deliver the right infrastructure.

“The Mount Lindesay Highway and, for Scenic Rim, the Bromelton bypass of Beaudesert, figure prominently in that conversation.”

Irrespective of state or national classification the challenge remains the same, according to Cr Christensen.

“Someone has to recognise the social and economic importance of this corridor to the Queensland and national economy and give it the same level of priority as its more 'glamorous' motorway cousin to the east,” he said.

At the recent Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) assembly in Canberra during June, LCC rallied local governments from across Australia for a national approach to roads and infrastructure funding in growing outer metropolitan areas.

“Developing an efficient national freight network by road and rail is vital,” he said.

“Thirty-five per cent of Australia’s freight task is currently transported by road and by 2030, Australia’s road freight task is set to increase 1.8 times over 2010 levels.

“Exactly how these roads are funded is decided on a case-by-case basis and is often the subject of political hand-balling.”

According to Cr Smith, the national economy has suffered while political cycles and opposing state/federal party politics play out, delaying the delivery of critical infrastructure.

“The growth of our national economy is contingent on upgrading roads like the M1 and the Mount Lindesay Highway, and we are happy to see that it is now on the agenda of councils across the nation.”