Transforming the Mount Lindesay Highway into a federal road is the first step towards what a former Logan mayoral candidate says is a phenomenal opportunity for the region.
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Brett Raguse welcomed the news that the highway would be included in the National Land Transport Network, increasing the chances of federal funding.
The section of the highway between the Logan Motorway at Parkinson and Bromelton Street, Beaudesert will now be national road.
Mr Raguse backed a similar plan when running for the council's top job in March, saying it would open up transport links and revive dying towns.
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The ambitious idea was to for the highway to continue south, skirt Mount Lindesay and link with the New England Highway over the border.
That would open up links with the Summerland Way and Bruxner Highway, and back to the Pacific Highway.
Mr Raguse said while the idea was still in its infancy, it was a good step towards the vision he had when running for mayor.
"Strategically, they will now look at the road as part of a network," he said.
"I suspect they're only doing it to Beaudesert at this stage because of its potential links to the Gold Coast.
"You have Mount Tamborine in the way, but there are probably a number of links that could be made.
"There is obviously something driving this, but I don't know what it is."
The former federal MP said the news came at the right time for the area, with booming populations planned for Flagstone and Yarrabilba.
Transport companies would soon have a ready-made workforce and a suitable corridor for moving freight.
"It could establish the area as a major transport hub," Mr Raguse said.
"It's a strategic location, and a phenomenal opportunity."
He predicted the two-state benefit for the road would be a long time coming, like the Tugun Bypass on the Pacific Highway.
"It was delayed for 15 years," Mr Raguse said.
"It was always a stand-off. Queensland took the lead on it, then NSW took the benefits too."
Division 9 councillor Scott Bannan said the area's drivers would benefit from the change.
"It's terrific news and hopefully the federal money will start to flow for the highway straight away," he said.
"It is long overdue and I know council and the state government has been pushing for this for a long time."
Scenic Rim MP Jon Krause said adding the highway to the national network would help get more federal assistance for the road.
"This is a great step for the Mount Lindesay Highway and more jobs at Bromelton," he said.
"Clearly there are a lot of places where upgrades and improvements are needed."
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