SCENIC Rim MP Jon Krause has asked Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey to release the 2020-21 Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program.
Mr Krause said the addition of the Mount Lindesay Highway to the national network should allow the state government to expedite works in the coming year and the QTRIP, normally released at the same time as the budget, would contain TMR plans from 2020-2024.
"Jobs for the future, at Bromelton and across the Scenic Rim, need a better Mount Lindesay," Mr Krause said.
"Why won't Mark Bailey release what's planned for our roads this year? Is it because there's nothing new there?"
A TMR spokesman said instead of a budget being handed down this year due to COVID, the government would, like other states and territories, publish a COVID-19 Fiscal and Economic Review in September.
Mr Bailey said his department was briefing industry this week on its project delivery for 2020-21 so businesses have more information on how they can tender for work on government projects.
"The Palaszczuk Labor government's economic plan to restore confidence and create jobs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic is well underway with an additional $1 billion in roads stimulus secured for Queensland, billions in relief for small and larger business, buy local procurement policies in place for road contracts and support for local manufacturing.
"The $1 billion includes a further $75 million in joint funding for the Mount Lindesay Highway to upgrade the stretch between Stoney Camp and Chambers Flat."
Mr Krause said while the federal government had allocated $400 million in COVID stimulus money for roads, the Queensland government did not have a single new Mount Lindesay project they could put up to receive funding.
"They're stuck in the slow lane, just like the highway after 25 of last 30 years with Labor in power," he said.
"Scott Buchholz and the LNP federal government have stepped up by making this highway a national highway.
"Labor should stop the games and release the roads budget so we can all get on with fixing the Mount Lindesay - together. I'll keep fighting for our fair share because people depending on the highway deserve better."
Mr Bailey said they had already started design for the final project of the government's $12 million Beaudesert-Beenleigh Road safety package and would also deliver the jointly-funded $10 million upgrade of Howard Creek Causeway on Tamborine-Oxenford Road.
"Lobbying by the Member for Logan Linus Power and the local community to have the Mount Lindesay Highway recognised as a national significant highway also means we're in a much stronger position to help us deliver our a 10 year plan for the highway, with 80:20 funding from the federal government according to their funding rules," he said.
"We've hit the halfway mark on that plan and we're committed to keeping that progress rolling.
"The Palaszczuk government has a strong record of attracting major roads funding and delivering upgrades after years of inaction under the LNP.
"While the LNP love to cut when they get the chance, it's only the Palaszczuk Labor government that has a record of investing in the M1 and other roads and public transport projects and can be trusted to keep investing in the jobs and upgrades we need."
