One Life For Every Three Kilometres

Revelations that in the last ten years at least one person has lost their life for every three kilometres of the Bruce Highway in the electorate, has left Member for Burdekin Dale Last questioning how much more blood needs to be shed before desperately needed safety upgrades are funded.

Mr Last said despite community calls over the years for safety improvements the tragic events of recent weeks had shone a spotlight on a fact that regional Queenslanders were all too familiar with - the Bruce Highway is a national disgrace.

“To think that 59 fatal accidents equates to a tragic loss of life every three kilometres along the 187km section of the Bruce Highway in the Burdekin Electorate beggars belief,” Mr Last said.

“The question I have for the Minister is, how many more fatalities will it take before we see serious road investment from this state government?”

“Any life lost on our roads is one too many and as we have seen in recent weeks the wide-spread impact these tragedies have, goes further than the site of the accident.

“It tears at the heart of our community members, first responders and emergency services.”

Despite 36 projects being identified to improve safety from Bowen to Townsville in Labor’s strategic plan for the Bruce, Mr Last said the fact that none had received new funding sent a clear message to regional Queenslanders.

“Action plans and glossy documents won’t do anything to save lives on our roads, that comes down to funding for upgrades and maintenance, something the Minister has clearly forgotten about when it comes to the Bruce Highway in North Queensland,” Mr Last said.

“Perhaps the Minister needs to get in a car and experience for himself the Bruce Highway between Bowen and Townsville.  

“Maybe then he might understand that when we are screaming for road upgrades, we're not looking to get home faster, we are looking to get home alive.”

Opinion Piece from Member for Burdekin Dale Last.

‍