Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads Steve Minnikin MP discuss the state of Beachmere Road with Fiona Gaske LNP Candidate for Pumicestone and the much needed upgrades the community has been asking for many years.
LNP candidate for Pumicestone, Fiona Gaske has slammed the condition of Beachmere Road, labelling it as “disgraceful” and “an accident waiting to happen”.
Out inspecting Beachmere Road last week with Shadow Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Steve Minnikin MP, Ms Gaske said that the Palaszczuk Labor Government has not found any money for vital upgrades despite years of lobbying by representatives and the local community.
“With no State Budget being delivered by the Labor Government this year it’s unlikely any funding will be made available for the much needed upgrades any time soon”, Ms Gaske said.
“Beachmere locals are fed up with being told their main connecting route is not a priority and it makes me wonder whether Transport Minister Mark Bailey has ever travelled Beachmere Road”.
Ms Gaske highlighted that the number of accidents is greater than records show with many locals reporting chilling near misses that don’t make their way onto data spreadsheets.
“When we talk about Queensland roads in poor condition, Beachmere Road would be right up there”.
“There is a five kilometre stretch with no road shoulders and narrow lanes, add to this no lighting and it is an accident waiting to happen”, Ms Gaske said.
After inspecting the road for himself, Mr Minnikin said the concerns of locals is understandable, describing Beachmere Road as “in a lousy state”.
“It’s no wonder Beachmere locals are up in arms - they deserve a Government who will not only listen to the concerns of road users but act on it”, Mr Minnikin said.
Mr Minnikin highlighted that Beachmere Road carries a considerable volume of traffic and is the main route to the Bruce Highway from Beachmere.
“There’s no alternative route without making a large detour up Peel Road to avoid the hazardous conditions of Beachmere Road, and Fiona tells me many do!” Mr Minnikin said.
Ms Gaske said that in the past weeks she has spoken to many Beachmere locals and held a mobile office to hear the community’s concerns.
“The call for this road to be upgraded is the number one issue raised with me and the sentiment expressed by locals is ‘enough is enough – fix this road’”, Ms Gaske said.
“Today, I am calling on the Palaszczuk Labor Government to make Beachmere Road a priority for upgrading”
“Locals have the right to a safe, hazard free journey and leaving this any longer is simply not good enough”, Ms Gaske said