2024 Election Priorities - Transport and Infrastructure

Overview

Transport and infrastructure are critical not only to the future viability of the Queensland agriculture sector, but also to all sectors and industries that contribute to the Queensland economy.

It is vital to support agricultural supply chains through maintaining and enhancing transport and freight infrastructure. This also ensures the safety of regional Queenslanders reliant on these roads.

QFF's Position

QFF calls for a long term, strategic approach to investing in vital transport and logistics infrastructure to enable a strong future for agriculture and regional communities.

Failure to plan, prioritise and invest to support the growing and changing freight task will compromise the future efficiency of agriculture supply chains and negatively impact the sector’s economic outcomes.

Policy Actions

Commit to delivering a long-term solution to reinstate the Bremer Bridge to ensure this freight corridor for agriculture is open at full capacity.
Commit to funding to repair and upgrade the Bruce Highway – a highway of state significance which provides an important conduit for many agricultural industries and supporting economic development throughout the state.
Commit to climate proof Queensland roads through addressing the state’s road maintenance backlog and embedding resilience in upgrades.
Prioritise key state transport routes that are critical in connecting significant agricultural production regions onto national highways.
Commit to effective funding support to upgrade key council roads within the Queensland road network including flood proofing where practical.
Support the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the Queensland Transport and Logistics Council’s ‘Supporting QEJP Windfarm Transportation’ report to plan for, mitigate, and manage the increased demands that will be seen on the Queensland road network during the renewable energy construction phase ensuring other existing industries are not adversely impacted.
Prioritise the development of a business case to progress Queensland’s Inland Highway initiative developing a resilient inland freight route connecting South East Queensland to Northern Australia and to key nodal infrastructure that supports major supply chains.