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Statement on the Tiaro Bypass – House of Representatives
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZTc5K4_MRI

Hansard 13:30 03/09/2020  House of Representatives

Mr LLEW O’BRIEN (Wide Bay—Deputy Speaker) (13:31): 

The Deputy Prime Minister, Queensland minister for road safety Mark Bailey and the state member for Maryborough have a plan to build a Tiaro bypass that puts road users in danger and lacks vision for a growing Maryborough and Fraser Coast.

When building a new road, safety should always be the first priority, but sadly, in this case, it wasn’t.

Only after my protests did the road safety minister cobble together some idea of a dividing barrier, but it’s still only on a dangerous two-lane road.

If you truly have a vision for zero fatalities you don’t build the road the government is planning to build around Tiaro.

It is just not good enough.

I have a vision to see Maryborough as a thriving economic and manufacturing centre that will need the best road infrastructure to support that economic capacity, with the highest safety standards for families, tourists and transport workers.

I ask: does the state member for Maryborough share this vision or not?

Interstate truck drivers tell me how they dread this section of road, a black spot heavily used by B-doubles, cars and grey nomads towing caravans.

We need a four-lane road so the families of those essential workers can relax, knowing that the journey will be an easy and safe one.

The government’s planned highway is an unsafe two-lane highway of yesterday, not a safe four-lane highway for tomorrow.

WELCOME TO WIDE BAY

In the spirit of Australia, I acknowledge all citizens who contribute to making our nation the greatest on earth.

I acknowledge our defence force personnel, past, present, and emerging, for their service to our nation, and particularly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of Australia.

I also acknowledge the Australian taxpayers who, through their hard work, pay for the infrastructure, health, education, and emergency services that keep our proud nation healthy, safe, and prosperous.