Labor Committed To Townsville Port Access Road

Media Statement - 30 May 2004

A Latham Labor Government will commit $8 million to Stage One of the Townsville Port Access Road and will also contribute further funding to assist the Queensland Government with further stages of the project, Shadow Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Martin Ferguson and Labor Candidate for Herbert Anita Phillips announced today.

“Federal Labor recognises the importance of the Townsville Port Access Road to the economic development of the region and that is shown in our commitment today,” Martin Ferguson said.

“The project will open up access to the Port of Townsville to ensure its growth as a key regional transport hub and reduce the impact of port traffic through the inner city.”

The Queensland Government, local development groups and the Townsville Council have all identified the Port Road Access as a priority infrastructure project in the region.

Commonwealth assistance has been sought for the construction of the first stage of the project but the Howard Government has shown no support for the proposal.

“Today I am pleased to announce that Federal Labor is committed to the development of Townsville and considers this project as a strategic economic link for the region,” Martin Ferguson said.

“This is a good example of how the future Labor Federal and State Governments will work together on infrastructure development for the benefit of our key regional centres and the economic development of Australia as a whole.”

“Federal Labor will work closely with the Queensland Government to ensure construction of the Port Access Road begins as soon as possible.”

This contribution to the Townsville Port Access Road is a key component of Federal Labor’s national integrated land transport plan that will be released in the lead-up to the Federal election.