Main Roads Minister out of touch

23 Jun 2016 10:24 AMMichael Hart

 

Main Roads Minister out of touch

 

Member for Burleigh, Michael Hart, with Shadow Minister for Main Roads, Andrew Powell, call on the Minister for Main Roads to get up to date with his roads and department.

 

In a response to a Question on Notice asked by Mr Hart about the safety of a main road in Burleigh, the Minister declared the concrete stretch of Bermuda St heading out to and from the Pacific Motorway “is not a danger to motorists”.

 

This is despite Mr Hart receiving a number of complaints from motorists relating to the audible road surface joints leading many to believe they have a flat tire.

 

Motorists go on to pull over on the narrow shoulder to check tires while cars fly by at speeds of 80kms and more.

 

“I have been concerned enough to push for signs at least to warn of the audible surface however not everyone reads the signs and I worry that one day someone is going to get cleaned up or killed on this stretch,” said Mr Hart.

 

“I’ve had many meetings with local Transport and Main Roads about the road and was advised in February of their discussions with industry regarding trials of a ‘Crack and Seat’ process for cracking existing concrete pavement and then overlaying with asphalt.’

 

“Yet when I queried the Minister on this technology, his response was ‘The Department of Transport and Main Roads has no plans to investigate or undertake works at this location as the road is safe’”.

 

“I think its clear the Minister for Main Roads has little to no interest in the Gold Coast or its roads and its long overdue he meet with local representatives and get up to date.”

 

Shadow Main Roads Minister Andrew Powell said the Main Roads Minister isn’t across the basics of his portfolio.

 

“This basic neglect of road safety is indicative of this asleep at the wheel Palaszczuk Government,” Mr Powell said.

 

“This inaction shows Gold Coast residents can’t trust Labor to ensure local roads are kept safe.

 

“It just isn’t good enough and Queenslanders deserve safer roads delivered across the state.”

 

[ENDS] 23 June 2016

 

Contact: Renee Whitehead – 07 5560 4100