INFRASTRUCTURE development or lack thereof was the main focus of a visit by Leader of the Opposition Lawrence Springborg to the Mareeba Saleyards yesterday.
Mr Springborg said taking the opportunity to meet as many Queenslanders as he can on a regular basis to talk about their issues, is the only way to obtain better outcomes for Far North Queensland (FNQ).
“I was in FNQ a few months ago, and keeping in touch with locals to find out about the issues they face and their priorities for development and change in the region is of paramount importance,” he said.
He said the Northern Australia Plan which will see the Commonwealth government invest $5b in the North will allow for further opportunities for expansion for the beef and cropping industries.
“Much of that money will come into Queensland and it’s critically important that we organise a partnership with state government to ensure the funding is used for the right projects.”
He said one of the key issues among locals is the lack of progress on critical infrastructure projects such as the Peninsula Development Road.
“The project had contracts signed for work to get underway in May this year which has since been delayed with no prospect of work being undertaken this year.
“This sort of procrastination by the ALP is leading to opportunities for new infrastructure in the region to fall by the wayside.”
He said the delays are bad for development and employment opportunities in FNQ.
Mr Springborg also heard the concerns of graziers and farmers in the region regarding the changes by the ALP regarding vegetation management laws.
“They (the ALP) are winding back some of the laws put in place by the LNP that had allowed farmers and graziers to clear productive land for future food production and manage their land by clearing regrowth.
He said if regional Queensland is not doing well the rest of the state will suffer.
