'Fix the Bruce' tops State election survey
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An RACQ member and community poll has identified fixing the much-maligned Bruce Highway as their top priority for the State Election campaign.
RACQ asked members to nominate their top election priorities from a shortlist of 10 wide-ranging issues relevant to the Club’s core advocacy and business areas.
Improving the Bruce topped the poll ahead of getting a fair go with fuel pricing and better planning for the State’s future growth.
In good news for Queenslander motorists, the State Government has announced it will support RACQ’s call for a ‘fair go with fuel pricing’ by implementing a limit on how much retailers can raise petrol prices each day.
RACQ analysed data on how fuel companies had changed their prices over three decades and devised the proposal to cap daily increases to 5 cents per day.
In the south east corner, the regular price cycles mean fuel prices can spike dramatically in an instant.
RACQ Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer David Carter said Premier Steven Miles’ announcement that the Labor Government would implement the price rise cap was a win for all motorists.
“With cost-of-living pressures affecting so many Queensland households, being able to plan and sustain your fuel budget is vital,” Mr Carter said.
“It will be a lot easier to fill up for less when you can see prices start to climb by five cents per day.
“Currently, when the hike is on, prices jump by up to 50 cents in an instant and there’s no way of knowing when it will start or when prices will hit the cheaper phase again.”
Additionally, RACQ also welcomed news that the Government plans to announce a single public transport authority for the south east.
“A single authority will lead to more effective and efficient running of bus, trams, trains and ferries,” Mr Carter said.
“RACQ has felt for some time that SEQ’s public transport system is convoluted, marked by multiple agencies and organisations with overlapping roles and responsibilities.
“We need a fast-growing region like SEQ to have administration that sees state and local governments working closer together to provide better public transport services for residents.”
RACQ General Manager of Advocacy Joshua Cooney said Fix the Bruce was ranked the top priority by 24.6% of the more than 2,300 survey respondents.
“The Bruce Highway impacts many lives in Queensland in many ways; it’s the backbone of our economy and a lifeline for our regional communities,” Mr Cooney said.
“Around 750km of this national highway is rated as poor and on average, 29 people lose their lives on the Bruce each year and more than 360 suffer serious injuries from crashes.”
Mr Cooney said while additional funding had been announced for the Bruce, RACQ was calling for a long-term plan and funding commitment to bring it up to the standard of other national highways like the Hume and Pacific.
“We need all state political parties to lock in a 10-year state and federal funding commitment to reverse the piecemeal approach to Bruce Highway project delivery and fight for a return to an 80:20 funding split with the Commonwealth for the Bruce,” he said.
Give us a fair go on fuel ranked second with 18.6% of respondents listing it as their top priority ahead of Plan and build for growth (17.1%).
“Traffic congestion problems are bad enough now, but what will they be like in two decades if effective planning is not implemented now?” Mr Cooney said.
“We need better planning to intrinsically link transport with jobs and housing to shape a region that will grow by 2.2 million people within 23 years.
“We’re calling on the next Queensland Government to build for growth by properly planning and connecting road and public transport infrastructure.”
The State Election will be held on 26 October.
Improving the Bruce topped the poll ahead of getting a fair go with fuel pricing and better planning for the State’s future growth.
In good news for Queenslander motorists, the State Government has announced it will support RACQ’s call for a ‘fair go with fuel pricing’ by implementing a limit on how much retailers can raise petrol prices each day.
RACQ analysed data on how fuel companies had changed their prices over three decades and devised the proposal to cap daily increases to 5 cents per day.
In the south east corner, the regular price cycles mean fuel prices can spike dramatically in an instant.
RACQ Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer David Carter said Premier Steven Miles’ announcement that the Labor Government would implement the price rise cap was a win for all motorists.
“With cost-of-living pressures affecting so many Queensland households, being able to plan and sustain your fuel budget is vital,” Mr Carter said.
“It will be a lot easier to fill up for less when you can see prices start to climb by five cents per day.
“Currently, when the hike is on, prices jump by up to 50 cents in an instant and there’s no way of knowing when it will start or when prices will hit the cheaper phase again.”
Additionally, RACQ also welcomed news that the Government plans to announce a single public transport authority for the south east.
“A single authority will lead to more effective and efficient running of bus, trams, trains and ferries,” Mr Carter said.
“RACQ has felt for some time that SEQ’s public transport system is convoluted, marked by multiple agencies and organisations with overlapping roles and responsibilities.
“We need a fast-growing region like SEQ to have administration that sees state and local governments working closer together to provide better public transport services for residents.”
RACQ General Manager of Advocacy Joshua Cooney said Fix the Bruce was ranked the top priority by 24.6% of the more than 2,300 survey respondents.
“The Bruce Highway impacts many lives in Queensland in many ways; it’s the backbone of our economy and a lifeline for our regional communities,” Mr Cooney said.
“Around 750km of this national highway is rated as poor and on average, 29 people lose their lives on the Bruce each year and more than 360 suffer serious injuries from crashes.”
Mr Cooney said while additional funding had been announced for the Bruce, RACQ was calling for a long-term plan and funding commitment to bring it up to the standard of other national highways like the Hume and Pacific.
“We need all state political parties to lock in a 10-year state and federal funding commitment to reverse the piecemeal approach to Bruce Highway project delivery and fight for a return to an 80:20 funding split with the Commonwealth for the Bruce,” he said.
Give us a fair go on fuel ranked second with 18.6% of respondents listing it as their top priority ahead of Plan and build for growth (17.1%).
“Traffic congestion problems are bad enough now, but what will they be like in two decades if effective planning is not implemented now?” Mr Cooney said.
“We need better planning to intrinsically link transport with jobs and housing to shape a region that will grow by 2.2 million people within 23 years.
“We’re calling on the next Queensland Government to build for growth by properly planning and connecting road and public transport infrastructure.”
The State Election will be held on 26 October.
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