Media Release

A long-awaited report on the condition of the Barron River bridge at Kuranda won’t be released to the public because it is “too technical” according to Transport and Main Roads Department (TMR).

Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter has attacked this bureaucratic double-speak saying motorists had a right to know if the bridge is safe to use and for how the single lane access and weight restrictions will remain.

“Either it is safe, or it is not safe, and it certainly looks like it is not when we get a response like this,” Mr Katter said.

“It’s time for the State Government to build the alternative road to Cairns – the Bridle Track highway. We have given TMR a topographical map of the proposed road and I have discussed this proposal with them and the Federal Government’s

Assistant Transport Minister, Scott Buchholz. There is now no alternative.”
Mr Katter will be writing to the Qld Transport Minister, Mark Bailey regarding the Bridge.

“I will demand a copy of the report,” Mr Katter said.

“We are being treated as mugs in North Queensland. The State Government would not be keeping Brisbane residents in the dark like this, and they would be spending money to fix the situation. They are now estimated to spend $7B on Brisbane’s Cross River Rail , meanwhile we are down to one lane at the Kennedy Highway at Kuranda with no action from the State Government in sight.”
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