Media Release

KENNEDY MP, Bob Katter is asking where the state member for Cook has been, while Mareeba residents are crying out for proper representation over the need for several road upgrades in the region.

On Monday two pedestrians were taken to hospital after they were struck by a car on Byrnes Street in Mareeba.[1]

KAP Federal MP, Bob Katter said a heavy vehicle bypass had been talked about for years to reduce congestion in Mareeba’s main street, but the state government project had not progressed due to a lack of representation by the state MP.

“We are on bended knees asking the State Government to come onboard with the heavy vehicle bypass and the Bridle track highway down to Cairns,” Mr Katter said.

“70,000 people trying to access Far North Queensland’s biggest city are down to one lane, and lengthy delays. If we were in Brisbane the State Government would be acting with haste. The people of Mareeba are rightly furious.

“Similarly, we continue to see accidents in Mareeba’s busy main street. We should be able to go shopping and run errands without worrying about being struck by a car or truck. The heavy vehicles must have an alternate route so that the main street is not as congested.”

Mr Katter will be meeting with the Federal Government’s Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport, Scott Buchholz, in Canberra next week, to discuss the need for these two critical road projects to be started as soon as possible.
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[1] https://www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au/latest-news/two-pedestrians-hit-in-mareeba-cbd