Putting the accelerator down on roads in Budget 2022-23

Published 17 June 2022

Council has put the accelerator down on road works in its $816 million 2022-23 Budget by investing $43 million across 155 road projects that will help ease congestion and cater for growth.

Mayor Peter Flannery said road construction, repair and resurfacing are among the biggest priorities in Budget 2022-23, which includes the start of construction of a new bridge across the North Pine River at Youngs Crossing Road.

Key roads at Dakabin, Kippa-Ring, Arana Hills, Mango Hill, Caboolture, North Lakes, Burpengary East, Morayfield and Bellmere will also be upgraded with investments of more than $1 million each and Council’s Gravel to Sealed Road Program will receive a further $1 million to tend to the region’s more rural roads.

“It’s no secret that Moreton Bay is growing fast and locals feel that most when they’re in the car on the way to work, at the school pickup and drop off, and during the weekend rush to our favourite getaway destinations,” Mayor Flannery said.

“Council services more than 3,700km of roads within Moreton Bay, which is the distance of a return trip from Morayfield to Melbourne - and this is why we’re investing our largest portion of Budget 2022-23 toward roads, to get ahead of growth and address this quality of life issue.

“Less time spent on the road means more time doing the things we love with the people we love.

“We’re balancing this essential work with a strong environmental focus.  We’ll be employing wildlife spotters to ensure local wildlife isn’t affected during the construction phase; we’re increasing our tree planting program by 30% from 160,000 to 210,000 habitat trees; we’re building koala and wildlife crossings; and we’re installing koala protection fencing along our roads so they don’t wonder onto the road networks.

“This year’s severe weather has taught us all the importance of flood proofing our infrastructure which is why we’re investing $30 million to build a new Youngs Crossing Bridge - this is the beginning of a two year project which will be the biggest road infrastructure project in our Council’s history.

“This will be delivered by 2024 thanks to the Federal Government’s contribution of $32.75 million and it will provide one of our busiest roads with flood immunity for up to a 1 in 100-year flood event.

“Council’s $1 million Gravel to Sealed Roads Program will bring underdeveloped roads in more remote parts of Moreton Bay up to a modern standard to improve safety, quality of life, and get ahead of future development.

“They include: Beltana Avenue in Toorbul, Dobell Drive in Morayfield, Clifford Road and Rahes Road in Mount Pleasant, Raaen Road in Rush Creek, Cove Road in Commissioners Flat, Ahern Road in Delaneys Creek, Kirby Road in Elimbah, Heisner Road in Mount Mee, Whyte Road in Neurum and Hoffman Road in Wamuran.

“Another big project to keep traffic moving after heavy rain is at the intersection of Henry Road and Dohles Rocks Road in Griffin, with $13.8 million to raise the road level and improve traffic safety - thanks to $4 million in Federal Government funding.

“This is a project that was previously put in the ‘too hard’ basket but we’re getting on with it so locals can spend less time in their cars and more time doing the things they love. This will also feed into Council’s $14 million Griffin Sports Complex which will soon be ready for use.

“Old Gympie Road, Dakabin has been another concern for motorists, especially as it’s become a popular alternative to the Bruce Highway - which is why we’ll begin rolling out $83 million worth of works along this stretch of road over the coming years.

“One of the first projects along Old Gympie Road is the $5.2 million upgrade of the intersection with Boundary Road, which locals know can be a nightmare to get through during peak hour.

“Construction will start in the coming 12 months on new traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, bike lanes and landscaping, which will give residents improvements in safety and traffic flow, and fewer delays.

“Major roads that feed into Old Gympie Road will also need to be upgraded, so we are starting at the Alma Road and Marsden Road intersection at Dakabin, with an initial $1.3 million as part of a larger $3 million project to install traffic lights, add traffic lanes and median strips between lanes, and construct bikeways.

“This includes $915,000 from the Federal Government to help push this project along, thanks to Longman MP Terry Young.

“As Narangba locals will know, there’s plenty of growth and development happening around Oakey Flat Road, which is why we’re investing $6 million to upgrade the intersection with Young Road from a single lane roundabout to a multi-lane crossing with traffic lights and dedicated turning lanes.

“Soon the nearby housing estate, supermarket, petrol station and shops will be complete increasing the traffic through this intersection, so we will also upgrade the crossing to make it safer for pedestrians.

“Pedestrian safety will also be improved in Bongaree, with $935,000 for a raised street crossing, lighting, signage, street furniture and landscaping at the intersection of First Avenue and Welsby Parade.

“Other intersections include Klingner Road and Boardman Road in Kippa-Ring, with $3.2 million allocated, South Pine Road and Plucks Road in Arana Hills, with $2.5 million, William Berry Drive and Morayfield Road in Morayfield, with an initial $1 million of a bigger $3.6 million project, and Francis Road, Sparkes Road and Ellis Street in Lawnton, with an initial $1 million of a bigger $9.8 million project.

“Mango Hill Ring Road will be completed, starting with an initial $2.5 million as part of a $5.2 million project to extend Lamington Road to Anzac Avenue and Capestone Boulevard in Mango Hill, add pathways, on-road cycle lanes, pedestrian crossing facilities, street tree planting and landscaping

“Samford and Mount Nebo will have $4.1 million set aside for road safety and transport improvements, adding to the completion of the $4.5 million Private Percy Cash Pedestrian Bridge to safely cross the South Pine River.

“I’d like to thank the Department of Transport and Main Roads for a $2 million contribution and the State Government for $500,000 through the Works for Queensland program to make the Samford bridge project a reality.

“All in all, it’s a massive spend that will set us up to future-proof the Moreton Bay road network, fix frustrating bottlenecks, raise prone roads above flood levels and improve motorist, cyclist and pedestrian safety.”

Budget highlights for Moreton Bay’s road network:

• $30 million in initial funding for road and bridge construction at Youngs Crossing Road in Joyner.
• $13.8 million to raise the road level and improve traffic safety at the intersection of Henry Road and Dohles Rocks Road in Griffin, with $4 million in Federal Government funding
• $6 million for upgrading the intersection of Oakey Flat Road and Young Road in Narangba
• $5.2 million for improvements at the Old Gympie Road intersection with Boundary Road in Dakabin
• $4.5 million for road repair, a turning lane and works for potential future road widening at Boundary Road in Narangba
• $3.2 million to upgrade the intersection of Klingner Road and Boardman Road in Kippa-Ring
• $2.5 million to upgrade the intersection of South Pine Road and Plucks Road in Arana Hills
• $2.5 million to complete the Mango Hill Ring Road, with extension of Lamington Rd to Anzac Avenue and Capestone Boulevard in Mango Hill
• $2.3 million for repairing Discovery Drive in North Lakes, removing cracks and deformation and ensuring a waterproof surface
• $2 million to repair rutting and cracking at Eastern Service Road in Burpengary East
• $1.9 million for widening Graham Road in Morayfield from two to four lanes and install a central median strip
• $1.6 million to repair rutting at Bellmere Road in Bellmere
• $1.3 million in initial funding for upgrading the intersection of Alma Road and Marsden Road in Dakabin, as part of a larger $3 million project
• $1.3 million for street furniture, landscaping and paving as part of a streetscape project at Main Street in Samford Village
• $1 million in initial funding to upgrade the intersection of William Berry Drive and Morayfield Road in Morayfield, as part of a bigger $3.6 million project
• $1 million in initial funding to upgrade the intersection of Francis Road, Sparkes Road and Ellis Street in Lawnton, as part of a bigger $9.8 million project
• $935,000 to improve pedestrian safety with a raised street crossing and install lighting, signage, street furniture and landscaping at the intersection of First Avenue and Welsby Parade in Bongaree.