William Scott
The Queensland Government has re-established the Bruce Highway Advisory Council (BHAC), with the new members meeting for the first time on 18 December.
Chaired by the Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Brent Mickelberg, the BHAC brings together a group of diverse stakeholders including industry experts, peak bodies and regional representatives who span from south of the Sunshine Coast all the way up to Far North Queensland.
The six regional representatives – selected following an expressions of interest process last month – have varied backgrounds including civil construction, heavy vehicle and transport operators, small business owners and road safety advocates.
Keppel Sands local, Eleanor Butler, is representing Central Queensland on the BHAC, after her mother was significantly injured in a car crash on the Bruce Highway in 2020.
“I’ve lived in the region for 40 years and I know the Bruce like the back of my hand. I strongly believe upgrades to the highway should be top priority to drastically improve road safety,” Ms Butler said.
Fellow regional representative, owner of heavy haulage provider Notrans, Kent Battle from Townsville wants to be a strong voice for locals and the industry as a whole.
“I have drivers taking backroads instead of the Bruce because they feel it is safer, even though is takes longer. I want to change that,” Mr Battle said.
Industry and peak bodies invited to join the BHAC are:
- Queensland Trucking Association
- Queensland Farmers’ Federation
- Queensland Tourism Industry Council
- Transport Workers’ Union Australia, Queensland Branch
- Local Government Association of Queensland
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Brent Mickelberg, said regional input was valued and necessary to prioritise investment on the Bruce Highway.
“The Bruce Highway is the spine of Queensland’s road network and needs continued investment, which is why the Crisafulli Government has re-established the Bruce Highway Advisory Council to understand from road users the real issues,” Minister Mickelberg said.
“It was essential to me to have regional representatives as part of the Council as their background and life experience are going to provide valuable insights to life on the Bruce.
“I’d like to thank the many regional Queenslanders who expressed their interest in joining the Bruce Highway Advisory Council – it proves how passionate the regions are and the need for this representation in the council.”
