Infrastructure Australia (IA) has earmarked the Bruce Highway Upgrade (Caloundra Road to Sunshine Motorway) and the M1 Pacific Motorway-Gateway Upgrade Merge Upgrade (southbound lanes) as priority projects.
Last week, the independent infrastructure advisory body released news of the outcome, which, according to a statement from the office of Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher, confirms the Australian Government’s decision to commit $105 million to the M1 project, as well as $110 to widen the M1 between Mudgeeraba and Varsity Lakes.
“This funding was committed on a 50:50 basis between the federal and state governments and followed strong advocacy by Member for Forde Bert van Manen and Member for McPherson Karen Andrews,” said Mr. Fletcher in a statement.
“It is important to understand what this assessment from IA confirms and what it does not confirm. What it underscores is the economic importance of the project and an analysis of its costs and benefits.
“Queensland Roads Minister Mark Bailey has suggested today that IA’s assessment was predicated on the basis of a particular state-federal funding split.
“As Minister responsible for Infrastructure Australia, it is important that I make it clear that Minister Bailey’s claim is incorrect.”
The statement concluded that IA conducts its assessments without any consideration of the funding split between federal and state governments.