ROAD TO RUIN Bruce Highway's Safety Nightmare Sparks Urgent Action

By Amanda Wright

As the Greater Whitsunday region’s mayors launched their passionate campaign for essential road upgrades, their efforts are being bolstered by federal members who share their frustration. The dangerous condition of the Bruce Highway continues to draw national attention, with alarming new statistics shedding light on the urgency of the situation.

The Bruce Highway, particularly in the Capricornia region, has unfortunately claimed the title of Australia's most dangerous crash hotspot. According to AAMI’s Decade of Driving report, eight out of the ten most common crash locations are on the notorious Bruce Highway.

Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, has voiced her deep concern, pointing out that drivers on the Bruce Highway are five times more likely to be injured or killed compared to those on the Hume Highway. Despite this grim reality, the federal government has recently reduced funding from an 80:20 to a 50:50 split, a move Ms Landry criticises as not only illogical but dangerously short-sighted.

“With more than twenty lives lost this year alone, and a substantial contribution of $18.1 billion in royalties from the Fitzroy region, it’s unacceptable that this revenue is diverted to cover cost blowouts in metropolitan areas while our roads suffer.”

The Capricorn region’s roading deficiencies include only two overtaking lanes every 100 kilometres, 31 narrow bridges, and over 230 road defects. Ms Landry stresses that cuts to essential road funding have direct, fatal consequences, as necessary upgrades are delayed or cancelled, putting more lives at risk.

In a related effort, Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, has been rallying for immediate action through his petition, "Back Our Bruce, Back Our People." The petition, which has garnered 1,000 signatures in just one month, reflects the community’s demand for a reinstatement of the original 80:20 funding split and immediate roadworks.

Mr Willcox, who frequently travels between Mackay and Townsville, has witnessed the tragic results of inadequate infrastructure and is calling for accountability from both state and federal governments.

“This is a matter of life and death, and the Prime Minister must address this crisis with urgency,” Mr Willcox said.

Rod Erwin, Chair of the Road Accident Action Group (RAAG), further stresses the dire need for enhanced road safety measures.

“The escalating number and severity of road crashes across the region is alarming. Despite some upgrades to the Bruce and Peak Downs Highways, these improvements have not kept pace with the increasing road usage and demand.”

With 21 fatal crashes, 545 injury crashes, and 291 non-injury crashes reported in the Greater Whitsunday region in 2023 alone, the call for action is clear.

The region’s busy roads, crucial for transporting wide loads and supporting local industries, need significant infrastructure and maintenance upgrades to match growing demand.

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Vehicles are frequently forced onto the opposite side of the road on the Bruce Highway to avoid large areas of surface damage which often remain for months without repair. Photo source: Michelle Landry

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