Safeguarding Highways to Protect Supply Chains and Food Security

The Bruce Highway, Queensland's most significant transport corridor, is crucial for connecting regional communities and supporting the movement of food, fibre, and foliage across the state and to domestic and international markets. A recent meeting with the Bruce Highway Advisory Council highlighted the need for making the highway safer and more reliable. The $9 billion Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program is underway, with upgrades already visible. However, addressing vulnerabilities on the Bruce Highway and other regional transport corridors is essential to protect food security and supply chains.

Key Takeaways:

• The Bruce Highway, Queensland's most significant transport corridor, is essential for connecting regional communities and supporting the movement of food, fibre, and foliage across the state and to domestic and international markets.
• A $9 billion investment in the Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program is underway, with upgrades already visible, aiming to make the corridor safer and more reliable.
• Farmers rely on safe, resilient transport corridors, and addressing vulnerabilities is crucial to protect food security and supply chains.
• The Warrego Highway, Queensland's second busiest route, carries almost 6,000 heavy vehicles daily, making it a vital connection for agriculture and other sectors.
• The Bremer River Bridge's reduced capacity is a chokepoint that requires a long-term solution from government to ensure reliable freight movements.
• QFF continues to advocate for reliable, resilient transport networks to maintain Queensland's reputation for delivering world-class food, fibre, and foliage.
• A recent flood on the Bruce Highway resulted in over 30 days of closure, estimated to have cost $300 million and caused significant supply chain issues and disruptions to freight movements statewide.

Statistics:

• The Bruce Highway is Queensland's most significant transport corridor, connecting regional communities and supporting the movement of food, fibre, and foliage across the state and to domestic and international markets.
• The $9 billion Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program upgrade is the most significant investment in the corridor in more than a decade.
• The Warrego Highway carries almost 6,000 heavy vehicles daily.
• The Bremer River Bridge's reduced capacity is a major chokepoint, requiring a long-term solution from government.
• The recent flood on the Bruce Highway resulted in over 30 days of closure, estimated to have cost $300 million and caused significant supply chain issues and disruptions to freight movements statewide.

Sources:

• Aaron Kiely - QFF President
• "Our View" article, no specified source date