Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
For decades, people across the Herbert River district have been calling for improvements to the Bruce Highway at Gairloch.
Anyone who has lived through a North Queensland wet season knows just how frustrating it is when the highway goes underwater, cutting communities off and disrupting families, businesses and our local industries.
That's why it was particularly pleasing to stand alongside Premier David Crisafulli and Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg this week to announce that work is now underway on these long-awaited upgrades.
And I know plenty of locals will be thinking the same thing – it's about time!
During the Hinchinbrook by-election, I committed to fighting for the infrastructure our region deserves, and improving the safety and reliability of the Bruce Highway has remained a priority.
The works between Gairloch and Ripple Creek will include road widening, improved drainage and other upgrades designed to reduce flood-related disruptions.
Further safety improvements are also underway between the Ingham-Halifax-Bemerside Road intersection and the Cardwell Range.
These projects form part of a broader investment in the Bruce Highway, jointly supported by the Queensland and Australian Governments.
For our community, this isn't just about upgrading a road.
It's about families getting home safely, people making it to work or medical appointments, and our farmers and businesses being able to move their produce and freight without unnecessary disruptions.
We can't stop the rain, but we can build better infrastructure to help our communities withstand it.
There is still plenty of work ahead, including the broader floodway improvements needed at Gairloch, but seeing construction underway is an important step forward.
Next week, I will also be back in Parliament for another issue I have continued to advocate strongly for – Breach Bail, Go to Jail.
During the by-election, people across Hinchinbrook made it clear they were tired of repeat offenders being released on bail and going on to commit more crimes.
I listened, and I have continued fighting for stronger consequences.
The proposed legislation will introduce tougher bail requirements and mandatory minimum detention or imprisonment for certain serious offences committed while on bail.
Following the parliamentary committee process, these laws are now expected to be debated and passed next week.
Bail is a privilege, and there must be consequences when that privilege is abused.
Whether it's delivering long-awaited road improvements or fighting for stronger laws to make our communities safer, my focus remains on getting practical results for Hinchinbrook.
There is more work to do, but we're making progress on the issues that matter to our community.
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