A newly-formed joint local government taskforce staffed by Tenterfield Shire Council, Southern Downs Regional Council and Scenic Rim Regional Council will lobby for upgrades of the New England and Cunningham highways.
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Representatives from each council met in Warwick earlier in August to begin discussions on much-needed upgrades to the highways which run through the three local government areas.
Southern Downs Mayor Tracy Dobie said she was pleased to welcome representatives to the inaugural taskforce meeting, including Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen and Director Infrastructure Services Patrick Murphy, and Tenterfield Shire Cr Gary Verri and Chief Operating Officer Andre Kompler.
“The meeting enabled the taskforce to set the scene and explore opportunities for advocacy to state and federal governments as a combined group of councils,” Ms Dobie said.
“We have some shared issues and aspirations relating to these two highways. These include road safety design concerns and known blackspots, the increasing volume of heavy vehicles and road freight activity and the impact on the safety of residents, pedestrians and passenger vehicles, and how upgrades could enhance opportunities for growth and development of our regions.”
Mr Kompler said the taskforce’s first undertaking would be an audit of the full length of the highways through the local government areas, in order to establish priorities.
