Farming peak body AgForce Queensland is calling for new infrastructure, investment and maintenance into the state's priority roads and bridges to unlock key strategic trade routes.
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"The truth is that Government investment in road infrastructure hasn't kept pace with development in regional communities, rural industries, or farm machinery and technology," Agforce Queensland CEO, Mike Guerin said.
"This is astonishing,considering nearly half of the State's economy is generated outside greater Brisbane,"
The AgForce call has been welcomed by the Inland Queensland Roads Action Project (IQ-RAP) which is advocating for funding commitments in the lead up to the state election.
IQ-RAP Working Group deputy chair and Flinders Mayor Jane McNamara said continuing investment into strategic freight networks was important for jobs as well as industry and tourism during the pandemic.
"The IQ-RAP vision is to increase the quality and accessibility of the inland Queensland road network, contributing to Australia's productivity, quality of life, safety and equity outcomes," Cr McNamara said.
"Road reliability is of paramount importance to the agricultural industry. The ability to access markets when the price is right and the produce is ready is essential for financial success."
She said road funding had a multiplier effect in construction jobs, better road quality, more tourism and better safety outcomes.
Chair of Regional Development Australia Townsville and North West Queensland.and mayor of Charters Towers Frank Beveridge said they recognised the importance of promoting the role of infrastructure projects as a crucial part of the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and how critical it was to the agricultural sector.
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