LNP ‘Commitment’ to raising Bushy Creek bridge height
PROBLEM SPOT
LNP candidate for Cook at this year’s state election, David Kemp, says his side of politics is “committed” to raising the height of the problem Bushy Creek bridge on Mossman Mount Molloy Road.
The road is a vital link and following Cyclone Jasper last December was the only road in and out of Douglas Shire. It was cut off several times by subsequent flooding in January.
Mr Kempton has told Newsport that Bushy Creek bridge was high on the agenda for fixing, after a recent meeting in Mareeba between the LNP’s shadow roads minister Steve Minnikin and representatives from the transport industry, growers, freighters, and couriers, and Mareeba Council, which is the main authority responsible for that section of road.
“We’ve agreed to set up a regional transport advisory group made up of mainly stakeholders to assist to identify all of the problems that we face within the regional transport network,” Mr Kempton told us, and that Bushy Creek is a priority.
“Yes, Bushy Creek is being identified. It simply needs to be raised and realigned to ensure that it’s above flood level,” he said.
“It doesn’t seem to me to be a great big job, but I’m not an engineer; we have certainly identified it as something of a priority.”
“I can’t make a promise that if I’m elected, it’ll be the first thing that’ll be fixed but it is certainly on the agenda for it to be considered to improve the entire road network throughout north Queensland.”
Not only is it a general problem spot during wet season, but the LNP candidate said making certain Mossman Mount Molloy Rd can stay open is also a crucial issue especially during times of disaster or impending weather events.
“When I was in Mossman, Port Douglas after (Tropical Cyclone) Jasper it became very evident to me that Bushy Creek is critical to any evacuation of people out of that region in the event of a flood or a cyclone,” Mr Kempton said.
“Once it’s underwater, there’s no passing through. But just generally, in times of flood, it holds some people up and it’s a fairly vital link.
“So it’s definitely on the agenda, it and Rifle Creek and Spear Creek and areas that are prone to flooding within the Mossman, Port Douglas and Mareeba regions.”
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