The 7 November Cape York Region Package taskforce forum in Cairns will identify priorities for stage three of the project, as well as ask for explanations about budget overruns of up to $100 million experienced during the rollout of its second stage. Photo: Supplied.
The question of multimillion-dollar project overruns and prioritising Peninsula Developmental Road (PDR) targets to focus available funding on will be in the spotlight at what is expected to be a well-attended forum in Cairns on Thursday.
The Cape York Region Package (CYRP) taskforce will host the meeting at the Cairns RSL from 10am-12pm on 7 November, with dozens of stakeholders based along the PDR expected to dial in remotely to have their say on what road upgrades should be at the top of the list when stage three is rolled out.
Money – both sourcing it to start stage three and getting answers on staggering stage two cost blowouts – will be high on the agenda as the taskforce, Cape York residents and road freight operators wait to see what money will be offered up by the new State Government following the 26 October election.
The former Labor government committed $60 million to stage three through an 80:20 funding arrangement with its federal counterpart, however, it remains to be seen whether Premier David Crisafulli and his Liberal National Party (LNP) majority government will honour the pledge.
LNP candidate David Kempton, who has declared victory to unseat incumbent Labor MP Cynthia Lui in Cook, slammed the funding announcement as a “hollow” election stunt in September
“[It’s] a hollow vote-buying stunt, five weeks before an election, that Labor cannot deliver,” he said at the time of the announcement.
“[Former Transport and Main Roads minister Bart Mellish] knows full well that the state cannot commit funds to stage three without the Federal Government putting up its share pursuant to the bilateral funding agreement.”
Mr Kempton did not respond to a request for comment from Cape York Weekly about whether he stood by his assertion, and what he would do to ensure stage three of the CYRP did not fall off the new State Government’s radar.
With the Archer River bridge nearing completion, it is anticipated the forum will ask the Department of Transport and Main Roads for an explanation about the project’s $100m cost overrun, and how similar blowouts will be avoided on future works.
Taskforce co-chair Professor Allan Dale urged Cape York stakeholders to attend the forum, either in person or virtually, to ensure their voices were heard in the stage three discussion.
“Public involvement is key to ensuring that these objectives remain central to our planning and advocacy, and engaging with the community allows the taskforce to shape projects that deliver meaningful and lasting benefits, contributing to the overall wellbeing and equity for Cape York residents,” he said.
To register for the forum, call RDA Tropical North on 4041 1729 or email [email protected].
Cape York Region Package taskforce co-chair Professor Allan Dale. Photo: Supplied.
