In response to accusations of funding cuts and failed promises on the completion of the Tewantin Bypass Independent Member for Noosa Sandy Bolton says since being elected in 2017 she has achieved more than any Noosa MP regarding the road link since its mention in a Demaining Agreement back in 2000. Addressing this historical issue was one of Ms Bolton’s commitments and after building the case stage one of the Bypass, the Cooroy Noosa/Beckmans Road intersection was completed in 2022.
“This was not an easy undertaking, and as we are seeing currently, the next stage has presented unseen challenges demonstrated by the lack of detailed design funding in this budget, and as reported last month I called on the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Bart Mellish, to intervene, and expect a response shortly,” Ms Bolton said.
In the 17 years between 2000 and 2017, Noosa had both a Labor MP with a Labor Government and an LNP MP, who was also a Minister when LNP held power.
“As we have seen from when we had two political party MPs, whose respective parties held government during their terms, having this type of representation failed Noosa, and they did not deliver needed historical projects such as the Tewantin Bypass and Six Mile Bridge #7. That more progress has been made since Noosa chose to be independent is a testament to why it is so important for Noosa to remain independent,” she said.
Ms Bolton had an original aim in 2020 to have all three stages of the Tewantin Bypass completed by 2024, however unknown then was that the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) would hand over project management to Noosa Council, creating the involvement of two levels of government.
She said since the completion of stage one, she has requested both TMR and Noosa Council to advise of any difficulties in advancing stage two, the Noosa Eumundi roundabout end, in order to address the congestion.
At no time from either has there been any indication that there would be delays, only that consideration was being given to tackle both stages two and three together, she said.
“Regardless of the reasons for the delays that have led to this, whether on State’s or Noosa Council’s end, we have reiterated that the Minister must fast-track and fund the requirements to get it back on track immediately,” Ms Bolton said.
“However, given recent media (reports) that this is a result of a state decision and failing, including from the LNP candidate who was the Noosa Mayor during that time, I have also requested an investigation into who made the decision to tackle stages two and there together, which would put this project into a funding bracket that required a longer process and potentially created the situation we are now in.”
Ms Bolton said what the community needed was “solid financial commitments, not broad motherhood statements that mean absolutely nothing” nor that “what is promised is reliant on their candidate being elected as that is “carrot dangling” at its worst”.
“The case has been put, and a failure to deliver demonstrates the flaws I have raised in our systems and politics, which must end,” she said.
