The condition of the Clermont Alpha Road has deteriorated to the point that it is becoming unable to fulfil its function as a major link road in central Queensland, according to Gregory MP Lachlan Millar.

“It is major north-south link from Clermont via Alpha down to Tambo and the Landsborough and Mitchell Highways. Closer to home it links through Clermont to both the Peak Downs and Gregory Highways and of course at Alpha it also connects to the major east-west Capricorn Highway,” said Mr Millar.

“The fact that it links so many major state transport routes should tell Blind Freddy that an investment here will be repaid fivefold,” said Mr Millar.

“It traverses some of our best cattle country and investment would boost productivity for the transport industry, the beef industry and for drive tourism. Most importantly it would improve safety for the landholders and their families who are daily road users.

“We have school children who must travel this road to get to school. I am told staff at the Mistake Creek Primary School wait with fear every day until they see the School’s troopie turn into the school grounds and know the children have made it safely for another day,” he said.

Mr Millar said discussions around infrastructure planning for the proposed developments in the Galilee Basin must include the upgrading of the Clermont Alpha Road, but urgent upgrades to the road must happen regardless, due to the safety issues involved.

“I’ll be working to see this included as a major project in the next QTRIP but I hope the Minister may also see the need for some immediate safety upgrades,” he said.