Phillip Thompson (Herbert, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

This budget is the next step in our economic recovery from COVID-19. It's about helping those who are out of work to get into work and helping those who are in a job to keep their job. We're investing heavily in infrastructure that will not only benefit our community but create jobs in the short and long term.

I want to talk about some fantastic projects that are going to be getting underway or have started in Townsville, because Townsville is in Herbert and Herbert is the best electorate in this place. There is $76 million for Riverway Drive Stage 2. This project will create a whopping 280 direct and indirect jobs over its construction lifetime. These 280 jobs don't just support the construction industry. There's not only the men and women who are working on the construction going in local cafes to get their bacon and egg burger in the morning and cafes putting on extra staff to help with admin but there's also the flow-on effect that has for the economy. So, while we talk about construction, actually there's a wraparound that affects the whole community and the whole economy in Townsville. This will not only benefit residents of the Upper Ross but also drive our economy forward with significant investment in the sector.

The upgrade will cover from Allambie Lane up to Dunlop Street, duplicating a 1.6 kilometre section between Allambie Land and Hammond Way, while safety upgrades for 3.1 kilometres between Allambie Lane and Dunlop Street will include three sets of traffic lights in that section to ensure safety and traffic flow. This will reduce congestion and improve travel times and safety, and I know everyone, regardless of the coloured shirt you wear in this place, thinks road safety and ensuring that people who leave in the morning come home safely at night is extremely important.

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