STATE Member for West Ipswich Wendy Bourne has delivered a scathing address in Parliament, demanding urgent action from the Queensland Government on two of Ipswich’s most critical – and long overdue – infrastructure projects.
Ms Bourne called out Minister for Transport Brent Mickelberg for failing to provide clear updates on the Bremer River Bridge upgrade and the Mount Crosby Interchange, both of which have been the subject of long-standing community concern.
“It’s time to stop the blame game and get on with it,” Ms Bourne said.
“Our community deserves better.”
She highlighted that while significant funding commitments had been made – including $134.5 million for the Mount Crosby Interchange and $42.5 million for the Bremer River Bridge by the previous Miles Government – progress had stalled under the current administration.
“I stood with the Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann MP, during 2024 and applauded their $177 million commitment to these projects,” she said.
Despite the funding, Ms Bourne said updates from Transport Minister had been “slow, vague and frustrating”.
“I’m focused on outcomes, not playing politics,” she said. “And I will continue to fight for the road and transport infrastructure our region needs.”
Ms Bourne, who was elected in 2024, said she hit the ground running to advocate for essential upgrades in one of Queensland’s fastest-growing regions.
She noted that traffic congestion and public frustration were worsening by the day.
“Every day I get at least one constituent, if not more, contacting me about the status of these projects,” she said.
“People are fed up.”
The Mount Crosby Interchange has been in discussion since before 2017, with residents growing increasingly angry over delays and the lack of tangible progress.
“The traffic bottleneck is alarming and dangerous,” Ms Bourne said.
She also raised concerns about the aging Bremer River Bridge, which carries about 30,000 vehicles each day – 4000 of them heavy vehicles – and has become a headache for commuters due to reduced speed limits and constant delays.
Ms Bourne renewed calls for a second river crossing, noting that locals had been advocating for it since the 1960s to alleviate pressure on the existing David Trumpy Bridge.
During the 2024 election, she secured a $146 million Labor commitment, with $4 million earmarked for the business case and $142 million allocated for construction.
“These projects are not just important – they’re essential,” she said. “And the lack of progress is completely unacceptable.”
Mr Mickelberg was contacted through his office, but did not supply a response in time for publication.
