Queensland's "convoy to Canberra" has made the case for more Commonwealth cash for roads and rail after the federal government slashed funding for 50 projects around the country.
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The delegation, led by Deputy Premier Steven Miles, met with federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King and Queensland senator Anthony Chisholm, the Assistant Minister for Regional Development, on Wednesday to urge them to "go back to the drawing board" over the cuts.
Mr Miles said the federal government "was able to provide some reassurances" after the group outlined topics of concern for Queensland.
"But they also undertook to take those away and to explore how they might be able to better address those concerns," he said.
Nine projects valued at $363 million were axed in Queensland, including six road upgrades and two commuter car parks, as part of cuts announced on November 16.
Funding for upgrades to the Bruce Highway and Gateway Motorway were also scaled back.
Mr Miles said the delegation included mayors and big industry groups - "as well as a group of mayors who were unable to get here but dialled in by Zoom" after mechanical issues grounded their scheduled flight from Brisbane to Canberra.
The group sought undertakings the federal government's contribution would "remain at the same quantum" as it moved from an 80 per cent to 50 per cent funding model.
"That alone would be valuable to us," Mr Miles said.
Sunshine Coast Deputy Mayor Rick Baberowski said two infrastructure projects in his region were among the nine state projects axed.
"It was hard for the community to understand why these decisions were made," he said.
He said he understood the decisions "much better myself" following Wednesday's meeting, including over funding for the Mooloolah River Interchange project.
"We now have to work out how we can re-present that argument based on its merits and its investment-ready status," he said.
Queensland Trucking Association CEO Gary Mahon said safe and efficient corridors were critically important to road freight around the country.
"It was critically important to us that regional Queensland was being fairly considered and we've been reassured about that," he said.
Ms King called the discussions "really productive".
She said the Queensland mayors did "fantastic work for their local communities" and looked after 75 per cent of local roads.
"Local governments require more funding to manage the rising costs and increased pressure on transport infrastructure due to climate change - something those opposite don't seem to think is happening - and the extreme weather events which we are all experiencing in our own communities," she told parliament on Wednesday afternoon.
She said the government had doubled roads to recovery funding to $1 billion a year and increased the black spot road funding program.
Australian Associated Press
