The Eight Mile intersection is a ‘potential death trap’ according to Southern Downs Regional Mayor Ron Bellingham – and many local residents – yet because the Mayor didn’t sign a letter sent to Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese, the issue isn’t that ‘significant’.
“The chief executive officer (Rod Ferguson) wrote to us but not the Mayor. If it was such a significant issue, why didn’t he (the Mayor) sign the letter,” a spokesperson for Minister Albanese said.
At last week’s general meeting, the council discussed their absolute disappointment in the reply they received to a letter sent to the Minister asking for a deputation on the Eight Mile intersection.
Instead of Minister Albanese replying, the letter was sent by Roland Pittar, general manager of North West Roads, Nation Building – Infrastructure Investment.
And instead of being addressed to Rod Ferguson, Mr Pittar had put Rob Ferguson.
“We just followed the protocol. If bureaucrats write to us, we get bureaucrats to respond back. If the elected officials write, the Minister normally writes back,” the spokesperson for Minister Albanese said.
Cr Bellingham found this rather strange considering the council directed the chief executive officer to write to the Minister.
“A decision from the council is the strongest indication of how we feel about it (Eight Mile intersection),” he said.
“We employ a CEO to respond to the council’s direction.
“I’m really concerned; the Eight Mile is a potential death trap.”
Cr Bellingham said he would now sign a letter addressed to the Minister this week in the hope that a deputation about this issue would be forthcoming from Minister Albanese.
The Minister’s spokesperson also went on to say: “For 12 years, you had a local member in government. Why did Bruce Scott fail to secure any funding that the community obviously wanted?”
Federal Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott said he did secure $5 million for the Eight Mile but was disappointed with how the funds were spent.
Mr Scott believed an overpass was the only solution at this ‘dangerous’ intersection.
One life has already been lost this year at the Eight Mile.
Story: Rebecca Brown
