Townsville's newly elected mayor Nick Dametto has issued a direct challenge to the Queensland government, demanding real financial commitment for a crucial North Shore intersection upgrade rather than what he calls empty promises.
Government's Announcement Meets Skepticism
The Katter's Australian Party member responded strongly to Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish's announcement that planning would begin for a new signalised intersection at the corner of North Shore Boulevard and Sturt Street. While the government described this as delivering for North Queensland communities, Dametto questioned the timing and substance of the commitment.
The mayor-elect pointed out the suspicious timing of the announcement, coming just one day after the local government elections were declared. He expressed concern that without firm funding and construction timelines, the project might remain in planning stages indefinitely.
Long-standing Community Safety Concerns
This intersection has been a source of significant community concern for years, with local residents repeatedly raising safety issues at the busy junction. The North Shore area has experienced substantial growth, increasing traffic volumes and compounding existing safety problems.
Dametto emphasized that local residents deserve more than just another planning study after years of advocacy and mounting safety concerns. He stressed that the community needs to see shovels in the ground and real progress toward a safer intersection.
Call for Tangible Action and Funding
The newly elected mayor made it clear that he expects the state government to back their announcement with concrete financial commitments and clear construction timelines. He argued that North Queensland communities have heard enough promises and now require demonstrable action.
Dametto's stance reflects his party's broader approach to infrastructure delivery in regional Queensland, focusing on securing guaranteed funding rather than accepting announcements that may not materialize into actual projects. The intersection upgrade represents a critical test of the new mayor's ability to deliver on his infrastructure commitments for Townsville residents.
The situation highlights the ongoing tension between different levels of government regarding infrastructure funding and delivery timelines, particularly in growing regional centers like Townsville where population increases are putting pressure on existing road networks.
