A $3.5 million spend on local roads is one of the features of the Queensland Government Budget unveiled last week, however one the region’s worst roads has again been denied State funding.

While work will be undertaken on roads leading towards Samford and Woodford, no taxpayer money will be used to fix dangerous sections of the D’Aguilar Highway.

Stretches of Eatons Crossing Road, which runs from Eatons Hill to Yugar, near Samford, will be fitted with guardrails.

Guardrails will also be installed at sections of Mt Mee Road, which links Dayboro and D’Aguilar, near Woodford, with the combined cost of the set of upgrades to add up to around $2.57 million.

Traffic signals at South Pine Road, at the Flamingo Drive intersection at Albany Creek and the Kremzow Road intersection at Brendale, will be improved, while parts of Maleny-Stanley River Road at Postman’s Track, near Booroobin, will be upgraded.

However, Member for Glass House Andrew Powell said he was disappointed by the State Government’s reluctance to direct some its Budget funds to safeguarding motorists on the D’Aguilar Highway.

He said the Government had “all but abdicated its responsibility” for the state-controlled road.

“Motorists using the D’Aguilar Highway don’t have anything to cheer about with the State Government still relying on the Federal Government’s Black Spot Funding Program as the sole source of funding for much needed upgrades,” Mr Powell said.

“We are all paying more for registration, fuel, tolls, public transport, electricity and water, with no relief in sight.

“Whilst the local investments are appreciated, they don’t do enough to meet the growth demands of the area or to ease the daily financial burdens of local families and individuals.”

Member for Pine Rivers Carolyn Male said the projects in her electorate, designed to deliver better road safety and infrastructure, highlighted a clear plan to “help secure the future of Pine Rivers”.

“These are all important projects that the community has asked for,” she said. “This is a huge win for us and it means more jobs and a boost for the local economy.”

On the public transport front, $35 million will go towards duplication of the railway line between Ferny Grove and Keperra and a major upgrade and expansion of the Ferny Grove Station car park, at the expense of the existing tavern.

Member for Ferny Grove Geoff Wilson said: “$11 million of this will be spent upgrading the Ferny Grove train station, which includes approximately 500 new car parks to increase capacity to about 1000 spaces. This will see greater capacity for public transport which is great news for passengers in the local area.”

Around $1.5 million will provide more parking spaces at Petrie station, with a further $1 million set aside to upgrade Strathpine station.

Schools such as Ferny Grove, Bray Park, Pine Rivers and Albany Creek State High Schools and Mt Samson, Strathpine West, Albany Creek, Bray Park and Ferny Hills primary schools will also benefit from funding.

Money has also been allocated for infrastructure to improve the delivery of energy and water services in the district.

A total of $3.81 million will finalise improvements for network reliability at Samford Valley and Arana Hills, while $130,000 will aid Moreton Bay Regional Council’s gas extraction project at the Bunya and Dakabin landfill sites.

Moreton Bay Council can further support the Pine Rivers Community Assisted Transport Service thanks to a $632,000 State Government contribution.

Other notable local projects include $1 million for a synthetic green at Pine Rivers Bowls Club, $401,000 for the new Pine Rivers Neighbourhood Centre, and more funds for Caboolture Hospital’s expansion.

The State Government has also vowed to increase its investment in existing National Park infrastructure, as well as acquire more land for protection.