Central Queensland is set to benefit from the deliver of $500 million of upgrades to priority road corridors.
These projects will aim to improve critical road infrastructure for the state’s beef industry, with the network stretching across close to 218,000 kilometres, running east to west in central Queensland.
The State Government, in partnership with Federal Government, will work with seven local government mayors and key industry stakeholders on the identification of short, medium and long-term beef road priorities to inform a 10-year Central Queensland Beef Roads Investment Strategy.
Construction on these projects are expected to commence progressively from 2024-25.
To kick start the initiative, an early works package is being developed with the Miles Government funding contribution, prioritising the a number of projects.
Related stories:
- Contract awarded for Great Eastern Highway works
- Tunnelling reaches halfway point on Western Sydney Airport project
- Works underway, design finalised for $120M Majors Road
These include pave and seal sections along Clermont-Alpha Road in Mackay/Whitsunday and Central West districts, pave and seal and widening of floodway along Alpha-Tambo Road in the Central West district, pave and seal in sections of the Fitzroy Developmental Road between Bauhinia – Duaringa in the Fitzroy district and a pave and seal section along May Downs Road in the Mackay/Whitsunday district.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish said future projects will be confirmed though the annual release of the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program, which outlines on-going and potential investment in road infrastructure.
“The road upgrades to be proposed under a 10-year Central Queensland’s Beef Roads Investment Strategy will provide safer and more efficient transport solutions for this nationally-significant industry and increase economic opportunities for the region,” Mellish said.
“In partnership with its federal counterparts, the Department of Transport and Main Roads will engage with relevant local governments and key industry stakeholders to develop a 10-year strategy to prioritise beef road upgrades where they are needed most.