Work on improving sections of Central Queensland’s beef roads is set to begin in the middle of the year with the early works package scheduled for completion by mid-2027.
The Albanese government officially announced the release of $38 million today to get the ball rolling on the strategic road network that covers 218,000 square kilometres of the state.
It supports the movement of around $1.7 billion in freight and agricultural produce – in particular Australian beef each year from inland areas to saleyards, processing facilities and ports across the region.
The early works package has been identified in partnership with local councils and industry stakeholders.
Projects selected will address immediate needs by sealing and widening sections of the network to provide all-weather access, improve productivity and safety, especially for truckies, said the media release announcing the funding.
The early works package includes the following projects:
- Upgrade 2.7km of Clermont-Alpha Road East
- Upgrade 3km of Clermont-Alpha Road West
- Upgrade 4.8km of Fitzroy Developmental Road
- Upgrade 5.7km of Alpha-Tambo Road
- Upgrade 7.6km of May Downs Road
“Queensland’s Beef Roads are as essential to the state as the cattle industry itself, which is why we’re getting on with delivering these critical upgrades,” said federal Transport Minister Catherine King, who had a busy day yesterday revealing a wide range of major road projects in the state.
“We know there is still work to do, but this first set of projects will make the roads wider, smoother and above all, safer for all road users.
“This is good for our nation’s freight productivity, good for Central Queenslanders, and good for our truckies who use these roads every day.”
The $500 million project is being jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments, with Australian Government contributing $400 million, and the Queensland Government contributing the remaining $100 million.
The last Queensland Labor government first announced the beef roads project last year.