Dept of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
Beefing Up Central Queensland’s Road Network
The Albanese Labor Government tomorrow will announce the release of $38 million to get started on the early works package for the Central Queensland Beef Roads project.
The Central Queensland Beef Roads is a strategic road network that covers 218,000 square kilometres and 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 network also supports other industries such as tourism, critical minerals and renewable energy.
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 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.
This will have significant benefits for all road users, especially our freight drivers.
The early works package includes the following projects:
Construction on the early works package is expected to commence in mid-2025 and will be completed by mid-2027.
Today’s announcement reveals the Commonwealth’s contribution is flowing.
A 10-year investment strategy is being developed for the Beef Roads project that will identify short, medium and long-term priorities and guide future investment decisions in consultation with local councils, industry stakeholders and the Queensland Government.
The investment strategy is expected to be completed in mid-2025.
Quotes from Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King:
“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.
“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.”
https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/c-king/media-release/beefing-central-queenslands-road-network