The first early works project of the A$500 million Central Queensland Beef Roads Program is finished: a 3km section of the Clermont-to-Alpha Road north of Alpha has been sealed, the Queensland government said, giving the beef industry a safer and more reliable freight route.
The programme will progressively upgrade and seal priority sections of nine freight corridors across Central and Western Queensland. It is funded with A$400 million from the federal government and A$100 million from the state, after years of advocacy by seven regional councils. Work continues on the Clermont-Alpha Road south of Clermont, the Fitzroy Developmental Road north of Bauhinia and the Alpha-Tambo Road south of Alpha, while design goes ahead on May Downs Road west of Clarke Creek.
Federal assistant minister for regional development Anthony Chisholm said the upgrades would strengthen supply chains and support the long-term productivity of Queensland's cattle industry. Acting state transport minister Tim Mander said they would improve freight reliability for producers, transport operators and communities.
Barcaldine Regional Council mayor Rob Chandler said cattle would arrive in better shape, with less wear on machinery and quicker deliveries. Terence Munns, mayor of Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council, said better roads would cut transport costs and improve access to markets, and Isaac Regional Council mayor Kelly Vea Vea said more work remained to improve access, safety and resilience across the network.
Photo: Ridiculopathy / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Source: Beef Central
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