Longreach and Boulia will share in close to $1.5 million in funding for key local infrastructure under Round 4 of the Palaszczuk Government's successful $295 million Building our Regions (BoR) program.
An extended rail siding for Longreach Saleyards will be funded with $500,000 from BoR and $20,000 from Longreach Regional Council, which estimates the project will support eight jobs.
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the rail siding work would lead to the reopening of the saleyards, closed since 2014, and support eight jobs during construction, based on council estimates.
"Longreach Regional Council has plans to reopen the saleyards in partnership with AAM Investment Group," Mr Dick said.
"Extending the rail siding will improve efficiency for loading and unloading cattle onto trains and is an important part of the saleyards expansion and modernisation.
Meanwhile, Boulia's first industrial estate will be fully funded with $994,800 from BoR.
"Progressive sealing of the Outback Way by the Queensland and Australian Governments has brought an increase in transport and tourist traffic to Boulia," Mr Dick said.
"The new industrial estate will focus on servicing this traffic, especially long-haul transport, providing layover facilities and service opportunities, with five jobs to be supported during construction.
Longreach Shire Council Mayor Ed Warren welcomed the Building our Regions funding.
"Council estimates the new rail siding will increase the throughput of the reopened and modernised saleyards by 20 per cent over the old facility, taking the total number of cattle passing through to 120,000 a year," Mr Warren said.
Boulia Shire Council Major Rick Britton said increased use of the Outback Way was bringing growing demand for support services like mechanical repairs, tyre depots, welding and fuel supplies.
"The Boulia Industrial Estate's prime Outback Way location, adjacent to the Boulia-Mount Isa Highway, will give businesses high visibility from the road and easy access," Mr Britton said.
Round 4 of Building our Regions will see the Palaszczuk Government partner with 37 councils on 49 projects – work which will create an estimated 657 jobs.
Under previous rounds, the program has allocated $225 million to 174 critical infrastructure projects across the state, generating 1762 jobs and attracting additional investment of $353.5 million from councils and other organisations.
Learn more about the Building our Regions program.
