Joint media release with the Hon Brent Mickelberg MP
- Reconstruction works have been completed on the Palmerston Highway, a critical Far North Queensland freight route between the Atherton Tablelands and the coast.
- Jointly funded by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments the project has restored the route to full pre-disaster function following the devastating impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
- Completion of the recovery works represents a significant milestone for Far North Queensland communities, freight operators and agricultural producers who depend on this vital connection every day.
- Reconstruction works are ongoing on other key range roads damaged by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.
Reconstruction works jointly funded by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) have been completed on the Palmerston Highway, a key freight route in Far North Queensland.
Two significant landslips - one where the road sunk two metres and shifted two metres sideways - have been repaired.
The upslope sites, including one that measured 20-metres high and 75 metres at its widest point, were stabilised with more than 6500 metres of soil nails - the length of about 60 football fields - along with high tensile mesh and coir netting.
At the downslope landslip, 83 concrete piles measuring up to 19 metres were installed over 160 metres. A capping beam was built on top of the piles to secure them together. It also acts as a retaining wall for the road embankment.
The piles and capping beam used more than 1450 cubic metres of concrete which is enough to fill half an Olympic-size swimming pool.
Damaged sections of rainforest in the road corridor have also been rehabilitated.
Works under the DRFA are ongoing to repair damage from ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper on other key range roads including Kennedy Highway (Kuranda Range), Gillies Range Road and Mossman - Mount Molloy Road, along with the Captain Cook Highway.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the completion of works on Palmerston Highway would benefit local residents.
"This news will be a relief for Far North Queenslanders still recovering from Tropical Cyclone Jasper, which caused this significant damage on the Palmerston Highway," Minister McBain said.
"Crews did an amazing job to undertake emergency works in challenging conditions and repaired the road to a trafficable condition just months after its closure, helping keep the economy moving.
"This critical supply route has now been restored to its pre-disaster function, helping Tablelands primary producers and residents get around the region safely as we get on with the job of supporting recovery from Tropical Cyclone Jasper."
Federal Member for Leichardt Matt Smith MP said the repairs restore the Palmerston Highway to pre-Cyclone Jasper conditions.
"The Far North grows the finest produce on the planet. With repairs to the Palmerston Highway now complete our farmers, agricultural producers and residents on the Tablelands can send their wares to the rest of Australia more efficiently.
"The Albanese Labor Government has worked hard to keep Far Northerners moving, and with this road restored to a pre-cyclonic state it's another step towards total recovery and our future resilience."
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the completion of works marked a critical milestone in Far North Queensland's recovery.
"The Crisafulli Government, alongside the Commonwealth, is getting on with the job of rebuilding Far North Queensland's road network so the communities, businesses and freight operators who depend on our regional road network," Minister Mickelberg said.
"The Palmerston Highway is a vital connection for the farmers, freight operators and communities of the Atherton Tablelands.
"This has been a remarkable effort, which saw significant slope repairs occur within a
limited road corridor and World Heritage Wet rainforest environment, all while keeping traffic moving throughout."
LNP Member for Hinchinbrook Wayde Chiesa said the completed works were a testament to the commitment of both governments to the recovery of Far North Queensland.
"The Atherton Tablelands is the agricultural powerhouse of Far North Queensland, and the Palmerston Highway is its connection to the coast, so having this route fully restored is absolutely critical for our producers, our businesses and our communities," Mr Chiesa said.
"This is complex, world-class engineering carried out in one of Australia's most sensitive natural environments and tourist attraction, and the result speaks for itself.
LNP Member for Mulgrave Terry James said the restoration of the Palmerston Highway was welcome news for communities and road users across the region.
"The Palmerston Highway is an absolute lifeline for the truck drivers and freight operators who rely on it every single day, and for the families and communities on both sides of the range," Mr James said.
"Getting this road back to pre-disaster function is a huge step forward in our region's recovery, and I'm proud the Crisafulli Government is getting on with the job of delivering a stronger, more resilient road network for Far North Queensland."
