Western Downs Regional Council is pleased to welcome a significant funding boost to improve flood resilience and reliability along the Moonie Highway.
Queensland Government funding in support of Council's Moonie Highway Flood Resilience Plan was announced by Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg on 20 January 2026.
Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Andrew Smith said the announcement reflected Council's strong advocacy for increased funding for State and Federal road networks in the region.
"We welcome this investment, which will see investigations into raising the road surface between the Condamine River and Myall Creek crossings to align with Loudoun Bridge, and strengthening works between Broadwater Road and Duleen-Daandine Road, known locally as Long Swamp," Mayor Smith said.
"We've been advocating strongly in Canberra and Brisbane to Ministers from the State and Federal Governments, giving them real information about the challenges our major arterial road networks, including the Moonie Highway, are currently facing.
"The State Government's support of our Moonie Highway Flood Resilience Plan is a huge win for our communities and industries across the Western Downs - it also means we're being heard at the highest levels of Government.
"Council has worked diligently, advocating at every opportunity to ensure the State and Federal Governments understand the importance of the Moonie Highway as a critical freight and community transport route.
"Securing this funding demonstrates what can be achieved when Council and community work together and advocate strongly for local priorities."
The project will include detailed hydraulic modelling, innovative road surface design, environmental and cultural heritage assessments, and ongoing consultation with local property owners and Western Downs Regional Council to ensure community needs are met.
Mayor Smith said while the funding announcement was a welcome outcome for Western Downs residents, many of the region's State and Federal roads are in critically poor condition.
"Despite being the Energy Capital of Queensland and our multi-billion-dollar agricultural sector, the Western Downs is at the mercy of critical shortfalls in State and Federal Government road funding.
"The output capability of our agriculture, intensive agriculture, manufacturing, and energy sectors are reliant on strong, safe, resilient road networks.
"What we need is investment in overdue road asset renewals and strategic upgrades to address the road conditions that pose very real threats to the safety of all road users.
"Increased road funding support is essential for the Western Downs to continue to support Queensland's economy, and for the safety or our rural and regional communities."
