- $100 million for new Country Roads Connect Program to deliver safety roads for regional Queenslanders.
- Twenty-two regional roads to be upgraded across 22 Council areas.
- Program will upgrade unsealed roads, providing more reliable and resilient road links for rural and remote communities.
Rubber is hitting the road on $100 million of upgrades to regional Queensland roads, keeping communities connected and boosting safety on 22 regional road projects.
Twenty-two projects have been funded under the Crisafulli Government's new Country Roads Connect Program - aimed at improving the connectivity and resilience of Queensland's regional road network.
The program will help secure critical road links by upgrading unsealed roads, benefiting communities and businesses across our regional towns who were ignored for too long by the former Labor Government.
Premier David Crisafulli said Country Roads Connect was part of the Safer Roads, Better Transport Plan.
"From Rockhampton to Richmond, the Maranoa to the Whitsundays, and all the way to Wujal Wujal - we're delivering the regional road upgrades that Queenslanders have been waiting for," Premier Crisafulli said.
"This will deliver the missing connection links and improve resilience along our beef highway and beyond, just as we promised.
"For producers this means getting stock and produce to market more easily, for Queenslanders this means food is the highest quality when they receive it.
"It also opens up the opportunities for drive tourism, increasing the safety of our regional roads."
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the program was about keeping essential goods and services moving all year round.
"Many of the towns where the upgrades are being undertaken depend on the country roads for agricultural and freight purposes, which is their livelihood," Minister Mickelberg said.
"This program isn't just about making sure towns aren't stuck with goat tracks on a good day — it's about ensuring they're not completely cut off by flooded, impassable roads when things get worse. Communities shouldn't have to choose between poor access and no access at all.
"We're backing our rural and remote communities by giving funding to councils, which know their roads best and understand the unique needs of their regions. I look forward to seeing these projects take shape to deliver lasting benefits for regional Queensland."
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing, and for Regional and Rural Development Dale Last said the overwhelming response from councils demonstrated the need to upgrade our unsealed road network.
"These roads are critical lifelines for regional communities, and improving them is essential for safety, connectivity, and economic development," Minister Last said.
"These country roads are the arteries of rural and regional Queensland. It's the difference between kids getting to school safely, farmers having reliable access to markets and emergency services being able to get to remote parts of our state.
"We look forward to working with councils to deliver targeted investments that will make a real difference in the lives of regional Queenslanders."
Member for Gregory Sean Dillon said the investment was about delivering real outcomes for local motorists and the industries that drive the region's economy.
"For too long, Queenslanders in rural and remote areas have had to put up with sub-standard, unsealed roads that make every day travel and freight movement difficult and unsafe," Mr Dillon said.
"Country Roads Connect is about changing that — delivering safer, more dependable roads that support families, producers, and small businesses across Gregory.
"I'm proud to be part of a government that's listening to regional Queenslanders and investing where it's needed most. I'll keep fighting to make sure Gregory gets its fair share and that our communities stay connected and competitive."
