Joint media release with the Hon Anthony Chisholm MP and the Hon Tim Mander MP
Western Queensland communities, freight operators and travellers are set to benefit from safer and more reliable journeys, with stage one of the Cuttaburra Crossing upgrade now complete.
Jointly funded by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), the project is helping strengthen critical transport links across the region and reduce the impacts of future flooding events.
The completion of stage one marks a major milestone in the upgrade of Cuttaburra Crossing at Eyre Creek, located around 60km south of Bedourie on the Eyre Developmental Road, one of western Queensland's most important transport routes.
The project forms part of the 2024-25 Betterment Program, which is delivering resilience upgrades on six state-controlled roads affected by the Western Queensland Surface Trough and Associated Rainfall and Flooding event in 2025.
Stage one has delivered around three kilometers of newly sealed road across the Eyre Creek floodplain, helping improve reliability, reduce disruptions and keep communities, businesses and freight moving during and after severe weather events.
Cuttaburra Crossing was prioritised because of its history of prolonged flood-related closures and its importance in supporting local communities, freight movements, tourism and essential services across western Queensland.
The work doesn't stop here, with stage two now progressing through detailed design. The next stage is expected to deliver a further six kilometers of sealed road, pavement strengthening, drainage improvements and additional flood resilience measures.
Once complete, the full upgrade will significantly reduce road closure times and improve access for residents, businesses, freight operators and visitors travelling through the region.
The Betterment Program is designed to build back better by restoring disaster-affected infrastructure to a stronger and more resilient standard, reducing future disruption and supporting faster recovery when severe weather events occur.
For more information visit Flood resilience works - Queensland Government
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain:
"Communities in western Queensland know how disruptive severe weather and flooding can be, which is why the Albanese Government is investing in projects that build stronger, more resilient infrastructure.
"The Albanese Government has always stood by Queensland communities when disasters strike and we always will.
"The completion of stage one of the Cuttaburra Crossing upgrade is a great example of how we're working to strengthen critical transport links and reduce the impacts of future flooding events.
"These works will help keep communities connected, support local businesses and freight operators, and improve access across western Queensland when severe weather strikes."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Senator Anthony Chisholm:
"This upgrade at the Cuttaburra Crossing has delivered more flood resilience and has strengthened a key road in one of Queensland's most remote regions.
"The Eyre Developmental Road is so important for the communities of Birdsville and Bedourie, and for our freight operators moving goods from interstate and across Queensland.
"The Albanese Government is committed to delivering upgrades to regional roads across Queensland, and we're proud to be delivering this project alongside the Queensland Government."
Quotes attributable to Acting Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Tim Mander:
"The completion of stage one of the Cuttaburra Crossing upgrade is a significant milestone for western Queensland and another example of the Crisafulli Government delivering the road infrastructure regional communities rely on every day.
"We said we would invest in regional Queensland, strengthen critical transport links and help communities recover after natural disasters, and that's exactly what we're doing.
"The Eyre Developmental Road is a vital connection for local communities, primary producers, freight operators and visitors. These upgrades will mean fewer disruptions, more reliable journeys and a road network better equipped to withstand future flooding events.
"We're getting on with the job of building stronger regional roads, supporting economic growth and helping Queenslanders get home safer and sooner."
Quotes attributable to Queensland Member for Warrego Ann Leahy:
"Western Queensland communities know how important this route is, particularly during and after major weather events.
"The completion of stage one at Cuttaburra Crossing is a major step forward in improving reliability and resilience on this critical corridor, helping keep local communities, businesses and freight operators connected.
"It's fantastic to see this investment being delivered for the region, with further improvements still to come through Stage Two."
