State, council collaboration improves Queensland roads

Minister for Transport and Main Roads The Honourable Mark Bailey

More than 250 road and transport projects have been delivered during the past year through joint working and investment between the Queensland Government and local councils.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said $120 million had been invested in infrastructure and initiatives in 2020-21, as part of the Roads and Transport Alliance.

"We've had another great year of achievements alongside the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ), adding to the 19-year strong partnership," Mr Bailey said.

"The Alliance is underpinned by our $70 million Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) funding, the majority of which is managed by 17 Regional Roads and Transport Groups (RRTGs) that match TIDS funding dollar for dollar.

"This week, we have published the Roads and Transport Alliance Annual Progress Report for 2021 which recognises the benefits of the long-term partnership and showcases TIDS-funded projects delivered across the state."

Mr Bailey said he was committed to working collaboratively with local governments to deliver big for Queenslanders.

"We know that TIDS funding is vital for councils in Queensland to support their works programs and provide significant community benefits," he said.

"I am committed to continue supporting the delivery of road and transport infrastructure projects that meet the needs of growing communities across Queensland, support jobs and boost local economies."

In 2020-21, the RRTGs delivered 252 projects and undertook 35 capability development initiatives subsidised by the $600,000 TIDS Statewide Capability Development Fund.

LGAQ CEO Greg Hallam said the Roads and Transport Alliance was created 19 years ago through a shared desire by the state, the LGAQ and Queensland's councils to improve road safety and connectivity for local communities.

"Nineteen years on, the Alliance is continuing to deliver with the collaboration between local government and State Government as strong as ever," Mr Hallam said.

"The LGAQ would like to acknowledge the commitment of elected members, council officers and TMR staff in delivering another successful program in the 2020-21 financial year as is demonstrated in this year's Annual Progress Report."

Mr Bailey was pleased to see the funding put towards delivering important projects for locals.

"I look forward to seeing what we can achieve through the Alliance in the coming years," he said.

Some of the region projects in 2020-21 include:

  • Upgraded and sealed 29 kilometres of Deearne Road, Cockatoo – Banana Shire Council ($500,000)
  • Sealed 6-kilometres of Wyuna Road, Emerald – Central Highlands Regional Council ($849,000)
  • Flood-immunity and safety upgrade of Blackboy Creek culvert - Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council ($122,000)
  • Upgraded Jondaryan Saint Ruth Road from single to dual-lane – Toowoomba Regional Council ($1.343 million)
  • Upgraded drainage and sealed 3.6 kilometres of Battlecamp Road, Cooktown – Cook Shire Council ($665,000)
  • Sealed, installed a causeway and extended the box culvert on Strathmore Road, a key route for crop and cattle movement – Etheridge Shire Council ($726,000)
  • Widened, resurfaced and installed cycleway marking on Blain Drive, Gladstone – Gladstone Regional Council ($788,000)
  • Upgraded Fiveways Road and Ivory Road intersection, Ayr, to a major rural roundabout to improve safety – Burdekin Shire Council ($150,000)
  • Sealed Patterson Parade, Lucinda, advocated by the community – Hinchinbrook Shire Council ($156,000)
  • Continued sealing Burketown Road, Normanton – Carpentaria Shire Council ($910,000)
  • Constructed a concrete floodway and improved flood-immunity on Glentor Road, Flinders River Crossing – Flinders Shire Council ($445,000)
  • Widened the shoulder and sealed Woologarang East Road – Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council ($135,000)
  • Sealed and improved line marking and drainage on rural Kiamba Road, between Nambour and Yandina – Sunshine Coast Regional Council ($853,000)
  • Straightened and re-sealed Atkinson Dam Road, a busy B-double haulage route between Gatton and Coominya – Somerset Regional Council ($100,000)
  • Paved and sealed Alpha-Tambo Road, providing an alternative all-weather route for freight in Central West Queensland – Blackall Tambo Regional Council ($1.18 million)
  • Improved safety and active transport connectivity on Adelaide Park Road, Inverness – Livingstone Shire Council ($648,000)
  • Upgraded and sealed Postmans Ridge Road, an essential link to Warrego Highway – Lockyer Valley Regional Council ($437,000)
  • Continued sealing Quilpie-Adavale Red Road – Quilpie Shire Council ($975,000)
  • Completed sealing Innamincka Road, Durham, meaning entire road is now bitumen to the South Australian border – Bulloo Shire Council ($372,000)
  • Widened and upgraded Inverramsay Road, Goomburra – Southern Downs Regional Council ($277,000)
  • Upgraded Arubial Road, Condamine to bitumen – Western Downs Regional Council ($619,000)
  • Improved road safety on Balls Bay Road, Mackay – Mackay Regional Council ($1.014 million)
  • Rebuilt, widened and sealed Byee Road and upgraded Kangaroo Yard Road intersection, Byee – South Burnett Regional Council ($683,000)
  • Constructed a roundabout and completed upgrade of Main Street, Hervey Bay – Fraser Coast Council ($1.577 million)
  • Upgraded Investigator Avenue, Cooloola Cove – Gympie Regional Council ($675,000).

The Roads and Transport Alliance Annual Progress Report 2020-21 is available here: https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/business-industry/Business-with-us/Alliances

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