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Final 1,200km FNQ freight route closed by floods

The damage to the Bruce is only worsening, with there being only one route left for trucks to get from Mackay to Innisfail

Update: The Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) has now revealed that the Gulf Developmental Road at Georgetown is now closed. This was the last Transport and Main Roads (TMR) approved alternative route into Far North Queensland.

More updates to come.

The rain has continued to fall across Northern Queensland to start this week, meaning the only available route to get into Far North Queensland is an additional 1,200km detour.

Equating to almost the distance from Brisbane to Townsville, the Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) last night released this option that it expects will see “significant” cost increases for customers.

The Transport and Main Roads (TMR) department issued a bulletin saying the 1,200km detour is the only route available to get into the region for ‘as of right’ freight vehicles. This means freight vehicles can operate on the route without needing a permit from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).

The route starts at Mackay, where truckies can head onto the Walkerston Bypass and then onto Peak Downs Highway. Upon reaching Clemont, turn right onto Gregory Developmental Road and take it until you reach Charters Towers.

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From there, a left turn onto Flinders Highway out to Cloncurry will allow freight vehicles to head onto Burke Developmental Road all the way up to Normanton. By taking Normanton Croydon Road all the way to the Kennedy Highway, freight traffic can reach the Palmerston Highway and then turn left back onto the Bruce Highway in Innisfail to continue the journey to Cairns.

“Operators should give serious consideration to using this route and preparing drivers accordingly with the provision of plentiful resources, food, water and paper maps,” QTA CEO Gary Mahon says.

“With the weather forecasting the rain to move west, there is a risk that drivers will be held up on this route.”

Mahon is strongly advising that freight clients should expect significant cost increases for freight deliveries from road freight operators who use this route. Currently, Mahon has been in touch with many QTA members who have trucks parked up across the region, with there being concern for driver welfare and fuel supplies for fridge units.

“Operators who have current permits to operate their heavy vehicles on the Bruce Highway between Mackay and Innisfail must apply to the NHVR requesting to have these permits amended to reflect the alternative route,” Mahon says.

“Operators that cannot operate on the alternative route without the need for a permit must apply for one via the NHVR.

“TMR encourages operators to continue to monitor the QldTraffic website for further information on road closures and impacts from the North Queensland Weather Event.”

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