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Queensland beef roads boosted

Federal and state authorities highlight 15 priority projects

 

The Beef Roads programme in Queensland will see a $56 million investment courtesy of the federal government following months of consultation with relevant stakeholders.

The commitment includes targeted upgrades on roads that are used by cattle transporters, with 15 priority projects already highlighted, including:

  • Rockhampton Road Network – Road Train Access
  • Burke Developmental Road – Chillagoe to Almaden
  • Clermont – Alpha Road
  • Ootann Rd – Almaden to Kennedy Hwy (Gunnawarra)
  • Gregory Developmental Road (South of Charter Towers)
  • Richmond-Croydon Road            
  • Cloncurry – Dajarra Road
  • Diamantina Developmental Road (Boulia – Dajarra)
  • Richmond – Winton Road.

“The Australian Government has committed over $56 million toward targeted road upgrades and improvements, providing a welcome boost to the Queensland cattle industry,” infrastructure and transport minister Darren Chester says.

“This commitment will enable 15 projects to be delivered including $20 million towards the upgrade of the road between Gracemere saleyards and the Rockhampton abattoirs.

“Other projects range from sealing and road widening works that will help boost industry productivity, to increasing road reliability and safety on key routes in the cattle supply chain.

“The Beef Roads Programme recognises moving cattle from the farm gate to market involves some of the longest and most challenging land transport distances of any industry, anywhere in the world.”

Chester acknowledged the efforts of Australian Agricultural Company director David Crombie and Consolidated Pastoral Company CEO Troy Setter for helping identify the projects for the priority list.

“These proposals have also been modelled by the CSIRO’s TraNSIT model to help identify which proposals delivered the greatest benefits to the northern Australian beef industry.”

The programme constitutes federal government investment of up to $100 million and $19.19 million spending by the Queensland government.

Resources and northern Australia minister Matthew Canavan says the upgraded roads will also provide benefits to all road users, including other agricultural industries and the freight sector.

 

 

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